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Spring is approaching quickly! I am excited about the warmer weather and family days outdoors biking, camping, and creating memories! (In our homeschool, we take “sun” days instead of snow days.)

My favorite holiday comes in the spring. I look forward to the joy of celebrating Easter every year.

As I think about Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for my sins, I am humbled and grateful for all He endured, and filled with hope through His resurrection. In our family, we have fun dyeing and hunting eggs, gathering with family, and filling Easter baskets, but I want to focus on Jesus this Easter, every Easter, and really, everyday.

First, focus on Jesus this Easter by reading the story of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection as a family.

Use a Easter reading plan or just choose from the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) and read from the Triumphant Entry through the end of the book.

Second, share communion on Good Friday as a family.

Join with your church family if they have a Good Friday or Lord’s Supper service. If not, observe this ordinance with your family at home. Use this time to share the gospel with younger children and explain the meaning of communion for those who are not ready to participate. (We believe the Bible teaches communion is for believers only.)

Third, participate in or attend a local Easter cantata or Easter program.

If you are participating in an Easter program, make sure you take time to worship throughout the performance. In worship, the congregation is not our audience; Jesus is. We perform to bring glory to Him and lead others to worship Him with us. If you are watching an Easter program allow the message to penetrate your heart no matter how many times you have heard the “good news.”

Fourth, fill your kids Easter baskets with things that reflect the true meaning of Easter.

Could your kids use a new Bible or devotional? Maybe they would like Christian jewelry or a Christian t-shirt. Even candy can be reminder of Jesus’s death and resurrection. (See Gift Ideas for Easter Baskets That point to Christ.)

Finally, worship with your local church on Easter Sunday.

Be sure to check with you local church for the correct place and time. Many churches change their normal service time on Easter Sunday. Some have sunrise service or other morning worship. Some meet outdoors.

We traditionally dress up on Easter Sunday and often wear a new (or new to us) shirt or dress, but dressing up is not necessary. Worshipping and keeping our focus on Jesus this Easter is the priority. Don’t let clothes keep you from celebrating Easter with your church family.

These five things are a basic framework for helping your family focus on Jesus this Easter, but they are just a starting point! Dive deep and have fun with your family with these thoughts and activities from Christian bloggers that we can share as this special day draws near. Read devotions, make crafts, play games and anything else that will help us all keep our focus on Jesus this Easter.

Remember, if Christ is not raised, we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). But He IS raised and we are FORGIVEN!

Thoughts and Activities to Help Your Family Focus on Jesus This Easter

These first two posts are written by my real-life friend Charlie at MississipiMom.com. Charlie helps us take a closer look at the Lamb Whom we celebrate at Easter and helps us prepare our hearts to truly experience Him during this reflective season.

Brina Lynn, blogger at BrinaLynn.com, shares Easter Reflections of her own and links to others inspirational posts. Be sure to download her beautiful Names of Jesus printable on the left sidebar

These 2 posts are some of my own thoughts around Easter. I’ve used the Easy Easter object lesson many times over the last ten years with children to teenagers.

In the “Sabbath Before Easter” I share thoughts of the disciples feelings between Good Friday and Easter. Jesus had told them He would rise again, but their hopeless clouded their memory. Read to see how we are often like these sorrowful disciples when we can and should have hope.

Remembering Easter is a 30 page set of Printables to help kids have fun celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.