A Missional Easter

When thinking of ways to be missional, we often focus on what we can do outside of the walls of our churches, and homes. Just as Jesus came into our world to share God’s love with us, we often look for ways to share God’s love with others by entering into their world rather than asking them to come into ours.

Easter however provides us with a unique opportunity. An opportunity to be missional, not only by serving those in our community but also by inviting them to join us and be a part of our faith community (even if only for the day).

Because of the unique opportunity that Easter provides us, here are three ways for you to be missional with you kids this Easter:

1. Have Your Children Invite Their Friends
One way to be missional this Easter is to ask your kids if they know anyone that they would like to invite to church. Often those who would never consider going to church on a regular Sabbath will consider saying ‘yes’ to an invitation on Easter.

2. Go With Them
Once a family accepts your family’s invitation, make plans to go with them. To be truly hospitable to this family you have invited takes a lot more than saying, “Text me when you have dropped your kids off and we can sit together.”

Put yourself in this guest family’s shoes for a minute. Imagine that you have accepted an invitation to go to a Jewish friend’s synagogue on Saturday, and you’re bringing your whole family. Think about all the questions that you would have. What should we wear? Where do I park? Will my kids be safe? Do I need to bring anything for them to do or eat? How will I know where to take my kids when I get there?

Every guest family at your church will have the same fears and questions as they pull up to our parking lot. If you invite a family to come with you, take some time to think through how you can answer those questions for them and make them feel at ease about attending church with you.

3. Involve Them In Your Traditions
Of all three points, this one is probably the hardest one, yet it has the potential to have the biggest impact. Most of us have family traditions built up around the Easter holiday, and changing them to include another family is a sacrifice. However, inviting the family that came to church with you to be a part of your Easter brunch, egg hunt, or whatever you do after church could be life-changing for them. Extending your time together past the church service gives the parents a chance to process what they heard with you while the kids are hunting eggs or hanging out together.

4. Be Missional To Your Kids
Take the opportunity this Easter to talk to your kids about what Easter is. Share with your kids what Christ’s death and resurrection means to you personally. Research has shown that sharing your journey with God, with your kids is a powerful way to build lifelong faith though authentic relationships.

If you are looking for some fun object lessons and ways to make this Easter more spiritual for your kids? Click here to download the free ‘out of the basked Easter ideas for families’ booklet produced by LifeTree resources.

>>This blog was adapted from an article published by the Verge Network. Three ways to be missional with your kids this Easter. John Murchison, 2014