Do you want to get closer to Jesus during Lent and Easter? It's challenging to quiet the clamor of every day life and it can be so easy to miss the true heartbeat of Easter... Jesus Himself! But Lent offers us a beautiful invitation. It invites us to slow down! Lent asks us to walk quietly alongside Jesus and contemplate the final weeks of His earthly ministry, particularly Holy Week (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday).
Are you ready to prepare your heart? Reading Scripture and Jesus-focused books during this season changes everything!
It turns an Easter-bunny-and-chocolate-egg holiday into a holy day. As Psalm 119:105 reminds us,
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Let’s light up that path together this Lent!
Go Straight to Resources
For Adults
Easter Bible Studies
For Kids
Easter Gifts
Daily Companions for Your Journey
Sometimes, we just need a gentle nudge every morning. Daily devotionals are perfect for keeping our focus on Christ amidst the noise of life.
Consider starting your day with Jesus Listens for Lent & Easter. It guides you through prayers that tune your heart to God’s voice. Similarly, Jesus Calling for Easter offers short, powerful reflections that feel like Jesus is speaking directly to you.
For those who love visual beauty alongside spiritual depth, A Savior Is Risen pairs gorgeous artwork with scripture. These books don't just sit on your nightstand; they walk with you through the day!
Standing at the Foot of the Cross
- To truly celebrate the empty tomb, we must first understand the cross. The final week of Jesus' life was filled with profound purpose.
Max Lucado helps us grasp this intensity in On Calvary's Hill and Six Hours One Friday. Max takes us right to the scene of the sacrifice. You can almost hear the hammer strikes. It is heavy, but it is holy.
If you want to dive into the significance of Christ's final words, look at It Is Finished. Or explore the historical and spiritual reality in What Happened at the Cross. These reads remind us that
He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross. — 1 Peter 2:24
Deepen Your Faith with Bible Studies
Are you hungry for more than just a quick read? Gather your friends or your small group! Bible studies are a powerful way to grow together.
The Promise and Power of Easter is a fantastic place to start. If you want to walk where Jesus walked, try In the Footsteps of the Savior — it brings the Holy Land to your living room.
For the skeptics and the seekers, The Case for Easter builds an undeniable foundation for our faith. And of course, Max Lucado’s 3:16 The Numbers of Hope explores the most famous verse in the Bible in a life-changing way.
For more video Bible studies, check out Study Gateway. They have a huge library of Bible studies to choose from. It's like Netflix for Christians!
Sharing the Story with Little Ones
Faith is a family affair!
We have such a privilege to introduce our children to the Savior.
Start a new tradition with Twas the Season of Lent. It prepares young hearts for the coming joy. Then, wake up on Resurrection Sunday with Twas the Morning of Easter or the beautifully illustrated He Is Risen (my go-to Easter gift book!).
For a unique perspective, check out Tim Tebow's If the Tree Could Speak. It tells the story of the cross in a way kids can grasp. And don't forget prayer time — Jesus Calling Easter Prayers for Kids helps them talk to God in their own words. Jesus said,
Let the little children come to Me — Matthew 19:14,
and these books open that door wide!
Gifts That Keep Giving
Easter is one of the best times of the year to share your faith in Jesus with your loved ones who don't know Him yet! If you are looking to bless someone else, books make incredible gifts. The Easter Code is a 40-day Lenten devotional that unlocks the journey of Christ through the places, people, and events in His life all the way to His resurrection. Or consider The Gift of the Cross, which beautifully articulates why this season matters so much.
This Lent, don't just let the days slip by. Pick up a book. Open your Bible. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you!
He is Risen!
Essential Readings for Lent and Easter
For Adults
A Savior Is Risen is a 40-day journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter morning, a call for you to quiet your mind and soul as you focus on Jesus and His resurrection. This book by Susan Hill offers biblical reflections and full-color springtime photography to take you from burnout to burning a little brighter as you celebrate new life, fresh starts, and everyday redemptions.
