ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 2 An Easter Activity Workbook: Take Me to the Cross By: Heidi Franz ABCJesusLovesMe.com & OurOutofSyncLife.com
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 3 Notice to the Reader Thank you for subscribing to the Our Out-of-Sync Life blog. A subscription to this blog allows you to print and download one copy of the A Easter Activity workbook for immediate family use only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, forwarded, or shared without written permission by JLM Media, LLC. You are welcome to share the link to our blog (www.ouroutofsynclife.com) but do not share the direct link to this pdf file or download or this PDF file. Instead please direct all to the blog subscription information so that they may receive their own free copy according to our Terms of Use. ABCJesusLovesMe.com & JLM Media, LLC References Used for Theology: http://www.gotquestions.org http://www.sermons4kids.com http://missionbibleclass.org
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 4 Table of Contents Information... 5 Instructions... 6 Cross Countdown Day 1 Palm Sunday (Jesus Rides on a Donkey)... 7 Cross Countdown Day 2 Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet...11 Cross Countdown Day 3 Communion...14 Cross Countdown Day 4 Garden Prayer...18 Cross Countdown Day 5 Cross (Good Friday)...22 Cross Countdown Day 6 In the Tomb...25 Cross Countdown Day 7 - Resurrection...28
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 5 Information After creating the ABCJLM Lego Christmas Activity Workbook, I realized that we place a lot of emphasis on Christmas. We do countdowns, crafts, decorations, and family activities to help our children understand the importance of the birth of Jesus. For whatever reason, Easter sneaks up on us without much fanfare. Sure there are the Resurrection Eggs, but I ve found our kiddos are so inundated with them that the delivery method has lost its educational factor. Also, as I am growing in my understanding of who Jesus is, I realize that it isn't enough to be able to regurgitate the Easter story. Or any story from the Bible. I don't want our children to simply know the facts. I want them to know our Savior. This led me to my knees asking the Holy Spirit for a way to help our children understand the incredible sacrifice and love that went into the Passion Week. Led by the Lord, I created a seven day countdown Easter Activity Workbook with the purpose of pointing children to the cross and understanding the salvation that comes from it. Objectives: To daily focus on the Passion Week (the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday) so that our children better understand who Jesus is and how He desires to be a personal Savior to each one of us. To understand how remarkable it is that Jesus died, was buried, and arose to save us. To create traditions that draw our family together. To impress Christ on our children (Deuteronomy 6:7).
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 6 Instructions The Easter Activity Workbook will explain exactly what to do each day leading up to Easter. Begin on Palm Sunday and equate each Cross Countdown Day per weekday or begin earlier and spread it out to cover several weeks. In our family, we plan to cover two days a week beginning on Sunday, March 15th. The Lesson Plan is broken down into eight sections. While the sections work together, pick and choose the ones that will be best for your family. Supplies: A list of suggested supplies to do the activities for the day. Scripture: I have purposely not included the scripture verses in the workbook as I feel it is very important for children to see adults reading straight from the Bible. If the child is able, ask him or her to read some of the scriptures. I also encourage you to read from multiple versions including those which are geared toward children (Living Bible, New International Reader s Version). If the child is preschool age or younger, I encourage you to use a children s Bible. I have included page numbers for the The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories (ages 2-5) and My First Hands-On Bible (ages 4-7), as these are our favorites. Depending on the age of your child, some of these verses and concepts will be difficult to grasp. That is okay and expected! Remember that you are laying a foundation of truth. Use the information to make it age appropriate for your child. Significance: The information in this heading is strictly for the adult to better understand the significance that the stories play in the week and tips to help you tell the story. Impress: Based on Deutonomy 6:7, use these to impress the stories on your children. This section has been written to include exactly what to say and do to explain each story. Use as a guide or read verbatim. I encourage you to preread these so you are prepared to share with your children. Point Me to the Cross: This activity uses a white, blank 8.5x11 piece of paper folded and torn in a specific way to create a cross. Each day you will add a step to the process. This step is usually done without explanation as part of the impress time of telling the Bible story. Don t tell the child what the end result will be. (Original source of Paper Cross unknown.) Memory Verse: During this time, the child will memorize John 3:16. I have broken down the verse into seven sections to make it easier for younger children. Feel free to substitute or add additional verses. Possible additions: Matthew 28:6, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:9, and I John 3:16. Activity: All chosen activities help further drive home the learning. Allow the child to do on their own as much of the activity as possible. Coloring Sheet: For especially active children, it may help to have the child color while you read the story. Be sure to tie the coloring sheet to the Scripture. Each idea can easily be exchanged for another that better suits your family and traditions. As the age of your children increases, so can the depth of activities and discussion.