Get excited folks, we're approaching Easter. I'm pumped! Are you pumped? #betterthanchristmas
So, here's the thing, not every parent is ready to jump into communion with their kids. For many of us on Easter morning, when our church does their first-ever virtual communion we'll have a couple of awkward options to choose from:
1. Take communion and mumble "It's not a snack- leave me alone!" while our kids grumble
2. Be Oprah with communion- I get communion, you get communion, We all get communion!
...Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but the truth is for most of us, this isn't something we've prepared for. And neither or those options show the real importance of what communion is and what it stands for!
I'm here with my virtual helper, Paster "Gru", to help you out with that! His real name is Pastor Dema Kohen and enjoy a lot of what he puts out there. In this particular video he talks about how to bring communion to kids, goes through a packet that each stony point child will get in this week's bag, and helps make this all seem just a little bit more manageable.
The video is about 20 minutes long, so I'll cover some of the highlights below for y'all busy people! But I highly recommend watching because he gives tons of great ideas throughout about how to really bring this alive for kids.
Here are some of the questions he talks about:
Is this too serious of a concept for kids?
How can I tell that they're ready?
Can they really understand what this is all about? (After all, this is holy communion we're talking about.)
How do I explain communion to my kids?
How do I make communion meaningful to them?
What if I feel they're not ready or I don't want them to take it yet -- how do I explain it to them without closing their hearts? OR
What if some of my kids are ready and some are not? If I let some take communion and others not, won't they feel excluded?
(If you did not receive a children's church bag, be sure to download Faith in Real Life PDF template to help you explore the Lord's Supper with your children. Download link https://bit.ly/39zkQhE )
Highlight Reel Taken from the Video:
Is this too serious of a concept for kids?
Remember that there are two sides: a serious side and a celebratory one. If you have older kids, it's time to focus on that serious side and have those serious conversations. Biblical instruction starts at home with you. Kids watch you. They see you. And someday they'll remember what you've taught them. Hey, maybe that can start today!
If you have younger kids, focus on the celebratory side! We celebrate Easter- why do we celebrate on this special day? Because we REMEMBER what Jesus did for us! He was the Hero of the story! He's the Hero of our story today! Celebrate that and let kids know that they way YOU celebrate it is by remember these great things with communion.
How can I tell that they're ready?
The first communion had Judas, who was plotting against Jesus. Peter, who in just a few hours, would betray him 3 times. Were they ready? How can any of us be. Pastor Dema makes a great point- just because your kid is giggly and pick his nose, doesn't mean he shouldn't be introduced to communion. Try keeping it simple "We do this to remember what Jesus did for us".
Can they really understand what this is all about? (After all, this is holy communion we're talking about.)
The "faith skill" communion really focuses on is REMEMBERING. Our kids ARE capable of doing that. Talk about remembering and why it's important to remember. Point out that God has done a lot of things for us that we want to remember (talk about what he has done for your family!), then talk about how Easter is something he did for us!
How do I explain communion to my kids?
Its important for younger kids especially, to keep it positive and playful without betraying the significance of its meaning. Explain what it is- communion is for everyone who has accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior! He makes a great point- this isn't Mount Everest. Jesus didn't give each disciple a mountain to climb. He openly gave it to everyone and he would have given to anyone- whether they were 5 or 9 or 12- if they have accepted Jesus, they would have been welcomed at the last supper. "If they can hold the bread and the juice, and it means something to them personally- not just bread... but a broken body and spilled out blood.... then they can participate".
How do I make communion meaningful to them?
First, explain that it's all about REMEMBERING what God has done for us. And what better day than Easter, to remind kids about what He did for us. Think about looking at a photo album with your kids (try this on Sunday Morning!)- these photos bring up memories! Communion can be the same way. When we hold the bread/juice we remember what God did for us on the cross.
What if I feel they're not ready or I don't want them to take it yet -- how do I explain it to them without closing their hearts?
OR
What if some of my kids are ready and some are not? If I let some take communion and others not, won't they feel excluded?
This is tricky because you don't want to deny children who have accepted Christ because some others haven't. He does a great job of relating it to a theme park- before you go on certain rides you have to stand against the ruler on the wall to see if you're tall enough. There's nothing wrong with it- they just are or aren't tall enough. I liked this quote,"Let kids know that communion is like a roller coaster. You have to be this high, and because you haven't accepted Jesus yet, there are just a few inches missing". You can also give them something special to hold. A nail, 2 sticks from outside, a cross necklace, a coin, or anything that might relate- let them hold that and give them something to think about. "I want to hold this nail and think about how Jesus felt pain because he loved you so much" or "I want you to hold this necklace and think about how I wear this everyday to remember Jesus dying on the cross" or "I want you to hold these coins and think about how Judas betrayed Jesus and Jesus died on the cross for some silver coins".
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