What’s Jesus’ resurrection have to do with your life right here, right now? Acclaimed apologist Dr. Jeremiah Johnston makes his case: Resurrection changes everything. He sets out to show why Jesus’ victory over death is central to your faith and how we view suffering and death. Johnston examine the latest archaeological and textual findings and presenting tangible, fresh reasons to believe Jesus really rose from the dead.

Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Jeremiah on his website.
Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com.
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Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
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Does actual proof of Jesus’ resurrection exist? Acclaimed apologist & scholar Dr. Jeremiah Johnston has found the body of proof overwhelming.
Show Notes and Resources

Learn more about Jeremiah on his website.
Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com.
Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife’s app!
Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Check out all the FamilyLife podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

The post Body of Proof: Dr. Jeremiah Johnston appeared first on FamilyLife®.

If you’re like most Christian families, you’re busy finding the other sock or discovering what stickiness you just stepped in on the kitchen floor. But maybe, in the chaos of track practice and making sure there’s toilet paper, you want to make sure you keep the most important thing the main thing.

What if you took five minutes each day for prayers for Easter and Holy Week, to remind your (slightly messy) family what this season’s been all about for centuries?

Allow me to simplify just one of your many tasks this week. Maybe around the dinner table, in the morning just before everyone scatters for the day, or at bedtime, invite a different family member to pray these simple daily prayers for Easter and Holy Week. Each Scripture and prayer follow Jesus’ steps in a week that changed the world.

(Tip: Try reading these Scriptures in a kid-friendly version, like the NIrV or The Message.)

Daily Prayers for Holy Week and Easter

Sunday

Read: Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus, we’re thankful for Palm Sunday, one of Your few days on earth when the world glimpsed Your true identity as King. Celebrations with donkeys and palm trees don’t begin to give You what You deserve.

But most of those who celebrated You on Sunday deserted you by Friday, the day of Your death. You weren’t the King who would do what they wanted. It can be hard to follow You when You don’t immediately relieve our pain, defeat our enemies, or give us what we want most.

Cause us to be loyal to You, choosing You as King every day, from the inside out. Even when we don’t understand.

Monday

Read: Matthew 21:12-16, James 1:19-20

On the Monday before You died, we saw Your passion for justice. You experienced holy anger against those in the temple cheating the poor and selling overpriced animals for them to be able to worship God.

Your anger was so different from the Pharisees’ anger that day, who didn’t want to give up their power to You. Both of you had something precious you were defending. But only One was defending God’s heart.

Please change us inside. Make any anger in us holy.

In our prayers for Holy Week, we also pray this Franciscan prayer:

May God bless us with discomfort

At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships

So that we may live from deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger

At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God’s creations

So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,

So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and

To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with just enough foolishness

To believe that we can make a difference in the world,

So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:

To bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor. Amen.

Tuesday

Read: Mark 9:30-32

Lord, You knew loving and obeying Your Father and loving us would lead You right into Your death. But You didn’t back down, hide, or love less.

Thank You for keeping Your eyes on bigger rewards, like bringing us back to You, overthrowing death’s power on this planet, and the eternal honor You deserve from God (Philippians 2:5-10; Hebrews 2:9-10, 12:3). Thank You for trusting God and moving out in courage more than the fear You faced (Luke 22:41-44).

In the ways we love others, help us to be brave and self-sacrificing. Don’t let us lose sight of the long-term rewards for obeying and loving You. We know You never turn away from us (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5-6). Thank You that we never have to do the hard things (or the easy things!) alone.

Wednesday  

Read: Mark 14:1-11

Father, thank You for anointing Jesus’ body even before He died, and for the way Jesus defended this beautiful, over-the-top act of worship, pointing Him out as our priest and King. Thank You that in giving us Jesus, You don’t hold anything back from us, either (Romans 8:32).

We want to love You with what looks like excess to the rest of the world. Inspire us in every resource You’ve given us to give what is precious and what costs us much, for You.

“Lord, it is fitting to rejoice in your beauty and to gaze upon your handiwork. While others may call this a waste of time, we recognize that unless we sit in adoration of you, we will forget whom we serve and for what purpose. Remind us why worship is always our first response to you. Amen.”^[1]

Thursday

Read: Luke 22:14-23, Mark 9:35

Holy God, today we remember all the ways, at Your last meal before Your death, You chose to be broken and weak among the people You created.

