COME FOLLOW ME: BOOK OF MORMON- WEEKLY TEACHING IDEAS & RESOURCES |Preparing for EASTER | Holy Week
Easter | Holy Week
Questions to Ponder:
Each Come Follow Me Lesson asks important and reflective questions. When I first began my individual study these questions threw me off. Simply because many of these questions required so much depth and individual reflection in order to answer honestly. My first approach to come follow me was to get in, get out, get it done, check it off. These questions simply didn’t allow me to do so. In fact, I felt a little sick when I would read a question like, “How does the spirit speak to you?” and I wouldn’t know the answer right away. After a time, and pondering on that specific question I realized IT’S OKAY. In fact, I think these questions were meant to be set aside, thought about, and pondered. When we try and come up with the quick easy, obvious, answer, we are depriving ourselves of an opportunity to reflect, ponder, pray, and RECEIVE REVELATION. Is this not the whole reason for Come Follow Me? Are we not trying to finetune and recognize how we, and how to receive personal revelation.
So each week I will list out some of the questions issued in Come Follow Me. Maybe you pick to ponder about all of them, maybe you pick just one. Whatever you do, ponder on this for the ENTIRE week. Pray about it, discuss it with loved ones, then at the start of the new week, take the time to write down your impressions or thoughts, share them with your family, testify of powerful insights.
- This Easter season, reflect on the testimonies in the Book of Mormon that the power of Christ’s Atonement is both universal and personal—redeeming the whole world and redeeming you.
- It’s traditional at Easter to ponder the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but what exactly does it mean to be resurrected?
- What insights does the Book of Mormon offer about the resurrection?
- Why do you think it’s important to know each of these truths.
- It could be said that the Book of Mormon is largely an account of people who changed because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
- What do you notice that each of these experiences has in common?
- What differences do you notice?
- What do these accounts teach you about how the Savior’s Atonement can change you?
- Encourage family members to imagine what it would have been like to feel His wounds (see 3 Nephi 11:14–15) or to be one of the children He blessed (see 3 Nephi 17:21). How does this account deepen our gratitude for the Savior’s Resurrection?
Activity: Countdown to Easter
I received really great feedback on the Free Countdown to General Conference Paper Chain, so I wanted to create something similar that could help you and your family prepare spiritually for Easter. I used a similar template to create the Countdown to Easter. The activity is an 8-day countdown that starts the Sunday before Easter and follows the Holy Week procession. The fun part about this countdown is you can choose how to use it. Cut the strips and hide them in eggs to be found throughout the week, or create a paperchain like the one used to prepare for General Conference.
I’ve prepared 3 different templates for you to pick from, each one is editable and can be customized for personal use with your own traditions, and activities. Like the General Conference Countdown, these make great activity handouts for Primary, Ministering, Activity Days, Young Men\Young Women…etc. Comment below how you plan to use them!
Easter Countdown: Free Download 3 Different Versions
- Version 1 Toddlers | Young Children: Created with toddlers and young children in mind. Each QR code links you to a video appropriate and engaging for this age group. Kids will better understand the WHY of Easter and even begin to learn more about Holy Week. See below for the list of videos included in this countdown.
- Version 2: Families | Youth: This countdown was created with youth and families in mind. Each day gives you a handful of scriptures to read. These scriptures follow the chronology of Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. This countdown also includes a QR code that will link you to a video focused on our Savior Jesus Christ appropriate for Easter Sunday. I put a lot of thought and effort into finding videos that I felt would be impactful. See below for a list of videos included.
- Version 3: Families | Youth: This countdown is completely focused on the scriptures. Meaning you will read the same scriptures that are on version 2 that follow Holy Week. This time, however, the videos the QR code will link you to will be videos that illustrate the scriptures you’ve just read. This is a great way to bring the passages to life, and better understand their meaning. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has done a wonderful job creating these New Testament videos, everyone is sure to enjoy, and even more… feel something.
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Teaching Ideas for Toddlers & Young Children
Materials Needed:
- Print, Edit (**if desired), and assemble the Holy Week Countdown Paper Chain for Easter
- You can use these slips as links on a paper chain, or you may choose to roll them up and hide them in a plastic Easter Egg. Make sure to number the Easter Eggs so the videos and activities can be completed chronologically.
