Do your kids know the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Your 7-12 year olds will love Why Did the Resurrection Happen?.
Your kids probably know about the empty tomb, but do they know about the more than 500 witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus? Do they also know what the resurrection of Jesus means for all believers throughout time?
In 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, Paul wrote:
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
We want our children to understand what it means when we say that Jesus was raised from the dead. We want them to know who the historical witnesses to the risen Jesus were. We also want children to understand what happens to believers after death, and what will happen for Christians when the already-and-not-yet kingdom of God is consummated. Jesus will return for his people, and we will live forever with him in the new Jerusalem.
One of the best ways to teach theology to our kids is through story. Your kids will love learning the story of the resurrection and the forty days following the resurrection. They will also love hearing about the home God promises to believers on the new earth!
Why Did the Resurrection Happen?
Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that, just like Jesus, in eternity we will never get sick, or old, or die. In fact, we will live forever with Jesus on the new earth, where there will be no sin and no death.
Why Did the Resurrection Happen?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2025), page 23
God pointed to the resurrection of Jesus, and to the later resurrection of believers, when he instituted the Feast of the Firstfruits during the Exodus. This is the “firstfruits” that Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
Jesus is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Jesus is the beginning of the harvest for God’s kingdom. One day, all believers in Christ will be raised from the dead. We will live forever with Jesus on the new earth. This promise is a wonderful assurance for Christians. We will live forever with Jesus in new, perfect bodies.
This is the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the story of the witnesses to the resurrection for forty days following the empty grave. It is also the story the hope we have in Jesus–our sins are forgiven, and we will live eternally with him.
Why the Resurrection?
Often, we teach our children that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead three days later. We tell them that one day we will live forever with Jesus.
This leaves our kids with questions. We can finish the story for them, because God’s Word finishes the story.
Because the resurrection happened, we learn:
- How the Feast of the Firstfruits points forward to Jesus as the firstfruits of the harvest.
- The good news of Jesus Christ.
- One day Christians will be a part of the harvest, raised from the dead to eternal life.
- Jesus’ resurrection proved that he conquered sin and death on the Cross.
- The resurrection showed Jesus paid the punishment for our sins.
- When Jesus died, God raised many from the dead, showing his power over death.
- Jesus’ resurrection was witnessed by more than five hundred witnesses.
- We are witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus, too.
- Jesus is in heaven now, asking God the Father to care for believers.
- We do not have to fear death. The Bible tells us just what will happen when we die, and when we rise from the dead.
- Today, we live in the already-and-not-yet kingdom of God.
- Jesus will one day destroy death. Then, we will live with him on the new earth, in the new Jerusalem.
The story of the resurrection is our assurance that Jesus is God. It’s how we know his sacrifice for our salvation is complete. It’s a story our children need to know.
The Resurrection | Theology for Kids
In a fun and engaging tone, the Christian theology and biblical history book Why Did the Resurrection Happen? will take your kids through the story of Jesus’ resurrection, then point your kids to the final resurrection of believers and our home in eternity with Jesus.
Why Did the Resurrection Happen? chapters:
- Introduction: The Feast that Pointed to the Resurrection
- Chapter One: The Beginning of the Harvest
- Chapter Two: Witnesses at the Tomb
- Chapter Three: Jesus Went Before Us
- Chapter Four: Jesus Appears to the Disciples
- Chapter Five: Jesus is Returning
- Chapter Six: More Elders Meet the Risen Jesus
- Chapter Seven: The New Earth and the Final Witnesses
- Timeline
Have you ever been to a funeral or memorial service? Maybe you saw people cry. Perhaps you cried yourself. When people we love are asleep in Christ, we miss seeing them. It hurts knowing we will not visit with our loved ones until Jesus returns. We can take great comfort in God’s promises, however. We don’t need to be afraid of our own death, either. After all, for a Christian death is only temporary.
Why Did the Resurrection Happen?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2025), page 58
Fabulously illustrated by Martyn Smith, the Who What Why series books are each 95 pages long with 8-9 chapters, perfect for your middle grade (ages 7-12) readers. The fun narrative makes each book an engaging family read aloud, but kids will love, too, that they can read the books on their own.
In fascinating sidebars, your kids will learn about:
- What are Firstfruits?
- People Raised from the Dead in Scripture
- The Creed of the Witnesses
- Marching Orders from Jesus
- What Happens When We Fall Asleep?
- When is Jesus Returning?
- What is an Apostle?
- How Will We Know it is Time?
Why Did the Resurrection Happen? is a fun way for kids to learn about a major biblical event, important biblical truths, and the future for all believers in Jesus.
Purchase Why Did the Resurrection Happen?
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Resurrection Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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