You gave us an example of taking a slave’s job, washing feet. And in serving the first Communion meal, “The bread is a broken body, and the wine is poured like shed blood. Both grain and grapes have to be crushed and broken to become something new together.”^[2]

Please teach us to live like this. Show us how to serve others more than honor, comfort, or being important. Deep inside of us, show us Your humble ways so we can choose Your reward instead.

Friday

Read: Isaiah 53:1-12 (The Message paraphrase recommended)

Jesus, You were the one who freed us, but You were arrested.

You brought us justice, but You were put through an unjust, abusive trial.

You are all-powerful, but You chose to be overpowered.

You were sad and afraid, so we could have comfort and joy forever.

You were thirsty, so we could have Living Water.

You died in sudden darkness, so we could live in constant light.

You were rejected, so we could be accepted by God.

You were shamed and despised, so we could be honored and loved.

You were wounded and pierced, so we could be healed and whole.

You took God’s anger, so we could have peace forever.

You were defeated, so we could win over death and sin.

God turned away from You, so He could always be with us.

You died, so we could live.

Thank you, Jesus.

Saturday

Read: Psalm 33:20-22, Lamentations 3:25

Lord, there are a lot of tears on the way to the resurrection You’ve planned.^[3]

We remember the disciples hiding on this day, afraid not only of their own lives and the Pharisees but also that they’d trusted You and lost everything. They had no idea You would rise again (Mark 9:31-32). They thought You were just … dead.

They didn’t know they were waiting. They just had to trust You with all their questions. 

In all the ways we feel disappointed, the times You don’t act as we expect, and the times we mistakenly think You aren’t good after all, help us instead trust You and how much You love us.

We choose to believe You can and will do more than we ask, think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21, 1 John 4:16). Thank You for being bigger and better than we ever thought—even when we are afraid and sad. 

Sunday

Read: John 20:11-18, Job 19:25-27

Thank You that You really are alive and that, someday, we’ll see You with our own eyes. Help us understand how astounding this day is and all that means.

We love that Your resurrection isn’t just an ancient miracle. You defeated death, our greatest enemy, and You continue to give us victory over every other enemy and threat, including things we’re afraid of or feeling defeated by right now. Your Holy Spirit helps us defeat the ways of sin and death every day of our lives.

Give us Your power to conquer, as You did. 

“Lord Jesus Christ, you have triumphed over the powers of death and prepared for us a place in the New Jerusalem. Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for your resurrection, may praise you in that city of which you are the light and where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.”^[4]

[1] Claiborne, Shane; Enuma Okoro; and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 116). Grand Rapids: Zondervan (2010). Kindle Edition.

[2] Ibid, p. 224.

[3] Ibid., p. 169.

[4] Ibid, p. 30.

Copyright © 2023 Janel Breitenstein. All rights reserved.

Janel Breitenstein is an author, freelance writer, speaker, and frequent contributor for FamilyLife, including the Art of Parenting®, and regular articles and downloads. After five and a half years in East Africa, her family of six returned to Colorado, where they continue to work on behalf of the poor with Engineering Ministries International. Her book, Permanent Markers: Spiritual Life Skills to Write on Your Kids’ Hearts (Harvest House), empowers parents to creatively engage kids in vibrant spirituality. You can find her—“The Awkward Mom”—having uncomfortable, important conversations at JanelBreitenstein.com, and on Instagram @janelbreit.

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The post Explaining Easter and Lent to Kids appeared first on FamilyLife®.

Feel so familiar with Easter–that it’s hard to deeply appreciate? Author David Mathis helps us marvel at wounds of unfailing love & decisive victory.

Show Notes and Resources

Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com.
Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife’s app!
Help others find Familylife.  Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Check out all the Familylife’s on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

The post Easter: The Wounds of Unfailing Love appeared first on FamilyLife®.

I know Lent is almost here when fast-food signs start advertising fish sandwiches. But maybe it isn’t something your family traditionally practices. When the kids start asking, “What is Lent?”—you might be scrambling for answers that don’t include “Filet-O-Fish.”

