A few days ago I had a memory of a story I used to tell when my husband and I traveled to camps and churches for special kids’ events. It’s not something I made up, but I think I perfected it pretty well. I thought you would like it–either to show your kids or to copy yourself and make with your kids or share with your church.

All you need is a piece of thin cardboard (thinner than foam board but thicker than posterboard), a few paper fasteners and a working knowledge of Mark 2:1-12!

Ready? Grab your kids and enjoy!

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***Impress Your Kids has some new digs at ohAmanda.com! Come visit us there for all the Impress Your Kids archives and all our new posts–including our Easter newsblast with fabulous tips for celebrating a meaningful Easter with your kids!***

Do you get Thriving Family magazine? It’s a publication of Focus on the Family–filled with parenting and marriage guidance and fun stuff to do with your kids. (And it’s FREE right now!) This month they had a whole week of Easter/Resurrection crafts and activities to do with your kids.  We picked one of them to do yesterday–first we read 1 Peter 1:18-19,

The blood of Christ set you free from an empty way of life. That way of life was handed down to you by your own people long ago. You know that you were not bought with things that can pass away, like silver or gold. Instead, you were bought by the priceless blood of Christ. He is a perfect lamb. He doesn’t have any flaws at all.

Lydia and Asa are waaay into Jesus being the Lamb of God. We got that whole thing solidified at Christmas! Their favorite Christmas song says, “Yoooou are the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the wooorld!”. So, to build on the Lamb of God born in Bethlehem and add the spotless, sinless Passover Lamb was really cool.

After reading and talking about the verse we got some white carnations and put them in a vase. We looked at them and noticed how “spotless” and perfect they were. We compared the flowers to Jesus’ perfection.

Then we put some red food coloring into the water. I explained that in a few days the flowers would soak up the red dye and their petals would no longer be spotless-but covered with red dye. Just like Jesus took our sin on himself while He was on the cross.

The flowers have been sitting on our mantle for about a day now–still no red in the petals. But I’m waiting! I’m pretty sure they’ll show up soon! Regardless, the kids had a good time talking about spotless versus spotted and perfect versus sinful. And soon, it will be an awesome visual of what Jesus took upon Himself–for us!

See all of our Easter & Resurrection ideas–and add your own!

***Impress Your Kids has some new digs at ohAmanda.com! Come visit us there for all the Impress Your Kids archives and all our new posts–including our Easter newsblast with fabulous tips for celebrating a meaningful Easter with your kids!***

I have been thinking about this Salvation series for two weeks now. And the more I think about it, the more nervous I get. I have never been shy about posting about Jesus on my personal blog–but the one time I did a real “theology” post it was so nerve-wracking I never did it again! I’m hoping this series comes across more helpful and less theology.

Today I want to talk about three scriptures. Three things Jesus says about kids. Three ideas that show Jesus’ desire to have a relationship with children. Let’s begin…

Matthew 18:2-6
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

We’ve all read this scripture before. We’ve all said it and hoped to emulate it–yes, we want the child-like faith. But do we realize what that verse meant? Especially at the time it was spoken?

Jesus’ disciples were arguing about who was the greatest in the kingdom. Can you imagine how much joy that brought Jesus? I’ll tell you–none! I can picture Jesus rolling his eyes and saying, “Guys! Are you kidding me? All this time with me and you still wanna know how to be the greatest?” Then he shakes his head and motions to one of the little boys hanging around. This little guy skips over to Jesus and Jesus gives him a high-five then tousles his hair. “Here he is. The greatest in the kingdom. If you want to enter heaven you need to be just like him.” To which the disciples are alternately scratching their heads and wistfully remembering their childhood. Jesus shakes them out of their revelry when he says, “By the way, if any of you causes one of my youngest disciples to mess-up it would be better for you to TIE A BOULDER AROUND YOUR NECK AND THROW YOURSELF IN THE OCEAN.”

*whew*

Jesus doesn’t just look at a kid see a future grown-up. Or an empty-headed little twerp. He sees a significant person–worthy of emulation, protection and relationship. Jesus expected children to have a relationship with Him–and expected others to recognize and help with that relationship.

Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

photo by me. book by Dennis Jones.

This is my favorite passage about Jesus. I love how kids are trying to get to Jesus (or at least their parents are bringing them) and the disciples try to block them. They want the sick, needy and important people to get to Jesus first. But when Jesus sees this he gets TICKED. (He does. Look up the word “indignant” if you don’t believe me.)

Jesus wants the kids near Him—to know Him, to love on them and bless them. These kids weren’t trying to get anything from Jesus, they just wanted to be with him. And Jesus wanted the kids to have open access to Him. He wanted a relationship with them. And He wants a relationship with our kids, too. Oh, I want to LEAD my kids to Jesus and not hinder them!

Matthew 10:40-42
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

This is a strange passage because at first it seems to be about hospitality–taking care of a prophet, or a righteous man, giving water to a child. But at closer look, the part that sticks out is “these little ones who is my disciple”. Jesus is looking at kids and saying they are his disciples. Like CURRENTLY a disciple! (Also seen in Matthew 18:2-6.) Just as a prophet or a righteous man is worthy of hospitality (and of issuing a reward) so is a child! Why? Because they are DISCIPLES of JESUS! This is a given for Jesus–kids ARE disciples and followers of Him!

And if we receive a reward for giving children cold water, how much more will our reward be if we offer LIVING WATER to our children?! I shiver to think about it!

These verses get me excited. I am partnering with Jesus. I am leading my kids to Him because that’s what HE WANTS! Jesus not only desires kids to have relationship with Him, He assumes it. And He expects adults to facilitate it!

Thoughts?

As a disclaimer, I *did* go to college for Bible and Theology. But I am not an expert. Nor do I get excited arguing theology and apologetics. I’m just a mom. So, if you like to argue, this is not the place. I want Impress Your Kids to be a place where others are encouraged and empowered to raise our kids for God. If you attack my readers (or our topic), I will delete and/or block you. {Sorry, nice people. It had to be said.}

***Impress Your Kids has some new digs at ohAmanda.com! Come visit us there for all the Impress Your Kids archives and all our new posts–including our Easter newsblast with fabulous tips for celebrating a meaningful Easter with your kids!***