9 Ideas to Celebrate Easter with Your Small Group

Easter is foundational to our faith.

Amy Jackson
Ididnt grow up observing Lent. We barely attended Easter services. And today, I
still dont attend a liturgical church. But my views on observing Lent and
celebrating Easter have changed. Over the last few years, Ive made an effort to
celebrate the season, and Ive learned a lot about God in the process.
Regardless of your background or the type of church you attend, there is great
benefit in observing the church calendar this time of yearespecially with your
small group.
Lent is a season of fasting, waiting, and reflecting. It prepares our hearts by
casting out the excess and focusing solely on God. As were convinced of his
goodness and greatness over the 40 days of Lent, we are able to celebrate
Easter in a new way: fully, freely, and fervently.

Here are some simple ideas you can incorporate into your small group to
celebrate the season together:

Read a Lent Devotional. Encourage your group members to read a Lent

devotional this season. I highly recommend Lent Meditations for its short,
simple readings and daily questions. For something a little more in-depth, yet
still very accessible, check out Lent For Everyone by N.T. Wright available in the
YouVersion Bible app. Group members can read these plans on their own and
discuss what theyre learning with the group each week.
Choose a Lent or Easter Bible Study. We have several great studies to choose
from including Rediscovering Lent and Leading to Easter: Searching the Soul.
Help your group focus on this important season by using a new study for a few
weeks.
Fast Together. Fasting is all about saying no to something good to make room
for the best thing: God. After reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against
Excess by Jen Hatmaker a few years ago, Ive chosen to fast from various
things in different seasons. The book opens up fasting to include a lot more
than just food, which is healthy and appropriate. Last Lent, my small-group
members each decided to fast from something and see what God would do.
You could do a similar experiment with your group this Lent.
Spend a Meeting in Prayer. One way to observe the waiting and seeking of Lent
is to seek God through prayer. Set aside your study for a meeting and spend
the time praying for one another, your church, your community, and our world.
Focus the time however youd like. Bring a list of prayer items or compile one
when youre together. Focus on the needs of your church or community, or zero
in on the needs in your group. Use this great prayer activity that focuses on the
cross, or create your own prayer activity with these tips from Bill Donahue.
Focus on Jesus Mission. Easter is foundational to Jesus mission. He came to
begin ushering in the kingdom, and he calls each of us to carry on that mission
now. Discuss what your group can do to carry out Jesus mission in your
community. Find time in this season to serve together or build relationships with
people who are far from God.
Do a Childrens Activity. Many small groups have children, but they usually
arent involved in the study or discussion time. This season, set aside time to be
with the kids and do a fun activity that shares the message of Easter. A quick
search on Pinterest reveals lots of ideas. A few of my favorites are
making Empty Tomb Rolls, telling the Easter story with plastic eggs, or praying
with jelly beans.
Learn about Passover. Unless you are of Jewish heritage, most Christians dont
make the connection between Passover and Easter. Passover, though, is the
meal that Jesus disciples were eating at the Last Supper. Do some research on
this Jewish holiday and discover how it connects with Easter. If youve never
experienced a Passover Seder, learn how you can experience one in your
area or put one on for your small group. Youll be inspired when you see how
much of the Passover symbolism points directly to Jesus.

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Discuss New Life in Christ. Easter is the perfect time to reflect on the new life
we have in Christ. Look up verses that talk about how God is making things
new. You might also spend time sharing stories of how God has given you new
life in the last year.
Celebrate Together. If we truly believe Easter is foundational to our faith,
shouldnt we celebrate abundantly? Throw a party for your group that celebrates
Christs resurrection. Sing songs, make a cake, and share stories of how God
has transformed and healed group members. Celebrate the power we have
available to us as a result of Jesus resurrection (Ephesians 1:1920). Reflect
on how observing Lent has allowed you to celebrate Easter with more joy.
Amy Jackson is managing editor of SmallGroups.com.

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KEYWORDS:
Community; Devotional; Easter; Holidays; Lent; Missional