- Purchase supplies for Easter Rolls:
- Recipe 1: Can of Crescent Rolls, Marshmallows, Butter, Cinnamon, Sugar.
- Recipe 2: Yeast, Water, Milk, Oil, Sugar, Salt, 1 egg, Flour, Marshmallows, Butter, Cinnamon & Sugar
Videos and Activities Included:
Below you will find the activities and videos I’ve included in the Holy Week Countdown file. Each video and activity is linked through a QR code. Each day includes a video, appropriate for toddlers and young children to learn more about our Savior Jesus Christ and why we celebrate Easter. The Paper Chain activity is editable, so feel free to add in your own activities and traditions to celebrate easter.
You will notice I’ve also included a short note of what happened on that day leading up to Christ’s Ressurection. Some of the activities and videos even correspond with what was happening for that day of Holy Week.
***I’ve also included one of my FAVORITE Easter Traditions, making Empty Tomb rolls. This has been one of the best ways I have found to simply explain the details, and wonder leading up to Christ Ressurection to young children. I HOPE you make time to do this with your family. I’ve included 2 recipes, one from scratch, the other as easy as it gets. I’ve also created a printable that you can use as a gift to drop off a kit with family or friends. I love to bring these to the sisters I minister to with younger families. You can make the Empty Tomb Easter rolls on any of the days leading up to Easter, or on Easter. I’ve included the activity on Friday because of the accompanying story from The Friend takes place on the Friday before Easter. It is also appropriate if you are following the Holy Week Schedule… It would have been Friday that Christ was crucified and his body prepared for the tomb.
Videos included in the Toddler | Young Children Holy Week Countdown:
Sunday:
The Triumphal Entry: Palm Sunday
Jesus walked from Bethany to Jerusalem. He rode into the city on a donkey, as a verse in the Old Testament said He would. People recognized Him as their King, shouting, “Hosanna,” and laying down palm leaves in front of the donkey to keep dust from getting on the Savior. Jesus visited the temple and then returned to Bethany.
Monday:
Jesus Cleanses the Temple:
Jesus saw people buying and selling things in the temple. Because He wanted the temple to be a “house of prayer,” He made them leave. Then He healed people who were lame or blind. The jealous priests were angry with Him.
Tuesday:
Jesus Teaches through Parables:
Jesus taught people in the temple and on a nearby hill called the Mount of Olives.
The priests plotted to kill Jesus. One of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, agreed to turn Jesus over to the priests in exchange for 30 silver coins.
See Matthew 25:31–46; 26:14–16.
Wednesday:
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
The scriptures do not say what Jesus did on this day. He may have spent the day with His disciples. You could read the parable of the ten virgins, a story Jesus taught to His disciples to help them prepare for His Second Coming.
See Matthew 25:1–13.
Thursday:
Preparation for the Passover, Christ institutes the Sacrament at the Last Supper:
Jesus’s disciples got ready for the Passover meal. During the meal, Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. Then, to help them remember Him, He gave them the sacrament for the first time. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer for our sins and to pray to God. People came with swords and arrested Him. The disciples ran away in fear.
Friday:
Christ began to atone for our sins in Gethsemane and is eventually crucified.
Jesus was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus’s disciple Peter denied that he knew Him. Jesus was questioned by the governor, Pilate, and by the king, Herod. He was condemned to die on the cross. Jesus was crucified. A rich man named Joseph laid Jesus in his tomb. Jesus’s mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene visited the tomb.
Additional: Make Easter Rolls and|or read the story, “A Special Easter Treat,” from The Friend
Click Here for the Recipe: Empty Tomb Easter Rolls
2 Versions of the recipe are included, one from scratch and the other is kid-proof!
***I use Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, CLICK HERE for the recipe
Saturday:
The women observe the Sabbath Day (Saturday)
Jesus’s body lay in the tomb. A large stone was put in front of the door. The wicked priests asked Pilate to have guards stand outside the tomb to make sure no one went inside.
Easter Sunday:
Women come to the tomb to find Jesus has Risen!
Jesus was resurrected! He had risen from the tomb. An angel descended from heaven and rolled away the stone. Jesus told His disciples to teach and baptize others and promised to always be with them.
