Journey The Holy

Through Days

Easter and the days leading up to it should be sacred to us who proclaim to live a life of faith! As a mom,
I am always seeking out ways to make the Easter season meaningful and real to my family. As I sat one
Friday night with my Idea Notebook in hand – I just jotted down a few ideas and this Easter Tree was
born. The idea of creating an Easter Tree is not new and certainly not an original idea with me. This is
just God’s idea flowing through my fingers to share with my own family and yours too.

Sprigs from the yard planted in a pot will be perfect for your tree! A paper chain of daily focus thoughts
can be hooked together to garland the tree or you can create a fabric or ribbon garland if you prefer.

The Daily Focus ideas begin 40 days before Palm Sunday and continue for a total of 47 days. References
given can be read to expound on the thought captured in the summary. While I did go through the
Gospels chronologically to put this list together – it is not meant to be considered historically accurate in
terms of time frame. I did try very hard to keep Holy Week accurate each day. But, I wanted to focus on
Jesus’ life for the previous 40 days.

May your families be blessed as you do all these things, “in remembrance.”

Daily Focus References to Read Family Activity

Jesus Takes on Human Matt. 1:25; Luke 2:1-20;
Flesh John 1:14
John the Baptist Prepares Matt. 3:1-12; Mk. 1:1-8;
the Way Luke 3:1-18; Jn. 1:19-28
Jesus is Baptized Matt. 3:13-17; Mk. 1:9-11;
Luke 3:21-23; John 1:29-34
Jesus is Tempted Matt. 4:1-10; Mk. 1:12-13;
Luke 4:1-13
Act out the familiar Nativity Story; Draw a
picture or print out a coloring page
Show a picture of a locust and then provide a
gummy worm or bug and a spoon full of
honey. John’s job was to get people ready for
God’s Son! What an important and special
job!
Talk about baptism. Visually explain how it
correlates to the death, burial and
resurrection of Christ and identifies us with
Him.
Set out candy or an enticing treat and tell
your children not to touch it then leave the
room; come back and discuss that you just set
up an example of temptation for them.
Daily Focus References to Read
Angels Attend Jesus Matt. 4:11; Mk. 1:13
“Come, follow me and I Matt. 4:18-22; Mk. 1:16-20;
will make you fishers of John 1:35-43
men.”
The Beatitudes Matt. 5:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
He has come to fulfill the Matt. 5:17; John 1:45
Law and the Prophets.
Jesus: Our Teacher Many, many references on
this one. Read about one of
the times He taught or read
a Parable. (Four Soils and
Weeds: Matt. 13:1-30;
Mark 4:1-20 or Lk 8:4-15)
Jesus: Our Example Again, many references
point us to this truth. (Look
at Matthew 5:48)
Family Activity
Explain the idea that Jesus had just gone 40
days without food in the desert. If you were
an angel sent to comfort Jesus – imagine
ways you would care for Him.
Sing I Will Make You Fishers of Men; talk
about what it means to fish for souls; eat
Goldfish! Pray for someone who does not yet
know Him.
If weather permits – read this outside as Jesus
was sitting on a mountainside teaching. If
you’re inside, create a “mountain” of blankets
or couch cushions.
Everything we read about the coming of Jesus
in the Old Testament comes true when Jesus
lives on Earth. Look in Isaiah together (Try
Is.53:5-11) This was hundreds of years before
Jesus came to Earth – talk about prophecy in
the Bible and how God fulfills it.
Depending on which passage(s) you choose to
read, see if you can explain the Parable or
make it visibly understandable to your
children. For example, the Parable of the Four
Soils you could show by gathering dirt, rocks,
seeds, etc… and show the idea to them.
Talk about the fact that Jesus never sinned,
never did anything wrong. Explain what an
“example” is: when we do an art project –
sometimes you have an example to look at
and you may want to try and make your
project look like the example. In this case, we
want to be more like Jesus – so we look to
Him and His Word to see how to live our lives
to please Him.
Daily Focus References to Read
Points us to the Father Many references on this
one. Look at accounts of
healing and for the
response that came: Mark
2:12
Jesus Heals Choose one of the accounts
of Jesus healing.
Even the winds and Matt. 8:23-27; Mk. 4:35-41;
waves obey Him. Luke 8:22-25
Jesus came for sinners. Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 2:17;
Luke 5:27-31; John 3:1-21
Our burden bearer. Matt. 11:28-30
