The meaning of Easter is likely more powerful than you think. During the season of Lent, Christian believers’ thoughts often turn to sacrifice. We try to figure out what habit we can surrender or what discipline we can adopt to help us focus on the incredible price Jesus paid on the cross.

As parents, we have the added challenge of explaining the meaning of Easter to our children. And since most of us struggle with grasping His love and suffering in our own lives, we’re not always sure how to share it meaningfully with our kids.

The reality: we’re called to lead our children to salvation.

 

A Great Opportunity to Lead

It might be tempting to leave the meaning of Easter to the church. Pastors and children’s ministers have special gifts, experience, and training, so it makes sense to put the ball in their court as Easter draws closer.

But God never intended for the church or church leaders to usurp the responsibility of parents. Instead, they are called to supplement and support what should be taught at home. In God’s plan, Christian education starts at home, and parents are the primary spiritual mentors for their kids. 

As you dig into what Easter means, you’ll face two issues. You’ll have to figure out how you want to celebrate. There’s a lot to the Easter story, so how do you know what’s most important to share? That’s a fair question.

Easter is one of the most important days on the Christian calendar, and it’s important to understand its true meaning. But, like Christmas, it also includes some non-Christian traditions—like chocolate rabbits, expensive holiday sales, and merchandise. But more importantly, it’s essential to understand its true purpose.

 

Tips for talking to your kids about Easter

Not only does Jesus’s resurrection represent a cornerstone of the Christian faith, but it’s also a time when many children can learn a lot about Jesus. If your child hasn’t yet accepted Jesus’s offer of salvation, this time of year might open doors that weren’t open before! 

As you prepare to talk with your kids about the meaning of Easter, just remember one thing: You don’t have to be perfect in your explanation! Just consider these five topics as you go in:

  • Keep things age appropriate. You know your kids better than anyone else in the world, and you probably know how deep you can go with them. Of course, older kids can process more than younger kids, so keep the conversation at the right level for your child’s emotional and spiritual maturity. If you have questions, spend time praying for God’s wisdom.
  • Focus on the resurrection. Since the Easter story generally includes the crucifixion, it has some intense elements. The story of Jesus’s suffering and death is more than many adults can handle. So, don’t feel like you have to go into the graphic details, especially for younger children. If you stay focused on the empty tomb, you reduce the chance of scaring your kids. While you should absolutely share that Jesus died for our sins, highlight the truth that He didn’t stay dead. He was raised, and He still lives today. 
  • Emphasize that it’s all true. The resurrection appears in every Gospel. In addition, passages like 1 Corinthians 15 dig deep into the meaning of Easter and why the resurrection is essential to our faith. Use those passages to help your child understand that Jesus rose from the dead. Remind them that since all of Scripture is true, they can be sure that the resurrection did happen. In a media-driven world, it can be challenging for kids to distinguish fact from fiction. Make sure they know which side of that line Jesus’s resurrection falls on.
  • Keep the biblical story and the secular traditions separate. As mentioned, this is one of the trickiest parts of sharing Easter’s meaning with your child. If you participate in Easter egg hunts or give your kids baskets full of candy, that’s fine. I don’t think dying eggs is a sin, and I’ve had more than my fair share of jelly beans and peanut butter eggs over the years. You just have to ensure that your child knows the difference between what the Bible says about Easter and how our culture celebrates it. Just like you don’t want to put Santa at the manger on Christmas, you don’t want the Easter Bunny at the empty tomb. Keep those worlds separate to avoid confusion (at best) and devaluing Jesus’s resurrection (at worst).
  • Ask questions and answer questions. One of the best ways to make sure your child understands Easter’s meaning is to ask them to talk about what they’re hearing. If they can recount the story, you’re on the right track. You can fill in the gaps if they are missing some key points. Meanwhile, be ready to answer their questions. Don’t worry: Your responses don’t have to be deep or theological. In fact, simplicity and honesty usually work best. And never forget that “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure” are always legitimate responses—as long as you continue exploring the meaning of Easter.

 

This isn’t a “one-and-done” conversation.

As you think about sharing the meaning of Easter with your kids, don’t rush it. Kids typically need time to process information. That means they will get the most out of conversations that revolve around bite-sized pieces of information and that are ongoing in nature. 

Honestly, that works out well since the Lent season lasts almost six weeks. You could revisit the discussion several times over that time and help your child’s understanding of Jesus’s resurrection. Simply pray for God’s wisdom and keep looking for those teachable moments!

These have the chance to be the most impactful conversations you have with your kids all year.

Manhood Journey is a biblical fatherhood ministry. We exist to serve dads in their pursuit of godly fatherhood and discipleship. We believe that fathers are the key to raising children who walk with Jesus. If you’re a dad looking to lead your kids in truth, take this self-assessment.