Celebrating the death and resurrection of Christ

At this time of the year, in the midst of the Easter Bonnet parades and Easter Egg hunts, those of us who are believers in Christ use every opportunity we have to share the message of the death and resurrection of Christ. This was the main focus at the closing session for Bible Club this term - that Jesus died to remove the sin that separated us from God, and demonstrated His victory over death by rising again after 3 days.

Hang the Jesus on the cross game

When sin entered the world through man's disobedience, our relationship with God was broken. The only way for us to be close to God once more was to remove the sin that separated us, and this could only be done through death. Jesus, who never sinned, took the punishment for our sins, so that we would not have to die (John 3:16)

Drama depicting Jesus' death

However, because Jesus is fully God, death could not keep Him in the grave. After paying the death price for our sins, He rose from the dead, defeating Satan's plan to keep us eternally separated from God. He remained on earth for 40 days, and then went back to heaven where He speaks to God on our behalf.

The women find the empty grave

Like Jesus, we too must die, but not a physical death. We must die spiritually to our old way of living, making decisions to please ourselves rather than to please God. We must also live, letting Christ be the center of our life, and reflecting Him in the way that we now live.

Skit demonstrating forgiveness by a victim of bullying

The children were challenged to stop living fake lives, according to the standards that society dictates, but to live authentic lives which are surrendered fully to God. They were given an opportunity to turn away from a life of sin, and invite God to take control of their lives, from the inside out.

Enjoying one of the games

Our prayer is that every young person who prayed that evening would truly be able to confess:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20