How do I share the Easter story with a child who has cancer?

Mar 26, 2026 7:41 pm

Hi


This week I shared the Easter Story Treasured Hunts with the play workers in each ward at the children's hospital where I work as a chaplain.


I showed them the careful way I'd created the pictures so that they don't show a dead Jesus, not on the cross, not in the tomb, just empty crosses and an empty tomb.


Many of the children in hospital are very poorly, some will never get better without a miracle, and while I'd love for that to happen, the reality is that for most it doesn't so we talk about having 'appropriate hope'.


It's a hard place to share the Easter story which includes both death and resurrection, so I've worked with my colleagues to find helpful ways for the children to explore the story.


I've done this by using 'I wonder' questions exploring the experiences of Jesus' friends which they can relate to.


I've included these questions in the Easter Story book which comes with the Easter Story Treasure Hunt, and I thought you might find them:


1 Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey with crowds shouting, “Hosanna!”


I wonder how you might welcome Jesus.


2 In the temple, Jesus removed the traders and pushed over their tables.


I wonder what makes you angry.


3 Jesus answered questions about taxes and how to relate to people in charge.


I wonder who you know who is wise.


4 Watching people give gifts, Jesus said that the widow who gave two coins gave the most.


I wonder what small thing you could give.


5 Jesus ate his last supper with his friends, including sharing bread and wine.


I wonder what you do to remember Jesus.


6 Jesus died on a cross.


I wonder what helps you when you are sad.


7 Jesus was buried in a tomb with a stone rolled across the entrance.


I wonder what helps you when you are waiting.


8 Two days later, three women went to Jesus’ tomb. They saw an angel who told them that Jesus had risen!


I wonder when you have expected one thing and something else happened.


Maybe you could use these to reflect on the Easter story this week - on your own, or with your family or maybe with others.


I'd love to hear how you use them.


I've also added some jpg picture versions of the pictures to the Easter Story Posters - these have a picture for each of the eight story sentences above. You could use them with the 'I wonder' questions above.


Get your Easter Story Posters here


Victoria



PS Don't forget these also these other Easter resources:




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