JESUS ROSE FOR ME
ISBN 978 1 645 070 450
DARKEST NIGHT, BRIGHTEST DAY
ISBN 978 1 645 072 089
40 DAYS WITH JESUS
ISBN 978 1 845 501 938
A JESUS EASTER
ISBN 978 1 784 987 039
THE CASE FOR CHRIST: YOUNG READER’S
EDITION
ISBN 978 0 310 770 046
We owe a lot to the first council of Nicea in AD325.
Not only did the church establish the equality of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but they also decided to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on the first Sunday following the full moon at Passover – the time of the Last Supper. And so, that’s why Easter changes every year.
But, despite all the shifts and changes, Easter itself celebrates the life and resurrection of the one who changes not. Preparing for Easter should involve as much enthusiasm for us as Christmas. Easter is really the main event. So, here are a few age-appropriate titles to get your kids ready for Easter.
Jared Kennedy’s book Jesus Rose For Me celebrates the fact that Jesus is more powerful than death. And it does this in a personal, powerful way for toddlers.
Marty Machowski’s family devotional Darkest Night, Brightest Day is a colourfully illustrated retelling of Jesus’ death and resurrection – the question section at the end of each chapter makes this a short and straightforward resource for family Bible time.
I would recommend Dominic Smart’s book for teenagers, 40 Days with Jesus. This has been used significantly with teenage Bible study groups, and is an excellent tool to encourage a regular Scripture time for older children.
Barbara Reaoch’s A Jesus Easter includes family journaling space. Although I appreciate retellings of Scripture and use them extensively myself, it is better to get families into the word of God. A Jesus Easter encourages you to make the actual reading of God’s word the main event.
Check for tampering!
Two of the verses I like to check in books like this are Luke 23:43 and John 19:30. The first shows the immediacy of salvation and eternal life, the other the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. If you are looking for a good Easter book make sure that this theology isn’t tampered with or ignored.
Teens could try Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Christ. But he has also written for Christ: for younger readers. The Case young reader’s edition is so well written I’d recommend that anybody reads it. It is good apologetics, as it focuses strongly on the word of God. If your children are beginning to ask questions, this is the book for them.
There are many retellings of the Easter Story available and they vary in length, style and price. The Promise by Jason Helopoulos is a book I’ve reviewed in the past, but would recommend as a good Easter gift. At the lower end of the price scale is the title Jesus is Alive by Carine MacKenzie.
Perhaps you should pick a good publisher and review their publishing list: The Good Book Company, New Growth Press; Day One; Christian Focus; 10 of Those… as a church, we are very blessed with good children’s products!