See Matthew 28. 3 Ne. 11:1–17;
Additional FREE Easter Resources for Toddlers and Young Children
Teaching Ideas for Families
Materials Needed:
- Print, Edit (**if desired), and assemble the Holy Week Countdown Paper Chain for Easter
- You can use these slips as links on a paper chain, or you may choose to roll them up and hide them in a plastic Easter Egg. Make sure to number the Easter Eggs so the videos and activities can be completed chronologically.
- Purchase supplies for Easter Rolls:
- Recipe 1: Can of Crescent Rolls, Marshmallows, Butter, Cinnamon, Sugar.
- Recipe 2: Yeast, Water, Milk, Oil, Sugar, Salt, 1 egg, Flour, Marshmallows, Butter, Cinnamon & Sugar
This FREE Printable is only available to members of Living on Lemon Lane. You must be signed in to access.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MEMBER ONLY FREEBIE
Videos, Activities and Scriptures Included in Version 2 of the Holy Week Countdown:
Sunday:
The Triumphal Entry: Palm Sunday
Jesus walked from Bethany to Jerusalem. He rode into the city on a donkey, as a verse in the Old Testament said He would. People recognized Him as their King, shouting, “Hosanna,” and laying down palm leaves in front of the donkey to keep dust from getting on the Savior. Jesus visited the temple and then returned to Bethany.
Monday:
Jesus Cleanses the Temple:
Jesus saw people buying and selling things in the temple. Because He wanted the temple to be a “house of prayer,” He made them leave. Then He healed people who were lame or blind. The jealous priests were angry with Him.
Tuesday:
Jesus Teaches through Parables:
Jesus taught people in the temple and on a nearby hill called the Mount of Olives.
The priests plotted to kill Jesus. One of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, agreed to turn Jesus over to the priests in exchange for 30 silver coins.
See Matthew 25:31–46; 26:14–16.
Wednesday:
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
The scriptures do not say what Jesus did on this day. He may have spent the day with His disciples. You could read the parable of the ten virgins, a story Jesus taught to His disciples to help them prepare for His Second Coming.
See Matthew 25:1–13.
Thursday:
Preparation for the Passover, Christ institutes the Sacrament at the Last Supper:
Jesus’s disciples got ready for the Passover meal. During the meal, Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. Then, to help them remember Him, He gave them the sacrament for the first time. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer for our sins and to pray to God. People came with swords and arrested Him. The disciples ran away in fear.
Friday:
Christ began to atone for our sins in Gethsemane and is eventually crucified.
Jesus was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus’s disciple Peter denied that he knew Him. Jesus was questioned by the governor, Pilate, and by the king, Herod. He was condemned to die on the cross. Jesus was crucified. A rich man named Joseph laid Jesus in his tomb. Jesus’s mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene visited the tomb.
Additional: Click Here for the Recipe: Empty Tomb Easter Rolls
2 Versions of the recipe are included, one from scratch and the other is kid-proof!
***I use Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, CLICK HERE for the recipe
Click Here for more information and access to the FREE Printable Handout, I love dropping off a can of Crescent Rolls, Marshmallows, and the handout to my friends, neighbors. These are perfect for ministering. This could also be a fun activity to send home with your Young Women|Men or primary kiddos!
Saturday:
The women observe the Sabbath Day (Saturday)
Jesus’s body lay in the tomb. A large stone was put in front of the door. The wicked priests asked Pilate to have guards stand outside the tomb to make sure no one went inside.
Easter Sunday:
Women come to the tomb to find Jesus has Risen!
Jesus was resurrected! He had risen from the tomb. An angel descended from heaven and rolled away the stone. Jesus told His disciples to teach and baptize others and promised to always be with them.
See Matthew 28. 3 Ne. 11:1–17;
Additional FREE Easter Resources for You and Your Family:
- Put on an Easter Program as a Family: Click Here to Download the Script
- Reflections on the Savior’s Last Week- By Eric D. Huntsman
- Bible Videos: Read the Scripture Account, then watch the video
- Finding Faith in Christ 30 Minute Film
- Watch all of the New Testament Videos Here
- Watch & Listen to EVERY ONE of the current Prophet and Apostles bear witness of Jesus Christ. Truly magnificent. See video below of President Nelson as a sample.
:MOST IMPORTANT PART:
Comment below and share YOUR favorite resources for this Week’s Come Follow Me in the Book of Mormon. Join the conversation on @livingonlemonlane on Instagram and stay updated on new blog posts! If you enjoyed this PLEASE SHARE! Till next week.