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 7 Cross Countdown Day 1 Palm Sunday (Jesus Rides on a Donkey) Supplies: Palm Branch coloring sheet, glue, paint brush, green tissue paper (or green paint and sponge), glitter, Jesus Rides on a Donkey coloring sheet, 8 1/2x11 piece of white paper, crayons Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories pages 427-432 My First Hands-On Bible pages 324-329 Significance: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to fulfill Zechariah 9:9 written 500 years prior. Jesus is openly declaring that He is the King and the Messiah for whom they have waited. Surrounded by palm trees, the branches were a symbol of victory and joy. They were used to cheer as important people rode down the streets. They believed that Jesus was coming to save them in a political way and didn t understand the true reason He had come. Impress: There is a very important holiday coming. It s called Easter. Easter is a time set aside for us to remember how much Jesus loves us. Before we talk about that, let s start at the beginning with a day called Palm Sunday. It takes place seven days before Easter Sunday. (Read Matthew 21:1-11) These people were so excited to see Jesus riding towards them on a donkey that they shouted praises of joy. They shouted Hosanna! which means Save now!. The people laid their own coats in the road for Jesus to ride over. Men, women, and children waved palm branches in the air. They were so excited to see their Messiah and King! Want to know something really cool? This shouldn t have been a surprise to any of these people because 500 years before it happened, Zechariah wrote in the Old Testament that Jesus would come riding on a donkey. (Read Zechariah 9:9) 500 years! I don t know what will happen five minutes from now. But, God does. And He loves us so much that He made a rescue plan clear back in the Old Testament for Jesus to be born in a manger, die, be buried, and rise again. Point Me to the Cross Day 1: There was another character in our story today. A donkey. Was there anything special about the donkey that Jesus road on? No. It was a normal donkey. It reminds me of this sheet of white paper. (Show the child a white, blank 8.5x11 piece of paper) Anything special about it? No. Just like other pieces of paper, we can fold it or tear it. We can also draw on it, like this. (Draw one dot in each top corner) Each day we are going to do something to this paper. I can t tell you what or why. But on Easter Sunday we will have a great big surprise.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 8 Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world Activity: Palm Branch Art Print the Palm Branch coloring sheet. Spread a thin layer of glue thinned by a little water on the palm branch. Add different shades of torn green tissue paper overlapping the pieces. (Or, paint the palm branch with green paint and a sponge.) Let dry. Outline the leaf edges and draw a leaf vein pattern with glue. Sprinkle glitter over the glue. Once dry, act out the story and wave the palm branch (FYI: Glitter may fall off!). Coloring Sheet: Jesus Rides on a Donkey
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ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 10 Triumphal Entry
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 11 Cross Countdown Day 2 Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet Supplies: Poster board, paint, Jesus Serves the Disciples coloring sheet, smiley stickers, crayons, paper cross Scripture: John 13:1-17 The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories pages 437-439 My First Hands-On Bible pages 330-333 Significance: Jesus washed the disciples feet in the upper room just prior to the Last Supper. It showed His humility, servanthood, and was symbolic of our need for Jesus to wash us clean of sin. Impress: Do you remember how dirty your feet would get in the summer when you wore sandals? We would have to wash your feet nightly to get them clean from all the sand and dirt. In the New Testament times, people wore sandals and walked on dirt and sand roads. Because the roads weren t paved like ours, Jesus and His disciples feet would get very dirty. When arriving at someone s house, the servants would wash the people s feet to keep the home clean. (Read John 13:3-30) We learned last time that people declared Jesus as King. People waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna declaring it so. But in washing the disciples dirty, yucky feet, Jesus was being an example for us. He was showing us that we are to put others needs before our needs. We are to put their wants before our wants. In John 13:15, Jesus says, I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you. We are to be kind, love others, and help those around us. Jesus wants us to be a happy helper just like He was to His disciples. (Grab the Paper Cross and fold) Point Me to the Cross Day 2: Fold the lower left corner of the paper diagonally up so that the bottom of the paper meets the right side. Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 12 Activity: Happy Hands are Helping Hands (Author unknown) Discuss with your child what it means to be a happy helper and ways he/she can help others. Trace or paint and stamp each family member's hand on a piece of poster board. Add the title "Happy Hands are Helping Hands." Place the poster in a prominent place in your home. Each time a family member does something to help someone, place a happy face sticker on the poster. Coloring Sheet: Jesus Serves the Disciples
