Easter is such a special, sacred time of the year. And while we love bunnies and eggs, it’s also nice to do something special to help focus on Christ in the home during the Easter season. This simple Christ-centered Easter countdown can be used to do just that and to help increase faith in the Savior and focus on the miracles He performed when He was alive and continues to perform in our lives today.
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You can download a PDF with the 12 prompts below to discuss some of the miracles of Jesus from April 1 through Easter. Place each strip of paper in an egg and put the eggs in a basket. Some of the prompts include additional items to include. Consider placing one large egg near the basket that can hold larger items each day.
I purchased the items I needed several weeks ago, so I am also including some variations that you could do at home without being able to go to the grocery store at this time of staying safe at home.
This countdown uses the King James Version of the Bible. I also reference some free resources from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is the Church I belong to* (and am therefore familiar with its resources), but these resources can be used by Christians of all faiths.
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Day 1: Jesus turns water into wine (John 2:11).
While at a wedding in Cana, Jesus performed His first miracle—turning water into wine. This miracle reminds us of Jesus’ role as the Creator of the earth and of His ability to organize and change matter from one state to another state.** It also reminds us that He can help us transform from one state to another; as we repent and try to follow Him, He will cleanse us and help us have many blessings and much joy by keeping His commandments.
How have you felt His power in helping you change and grow as His disciples?
Include a package of red Kool-Aid. Before reading the scripture passage, show how the water can be turned red with the drink mix. After reading the passage, explain how Jesus turned water into wine without a drink mix and discuss how He can help us transform as we follow Him as well.
If you don’t have access to Kool-Aid, add a few drops of red food coloring to the water instead.
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Day 2: Jesus heals a man’s son 20 miles away (John 4:46–54).
While Jesus was in Cana, a nobleman from Capernaum (20 miles away) came to Him. The man asked Jesus to heal his son who was dying. Rather than going to Capernaum in person to heal the son, Jesus told the nobleman to return home and that his son was healed. The man had faith and left, and he learned that his son had started to heal when the man talked with Jesus Christ. This experience teaches us that Jesus Christ’s healing is not limited by geography.** Christ has all power and can heal anyone anywhere.
How have you felt His healing power in your life? How can you help others heal by helping them come unto Christ and feel His love?
Include a mini measuring tape to represent distance.
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Day 3: Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18–19, 23–26; Mark 5:22–24, 35–42; Luke 8:41–56).
Perhaps the greatest miracle of all is that Jesus died and rose again in the Resurrection so that we can live again eternally one day as well. This story helps us see that Christ has power to overcome death. The miracle began because a father expressed faith in Christ for the healing of a loved one.
What can we do to use our faith to call upon God’s power to help heal others in many ways?
Include a picture of Jesus raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead, like the one here. You can also watch a video portrayal of this miracle on YouTube here.
If you have young children, you can print this “Spot the Difference” page for them to enjoy.
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Day 4: Jesus fills the fishing nets of Simon Peter (Luke 5:1–11).
When calling His disciples, Jesus Christ performed a miracle with Simon Peter, filling his fishing nets more than he had ever caught. Christ then invited Peter, James, and John to leave it all and follow Him as “fishers of men.”Jesus showed that He has power over many things but that the most important thing we can do is follow Him and help draw others to Him—that, not riches, is what matters most.
How can you forsake the riches (or honors, etc.) of the world to follow Jesus Christ? How have you seen Him perform miracles in your life to help you follow Him and accomplish His work?
Include Goldfish crackers or Swedish Fish. Or, simply draw some simple pictures of fish to include inside.
You may also wish to read John 21:1–24, when Christ again fills Peter’s fishing nets with an abundance, and discuss its significance when Christ again invites Peter to continue to teach and minister in Christ’s name.
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Day 5: Jesus heals a woman with an issue of blood (Matthew 9:20–22, Mark 5:25–34, Luke 8:43–48).
One woman had an issue of blood for 12 years, and people looked down on her because of it. She had faith that if she could touch even the hem of Christ’s garment, representing His power, that she would be healed, and she was. When Christ felt the power flow from Him, He spoke of her faith and made her whole.
How can we exert faith like the woman who said, “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole”(Matthew 9:21)? How are we healed physically and spiritually when we reach out to Jesus in faith and seek to draw near Him? How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ so we, like the woman, are moved to action to be healed?