So allow me a brief rundown of lent for kids, in language they (and we) can understand—and some tips to help it sink in. Then, grab FamilyLife’s Lent paper chain, “Countdown to the Cross,” with easy-does-it activities to help you count down to Easter together.

“What is Lent?”: The easy answer

Lent is the 40 days—not including Sundays!—from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. Christians around the world consider Lent a time to reflect on what Jesus did for us.

Remember how John the Baptist expressed a need to prepare the way for Jesus through repentance and humility? Lent is a time, too, to get our hearts ready to truly appreciate Jesus’ death for us and celebrate Easter.

Because Jesus’ death was the greatest sacrifice ever—some people fast, giving up certain foods or behaviors. Some do it only on Fridays. (Many Catholics historically fast from meat, dairy, or eggs … hence the reason Arby’s needs a fish sandwich every spring).

Less-than-fun fact: Mardi Gras is literally translated “Fat Tuesday.” That’s because some people party it up on the last day before fasting for Lent. It was originally just the last opportunity to feast before fasting, but unfortunately, now it’s more associated with wild partying.

Talk with older kids about ways Christian holidays can sometimes go off the rails. It can be fine to have fun with friends or go on an Easter egg hunt—but keeping Christ the reason for it all is important. Even Lent has, at times, been a path to self-righteousness.

What are the important days in Lent? Got ideas for Lent for kids?

Considering there are 40 days in Lent, the most notable calendar days are at the beginning and end.

Ash Wednesday

This day kicks off Lent. Speaking verses like “for you are dust and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19), a priest or pastor applies ashes in the shape of a cross to a person’s forehead. It’s a day for humbling ourselves, for remembering God is great—yet made us from dust.

Family Time Tip: To dig deeper into this day as a family, you could listen to (and even memorize) this song from Seeds Family Worship, written to the words from 1 Peter 1:24-25: “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday/Covenant Thursday/etc.

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. We remember the Thursday when Jesus ate the Last Supper with His twelve disciples and was then betrayed by Judas, arrested, and put on an unjust trial. Check out Matthew 26 for the whole story.

Fun fact: “Maundy” comes from a Latin word for “command”—because it’s on this night that Jesus famously commanded His disciples, “As I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

Family Time Tip: Kids interact with the text far more when they get a chance to act things out. (And who hasn’t secretly wished to arrest a sibling?) Let them use props: bread and juice, flashlights to act as torches, play swords.

Good Friday

Though it may seem ironic to call it “good,” the Friday before Easter is when Christians commemorate Jesus’ death on a Roman cross. Songs and gatherings often carry a sad feeling, to meditate on the sorrow of this day—and the need for Jesus to die because of our sin.

The “good” part describes the incredible gift of God’s forgiveness because of Jesus’ atoning blood and death, paying the price for our wrongdoing (sin) for all who believe: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

Family Time Tip: As a family, wear black on Good Friday to remind you these are sad days, because Jesus needed to die for our sins.

Easter Sunday

Easter is technically not part of Lent (like the other Sundays, which are celebrations of Jesus’ death and resurrection—so not traditional days of fasting). It’s after the 40 days.

But it is the “happy ending” of Lent: Jesus rose again!

This can be the “party day” in your home—not only did Jesus die for our sins, but He grabbed victory over our worst enemy, death, and every other enemy. We also know that those of us who trust Him to save us will be raised from the dead, too.

Family Time Tip: You probably don’t need many more Easter activity ideas—though you’re encouraged to come up with unique ideas that really make it feel like a celebration!

But in every fun Easter activity, talk about how our Easter celebrations are all because Jesus rising from the dead is worth celebrating. That’s the real reason to whoop it up and chomp a chocolate bunny ear.

But we’re not Catholic. Should we practice Lent?

For lots of Protestants, Lent is still a thing. Some argue it can be tied to self-righteousness or legalism (if we’re trying to gain God’s favor, say, or prove our goodness). But done well, there’s a lot of richness in a season dedicated to prayer, remembering, and self-discipline.

In fact, many Protestants still fast, but not just be from food. This is a great time to introduce the “training wheels” of the discipline of fasting to your kids! Think of it as a spiritual life skill.

