10 Easter Outreach Ideas

Do you know what opportunities Easter brings? If you thought of Easter egg hunting and devouring chocolate bunnies, you are close but there’s more to it than just those fun traditions. Easter brings the perfect opportunity to serve our neighbors and share the good news that Jesus has died and risen so anyone who trusts in Him can be forgiven of their sins!

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “... Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,” (New International Version). Here are 10 outreach ideas for you to be a light before others this Easter!

Host an Easter Celebration

Welcome friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers into your Easter Sunday plans. Encourage them to join you at church and introduce them to your friends. And after your service, invite them to your place. Before your guests come over, fill your home with upbeat worship music, delicious food, and colorful decorations. Maybe ask them to bring over their favorite dessert. Your Sunday will be brimming with a vibrant party where guests will feel loved and witness the “light” of Jesus through your celebration. During conversations with guests, share why you personally celebrate Easter. For help sharing the gospel with someone, check out the GodTools® app.

Resurrection Eggs®

Engage kids in a fun game that teaches them why Christians celebrate Easter with FamilyLife®’s Resurrection Eggs. Resurrection eggs are twelve colorful plastic eggs with small figurines representing different elements of the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Hide the eggs around your house or yard for your kids to find. Once they’ve gathered all the eggs, go through the provided storybook (in English or Spanish), open the eggs, and share the part of the story that goes with the object inside. Want other ideas instead of egg hunts? FamilyLife has some suggestions for you!

Easter Egg Decoration

Invite friends or neighbors to paint Easter eggs at your home to dive into a deeper conversation while participating in creative fun. Decorate the eggs with paint, markers, stickers or cross stencils. When approaching spiritual conversations with your peers, try asking questions like, “Do you and your family celebrate Easter?” or “What are some Easter traditions you celebrate with your family?” If someone doesn’t celebrate Easter, tell them you’re curious which holidays they celebrate and why. And if they’re open to conversing about spiritual topics, share why you celebrate Easter and how you’ve found a new life through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Easter Movie Watch Party

Pull out the popcorn and open your door for friends, family, or neighbors to come over for an Easter watch party of the “JESUS” film! You can watch the movie for free on the Jesus Film Project® website or other Easter videos in their Easter collection. After the movie, ask your group their opinions and thoughts. Be vulnerable about your feelings about the film and why this story personally resonates with you.

Resurrection Rolls

Do you or your friends and family love desserts? Then bake a batch of Resurrection rolls! Resurrection rolls are an easy Easter goodie for families and friends that open the opportunity to share the story of Easter. You wrap marshmallows with crescent rolls, sprinkle the rolls with sugar and cinnamon, then put them in the oven to bake. The marshmallow will “disappear,” signifying Jesus’ empty tomb. If you’re up for a challenge, search for homemade Resurrection rolls online. Deliver them to your friends and neighbors and tell the story behind your creation. Or bake them with loved ones (adults and kids alike!) and share the story of Jesus' resurrection throughout each step.

Volunteer

Lend a hand in your local community by volunteering at church! Many people who may not regularly attend church will come for an Easter service, and you could make their experience even better by greeting them, teaching kids in the youth ministry, directing people to a parking spot, and more. Is your Easter Sunday agenda already too booked? Another idea is helping your local food bank. Invite a friend to serve with you. It makes volunteering double the fun! No matter where you volunteer, you’ll be shining the light of Jesus to those around you.

Easter Goodie Baskets

Gift Easter goodie baskets! Easter baskets are a generous way to show Jesus’ love and consideration for others. Fill your Easter gift basket with candy, baked goods, scented candles, gift cards, a Bible, or other Easter-themed goodies and personalized gifts. Be creative! And either during an in-person exchange or in an attached note when you mail your gift, encourage your friends and family by sharing how Easter baskets represent Jesus’ ultimate gift. If you're unable to make one or unsure of who to give one to, partner with Cru Inner City!

Neighborhood Christian Chalk Art

Decorate your sidewalk with chalk art, like mosaic flowers, crosses, Bible verses, and other Easter-themed drawings. Whether you’re an almost famous artist or prefer drawing stick figures, God can use your art to inspire and uplift people for Easter! Also, encourage your neighbors to participate in the fun. You may even turn your street into a chalk art gallery!

Send Easter Videos and Posts

Do you enjoy watching funny videos or reading posts on social media? Then connect with your friends or family by sharing an Easter post! It takes little time and connects and provides a chance to start a conversation about Easter. Maybe send a video explaining the meaning of Easter. Or text a funny and biblically accurate meme about Jesus’s resurrection story. Whatever you choose, send something that opens the gateway for a deeper connection or conversation with the other person.

Pray for Others

A simple but powerful way to encourage others this Easter season is through prayer. Ask your family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors if you can pray for them. Through a simple text, phone call, or in-person conversation, you could say, “Hey, [Name], you’ve been on my mind recently. How can I pray for you?” Praying for those in your life shows them you genuinely care. You may even learn new things about their current season of life, which will deepen and strengthen your relationship with them.

Next Steps

Whether you host an egg hunt with Resurrection eggs, initiate a Christian art gallery in your neighborhood, or do something not mentioned in this list, you can trust that God will use your efforts to transform the hearts around you. He has risen!

For more resources on Easter, check out other Cru Easter content.