1114 Oxmoor Road • Birmingham, AL 35209Phone: (205) 871-7324 • Prayer Line: (205) 795-PRAY

www.dawsonchurch.org

Easter Family Faith Talks for

Preschool Families

"Jesus said: 'I am alive for ever and ever.'"

Revelation 1:18

Dr. Gary Fenton, Senior PastorBrooke Gibson, Minister to Preschoolers

Donna Allan, Associate Minister to PreschoolersHollie Huey, Preschool Ministry Assistant

"God loved us and sent His son."1 John 4:10

More Family Fun Ways to Experience & Share God's Love at Easter

"Jesus went about doing good."Acts 10:38

"We love because He first loved us."1 John 4:19

"Love each other in the same way I have loved you." John 13:34

"Thank you God, for Jesus."Luke 2:38

"Jesus said, 'I love you.'"John 15:9

RESURRECTION EGGS:Use a copy of Dawson Preschool Ministry's Resurrection Egg Family Devotion Booklet to create your own simple set of resurrection eggs. Children can open one egg at each Family Faith talk included in this booklet to discover an item that will remind them of the daily Bible truth.

EGG YOUR NEIGHBORS:

Fill a dozen plastic eggs with small, sweet treats for neighbors. Leave one egg empty. Hide the eggs in their yard. Leave an egg-shaped note on their door that says, "You've been egged! There are 12 eggs hidden in your yard! Enjoy the hunt, but don't be discouraged when you find the empty egg. It's a simple reminder of Jesus' empty tomb-- for He is Risen!"

EMPTY TOMB ROLLS:Tell the story of Jesus' resurrection as you enjoy this cooking activity. Once the rolls have baked, children will delight in discovering that they are hollow- just like Jesus' empty tomb. Ingredients: 1 package Crescent rolls, 8 large marshmallows, 4 tbsp melted butter, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon.

Find links to these activities and more by following Dawson Preschool Ministry on the Dawson Website

(www.dawsonchurch.org/preschool), Facebook and Pinterest.

The Story of Jesus

"Jesus has risen, just as He said."Matthew 28:26

Is the Easter Story Appropriate for Preschoolers?

Easter is the most important holiday for Christians because it is a celebration of God’s mighty plan to save us from our sins through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Yet, how much of the Easter story is really appropriate for preschoolers? We want to teach them about God’s great love and plan, but we do not want to scare or upset them.

Here are a few helpful tips to help you celebrate the Easter Season with your preschooler:

• Preschoolers need to know that God’s Son, Jesus, died on a cross, but it is unnecessary for them to hear the details and brutality of Jesus’ death.

• Adults should emphasize the good news of Easter to preschoolers: Jesus did not stay dead! He is alive and loves them very much.

• As you share the Easter story, stay positive and do not show pictures that may scare preschoolers.

• Keep in mind that most preschoolers are not mature enough to accept Jesus as their Savior, but these years are vital in learning that God has always had a plan for Jesus to teach, love, help, befriend and forgive people.

I would love to recommend this preschool-friendly bible to your family! Dawson Preschool Ministry is currently using a 2-year Bible curriculum that is based off of the 104 Bible stories included in this Bible for Sunday School, Preschool Worship, and Music & Missions. The language is simple for preschoolers to understand without losing the truth of God’s Word. Each of our preschool classrooms has a copy and the children love the pictures!

I believe these Bibles would make great gifts for Easter! We have ordered 20 copies of this Bible which we will sell for $14.00 (our cost) to those who are interested. Bibles are available from Brooke in the church office or at the Preschool Welcome Desk.

God's Story for MeBible Storybook

Take a nature walk as a family and find or take a picture of each of the following things, then talk about how each one reminds us of the Easter story. 1. Something that can be bent into the shape of a “J” (blade of grass)To remind us that JESUS is God’s Son! 2. Something prickly or thorny (vine)To remind us that JESUS wore a crown of thorns. 3. Something made of wood (tree bark)To remind us that JESUS died on a cross. 4. Something dead (leaf/ flower)To remind us that JESUS died. 5. Something soft (feather)To remind us that JESUS was wrapped in cloths and put in a tomb. 6. Something round and smooth (stone)To remind us that the stone was rolled away from JESUS’S tomb. 7. Something living (flower, bird)To remind us that JESUS is alive! 8. Something light or shiny (sun)To remind us that JESUS is the light of the world and we can let our little light shine for Him.

Easter Nature Walk & Scavenger Hunt

Hello Friends!

Easter is such a special time for us as Christians. In an effort to

help you share the Easter story and celebration with your preschool age

children, I have put together this Easter Family devotional booklet that

can be used over several days, leading up to Easter. I have taken all Bible

stories (slightly edited) from Karyn Henley’s The Beginner’s Bible and

Gospel Light’s God’s Story for Me.

