THIS IS gobsmackingly incredible.
In order to be sensitive to the physical, intellectual, and emotional development of preschoolers, First Look has chosen not to include the Easter story in our curriculum. Instead, we are focusing on the Last Supper, when Jesus shared a meal and spent time with the people He loved. We have made this choice because the crucifixion is simply too violent for preschoolers. And if we were to skip the crucifixion and go straight to the resurrection, then preschoolers would be confused.
No, a Jesus who is not crucified, buried, and resurrected, does not save, and doesn’t help ease the way to salvation. Jesus as moral teacher, inspirational rabbi, or “forever friend” apart from the Gospel only prepares one for old-fashioned Protestant liberalism, the notion that what matters is that I’m civilized, ethical, and enculturated as a Christian. That’s not Christianity.
*****
This Easter, preach the Gospel… to the senior citizens, to the middle-aged, to the young adults, to the teenagers, to the seekers, to the hardened unbelievers, to the whole world. And, yes, preach the Gospel to the preschoolers.
I’m not saying it won’t be scary. The Gospel will disturb the children. And, if you understand it, it will disturb you too.
Indeed. The offense of the Cross (Galatians 5:11) continues to offend.
There’s this comment from commenter “Larry” at Tim Ellsworth’s weblog:
Teacher: Boys and girls we’re going to talk about the Last Supper today, a time when Jesus had a meal with his friends.
Little Johnny: Teacher, why do they call it the Last Supper?
(Sound of crickets chirping)
I can’t wait for their Christmas lesson:
“We’re not going to talk about that whole gave birth in a stable thing, far too messy for kids to deal with. And since they are not able to grasp the God incarnate thing, we’ll skip all the worship and adoration at the manger and just say that Jesus and his family were on vacation in another city and some friends they had who were shepherds came to visit them.”
[All via the Pyromaniacs].