Jesus teaches, rebukes, Countless accounts in the
corrects and trains. Gospels of each of these
things.
Family Activity
When we do something nice for others, is it
so they will think good about us? Or is it so
we can please God and share more of Him
with others? Jesus did not want any of the
praise for Himself – but was always pointing
us to God: our Heavenly Father. Do
something together to point others to the
Father today!
Act the story out. It would be fun to pretend
to be lowered through the roof on a blanket
and then be able to get up and walk! Remind
children how Jesus did more than heal
physically!
Another great one to act out. Have one child
sit in a laundry basket and pretend to be
Jesus while one rocks the boat violently and
the others howl like wind. Jesus says, “Be
still.” And, they instantly obey Him. Nothing is
out of His control.
Turn out the lights and light one candle.
Pretend you are like Nicodemus coming to
see Jesus at night. Talk about what sin is.
Think about ways that we sin and write them
down on slips of paper. Save these for a
future day. (Jesus forgives my sins.)
Fill a backpack with something heavy but that
a child can still barely lift. You could even
label the bags of rice or weights inside with
things like: fear, worry, sin, etc… to show that
these are things that weigh us down. Come
along behind child and lift their load. Talk
about the difference in how that feels relating
to these verses.
Look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17; talk about what
these words mean and give examples from
when our children are corrected.
Daily Focus
Jesus is truth.
Jesus is transfigured.
Jesus predicts His death.
Jesus is criticized by
religious leaders.
Jesus loves children.
Jesus spends time with
His Father.
Jesus never hurries.
Jesus is not afraid of what
others think.
References to Read
John 14:6
Matt. 17:1-8; Mk. 9: 1-8; Lk.
9:28-36
Matt. 16:21-28 and 17:22-
23; Mk. 8:31-32 and 9:30-
31; Lk. 9:44-45 and 18:31-
33
Matt. 21:23-27; John 11:45-
53
Matt. 19:13-15 and 21:14-
17; Mk. 9:36-37 and 10:13-
16; Lk. 9:48 and 18:15-17
Mark 1:35
Luke 10:38-42
Review Scriptures from
“Jesus is criticized by
religious leaders” or when
He clears the temple; John
15:18-25
Family Activity
Make a short list of things that are true and
false about yourself and have your children
guess which ones are true. Try it with your
children too if they think it is fun! There is
nothing false in Jesus!
Act this out with your children and use a
flashlight to make the face/clothes look shiny.
How good are you at predicting? What will
the weather be tomorrow? How long it will
be until our flowers bloom? We guess – but
God KNOWS the exact time every time. When
He predicted His death – He was RIGHT!
What does it feel like to be criticized? Talk
this out with your children – ask them how it
feels to be criticized. How did Jesus respond?
Follow Jesus’ example: take your children in
your arms, lay your hands on them and bless
them in His name.
Spend some quiet time as a family. Provide
picture Bibles, coloring pages, a small prayer
journal or a blank notebook. Play soft worship
music and light a candle – be with Him!
Act this out! Have one child running around
like crazy barking out orders and the other
sitting peacefully “listening to Jesus” talk
about the differences you observe and why
Jesus commended Mary for her unhurried
ways.
Set up a straight path in your home – this
could be just a hallway or line a “path” with
books or couch cushions. Ask your child to
walk that path – the rest of the family tries to
distract them with what they think. How does
it feel? Was your child able to stay on the
path? Think about what Jesus modeled for us
in this and pray that we will follow His lead.
Daily Focus References to Read
Jesus teaches us how to John 13:1-20
treat others.
Jesus doesn’t play Any number of examples
favorites. are included in Scripture:
He loves the unlovable and
touches the untouchable.
Look at any of His miracles,
conversion of tax
collectors, etc… Jesus came
for sinners!
Jesus gave thanks. Matthew 26:26-30; Mark
14:22-26; Luke 22:14-19
Lamb of God Mark 14:12; John 1:29, 35;
1 Corinthians 5:7;
Revelation 5:12
Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27,
16:33
Shepherd Psalm 23; John 10:1-16
Humble Luke 14:7-14
Gentle Matthew 11:29, 21:5
Family Activity
Gather your family around and wash one
another’s feet.
Provide two choices for your children – one
choice that is lovely, beautiful and well cared
for and one choice that is ugly, old and worn
