God's Justice vs. Our Justice

After Easter services, one of our teachers shared with me how her 5-year-old and kindergarten students responded to the story of Christ's death on the cross. She said her students, particularly the boys, couldn't get over the injustice of Jesus dying in our place.
"But why did He do it?"
"Jesus didn't do anything wrong, He didn't deserve to die!"
There is so much truth and beauty in those statements. While we will never fully grasp the weight of Christ dying in our place, we can take advantage of the "injustice" of that action to teach our children.
At some point this week, it's safe to assume your child will disobey. During one of those acts of disobedience, take the opportunity to show him or her a picture of what Christ did on the cross.
When your child knows he or she has disobeyed and is expecting a swift punishment, show mercy. Instead of time out or a spanking, extend grace. Stop what you are doing, sit down with your child and talk to him or her about what is deserved. Explain that we deserve so much more than a spanking or time out for all the sins we do. And just like you showed your child mercy by not punishing him or her, so God showed us incredible mercy by allowing Jesus to die in our place. It's not fair, but it it's true and wonderful.

Cultivating an Eternal Perspective

This week your child will be learning of Christ's ascension into Heaven to be with God the Father. Our Forever King went up in the sight of His friends into the sky in a miraculous display of His glory and power! And we have the promise that we as believers will be with Him in Heaven one day, too! This is cause for celebration and hope. And this is a great truth to communicate to your children. Whether your little one is struggling with day-to-day frustrations, dealing with loss or illness, or even going through a phase where death becomes a preoccupation, you have an opportunity to cultivate an eternal perspective.
Talk with your children about the promise (John 14:3) and the joy of Heaven (Rev 21:4). Talk with excitement and joyful expectation when you talk about Heaven. Our Forever Home is a place where we will be with our Savior, apart from illness, sadness, darkness and death. What a great message and a great way to turn fear into joy, uncertainty into hope, and mourning into rejoicing!
And don't forget that talking about Heaven provides an easy transition into sharing the gospel!

Celebrating Easter Post-Easter

Hopefully you had an amazing Easter with your children and families. Regardless of whether or not you were able to talk about the truths of the holiday or do any special activities, it is not too late to capitalize on the opportunities of Easter.
If your child attended Providence this weekend, he or she heard the gospel. Your child was taught that God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins. That punishment was death on the cross and by taking it for us, we can now live a life with God in our hearts if we love and trust Him.
Because your child heard so much this weekend, it would not seem strange for you to follow up at home, even if you don't normally talk about spiritual things together.
Focus on how big God's love is that He would send His only Son to go through such pain all so we could be with Him. Talk about how Christ accomplished what no one or no thing could ever accomplish - making us right before God and saving us from a forever death.
Whether you review the Easter story over leftover candy or play a question-and-answer review game with hidden Easter eggs, you can continue the spiritual discussion began at church. May your home and your children delight in the joy and hope of Christ's Resurrection!