Family focus over Easter

Posted in Family

Melissa Neumann (State Coordinator, Children and Family Ministry) talks about living out faith with family over Lent and Easter.

Living out our faith with our children can be natural and organic (probably the opposite of the ingredients in most Easter eggs!). If living out our faith is how we daily walk in the way of Jesus then how do we do this with our children and teenagers?

I spoke to two South Australian families (one very close to me!) about some of the ways they share faith at home and talk about Easter.

“The most important thing we love attending and participating in is the many Easter services. Often the mood of the house reflects that of the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection being gradually re-told,” says the Callen family from Port Lincoln.

“It's a very special time for us as a family – one that focusses and heightens a period of questioning, observation and answer finding from both adults and kids. [Questions like:] What are hot cross buns for? Did you know what hollow Easter eggs can remind us of? Where in the Bible do we find the Easter stories? Why is it called “Good” Friday?

“We sometimes like to give something up over Lent and raise funds for some worthy organisation such as [UnitingWorld through] Lent Event. While we suffer from coffee or chocolate withdrawals we try and remind each other of the centrality of the cross of Christ.”

The Neumann family from Adelaide has a slightly different focus.

“Last year we started a new family tradition with our extended family, including Miss Six, Miss Four and Miss Eight-months-old. Rather than exchange chocolate we shared some Easter-themed activities together. We sat together as Papa read the Easter story from a Children’s Bible storybook and then we each shared what Easter means to us,” the family says.

“Everyone then said a prayer, many [beginning] “Thank you God for…”. Outside we planted spring bulbs in pots for each child and for each household to take home. As we did this, we talked about how planting the bulbs was like dying/being in the tomb, and how the flowers are the new life to come.

“Watching the pots over winter reminded us of the Easter story and our family time, [as did] the joy when flowers bloomed.”

Questions about faith and Easter
Sometimes young people will ask difficult questions about faith or the Easter story. In cases such as this, don’t guess and don’t avoid answering. When unsure, admit that you don’t know and suggest that you find out together. You could then ask your minister or a wise Christian, or research the topic.

Humility is a strength. Guessing or making an answer up leaves people having to change their thinking later or not sure about trusting with their other questions.

If it’s a topic that you’ve struggled with it is also best to be honest. You might say: “I’m really not sure, I’ve always found that hard to understand”. This could be followed up by an offer of what you are sure of, perhaps beginning with “I do believe…”

When we live out our faith daily, we are doing faith together. We can learn from one another in our families. Sometimes when difficult questions arise, it provides an opportunity to ask the questioner what they think and see what wisdom may emerge.

We would love to hear how your family celebrates Easter and shares faith at home! If you would like to share your insights or experiences, please email Turn on Javascript! or mail Uniting Young People, GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001.

The Uniting Young People team has created a number of all-age services for churches wishing to include family in Easter services. These are available by following the links at sa.uca.org.au/uyp/church-resources

Lent Event has family-friendly resources available. For more information, please visit lentevent.com/resources or call (02) 8267 42 67.


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