On Calvary's Hill paints a picture of Jesus in His final week: Jesus was commonly dressed but uncommonly focused. Leaving Jericho and walking toward Jerusalem, He doesn't chatter or pause. He's on His final journey. Even the angels are silent. They know this is no ordinary walk or week — hinged on this week is the door of eternity. On Calvary's Hill by Max Lucado will take you into Jesus' last week, from the road to Jerusalem to the resurrection. Each reading includes a timeless verse, an in-depth reading, and a thoughtful prayer designed to help you draw near to the Savior and prepare to celebrate the resurrection — the greatest miracle ever conceived.
Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado. In Six Hours One Friday, you will delve deeply into the meaning of Jesus' last hours on the cross. Through His death, your life has purpose and meaning. You are forgiven and loved by a Savior who died for you. And an empty tomb proclaims that death does not have the final word. In this book, you will be encouraged that Jesus bring us peace where there should be pain, confidence in the midst of crisis, and hope that defies despair. Does death have the last word? Jesus winks as he answers, "Not on your life."
He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Jesus For adults and kids alike! I love this beautiful book. This unique and unforgettable picture book uses rock art and simple text to tell the story of the miracle of Easter — the resurrection of Jesus. Through the arrangement of a few rocks and powerful words directly from Scripture, the entire Easter story is told. RReaders young and mature will be intrigued by the nature-filled artwork that shows the death and resurrection of Jesus and the celebration of the very first Easter in a powerful and unique way.
It Is Finished: A 40-Day Pilgrimage Back to the Cross Across forty days of vivid storytelling, It Is Finished offers you a unique and vital roadmap to trace the power and necessity of the cross throughout the Bible, from the book of Genesis all the way to your present-day reality. Through forty slices of the story of Calvary, master storyteller and vivid Bible teacher Charles Martin, will walk you back to the cross to look up at it from a different angle each day.
Jesus Listens for Lent & Easter by Sarah Young. This devotional collection of prayers and reflections from Young's bestselling Jesus Listens® and Jesus Calling helps you walk through the season of Lent with an intentional focus on your Savior and prepares you for the joy and victory of His resurrection at Easter.
Jesus Calling for Easter Exclusive FaithGateway Edition Celebrate the hope and renewal of the Easter season with the updated Jesus Calling® for Easter. Whether you're seeking a fresh way to engage with the story of Christ’s death and resurrection or gifting a loved one a meaningful keepsake, this book will inspire your heart and enrich your Easter season for years to come.
What Happened at the Cross The cross of Christ towers over 2,000 years of history. What happened on that hill called Calvary? In this compilation of his life's work, Billy Graham explains what Jesus accomplished on the day of His death, the meaning of His sacrifice, where He is now, the price of victory, and how to live with hope. It’s almost impossible to find one of Billy Graham’s sermons that didn’t focus on the incredible events that happened over 2,000 years ago on Mount Calvary, and that’s because he centered his life and ministry around its message. In this special collection of the beloved evangelist's inspiring messages on the cross, discover simple yet profound truths that will change your life.
Easter Bible Studies
The Promise and Power of Easter Easter is so much more than a holiday. It's the most significant event in human history. It's the celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, and His victory over everything that holds us back in our earthly lives. It's the day we focus on the promise and power of Jesus and draw closer to Him. Join Christine Caine and Lisa Harper in a transformative study that goes beyond tradition. Walk with them through four weeks of the Lenten season taking in the details of Jesus' life, the agony of His death, and the overwhelming joy of His resurrection. Relive His steps with a heart full of hope. See it all with eyes of faith. You'll be ready to celebrate Easter in more ways than you ever have and be inspired to share the joy only Jesus could make possible.
In the Footsteps of the Savior Bible Study Join Max Lucado on an inspirational journey through the hills, the dust, and the homes of the Holy Land! Discover, with new eyes, God’s heart for His people and His deep love for you. In this video Bible study, you and your small group are invited to come with Max through Capernaum, Galilee, Bethany, Jerusalem, and more. As Max weaves together insights from his own travels to Israel with teaching from his bestselling books, he will guide you to walk where Jesus walked and ponder the promises He made. God has more in store for you than you can imagine! This video Bible study will provide you an encounter with the life-altering Holy One as you follow in the footsteps of the Savior through the Holy Land. You can also pick up the In the Footsteps of the Savior book by Lucado.
