Teens Celebrating Easter

Tomorrow Friday 30^th March, 2018 will be Good Friday and the observation of the day in which Jesus Christ was crucified. By Sunday 1^st April, 2018, Christians all over the world will erupt with joy in celebration of the resurrection of the Lord. That is what Easter depicts because we believe that Jesus was crucified, died, and was raised from the dead in order to pay the penalty for our sin. His death and resurrection gave the assurance that believers have been freed from the bondage of sin, reconciled in their relationship with the Almighty God and have been given the opportunity of eternal life.

Easter is both a family and a communal festivity. In some climes, it is observed as a national event. Schools would be shut down for a short holiday, markets and malls will be filled with shoppers and there will be that buzz of a carnival all over the community. There will be several gatherings of family and friends; brethren from different Christian denominations commemorating the period with programmes focused on welfare and evangelism. Every believer will be on celebration mode.

In a season where entertainment and popularity and outward appearances take priority in the life of teenagers, with tough demands for high academic achievement, hugging of cell phones, lots of friends, planning for higher education, and their involvement in sports and other extracurricular activities, how do we communicate, in a profound manner, the significance of Easter to the Christian teenager? In many ways, adult Christians tend think that teens “don’t understand” when it comes to serious subjects like the Gospel. And Easter is one of those moments!

The truth is that the teenager is no longer a little child. They may not be adults yet, but they just long to belong. Like everyone else, they long to be known and accepted. They long to be part of community and to know that they are loved despite all their insecurities and shortcomings. They are trying to figure out what they will do with the rest of their lives and what their purpose is in order to give them a sense of value. They want to be a part of the Easter and to celebrate the beauty and joy of the period with understanding. So, how can we get our teens to share in the significance of the Cross at Calvary?

Every Christian teenager needs to understand their connection and relationship with the Almighty God, His son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They also need to know that the joy and satisfaction they seek from life can only be fulfilled at the Cross of Jesus Christ where their eyes will be opened to the truth. Teens are longing for things that are real and authentic and will respond when given the straight up truth about the cross and who Jesus is, so that they can see the value. They need the chance to discover that truth in the Bible. 

Connecting with teenagers through the Scripture can be a life-changing experience—they have that unforgettable encounter with the power of Jesus in their lives and can direct their attention toward Him and give their lives fully to Him. In their search for meaningful relationships, they will come to realize that Jesus came to connect with them and break every barrier that would get in the way of that connection. This will speak to their core. In a generation that has grown up among split parents and broken relationships, the story of Easter and how Jesus came to restore the broken relationship with the Heavenly Father and overcome death may be the answer to the cry in their hearts. 

Ms. Alessandra Toscanelli, a mother, author, yoga instructor, personal trainer and life enthusiast shares some ways to get teenagers involved in celebrating the meaning of Easter as follows;

1.    Guide them to Easter

Share the following Scriptures with them during the period: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jeremiah 32:39-42, Isaiah 55:3, John 1:29 and 1 Corinthians 15:3. Encourage them to read, study and write their feelings as they pertain to the referenced scriptures. Discuss their feelings with them to ensure they can relate to the intention of the Bible.

2.    Challenge them to write an Easter post on social media

Romans 10:9 states, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

The social media is very popular with teenagers. Let’s get them to proudly share the gospel to millions of their peers out there for the transformation of lives. At Easter, teenagers on social media need to know that Christ loved the world so much as to give of Himself on the cross. When teenagers tell others about this show of love, it paves the way to establish long-lasting values of faith in other teenagers and youths.

3.    Let them be of service to the community

Exodus 12:11-13 describes the sacrifices offered according to the Law of Moses. When we sacrifice our time, our talents and our energy to serve others, we glorify God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is one of the greatest lessons that teens can learn from. We live in a world full of need and we have been blessed with abundance. Teenagers can go help someone who is elderly; cook and deliver to a family in need next door; write lovely gospel quotes on cardboards and place them around their class in the church; help out during the holiday at a day care center, hospital, etc.

4.    Teach them the power of forgiveness

Teenagers need to know that people do make mistakes and that God is loving, merciful and tender. They should learn that God has the ability to love us beyond any earthly measure and that His love for us is eternal. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

This Easter therefore, forgo some of the frivolous fun and give your family the gift of truly knowing our Savior, Jesus Christ. While Christmas celebrates his birth, Easter brings us the blessings of the remission of our sins and the promise of a glorious future in the kingdom of heaven. Take the opportunity to reach into the hearts of teens around you and let God use you to connect them to Jesus at the Cross this Easter. Happy Easter, everybody!!!