Additional copies of this booklet and “The Story of Jesus”

wreaths are available from me or at the Dawson Preschool Welcome

Desks.

Ideas for additional ways to share and experience God’s Love at

Easter are included on the back page of this booklet.

Please know that I am praying for you and that God will bless

your efforts to share this good news of Jesus with your children.

Follow Dawson Preschool Ministry:

Blessings, Brooke GibsonMinister to PreschoolersDawson Family of Faith

bgibson@dawsonchurch.org(205) 871-7324www.dawsonchurch.org/prechool

• Decide on a special time and place to have your family faith talks. This should be a place with minimal distractions where your children feel comfortable. There are 7 faith talks included in this booklet, so you should plan to meet 7 times. Be intentional and consistent in what you call this special time (Family Worship, Family Faith Talk, Bible Study, etc.). Suggested dates for each Family Faith Talk are included.

• Bring your own Bible to each family faith talk so your children will see you reading God’s Word. You may wish to mark each day’s Bible verse in your own Bible ahead of time with a bookmark so you can turn to it quickly.

• At each family devotion time, help your child(ren) add the designated sticker(s) to “The Story of Jesus” wreath provided.

• Read the Bible verse aloud and encourage your child to say it with you. Try to repeat and reinforce the verse throughout the day.

• Guide the Family Faith Talk and tell the Bible story. Remind your child that the Bible is God’s Word and all that the Bible says is true (2 Timothy 3:16).

• Do not be limited by the words provided here! Pray in advance and ask God to guide your family in meaningful conversation about His love and His Word. Allow time for God to guide your family’s conversations and actions.

• Use the application section of each Family Faith Talk to apply God’s Word and the significance of Easter story to your preschooler in an age-appropriate way.

• Close with a simple prayer to God. Model a prayer for your child and then encourage him or her to pray aloud to God. Young preschoolers may benefit from copying your prayer, one line at a time.

• After prayer time, you may allow time for your child to color the picture in the devotion booklet. (Also available on the Dawson Preschool Ministry website.) This is a good time to continue conversation about Jesus.

DirectionsRed, Green, Yellow Too...

"God loved us and sent His son."1 John 4:10

FAMILY FAITH TALK: It is almost Easter. At Easter, we celebrate the life of God’s Son, Jesus! As we get ready for Easter, we will come together for some special family times to make a wreath that reminds us about Jesus, read Bible stories, and pray to God. Let’s start by adding the three biggest stickers to our wreath: the cross, Jesus, and the words “The Story of Jesus.” Even before He made the world and everything in it, our Great, Big God had a great big plan! We can read all about it in the Bible, God’s special Word to us. We know that everything the Bible says is true. God loved His people so much, but the people sinned and made bad choices that made God sad. But God had a plan- He would send His own Son, Jesus to earth to show us how to live and to make a way for us to be with God forever. Let’s read the Bible story about Jesus’ birth.

BIBLE STORY: Jesus is Born (Matthew 1:18-21, Luke 2:1-7)God sent an angel to tell Mary good news! The angel surprised her. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary! God has important news for you. You will have a baby. Name His Jesus. He is the Savior God promised to send—God’s own Son.” Mary and Joseph packed their things. Mary and Joseph walked and walked down the road to Bethlehem. The city was full of people. Joseph and Mary needed a place to sleep. Joseph knocked on the door of an inn. But there was no room. It was full. The innkeeper said, “Wait! You can use the stable!” Sheep, cows and donkeys sleep there. But Joseph and Mary were glad for a place to rest! That very night, in that very stable, Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him up safe and warm. She laid baby Jesus down in the manger. He slept where the animals eat. God’s Son, Jesus, was born!

APPLICATION: Now, let’s add the star sticker to our wreath to remind us that “God loved us and sent His Son.” ( 1 John 4:10) We know that Jesus is God’s Son. We can praise and worship Him with songs! We can pray and thank God for Jesus. What is a song you can sing to praise Jesus? Let’s say a prayer to God right now, thanking Him for loving us and sending Jesus.

Family Faith Talk #1:Jesus is God's Son

Suggested Date: On or before Thursday, March 26

"Jesus said 'I love you.'" John 15:9

FAMILY FAITH TALK: Easter is a time to celebrate the good news that Jesus is alive! But we can celebrate that every day. Let’s read the Bible to find out what happened after Easter Sunday.