We choose against something we really like or crave for a little while so we can be satisfied by him—our true feast—rather than all the pleasures in our lives that dull our appetite for Him. (Like snarfing a bag of Cheetos before a 5-course meal at a snazzy restaurant.)

Rather than fasting being about our own greatness, fasting is a sweet offering to God: He’s the hero. Though God clearly says it’s worthy of reward, Matthew 6:16-18 reminds us fasting is about humbling ourselves privately before God.

Family Time Tip: Lent for kids could look like a fast from complaining, TV or movies, sugar or soda, social media, fast food (sorry, Arby’s), backtalk, even video games. It could mean one night a week, the meal is just vegetables and bread. Fasting chooses to snip the ties of habits that control us. It learns to appreciate the Giver more than our gifts.

To think about a meaningful fast, ask questions like, “What’s one thing that occasionally becomes too important to me. Or even masters me?” Or “What’s one activity that, instead of doing it, I could be hanging out with God?” The answer will probably be different for each of you.

What is Lent? An opportunity for your family to dive deeper

Lent is a prime time to introduce spiritual disciplines—prayer, fasting, remembering, simplicity, celebrating—into your family’s lifestyle and rhythms. You’re modeling and cheering on “lay[ing] aside every weight” in order to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

No, Lent is not an event enforced by the powers that be. But what Lent could be for your family? That’s your happy choice.

Copyright © 2021 Janel Breitenstein. All rights reserved.

Janel Breitenstein is an author, freelance writer, speaker, and frequent contributor for FamilyLife, including Passport2Identity®, Art of Parenting®, and regular articles. After five and a half years in East Africa, her family of six has returned to Colorado, where they continue to work on behalf of the poor with Engineering Ministries International.

Her book, Permanent Markers: Spiritual Life Skills to Write On Your Kids’ Hearts (Harvest House), releases October 2021. You can find her—“The Awkward Mom”—having uncomfortable, important conversations at JanelBreitenstein.com, and on Instagram @janelbreit.

The post ‘What is Lent?’ Lent for Kids, Made Easy appeared first on FamilyLife®.

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The post How the Resurrection Changes Us appeared first on FamilyLife®.

We know. The whole idea of your family having its own service for Easter at home can feel straight-up weird and even sad. You’re away from the traditions and people that make Easter feel like something worth celebrating.

Holding a family worship time might even carry some … objections for regular, messy families who are just trying to, say, get their kids to wear underwear or eat with a spoon.

Maybe you’d say, “Um, you would never want me to preach.”

“Have you heard me sing? I sound like a dying cow. In labor. Scratching her hooves on a chalkboard.”

“My kids do more fighting than paying attention.”

But here we are. Church is literally closed. People are hunting for hope like that Easter egg you know you hid somewhere last year.

And we need the promise of resurrection, of God’s victory, now more than ever.

With minimal prep, this Easter at home can still be meaningful and memorable. Even though it’ll look like church in your living room instead of smart-looking pastels at your church’s sunrise service.

1. A few days before Easter at home, ask your kids to prepare something to share with the family.

First Corinthians puts it this way: “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” (14:26).

So ask your kids to come with their own part of the service. Give a few ideas, based on their gifts and interests. Could your…

• …son lead a song he likes?
• …preschooler bring an Easter board book?
• …teen give a few insights about the Scripture passage, or lead you all in prayer?
• …daughter read the Bible verses?
• …family each talk about something God’s showing you about Easter or Jesus’ journey to the Cross?
• …kids draw a picture about the real, first Easter, and show it during worship time?

2. Decide on a few songs to sing about the Resurrection.

Maybe the idea of leading singing feels kind of like that dream of arriving in the carpool line in your undies. But you’ve got this, OK?

Find a YouTube video with lyrics, or download the song to play (you can read lyrics on your phones). Start with songs that are upbeat.

Allow kids to dance, play instruments, makeup actions, or whatever expresses their delight about Easter—whatever helps make their noise more joyful toward Jesus.

Need some fresh-as-green-grass song ideas?

