Dear Mom and Dad,

We applaud you for following Proverbs 22:6 by helping your child understand the Bible. Below, you will find some Teaching Tools to guide you in showing your child the truths of God’s Word and in helping your child apply them in his life.

Ages 3 to 6
Even if your children are older than six, we encourage you to lead them through this material before moving on to the content for their age group.

Ages 7 to 10

LEARN ABOUT JESUS AND HIS FRIENDS

In this section, help your child understand why Jesus' friends were so important in the plan of God. Jesus' friends were the people who would share His love with the whole world, so it was important that they believed Him first.

Teaching Tool #1:
When your child wonders why Jesus' friends were afraid and surprised to see Him, explain that . . . they had watched Jesus die and be buried. They had trouble believing He was alive and standing with them.

Teaching Tool #2:
Use this as an opportunity to teach your child about making friends. Ask your child to draw a picture of one or more of his friends. Then, explain that it's important for us to make sure our best friends are those who believe what we believe about Jesus. God gives us friends, because He wants us to help each other learn more about Him–just as Jesus' friends helped each other by talking about Jesus together.

Note: If your child is ready and able to understand this, you can also explain that it's okay–and good–to have friends who believe something different than they do. Your child can help those friends learn the truth about Jesus–that He really is alive, and loves them.

Teaching Tool #3:
When your child wonders why Jesus came back to life, explain that . . . it was the only way our sins–or the things we think about, say, and do that are wrong–could be washed away forever. Jesus wants us to believe He is real, He is alive, and He is waiting for us to ask Him to take away our sins and come into our hearts.

If your child wants to know how he can be forgiven of his sins, lead him through the salvation plan based around the story of Paul. It is called "How to Be God's Friend."

Teaching Tool #4:
Help your child understand that even though he may have friends who believe other things, he can know that the only truth is found in the Bible. Here are some Scripture verses to help your child understand that the Bible is true:

"For you are indeed God, and your words are truth; and you have promised me these good things" (2 Samuel 7:28).

"For all God's words are right, and everything He does is worthy of our trust" (Psalm 33:4).

"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right" (2 Timothy 3:16).

 

Learning Concepts and Unfamiliar Words

Not only has your child learned a fundamental truth about God’s character (that He gives us friends and wants us to believe Jesus and His Word), but he has also learned the meanings of the following words: sin and wounds.

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Dear Mom and Dad,

If you have children that are older (ages 7 to 10) and may enjoy learning more about the Easter story, help them understand the following questions. You may want to help your child write his answers in a journal.

HOW TO APPLY WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT
JESUS AND HIS FRIENDS

Journal:
Have you ever felt like it was wrong to share your doubts or fears with your friends? Write about a situation or time when you wanted to say something to one of your friends, but didn't because you were afraid of what they might think.

Journal:
Write down the name of one friend whom you trust. Is he a Christian? Make sure that you have at least one Christian friend who will help you look to the Bible for answers to all your questions. This friend might be a church friend, a classmate, a teacher, or one of your parents.

Take time this week to ask your friend if it's okay that you turn to him when you have questions. You might want to share this Scripture with him when you talk:

"Remember what Christ taught and let His words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts" (Colossians 2:16).

Journal:
It's important to understand that Jesus is as alive today as He was then. He will use anything to show us how real He is in our lives, just like He used the food and His wounds to show He was alive. One of the things Jesus uses to show us Himself is the Bible. Write down your favorite Bible verse, and why it is your favorite.

How has this verse helped you believe that Jesus is real and alive today.

Journal:
Do you believe that Jesus died to forgive you–or take the punishment for your sins? Are you ready to have a relationship with Him? If so, ask your parents or another adult to help you read "How to Be God's Friend."

Remember Rhyme

Jesus had many friends

Who were talking one day

Jesus had not been found

In the place where He once lay.

They watched Him die

And saw Him buried, too–

But if Jesus was alive,

No one really knew.

Then Jesus came to them

And said, "Do not be afraid."

He showed them the wounds

That in His hands were made.

Later His friends believed

That He rose from the dead;

Jesus came back to life

To prove what the Bible said.

 

Learning Concepts and Unfamiliar Words

    Not only has your child learned a fundamental truth about God’s character (that God sent His Son to forgive us), but he has also learned the importance of developing Christian friends and the meaning of the words forgive and wounds. Your child has also had a chance to apply biblical truths to his life and remember the story of Easter through Scripture and song.

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