The Case for Easter Bible Study invites you to examine the evidence of the resurrection for yourself and points to the conclusion that Jesus was the Son of God who conquered the grave. What do the Gospel accounts actually say about Jesus' death and resurrection? How can we know the biblical accounts are accurate? In The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel retraced his spiritual journey from atheism to faith by showing how the evidence he obtained from experts in the field of history, archaeology, and ancient manuscripts led him to the verdict that Jesus truly was the Son of God. In The Case for Easter Bible Study, Lee investigates the story surrounding the resurrection of Jesus — and how we can know that it is true. You can also pick up The Case for Easter book by Strobel.
3:16 The Numbers of Hope In this updated classic Bible study (video streaming included), bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado pulls back the curtain on his favorite Bible passage to move you to a profound awareness of God's limitless love, His incalculable sacrifice, and the certainty of His offer of eternal life.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This passage is a twenty-six-word parade of hope. A verse brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment... and solid enough to weather 2,000 years of storms and questions. You can also pick up the 3:16 The Numbers of Hope book and the 3:16 Teen Edition by Lucado.
For Kids
If the Tree Could Speak: The Story of the Cross That Saw It All New York Times bestselling author Tim Tebow invites you into the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, told from the perspective of the closest thing to Jesus on that day — the wooden cross. This captivating poem portrays the journey of Jesus all the way to His crucifixion and resurrection. Follow the cross to Golgotha and meet Jesus with fresh eyes as the cross discovers that it holds the King of kings, who has redeemed the tree’s shameful form to become a symbol of hope for all of humanity.
'Twas the Season of Lent is a 40-day devotional and storybook that explores the life, words, and works of Jesus and encourages families to draw closer to God during the Lenten Season. From beloved author Glenys Nellist, this book focused on Jesus’s mission to the least, the lost, and the lonely, with each story and accompanying prayer prompt encouraging children to try to be more like Jesus and to do what God calls them to. Written in both prose and poetry, this gorgeous picture book shares the true story of the days leading up to Christ’s death and resurrection.
'Twas the Morning of Easter tells the story of the resurrection of Jesus in a fresh way, with a familiar rhythm and rhyme that children will love, following the pattern of Clement Moore's iconic “'Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Glenys Nellist, beloved author of the bestselling 'Twas the Evening of Christmas, reveals the joy and beauty of the resurrection of Jesus in a fresh, inspiring way in 'Twas the Morning of Easter. This gorgeous picture book shares the true story of Easter with little ones with read-aloud rhymes and engaging illustrations by Elena Selivanova. With an eye-catching cover decorated in shining foil and embossing, this book is perfect for any Easter basket and sure to be a treasured Easter tradition for years to come.
Jesus Calling Easter Prayers for Kids (board book) for ages 0-4 is a simple retelling of the wonder of the resurrection and includes Easter-themed prayers, helping little ones develop a habit of prayer and showing them just how much God wants to hear from them. With Jesus Calling Easter Prayers, little ones not only learn the Easter story through a kid-friendly retelling that makes the events easy to understand, but they also discover how to talk to God through simple prayers.
Easter Gifts
The Easter Code Are you looking for a meaningful way to share the Gospel at Easter?This little paperback by bestselling author O. S. Hawkins makes a perfect, affordable and significant gift during Lent (Ash Wednesday to Easter). Follow the journey of Christ through the places, people, and events in His life all the way to His resurrection. Embark on a 40-day journey to prepare your heart and mind for Easter Sunday and engage with a daily reflection accompanied by a Code word for the day, an encouraging Scripture, and a prayer.
The Gift of the Cross Have you ever looked more closely at the Easter story and wondered how Jesus' death on the cross transforms every day of your life? In The Gift of the Cross, beloved and trusted pastor Dr. Charles F. Stanley walks us through the Lenten and Easter seasons with biblical teaching on Christ's journey to the cross, the wonder of His divine resurrection, and what it all means for believers today. Discover how this one event forms the absolute foundation for everything Christians believe and will impact not just how you celebrate Lent and Easter but how you can experience joy and hope all year long.
MORE RESOURCES
How to Study the Bible: A Beginner’s Guide
Commit to a Year in God's Word with a 52-Week Bible Study!
Investigating Faith in Jesus — Lee Strobel Books Just for You