Easter is just around the corner. It's one of highlights of a children's ministry year. It's such a great opportunity to reach and disciple kids who may not come as often and for new guests. 

You definitely want to be prepared and have a clear strategy and plan for the day. 

I'm here to help. Here are five proven resources that you can use to have a great Easter.  Let's take a look at them. 

CSI (Christ Scene Investigation) Easter Lesson

Kids are invited to join the C.S.I. Team to investigate if Jesus rose from the dead. They’ll examine three scenes to look for clues, collect evidence and talk with eyewitnesses. The evidence will lead them to make a decision about whether Jesus’ resurrection is true and if they want to enter a relationship with Him.

This lesson is also a great way to teach kids apologetics for the resurrection. It takes kids on a deeper diver to help them know why we can know Jesus rose from the dead.

Includes a ready-to-print evidence recorder book that kids use during the investigation.

Delivered Electronically - Instant Download

Includes...

• investigative I.D. badge for each child (ready to print)
• evidence recorder book for each child (ready to print)
• graphics for posters, promoting, etc.
• slide graphics for Power Point, Pro Presenter, Media Shout, Key Note
• interactive lesson videos
• lesson plan that can be used in large group format, small group format, traditional classroom format or mid-week format
• lesson connects with all learning styles
• lesson incorporates hands on, experiential learning
• games that bring together fun and learning

You can get more information and see video and lesson samples here at this link.

Blast to the Past Easter Lesson 

Connor and Chloe get blasted back the past where they meet Jesus at the tomb after He has risen. They learn who Jesus is, what He did and why He did it. Through this experience, kids will discover the meaning of Easter and how they can have a relationship with the risen Savior.

This is an interactive lesson that includes hands-on activities and live interaction with the lesson videos.

Delivered Electronically - Instant Download

Includes...

• graphics for posters, social media and promotion
• slide graphics for Power Point, Pro Presenter, Media Shout, Key Note
• ready-to-print interactive pieces that kids use to interact with the videos in real-time
• 5-minute video countdown
• lesson videos
• lesson plans that fit large group format, small group format, traditional classroom format, mid-week format
• lesson is flexible and editable to fit your specific ministry context
• lesson hits all learning styles
• lesson is hands-on, experiential and learner-based
• easy-to-use small group leader plans with little prep needed

You can get more information and see video and lesson samples here at this link. 

Starting Point Salvation and New Believer's Class

As you share the Gospel at Easter, it is important to have a next step that kids and families can take together.

Starting Point is a one-session class designed for kids who are interested in starting a relationship with Jesus. The class is designed for kids and their parents to attend together and provides tools that parents can use to follow up with their children at home.

This is a proven curriculum that has been used to lead thousands of kids and parents to Christ. It is being used by churches across the country and fits any size church.

Delivered Electronically - Instant Download

This comprehensive curriculum includes...

• Teacher/Facilitator script
• Student booklets that are ready to print
• Parent booklets that are ready to print
• Pre-class activity pages that are ready to print
• All files are editable so you can adapt to your specific ministry needs
• Teaching videos ready to drop into your presentation software
• PowerPoint ready-to-go presentation
• Ready-to-go graphic slides you can place in presentation software such Pro Presenter, Media Shout, Keynote, etc
• Promotional materials that are editable and ready to print

You can get more information and see video and lesson samples here at this link.

Baptism for Kids Class

At Easter,  you may have kids and families asking about being baptized.  

Baptism for Kids is a one-session class that helps kids understand baptism. The class answers questions like...

• What is baptism?
• Why should I be baptized?
• When should I be baptized?

*It is designed for kids and their parents to attend together and provides follow-up tools that parents can use to help prepare their children for baptism. The class has helped thousands of kids and parents follow Jesus in baptism and is a great resource for ministries that want to see kids and families take that step.

*This resource is designed to accompany the Starting Point Class. It is recommended you take kids through the Starting Point Class (or another faith commitment curriculum) before you take them through this class.

Delivered Electronically - Instant Download

Includes...

• teacher's guide
• class handout for kids (ready to print)
• class handout for parents (ready to print)
• pre-class activity pages (ready to print)
• all handouts are editable so you can adjust as needed for your specific ministry
• PowerPoint presentation
• Ready-to-go media files you can place in other presentation software such as Pro Presenter, Media Shout, Keynote, etc.
• promotional materials
• baptism certificate templates you can edit for your ministry

You can get more information and see video and lesson samples here at this link.

A Great Start

Once kids invite Jesus into their life, it is vital that we help disciple them. "A Great Start" is a great discipleship tool to help kids grow and thrive in their faith. Can be used at home and at church.

A Great Start helps ground kids in their faith and learn crucial truths that will help them grow spiritually. Devos include teaching kids about these essential parts of the faith.

You can get more information and order at this link.  

I trust these resources will help you the way they have helped me. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about these resources. Praying with you for a great time of ministry on Easter and the days and weeks around it. 

Easter is one of the top opportunities you have to make an impact for kids and families. 

It's the weekend that nearly everyone who calls your church "home" shows up at the same time.

Let's look at 5 ways you can make a big impact this Easter. 

#1 - Enlist new people to serve.

Start now casting the net for people to serve.  This is one of the few times a year when it is a good idea to make this appeal be church-wide from the lead pastor.

