In April of 2019, I wrote Bite-sized Theology for Little Bits, a series of theological concepts on the lower shelf for younger readers. 

My first topic? Sin. Hence, the never-to-be-a-best-seller blog title. 

But God put His fingerprints all over it. He even woke me up at 2 am to work on it.

So, what better time to address sin than April? At Eastertime. 

SIN: Bite-Sized Theology for Little Bits

By Gayle Veitenheimer

Sin. Bad. God. Good.

Sin. Stains. God. Spotless.

What is sin? It’s inside. It’s outside.

A thought. A word. 

An act. A me first. A you never.  

How did we get sin? The first man sinned. And brought sin to us all.

We can’t escape. We’re stuck. 

Can’t wash it off. Can’t work it away. Can’t reach the One who can. 

Stuck.

But God. 

God can wash us. God did the work. God can reach us.

How? A trade.

Our sin for His holiness. Our faith for His grace. Our heart for His Spirit.

But the old parts, the mind, the body, need training to match the new heart.

So, we battle.

When we lose, we confess, and God forgives.

But more and more, 

we win. 

There is a ridiculous amount of biblically based theology in this little piece. Theologians endlessly debate man’s level of depravity and the effects of God’s grace. 

For me, apart from Jesus, I am one selfish, prideful person who looks out for number one. Apart from Jesus, I not only remember your trespasses, but I also resent them and hold a grudge. 

But with Jesus?

I am changed. My story reads differently.

The fruit of the Spirit grows, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, though in a variety of stages. 

When we understand the extent of our depravity and our inability to fix it, Easter gains depth. 

The painful, bloody sacrifice Jesus made drives us to our knees in thanks, then lifts us to our feet with victory on our lips.

Let’s be intentional about what we’re celebrating. 

This is bigger than bunnies and baskets. 

Sin. Death. Evil. 

Conquered.

For eternity.

Starting here and now with you and me.

Because God loves lost and broken people enough to make a way home through the shed blood of His perfect Son. 

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.

Family Activities:

1. Construct a simple cross. List your sins. Past and present. Include the shameful ones that haunt you. Nail them to the cross. I mean it. Get the hammer. Pound the nails. And leave that sin where it belongs. On the cross.

2. Talk about the elements required for God to forgive sin. What did sin cost for both sinner and Savior?

3. Watch The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe or The Passion of the Christ, depending on the age of your crowd.

4. Please enjoy making baskets and hunting eggs too. Glenys Nellist, Josie Siler, and Laura Sassi, just to name a few, have great Easter books to fill your baskets.

5. Here are some activities for Passion Week.