BIBLE STORY: Jesus Went Back to Heaven (Acts 1) God’s Son, Jesus was alive! He loved spending time with his friends, but he knew he must go back to heaven with God. When it was time for Jesus to return to heaven, He walked with His friends to a mountain. On that mountain, Jesus told His friends, “Remember, I am always with you. After I have gone back to heaven, tell people everywhere the good news that I love them. Help them believe in Me and obey the things I taught you.” Then Jesus began to rise up into the sky! His friends were surprised! Jesus went up and up until He was in a cloud. His friends couldn’t see Jesus anymore. Suddenly two angels were there. The angels said, “Why are you standing here looking into the sky? Jesus will come back someday, just as you saw Him go!” Then Jesus’ friends went back home with joy in their hearts. They remembered the things Jesus said: “Do not worry or be afraid. Trust in God and trust in me. Someday I will come back and take you with me so you can be where I am.”

APPLICATION: Now, let’s add the butterfly sticker to our wreath to remind us that “Jesus said ‘I love you,’”( John 15:9) and that he has good plans for us! Before Jesus went to heaven, he reminded his friends that he loved them and that they had important work to do for God: to tell people the good news that Jesus died so that they could be forgiven and that Jesus is now alive and loves them! God wants us to tell people those same things. Who can you say, “Jesus loves you” to?

Let’s say a prayer right now, thanking God that Jesus is in heaven, that he loves us very much and promises to always be with us. Let’s ask God to help us be brave to tell everyone we meet that Jesus loves them.

Family Faith Talk #7:Jesus Went Back to Heaven

Suggested Date: Monday, April 6 or later

"Jesus went about doing good."Acts 10:38

FAMILY FAITH TALK: God loves us so much! He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to show us how to live and to make a way for us to be with God forever. Jesus lived a perfect life. He never sinned or did anything wrong. Jesus loved everyone. Jesus made many special friends. He taught people about God. He healed sick people and people who could not walk, talk, or see. Jesus could do things no one else could do- like calming a storm or walking on water. Jesus read the Bible, prayed to God, and went to church with his family. Jesus especially loved children. Let’s read the Bible story about Jesus choosing friends to help him do God’s important work of loving, teaching, and helping people.

BIBLE STORY: Jesus Chooses Helpers (Matthew 4:18-22)Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee. He saw fishermen throwing big fishing nets out into the water. Jesus called, “Peter! Andrew! Come, follow me. I’ll teach you how to tell people about God.” The two men gladly went with Jesus! Jesus walked on down the shore. He saw two other fishermen in a boat. “James and John!” Jesus called. “Come with Me!” James and John also went with Jesus. Now Jesus had FOUR helpers! Later, Jesus saw a man named Matthew. Matthew was working, collecting money. “Follow Me, Matthew,” said Jesus. Matthew got right up and went with Jesus. Now Jesus had FIVE friends to help Him! Jesus asked more people to follow Him—six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve helpers! Jesus taught His 12 helpers many things about God’s love. Jesus’ helpers told other people what they’d learned about God’s love!

APPLICATION: Now, let’s add the fish sticker to our wreath to remind us that “Jesus went about doing good,” (Acts 10:38) and we can be His followers and helpers- just like His friends in the Bible story. We can love and help others. We can tell people that Jesus wants to be their friend. What are some ways you can be a good helper and share God’s love with others?

Let’s say a prayer to God right now, asking Him to help us choose to follow Jesus by sharing God’s love with others just like Jesus and his friends did.

Family Faith Talk #2:Jesus is a Friend to All

Suggested Date: Friday, March 27 or Saturday, March 28

"Jesus has risen, just as He said."Matthew 28:26

FAMILY FAITH TALK: God’s Son, Jesus, could do miracles and amazing things. He did not have to die but he chose to die because he loves us and wanted us to be forgiven for our sins. Jesus’ friends were sad that He died, but they were not sad for long. Let’s read the Bible to hear the good news that Jesus is alive!

BIBLE STORY: Jesus is Alive (Matthew 27-28)After Jesus died, a rich man named Joseph took Jesus’ body. He put it in a special cave-tomb. He rolled a huge stone over the opening of the cave. The leaders sent guards to watch the cave to make sure no one took Jesus’ body. But early Sunday morning, there was an earthquake. An angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away. When the guards saw him, they shook with fear and fell down. One of Jesus’ friends name Mary came to the cave-tomb early that morning. She saw the stone was not in front of it, so she went in. She saw an angel there. “Jesus is not here,” the angel said. “He is alive! Go tell His friends that they will get to see Him again!” Mary was not sad anymore. Jesus was not dead. He was alive! She ran back to tell the wonderful news. At first, Jesus’ friends did not believe her. But she was right! Jesus did come back to see them. He really was alive!

APPLICATION: Now, let’s add the stone sticker to our wreath to remind us that “Jesus has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:6) Praise God! Jesus is alive! Jesus is still alive. He lives in heaven with God and wants to be your friend. You can pray to God and Jesus and always know that they love you! Happy Easter! How can you share the good news with others that Jesus is alive and loves them?

