Comments on: Is Easter Too Scary for Children? http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/ By Russell D. Moore. Russell D. Moore serves as the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. In addition, Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find sermons and other resources to help Christians engage the culture from a biblical worldview at www.russellmoore.com. Tue, 22 May 2012 19:44:49 +0000 By: Joseph Louthan http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-118702 Joseph Louthan Sat, 07 May 2011 14:32:26 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-118702 When I gave the gospel to my 5 year old son, it wasn't the cross that was scary but it was the depths of his depravity that him cry out in anguish and desperation. But with tears—tears of joy streaming down my face, I get to respond, "Let me tell you of the One True God who saves". It is nuts that God would put His power of salvation into mere words. When I gave the gospel to my 5 year old son, it wasn’t the cross that was scary but it was the depths of his depravity that him cry out in anguish and desperation.

But with tears—tears of joy streaming down my face, I get to respond, “Let me tell you of the One True God who saves”.

It is nuts that God would put His power of salvation into mere words.

]]> By: David Pitman http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108886 David Pitman Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:24:10 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108886 Well said! We do speak lovingly to our children (and now to our grandchildren); but we must also speak truthfully to them. Thank you for this timely reminder. Well said! We do speak lovingly to our children (and now to our grandchildren); but we must also speak truthfully to them. Thank you for this timely reminder.

]]> By: Moore on Making Easter “Family Friendly”… « http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108701 Moore on Making Easter “Family Friendly”… « Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:34:33 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108701 [...] Dr. Moore writes: Every year, around this time, parents and churches ponder how to communicate the Easter story to children, as something more than dyed eggs. The problem is, of course, that it’s impossible to talk about the resurrection of Jesus without talking about death. And, in the case of Jesus, it’s really hard to talk about death without talking about crucifixion. [...] [...] Dr. Moore writes: Every year, around this time, parents and churches ponder how to communicate the Easter story to children, as something more than dyed eggs. The problem is, of course, that it’s impossible to talk about the resurrection of Jesus without talking about death. And, in the case of Jesus, it’s really hard to talk about death without talking about crucifixion. [...]

]]> By: Good Friday with little ones « Priceless Gifts http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108404 Good Friday with little ones « Priceless Gifts Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:09:38 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108404 [...] morning I was reading this blogpost from Russ Moore and found it super insightful for our children as we embark on various [...] [...] morning I was reading this blogpost from Russ Moore and found it super insightful for our children as we embark on various [...]

]]> By: Being Intentional During Lent, Holy Week and Easter « Traveler’s Rest http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108315 Being Intentional During Lent, Holy Week and Easter « Traveler’s Rest Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:08:08 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108315 [...] 5. Is Easter Too Scary For Children? [...] [...] 5. Is Easter Too Scary For Children? [...]

]]> By: » Blog Archive Leading our children to the cross - http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108257 » Blog Archive Leading our children to the cross - Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:34:40 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108257 [...] shield them from the truth of what all it entailed. Russell Moore hit the nail on the head here: Our children need to hear the Gospel. They need to see Jesus. That means they need to see both [...] [...] shield them from the truth of what all it entailed. Russell Moore hit the nail on the head here: Our children need to hear the Gospel. They need to see Jesus. That means they need to see both [...]

]]> By: Heather Patenaude http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108231 Heather Patenaude Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:56:42 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108231 Thank you for this post! This year, my 6 and almost 5 year old sons will come with us to a Good Friday Service. This past year they've both put "Jesus in their hearts" and we feel they are ready. As we've prepared for this weekend, both Friday and Sunday, they've had a new awareness of what Christ has done. Today we even went to a cemetery to see what happens when most people die. They both know that He rose from the grave, which makes Friday easier! I will say in years past, we've not done as much preparation as we have this year. (we used poster boards I found on line that go through each day of the Holy Week...they've been helpful!) The preparation has helped us give them a full view of Easter! Thanks again for this post! Thank you for this post! This year, my 6 and almost 5 year old sons will come with us to a Good Friday Service. This past year they’ve both put “Jesus in their hearts” and we feel they are ready. As we’ve prepared for this weekend, both Friday and Sunday, they’ve had a new awareness of what Christ has done.

Today we even went to a cemetery to see what happens when most people die.

They both know that He rose from the grave, which makes Friday easier!

I will say in years past, we’ve not done as much preparation as we have this year. (we used poster boards I found on line that go through each day of the Holy Week…they’ve been helpful!)
The preparation has helped us give them a full view of Easter!

Thanks again for this post!

]]> By: Russell D. Moore http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108158 Russell D. Moore Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:39:18 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108158 @Simon Tiller, praise the Lord brother. I just prayed for your co-workers and for you as you witness to the power of the gospel! @Simon Tiller, praise the Lord brother. I just prayed for your co-workers and for you as you witness to the power of the gospel!

]]> By: Russell D. Moore http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108157 Russell D. Moore Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:38:53 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108157 @Miriam Ward, that's a great word Miriam. Thank you for modeling such sensitivity and wisdom. @Miriam Ward, that’s a great word Miriam. Thank you for modeling such sensitivity and wisdom.

]]> By: Simon Tiller http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108107 Simon Tiller Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:54:13 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108107 Thank you so much for this message. It brought tears to my eyes. Many tears in fact. I read this message while at work and my coworkers wondered why I was sobbing. It gave me a great chance to witness for Our Lord. Many laughed but a few listened. I continued to weep and weep as I pleaded there, like Paul on Mars Hill before unbelievers. I may have reached a heart or two today as two co-workers stuck around to talk more about Jesus. They wanted to know about Him who motivated my tears. Thank you, brother Russ. Thank you for the edification and the chance to offer a tear-soaked doxology before witnesses. He Is King. Thank you so much for this message. It brought tears to my eyes. Many tears in fact. I read this message while at work and my coworkers wondered why I was sobbing. It gave me a great chance to witness for Our Lord.

Many laughed but a few listened. I continued to weep and weep as I pleaded there, like Paul on Mars Hill before unbelievers. I may have reached a heart or two today as two co-workers stuck around to talk more about Jesus. They wanted to know about Him who motivated my tears.

Thank you, brother Russ. Thank you for the edification and the chance to offer a tear-soaked doxology before witnesses. He Is King.

]]> By: Miriam Ward http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/21/is-easter-too-scary-for-children/#comment-108100 Miriam Ward Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:49:14 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6547#comment-108100 Thanks for this post, it nicely summarizes the hazy stew of things I've noticed this year in preparing for Easter with my 5 year old. He's at the age where understanding death and its permanence is front and center and prompts a lot of questions, fears, and fascination. We've never lied (nor has our church) about the truth of Easter, but this is the first year we find him tearing up over the reality of death. While we've tried to avoid in-depth discussion of darker topics before he's ready, in the past month I've found this knowledge to be a great builder of sympathy, empathy and gratitude in him. And in me. Thanks for this post, it nicely summarizes the hazy stew of things I’ve noticed this year in preparing for Easter with my 5 year old.

He’s at the age where understanding death and its permanence is front and center and prompts a lot of questions, fears, and fascination. We’ve never lied (nor has our church) about the truth of Easter, but this is the first year we find him tearing up over the reality of death. While we’ve tried to avoid in-depth discussion of darker topics before he’s ready, in the past month I’ve found this knowledge to be a great builder of sympathy, empathy and gratitude in him. And in me.

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