Include a small piece of fabric that represents the border of the garment of Christ.
You can also watch a video portrayal of this miracle on YouTube here.
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Day 6: Jesus heals the 10 lepers (Luke 17:12–19).
Jesus healed 10 lepers, yet only 1 of them returned to express thanks to Him. The one who returned and expressed thanks was made whole in addition to being physically healed.
How can expressing gratitude to Christ for all He does help us draw closer to Him and receive additional blessings from Him? Why is expressing gratitude to Him an important part of following Him as His disciples?
Include this maze printable that shows the 10 lepers coming unto Jesus to be healed.
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Day 7: Jesus heals a blind man (Mark 8:22–26).
In this story, Christ’s healing of the blind man is not immediate. It occurs slowly over the course of several steps. Yet Christ is involved in each step.**
How can we continue to have faith and do all that Christ asks of us even when miracles happen slowly over time?
Include a bandana that can be used to cover someone’s eyes. As you read the story, slowly lift up the bandana a little at a time until the blindfold is completely removed to restore perfect vision.
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Day 8: Jesus walks upon the water and helps Peter do the same (Matthew 14:22–33, Mark 6:45–52, John 6:15–21).
Jesus continually performed miracles that many people thought to be impossible. Walking upon the water was another example. In this miracle, He also invited Peter to come to Him and walk on the water. This story shows how we can do things that seem impossible when we do them with the Savior Jesus Christ. And even when we fall short, Jesus is there to immediately save us when we turn to Him.
How have you experienced the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to do things that at first seemed impossible? How did your faith in Christ help you?
Print out and include this image of Christ walking on water and helping Peter.
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Day 9: Christ atones for everyone in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–45, Mark 14:32–41, Luke 22:39–45).
Because all mankind, except for Jesus Himself, has sinned, we all need a Savior to atone for our sins and allow us to return to our Heavenly Father. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed from sin and receive enabling power to accomplish all that God wants us to do. We can never fully understand the suffering of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane, but we can express gratitude for that infinite gift and choose to also show gratitude by living as the Savior has asked and continually repenting and trying to do our very best to live like Him each day. Although He was perfect, He suffered and atoned for all of us because we could not do it. He alone is the way.
How can we experience the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives each day?
Include a few leaves to represent the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane. Or include a small bar of soap to represent the cleansing power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement.
To learn more about the symbolism of olive trees, see this article (you can click on the top image for a PDF to print out).
You may also wish to watch this video of Claire Crosby singing “Gethsemane.”
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Day 10: Jesus performs miracles in our lives today.
In studying the miracles of Jesus Christ, it is important to remember that they have been recorded for us in the scriptures to remind us that God will perform miracles in our lives today. I love how beautifully the song, “Jesus Is a God of Miracles” captures that truth. You can find the song on YouTube here.
What miracles have you seen Jesus perform in your life?
Include an item that represents a miracle in your life.
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Day 11: Jesus has performed miracles in the lives of our family.
There are many stories of our family members or ancestors that show the miracles of Christ in their lives as well.
What stories do you recall from your family’s history that show miracles that Christ has performed in their lives?
Include an item that represents a miracle from your family’s history.
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Day 12, Easter: Jesus Christ rises triumphant from the tomb in His Resurrection (Matthew 28:1–6, Luke 24:5–7).
On the third day after His death, Jesus Christ rose again in the Resurrection, bringing the most glorious truth: “He is not here, for He is risen” (Matthew 28:6). Because He overcame death, so can we. Because of Him, we will all be resurrected and we can have the opportunity to live with God and our family eternally one day.
How does knowing the truth of the Resurrection bring strength to your life? How can you share that glorious truth with others?
Leave the egg empty to represent that the Garden Tomb was left empty when Christ rose again.
Consider having this picture of the resurrected Savior for your discussion.
Consider watching this video of all that we have “Because of Him.”
This video also provides a beautiful message about how “Sunday will come” in our lives.
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* Note: Although I include resources from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, any views expressed in this article are my own beliefs and are not intended to directly represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
** Thoughts on this scripture passage were inspired by this New Testament Student Manual created for an institute of religion.
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