Spend time as a family this Easter focusing on why Jesus came: to save us! Resurrection Sunday is the most important day in all of history, and too often we miss the opportunity to impact the hearts of our children with the meaning of the sacrificial death and triumph of Jesus raising from the dead.

Each year, my family takes a journey called 2 Weeks 2 the Cross. For the 14 days leading up to Easter, we focus on one event of the Passion Week, reading scripture and participating in a corresponding activity. This has been our family tradition for 10+ years, and even now as our kids are both teenagers, we all look forward to this time together as a family, focusing on Jesus.

A typical 2 Weeks 2 the Cross blueprint looks like this (including activity ideas):

• Jesus came to save me, Mark 11:1-11 (Triumphal entry)
  • Palm branches made of palm prints
  • Palm branches
  • Setting the scene
• Jesus wants to clean my heart, Mark 11:15-19 (Clearing of the temple)
  • Sin science experiment
  • Money scatter
• Jesus commands me to love, Matthew 22:34-40 (Confrontation by religious leaders)
  • Love hopscotch
• Jesus shows me how to serve, John 13:1-20 (Feet washing)
  • Feet washing ceremony
  • Another foot washing experience
• Jesus knows how I feel, Mark 14:18-21 (Jesus betrayed)
  • Cut outs rip
  • Ripped paper crosses
• Jesus teaches me how to remember, Matthew 26:26-30 (The Last Supper)
  • Family communion
  • Another simple example of family communion
  • Seder service
• Jesus wants me to keep watch, Matthew 26:36-46 (Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane)
  • Prayer hands
  • Garden of Gethsemane diorama
• Jesus tells me to trust Him, John 18:3-11 (Jesusis arrested)
  • Cross cup toss
  • Hide and go seek
• Jesus loves me even when I sin, Luke 22:54-62 (Peter denies Jesus)
  • Bandaid hearts
  • Rooster hats
  • Rooster picture
• Jesus takes my punishment, Matthew 27:27-37 (Jesus suffers andis crucified)
  • Cross suncatchers
  • Another cross suncatcher example
  • White to red carnations
• Jesus will forgive me, Luke 23:39-43 (Jesus shows love to the criminal)
  • 3 Crosses bead necklace
  • 3 Crosses outdoor object lesson
• Jesus connects me to God, Matthew 27:45-54, 57-61 (Jesus dies andis buried)
  • Burying our sin
  • Easter garden
• Jesus died for me, John 3:16 (Salvation)
  • ABC book
• Jesus gives me new life, Matthew 28:1-10 (Resurrection morning)
  • Resurrection rolls
  • Easter garden
  • Toilet paper grave clothes

Other Easter activities

• Hearts for Jesus (focus on Jesus’ anointing)
• Egg Hunt with a purpose
• Easter tree