• When Death Was Arrested
• Glorious Day
• Exalted Over All
• Lion and the Lamb
• Your Love Awakens Me
• God is Able
• O Praise the Name (Anástasis)

Old-school, Easter-classic song ideas:

• Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
• Up From the Grave He Arose
• Crown Him with Many Crowns

3. Select your warmup(s) to the Bible reading.

• Grab crackers (or bread) and juice for your own family Lord’s Supper/Communion during your celebration of Easter at home. (Read from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.) Providing it’s in line with your church’s convictions.
• YouTube has a number of biblically-based videos to pick from and watch together. Search using “Resurrection Easter kids.”
• Spend 30 seconds in silent prayer where you allow God to talk to your hearts about what you need to repent (“say sorry to God and each other”) for (see Matthew 5:24).
• Pass out markers and paper for kids to draw what they’ll be hearing: a comic strip, a poster for their bedroom, or some Scripture art.
• If you’re reading the Resurrection story, perhaps have kids close their eyes.  Ask questions using the five senses and emotion.
  • What might the women’s spices have smelled like?
  • What could they have heard or felt at sunrise?
  • Describe what they felt when the tomb was open, or saw the angels?

• Using lemon juice or milk on cotton swabs, have kids write a verse in “invisible ink” on paper. When the paper is held up to a heat source (like a light bulb—careful!), the verse reveals itself. After Jesus rose to life, Jesus’ words and a lot of Scriptures became a lot clearer!
• Let kids act out what they hear in the Bible story. If you want, have a few scarves or other props ready for instant pizzazz.
• Maybe this is the time when your kids offer their unique part of the service from step #1.

4. Pick a passage.

• John 20:1-29; Luke 24:1-12; Matthew 28:1-15: Pick a Resurrection account. Smaller kids may need a storybook-Bible version.
• Luke 24:13-35: The Road to Emmaus.
• In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul talks about the importance of the Resurrection (Good for older kids.)

5. Ask good questions.

With younger kids celebrating Easter at home, feel free to keep this simple and short!

• What are these verses saying, in your words?
• What verse sticks out to you? Why?
• What does this tell us about God and what He wants us to know about Himself? About what’s true? About what we should do as we follow God?
• Why does this matter? What’s it look like in our own lives? (Tip: Jesus rising means God wins over our most powerful enemy—death. That means all the things we’re scared about, all the things that could be powerful? God has control over all of that. Try applying this to COVID-19 right now!)
• What does this make you love about God? What are you thankful for?

6. Pray together.

Keep it real and worshipful. One of your kids can do this part, too.

7. Finish Easter at home with one more celebration song.

And just like that, you’ve got this.

We promise you this will not go perfectly. Someone’s attitude will likely be in the ditch (it might even be yours). Chances are someone will be obnoxious. Or maybe someone will break wind.

The heart of your Easter at home isn’t for this to go off without a hitch, or to perform well enough for a Jesus-y Hallmark movie. As you plan, simply ask Him that He would be worshiped and adored from the heart by your family.

Remember: He was born in a stable. He chooses to be right here, where your kids keep asking, “When do we get chocolate?” His holiness purposefully collides with our humanity.

And He loves the wholehearted worship of your family every day of the year.

Copyright © 2020 Janel Breitenstein. All rights reserved.

Janel Breitenstein is an author, freelance writer, speaker and frequent contributor for FamilyLife, including Passport2Identity®, Art of Parenting®, and regular articles. After five and a half years in East Africa, her family of six has returned to Colorado, where they continue to work on behalf of the poor with Engineering Ministries International. Her book, on spiritual life skills for messy families (Zondervan), releases March 2021. You can find her—“The Awkward Mom”—having uncomfortable, important conversations at JanelBreitenstein.com, and on Instagram @janelbreit.

The post How to Celebrate Easter At Home in 7 Easy Steps appeared first on FamilyLife®.

This Easter and Lent weekend, grasp the breadth and depth of Jesus’ love for us with guests Philip Ryken, Paul Miller, and Josh McDowell.
Show Notes and Resources

Phil Ryken takes a closer look at the love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, and explains what Paul meant when he told us that ‘Love is kind.’
Paul Miller opens up the Book of Ruth and shares what we must do if we are to love like Christ does.
Josh McDowell’s ministry – Josh.org
Josh McDowell exposes the myth of tolerance and reminds us that there are all kinds of things we shouldn’t be tolerant of like abuse, poverty, and racism.

The post Love Like Jesus appeared first on FamilyLife®.