Ask your pastor to consider making a stage announcement a few weeks out from Easter.  Let the congregation know that Easter is one of the best opportunities to reach people for Christ.  Cast the vision. Let your church know that there will be a lot of people attending that are not in church on a normal weekend. Let the church know that you are asking them to serve on Easter.  Especially the people who are not serving anywhere. 

Then make sure you give the people who sign up and serve a great serving experience. 

The week after Easter, connect with the people who served at Easter for the first time.  Invite them to come back and join your serving team on a regular basis.  Normally, you will get a good percentage of people who will say "yes."  My team did this and we had 85% of the people say "yes" to serving all the time in children's ministry. 

It takes people to make an impact at Easter.  Try doing this and see what happens.

 #2 - Share the Gospel.  

The most important thing you will ever share with kids and parents is the Gospel.  Make sure you are sharing the Gospel this Easter. Share how the resurrection is part of God's redemptive plan for us. The Gospel is the power of God to salvation.  

I have two standalone lessons designed specifically for Easter.  The lessons clearly explain Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.  The lessons help kids clearly see why Jesus came and how they can know Him.

Click here to see more information about the CSI (Christ Scene Investigation) lesson.

Click here to see more information about the "Blast to the Past" lesson.

#3 - Connect with parents.

It's just as important to connect with parents on Easter weekend as it is to connect with their kids. 

Think of ways your staff and volunteer team can make a connection with parents.  Ask them to be intentional about making a brief connection with parents at drop-off and pick-up. 

Here's an example.

If you use take home papers, instead of giving the papers to the kids, hand it to their parents. At pick-up, let them know this what the lesson was about and encourage them to use the take home paper to talk more about it with their children at home.

Here's another incredible idea that works for connecting with new families. Invite the mother (if you're a lady) or the dad (if you're a guy) to meet you for coffee that week. I know one church that is doing this and the vast majority of parents say "yes" to the invitation to meet for coffee.  

This will give you the opportunity to talk at more length with the parents and establish a relationship with them. 

#4 - Have a great, new teaching series that starts the week after Easter.  

Make it something that will be relevant and stir interest with today's kids and their parents. 

I have lots of great teaching series for kids that you can use for this. Check them out at this link.

#5 - Create an Easter experience for families.  

Families are looking for opportunities to have a shared experience with their children at Easter. 

Here are some ideas for this. 

Have a picture spot.  Create a backdrop for this and have props families can use for the picture.  Use their camera to make the picture.  They will then more than likely share the picture on social media.  Have the name of your church on the backdrop and it will be free promotion of your church.

Have props they can use for the picture.  Here are a few examples of this:

• An empty picture frame they can hold up.
• Rabbit ears for the kids. 
• Easter hats to put on.
• Easter glasses to put on.  

Have a petting area with rabbits and other animals. 

Have an Easter egg hunt after service. 

Have Easter crafts set out that they can put together.

Have Easter cookies they can decorate and eat.

Your turn. What are some other ways churches can make a big impact this Easter?  Share your ideas in the comment section below.

Easter is only 7 weeks away.  It's time to start preparing for this huge opportunity to reach kids and families.

Easter is when everyone who attends your church once or twice a month will all show up at the same time.  Which is why your Easter attendance is normally much higher than a regular Sunday.  

One of the biggest things about Easter  - it gives you the opportunity to clearly share how Jesus rose from the dead and how He can forgive our sins.  

That's why I created a stand-alone, high-impact Easter lesson that clearly shows kids proof that Jesus rose from the dead and is the Savior.  

Churches across the nation and in other countries have used this lesson.  Here is some of the feedback we have received.

"My purpose sending you this email is to THANK YOU for the idea of C.S.I = Christ Scene Investigation. We decided to take this theme last Friday to bring our kids to experience the death investigation of Jesus. It went sooo great. The kids loved it and we had so much fun.  More than that, the kids experienced Jesus as we shared that when they seek Jesus they will find Jesus, as what Mary Magdalene did when she looked for the body of the Lord. It's a beautiful view looking at the kids touched by His presence and they can see and hear that Jesus loves them. It brings us to new level of faith to build His Kingdom in the life of little children. All glory to Him."                   -Okina from Jakarta, Indonesia

You can purchase this lesson at a great price at this link.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at dale@buildingchildrensministry.com.

• Kids are invited to join the C.S.I. Team to investigate if Jesus rose from the dead. They examine three scenes to look for clues, collect evidence and talk with eyewitnesses. The evidence will lead them to make a decision about whether Jesus’ resurrection is true and if they want to enter a relationship with Him.

• This lesson is also a great way to teach kids apologetics for the resurrection. It takes kids on a deeper diver to help them know why we can know Jesus rose from the dead.

• Includes a ready-to-print evidence recorder book that kids use during the investigation.

• investigative I.D. badge for each child (ready to print)
• evidence recorder book for each child (ready to print)
• graphics for posters, promoting, etc.
• slide graphics for Power Point, Pro Presenter, Media Shout, Key Note
• interactive lesson videos
• lesson plan that can be used in large group format, small group format, traditional classroom format or mid-week format
• lesson connects with all learning styles
• lesson incorporates hands on, experiential learning
• games that bring together fun and learning