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 13 Jesus Serves the Disciples
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 14 Cross Countdown Day 3 Communion Supplies: Items to represent a holiday, homemade bread ingredients, Communion coloring sheet, crayons, paper cross Scripture: Matthew 26:17-29 The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories pages 442-445 My First Hands-On Bible pages 334-337 Significance: Depending on the ages of your children, explain more or less of the details of communion. Jesus and His disciples are celebrating the Passover meal. This is a time for the Israelites to remember God s protection in Egypt during the 10 th plague (Exodus 11-12). Each year a lamb would be sacrificed to remind God s people that He set them free from slavery. During the meal, Jesus used bread and a drink to symbolize what He would do by dying, being buried, and rising again. Jesus instructed believers to remember His sacrifice by partaking of the bread and drink (called Communion). The bread represents Jesus body while the juice represents His blood. Communion is a time to remember. Note: I do not suggest that you instruct your child to partake in Communion until he or she has trusted Jesus as his or her Savior and intends to follow and obey the Lord. Impress: Gather several items which represent a holiday. Here are a few ideas: Christmas (ornament), 4 th of July (flag), Thanksgiving (turkey). In front of me are objects that remind me of various holidays. Here is an example. When I see an ornament, I think of Christmas. What holiday do you think of when you see? (Continue through all objects) In the New Testament, Jesus used objects to help us understand and remember Him. (Read Matthew 26:17-29) Jesus said that those who believe that He is the Son of God are to continue eating the bread and drinking the drink to remember Him. We call this Communion. Just as the ornament represents Christmas, Jesus said that bread reminds us of His body and the drink reminds of us His blood. He is telling His disciples that He would die, be buried, and rise again because He loves us so much. (Fold the Paper Cross) ABCJesusLovesMe.com/JLM Media, LLC For family use or with a License only
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 15 Point Me to the Cross Day 3: Fold the bottom right corner to the left side. Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave. Activity: Bake bread as a remembrance. On the page 17 you will find a recipe to make Bread in a Bag. Simple enough for a child to be very involved in the process. Coloring Sheet: Communion
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 16 Communion
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 17 Bread in a Bag Prepare three bags with the following ingredients: Bag 1 (gallon sized bag) 1 ½ cup white flour 1 package dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons) 1 teaspoon sugar Bag 2 (pint sized bag) 1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour ¼ cup dry milk 1 ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar Bag 3 (pint sized bag) 1 ¼ cup white flour To BAG 1 Add ½ cup warm water. Mix with your hands on the outside of the bag until the mixture is well combined. Let set for 15 minutes. Mixture will get foamy as the yeast begins to work. After the 15 minute rest, add the following to Bag 1 and mix. ¾ cup warm water 1 Tablespoon oil Add BAG 2 to BAG 1 and mix. Add BAG 3 to BAG 1 and mix until the flour is no longer visible. Remove the dough from the bag and place on a clean surface. Knead for several minutes. (If the dough is too sticky add a little flour. More flour will result in heavier bread but less mess.) Rest the dough for 10 minutes. Flatten the dough and form into a rectangle. Place into a greased pan. Cover with a cloth and let rise for 35-45 minutes until double in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when thumped lightly with your finger. Turn out to cool. This recipe was created by KFB Women s Committee for Ag in the Classroom.