Easter Week: The Livng Christ

Usually, leading up to Easter, we have a special Family Home Evening Lesson and call then talk a little bit about it throughout the week.  This yea, I wanted to do more.  I had planned on following the last week of Christ's life through the scriptures on a day to day basis.  Looking around online, I found this idea:  http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2012/03/living-christ-30-day-easter-countdown.html#.UVMI-7KBV8E.  I loved the idea of learning about Jesus Christ using the Living Christ.  I condensed mine a bit to have it fit into the span of a week.  I hung little pictures of scenes from the life of Jesus on a little topiary tree we have and we started on Sunday night.  We have been having a little devotional every morning and evening.  It has been awesome!  The kids have been really into it and asking a lot of questions. 

Last night, Derek was devastated to learn that someone betrayed Jesus.  He couldn't believe it.  We were reading about the Last Supper when Jesus says that someone will betray him.  When I finished the scripture reading for last night, he also asked if we could keep reading, because he wanted to know what else was going to happen! 

This morning, we talked about the His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The kids asked so many questions.  I loved answering their questions and seeing them so interested.  At one point, Derek said that he would kill bad guys who hurt Jesus, and Austin pipes up and says, "No, you don't want to kill them, cause even bad guys can come to church and be good guys."  :) :)

Three things I have learned this week while doing this with my family:  (I am sure others have figured this out waaay before me.  Apparently, I am a little slow.)

1.  Everyone listens SO much better in the morning.  It is totally worth it for me to get up a little earlier, get breakfast going and have scripture study or a little devotional over breakfast.   (And I am not a morning person.  I don't sleep late, but I am pretty groggy in the morning no matter how much sleep I get.)

2.  We should always have scriptures, FHE, etc. around the kitchen table.  Everyone has their assigned spot, there are no distractions and minimal poking.  They are much more engaged and interested. 

3.  The more I personally prepare for scripture study with my kids, the  more they get out of it. 

I have friends who do a little morning devotional every day, now I see why.  I would like to have morning be our official scripture/devotional time from now on.  The difference has been amazing!  The kids are looking forward to what we learn the rest of the week.  It has been fun to see them learn and to realize that they do listen and are taking these truths into their hearts (even if it is not always apparent :)

Happy Easter!