Easter: review

Today we read excerpts from the Holy Week account in Matthew. We also made "sweet reminders" as a gift for the congregation. Each little zippy bag had a note and five jelly beans-red, black, white, green and yellow- colors that can remind us of God's great love!

(We used small jewelry zippy bags and bulk tiny jelly beans. The note inside said:
Let this be a sweet reminder of God’s great love for you…
Jesus shed His precious blood (written in red)
to save us from sin and (written in black)
cleanse us whiter than snow!! (written in white)
Now we have new life in Him (written in green)
& an eternal home in Heaven! (written in yellow))

Easter: activity

Our activity today was baking "Empty Tomb" bisquits! Not only did we end up with a yummy treat but the steps involved reminded us that Jesus died and rose again!!

("Empty Tomb" bisquits:
flatten out a tube bisquit
dip a marshmallow in melted butter then cinnamon sugar and place it on the flatten bisquit
wrap the bisquit around the marshmallow pinching it firmly closed
brush the top with butter
sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
bake according to tube bisquit instructions
...the butter and cinnamon remind us of the oil and spices used in burial, the dough reminds us of the sealed tomb and the empty space after baking reminds us that Jesus is alive!!!)

Easter: game

Today we told the Easter story through an egg hunt! The kids searched for eggs that contained pictures and objects that led us through the story of Palm Sunday-Easter. As each egg was opened the kids shared what they knew and then we read the scripture pertaining to that part of the story. Everybody did a great job!

(We used "Resurrection Eggs". The kids were assigned certain colors to search for so that everyone had a chance. We then opened the eggs in story order. Be sure to use a different color egg for each image/item. Also, be sure the teacher knows in what order to open the eggs. For groups larger than 12 add more story details/eggs, have teams or use two sets.)

Easter: craft

Today the kids painted cross-shaped suncatchers. These will be dry and ready to take home next week. We read a rhyming version of the Easter story and discussed how Jesus took on our sins. I also shared how Jesus took the cross, an ugly, fearsome thing and made it beautiful. What once was a symbol of death and punishment is now a reminder of God's amazing grace!! As the kids see these crosses in their homes, my hope is that they will be reminded that Jesus' sacrifice was personal.

(We read out of the Rhyme Bible and painted suncatchers purchased at a craft store.)

Easter: story

Today we began our Easter unit by viewing a portion of The Miracle Maker. Our new memory verse is Matthew 28:6... He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.

(The Miracle Maker is a DVD about the ministry of Jesus. We viewed from the Last Supper on. This is a well done claymation that I've found appeals to older kids. As always, please preview for your own students.)