Children's Ministry Update, December 3, 2023

In the final chapter of Luke’s Gospel account, we receive insight into how Christ made His resurrection power known. The manner He chose to reveal His newly resurrected body teaches us how we can share and receive His gospel truths in the present day. Since Christians today represent the body of Christ in action, we serve as living, tangible proof of His resurrection power in the world. Just as the earliest followers sought to make His life, death, and resurrection known within their circles, we too must seek to share the gospel with the world today. 

Why did Christ return to the people after His crucifixion? What knowledge did He seek to impart to them amidst their weariness and confusion?  

Though Christ now sits at the right hand of God, shortly after His resurrection He chose to stand in His followers’ midst, so that His resurrected humanity might become apparent to them. The first greeting He offered was that of peace through the gift of His presence. 

The questions He posed were rhetorical: “Why are you troubled? For what reason do you doubt?” Jesus recognized their fear and welcomed His disciples to see and touch His body so that their fear may be overcome with belief. His desire was that they would realize their need for His peace and be assured by the power of His resurrected presence. 

As you talk with kids about Christ’s resurrection, reflect on the peace that His presence provides. He left the comfort of heaven so that we would have peace with the Father through His death and resurrection. The disciples saw and believed in Christ's resurrection and would later come to profess His peace throughout the world. Only Jesus provides peace to all who trust in Him as Savior. By teaching this story to your children, you’re extending the legacy of the earliest church members!