This is the FREE curriculum for our RESURRECTION ADVENT! You can copy and paste the post below to print as your booklet. Please feel free to use our ideas to make your own Easter “Calendar” of Jesus’ last week through the Ascension out of felt or paper! OR you can purchase a pre-made set in out Etsy shop! Daily readings are listed from the Gospels or the page numbers from my Bible in Stories. You can read more about this Easter resource and ideas here. There is a video demonstration you can watch at the bottom of the post!
You can start at any time but Palm Sunday to the 2 days after Easter is how this was intentionally set up. Please post any pictures of your DIY set in the Comments below!
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
First of all, your children are blessed that you have sought to give them spiritual food during this important and often crowded season! Through these little moments valuable lessons are taught that will shape their heart.
I am praying for you that this will be a helpful and stress-less part of your celebrations. When possible read over the passage before you begin with them unless you are already familiar with the stories. Encourage them to notice details, ask questions and pray based upon what you have read. In our house we love to draw out the scenes or a favorite part of the story, then re-tell the stories from the drawings throughout the week. This gives children a sense of ownership of the story.
The Suggested activities are if you have enough time! They are only supplemental to what you are reading if you are looking for more. Skip it when you need to or add them in as your child matures.
- Set up your background together like the picture with only the: Brown road/hill starting with road on the left, Blue waves at the bottom right, & White clouds.
- Each day select the felt piece to be used from the envelope. We sometimes hide them or make a game of this.
- Read the passage/activity together and let them decorate the background. I intentionally did not number this background so that you are free to put some pieces as you choose but order will help their memory of the chronology.
Day 1: THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
Intended to begin on Palm Sunday.
Scripture reading: Matthew 21:1-11
Bible in Stories: page 574-5
Suggested activity: Trace your hand on green paper and make a long stem to represent a palm branch. “Hosanna” is a shout of praise or adoration. Write one thing you can praise God for on your branch and hang it up.
Felt piece: Green Palm leaf
Day 2: THE TEMPLE CLEARING
Scripture reading: Matthew 21:12-17
Bible in Stories: page 57-67
Suggested activity: Jesus showed His authority by making the sellers leave the Temple yet the blind, lame and even little children still approached Him to ask for healing and give Him praise. Is there any hurt you would like to ask Jesus for healing for today?
Felt piece: Gray pigeon
Day 3: JESUS’ LAST LESSONS TO HIS DISCIPLES
Scripture reading: Mark 12:28-34
Bible in Stories: page 590-1
Suggested Activity: Plan as a family one small thing you can do to show love to your neighbor this week.
Felt piece: Red Heart
Day 4: LAST SUPPER/PREDICTION OF BETRAYAL
Scripture reading: Luke 22:72-3
Bible in Stories: page 598-9, 6000-1
Suggested activity: Break bread and share it as a family. Maybe even dip it in oil or melted butter and talk about the symbolism of the Lord’s table and what it means to you.
Felt piece: Tan Bread
Day 5: ARREST AND TRIAL
Scripture reading: Luke 22:39-54; John 18:33-40
Bible in Stories: page 606-7
Suggested activity: Can you believe that the soldiers still arrested Jesus right after seeing Him heal the servant’s ear? Draw a picture of this scene or of the disciples all sleeping while Jesus was praying.
Felt piece: Gray Sword
For further reading: Look up PETER’S DENIAL or JESUS BEFORE PILATE or HEROD.
Day 6: CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL
Scripture reading: Luke 23:32-47, Luke 23:50-56
Bible in Stories: page 616-17, 618-19
Suggested activity: Draw a tiny sign to stick over your cross that reads “KING”.
Felt piece: Brown Cross and Gray Stone with Cream colored Body underneath. Replace White clouds with Black cloud over the cross. Day turned to night when Jesus died and there was thunder and earthquakes.
OR
Day 7: BURIAL (or do Nothing in wait for the Resurrection and cover the Burial on Day 6)
Scripture reading: Luke 23:50-56
Bible in Stories: page 618-19
Suggested activity: At this point the disciples were hopeful but unsure how this story would end. What are some of the ways they could have responded during this waiting time?
Felt piece: Gray stone with Cream colored Body underneath
Day 8: RESURRECTION!
Scripture reading: Luke 24:1-12
Bible in Stories: page 620-21
Suggested activity: How would you have felt at the tomb? Draw a picture of your expression if you were there. Don’t forget the angel seated on the stone!
Felt piece: Remove Body beneath the stone before you begin. Have them open the stone to see tomb empty and place crown on the cross. He rules as King!
Day 9: JESUS APPEARS TO DISCIPLES FOR 40 DAYS
Scripture reading: Luke 24:36-53
Bible in Stories: page 628-29
Suggested activity: Some of the disciples wouldn’t believe Jesus was real unless they touched Him. Would you have believed by just seeing Him or would you have wanted to reach out and touch Him to believe? Why?
Felt piece: Orange fish over the waves.
Day 10: THE ASCENSION
Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-11
Bible in Stories: page 632-33
Suggested activity: Who can you tell this week about something new you learned about the Resurrection? Draw a picture of this scene of the Ascension into heaven to hang up or send to a friend.
Felt piece: Gold arrow going up to a cloud.
Video demonstration of how to do this day by day –
And in the days following the Resurrection, a Bible Scavenger hunt to find Jesus appearances after the Resurrection! Watch video for the explanation!
Featured on hopejoyinchrist for great Easter Activities!