out. Explain that Jesus looked beyond the
external and saw the heart – He came for the
both the rich and poor and did not show
partiality between them.
Practice giving thanks as a family. While
sitting together around your dinner table –
just go around and share from thankful
hearts! If you think your children are old
enough to understand – have communion
together as a family and sing a hymn!
Make lamb cupcakes! Decorate cupcakes with
white frosting and marshmallows. Tiny
chocolate chips make eyes and a snip of gum
creates a nose.
You could note that in John 20:19, 20:21 and
20:26 Jesus says, “Peace be with you!” Talk
about what peace is and practice repeating
Jesus’ words to each other.
Act this story out! Pretend to be sheep!
Tonight at dinner – have one chair that is
really decorated and gradually have lesser
chairs including one that is way too short to
reach the table. Let everyone choose their
own seat for dinner tonight and then
rearrange to follow the example of Scripture!
Think about times we need to show
gentleness and how to show gentleness.
Daily Focus References to Read
Man of Prayer John 16:16-17:26
Teaches the importance John 14:1; look at passages
of faith. referring to the mustard
seed: Matthew 13:31,
17:20; Mark 4:31; Luke
13:19, 17:6
Jesus calls out to God in Matthew 26:36-46; Mark
His struggles 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46
Jesus is preparing a place John 14:1-2
for us!
Jesus is coming back! John 14:3-7
Many will reject Him. Mark 8:31, 9:12; Luke 9:22;
John 12:37-43
Brings eternal life. Matthew 25:46; John 3:15-
17; Acts 16:31
Hosanna! Blessed is He Matt. 21:1-11; Luke 19:28-
who comes in the name 44; John 12:12-14
of the Lord!
My house will be called a Matt. 21:12-13; Mark
house of prayer. 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48
The future, His return Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke
and being watchful. 21:5-38
Family Activity
Pray together as a family.
Show tiny seeds! Plant some wheat berries to
have grass in just a few days! It takes faith to
plant seeds!
Imagine for a few minutes what it would’ve
been like for Jesus to know what was coming
for Him – how He would be betrayed,
arrested and killed. Remember we can always
call out to God and He will hear us.
Read Revelation 21:10-27; allow your children
to draw a picture of what you have read.
Go for a walk, after you have gone on a way –
have Daddy leave the rest of you and say he’ll
be back! While he is gone – do we trust he
will be back? In a few minutes, he can drive
up and pick you all up! Talk about how we
wait for Jesus to come back for us!
Pray for someone you know who does not
know God – that they would come to know
Him!
Make a Wordless Book, teach the song and
tell your children how they can know they will
live forever in Heaven!
Wave palm branches! Have daddy or even
your dog be the donkey and act out the story.
Lay your coats or blankets down on the floor,
welcome the donkey, and wave your
branches in praise!
Pray together for your church, that it would
be a place that pleases and glorifies the Lord.
When you have company coming – you are
excited and can’t wait until they get here. Be
this excited to wait for our Lord!
Daily Focus
This is my body, this is my
blood given for you.
Passover. Betrayal.
Arrest. Trial.
It is finished. I am
forgiven.
Jesus’ enemies
remember His claim to
rise again and secure the
tomb.
“He is not here, He has
risen just as He said.”
References to Read
Matt. 26:20-30; Mark
14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30;
John 13:21-30
Matt. 26:20-30, 47-68,
27:11-31; Mark 14:17-26,
27-72; Mark 15:2-20; Luke
22:47-65, 23:1-25; John 18
– 19:16
Matt. 27:32-56; Mark
15:25-41; Luke 23:26-31,
44-49; John 18:24-19:42
Matt. 27:62-66
Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8;
Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9
Family Activity
Thank God for the precious gift He has given
for us – the sacrifice of His only Son!
Celebrate with a Passover Meal together.
Spend the evening in mostly dark. Use
candles – and talk about how the light of
Jesus had been blown out for a short time.
Make a cross of brown paper and hang it on a
wall – tape on the sins you had written out in
a previous activity. Try to hammer a nail into
a piece of wood.
Make a tomb out of couch cushions; leave it
set up with the “stone” in place over the
front.
All sins are removed from the cross and a big
sign that says, “Forgiven” is in its place.
Remove the stone from the tomb; make
Resurrection Biscuits.