Let’s say a prayer right now praising God that Jesus is alive and loves us! Let’s pray that everyone in the world will hear this good news!

Family Faith Talk #6:Jesus is Alive!

Suggested Date: Easter Sunday, April 5

"We love because He first loved us."1 John 4:19

FAMILY FAITH TALK: Many people knew that Jesus was God’s Son. They called Him “Savior” because they knew God had sent Him to forgive them and save them from their sins. Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die so we could be forgiven. He knew that it was almost time for that to happen, so he traveled to the city of Jerusalem. Let’s read a Bible story about the people worshiping Jesus as he arrived in Jerusalem.

BIBLE STORY: Jesus Rides into Jerusalem (John 12)Jesus sent two of his friends to get a donkey. Jesus had told them just where to find it. It would be tied right by the village gate. Jesus was going to ride on it. When the friends found the donkey, they took it to Jesus. They put their coats on its back, and Jesus got on. When the people saw Jesus coming, they began to shout with joy. “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” Some people cut branches off the palm trees. They laid the branches on the road. Other people spread their coats on the road. And they all praised God in loud voices for the wonderful things Jesus had done. Jesus rode to the big city of Jerusalem. The crowds followed him.

APPLICATION: Now, let’s add the heart sticker to our wreath to remind us that “we love because He first loved us.” (I John 4:19) The people showed that they loved Jesus and knew that He was God’s Son by waving palm branches and worshiping Jesus. We can show our love for Jesus by worshiping Him with music, and sharing His love with others. How can you praise Jesus?

Let’s say a prayer of praise to Jesus right now, telling Him that we love Him and thanking Him for who He is and what He does for us.

Family Faith Talk #3:Jesus Rides into Jerusalem

Suggested Date: Palm Sunday, March 29

"Thank you, God, for Jesus"Luke 2:38

FAMILY FAITH TALK: Jesus loves us! We have been reading the Bible to learn more about Jesus’ life. He was born as a baby, chose friends and helpers, taught people about God, healed and helped people, and did miracles that no one else could do. All those things were part of God’s plan. But it was also part of God’s plan for Jesus to die. Let’s read what the Bible says about that.

BIBLE STORY: Jesus Died on a Cross (John 18-19)It was night. Jesus took his friends to a garden. There Jesus prayed. You see, it was time for Jesus to die. God had planned it long ago. Jesus knew it would happen when he came to the earth. He came to take the punishment for all the wrong things anybody had ever done, or ever would do. And now it was time. Soldiers took him to the city leaders. The leaders did not believe he was God’s Son. They said, “He must die, because he calls himself the Son of God.” So they killed him on a cross. It was a sad day for Jesus’ friends. But they did not know that God had planned a wonderful surprise for them. And they would not be sad for long!

APPLICATION:Now, let’s add the cross sticker to our wreath to remind us to say “Thank you God, for Jesus.” (Luke 2:38) God loves you so much! It was a sad day when Jesus died, but we do not have to be sad, because that was not the end of the story. We need to thank God for loving us so much that he sent Jesus to forgive us.

Let’s say a prayer right now, thanking Jesus for loving us so much.

Family Faith Talk #5:Jesus Died on a Cross

Suggested Date: Good Friday, April 3

"Love each other in the same way I have loved you." John 13:34

FAMILY FAITH TALK: God sent His Son, Jesus to show us how to live and to make a way to forgive us for our sins. Jesus knew that he would die soon. That was part of God’s plan. Let’s read a Bible story about Jesus’ last meal with his special friends.

BIBLE STORY: Jesus’ Last Supper (John 13)Jesus loved his special friends. They traveled with Jesus and Jesus taught them many things. One night, they all got together for dinner. While they were eating, Jesus got up. He put a towel on like an apron. He poured water into a large bowl. Then he began to wash his friends’ feet. After Jesus washed his friends’ feet, he asked, “Do you understand what I did? I showed you how to be kind to each other. I am your Lord and Teacher. If I can be kind and help you, then you can be kind and help each other.” Then it was time to eat. Jesus gave thanks, then shared bread and wine with his friends. “Whenever you eat the bread and drink the wine, remember me,” he said. Then Jesus said, “I will not be with you much longer. I have to leave. But do not worry. Do not be afraid. I will come back. You are my friends. Love each other as I love you.”

APPLICATION: Now, let’s add the bread and cup sticker to our wreath to remind us that Jesus said, “Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”(John 13:34) That command wasn’t just for His special friends at the dinner. It is for all of us! Jesus wants us to remember that He loves us and He wants us to love each other. How can we love each other at home? How can we love others in our community?

Let’s say a prayer right now, thanking Jesus for loving us and asking God to help us love each other just like He loves us.

Family Faith Talk #4:Jesus Spent Time with Friends

Suggested Date: Thursday, April 2