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 18 Cross Countdown Day 4 Garden Prayer Supplies: dish soap, food coloring, shallow bowl, drinking straw, Heart printable, Praying Hands coloring sheet, crayons, paper cross Scripture: Mark 14:32-41 The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories pages 446-447 My First Hands-On Bible pages 338-343 Significance: At His most dire need, Jesus went to His Father in prayer and submitted to His Father s will. I highly encourage you to practice the bubble activity before showing your children. Impress: Pour soapy water and food coloring in a shallow bowl. Gather a drinking straw and the Heart printable. "I have something very exciting to show you. What do think will happen when I blow air into this liquid? (Begin to blow bubbles. Stop when the bubbles are a few inches high.) Wow! What happened? (Bubbles were created) See how the bubbles are rising upward and piling on top of each other. They are rising higher and higher! That's what our prayers do. When we pray and talk to God, our prayers rise up to heaven to God. (Blow again to create more bubbles.) God captures our prayers in His heart. (Gently place the heart printable upside down on top of the bubbles. The bubbles will slowly pop leaving a colorful design on the paper. Show the child.) God remembers our prayers and He promises to answer each one of them in His time and in His way. For each prayer God says yes, no, or wait. Today we are going to read a story about Jesus praying." (Read Matthew 26:36-39) When you have an emergency where do you call? Do you call Walmart or Target? How about a car dealership or McDonalds? No, if someone is hurt you would call 911 for help. We know that Jesus was both God and human. The human part of Jesus was very sad thinking about what was going to happen to Him. He needed help. Jesus prayed to God knowing God was the only One who could help Him. Jesus knew that He needed to talk to His Daddy. He did not want to experience is coming death, and He needed God to help Him make the right choice. (Grab the Paper Cross and fold) Allow the child to make her own bubble heart after finishing the story. Instruct the child to blow and not suck on the straw. Point Me to the Cross Day 4: Fold up the bottom point matching where the first two folds stopped. Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 19 Activity: Unknown Original Source) Directions in Impress. - Bubblin' Up (Adapted from Coloring Sheet: Praying Hands
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 20 Bubblin Up
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 21 Pray every day.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 22 Cross Countdown Day 5 Cross (Good Friday) Supplies: Three Crosses coloring sheet, black piece of construction paper, white and red paint, white chalk, crayons, paper cross Scripture: Mark 15: 1-39 The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories pages 448-451 My First Hands-On Bible pages 344-349 Significance: Depending on the maturity of your children, explain more or less of the details of the crucifixion. Impress: (Read Mark 15) The soldiers took Jesus and nailed Him on a wooden cross where He died. Jesus died for our sins. Jesus died so that we wouldn t have to. He took our place and paid the penalty for our sins so that we can be with Him in Heaven. Jesus must love us a whole lot to die for our sins. I have a song about Jesus loving us that I want you to sing with me. (Sing Jesus Loves Me while folding the Paper Cross) Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Point Me to the Cross Day 5: Flip the paper upside down and then fold from side to side. The marks will be showing. Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 23 Activity: Paid in Full (Permission Granted by TheMinistryMama.com) Using white paint, stamp the child s hand on a piece of black construction paper. Allow the paint to dry. Using red paint, add a thumbprint heart in the middle of the print. With white chalk, add the title Paid in Full. Explain that Jesus paid our consequence of death so that we wouldn t have to. Our debt is fully paid. Coloring Sheet: Three Crosses
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ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 25 Cross Countdown Day 6 In the Tomb Supplies: 2 colors of play dough, Jesus in the Tomb coloring sheet, glue, crayons, scissors, paper cross Scripture: Mark 15:42-47 The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories pages 452-453 Significance: Depending on the maturity of your children, explain more or less of the details of the tomb. Impress: (Read Matthew 27:45-61) Jesus died on a dark Friday evening. It was very sad for Jesus friends. They knew Jesus body had been placed in a tomb, and a large rock had been rolled in front of it. They were very, very sad. They wondered if they had made a mistake. Maybe Jesus wasn t their King. Maybe Jesus wasn t their Messiah. But they forgot one important thing. Jesus had told them before He died what would happen to Him. Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. They forgot that this very sad story was soon going to be a very, very, very happy story. (Fold the Paper Cross) Point Me to the Cross Day 6: About 1 inch from the tall, vertical fold, carefully tear down through all the layers. Discard the piece with the markings. Save the arrow-shaped piece for the next day. Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 26 Activity: Form a play dough tomb and rock. Coloring Sheet: Jesus in the Tomb Color the tomb and rock. Cut out the rock and glue on top of the tomb s opening. Discuss how Jesus loved us enough to die but that this is not the end of the story.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 27 Jesus Loves Me! Directions: Color the tomb and rock. Cut out the rock and glue on top of the tomb s opening. Discuss how Jesus loved us enough to die but that this is not the end of the story.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 28 Cross Countdown Day 7 - Resurrection Supplies: crescent rolls, mini marshmallows, Jesus is Alive coloring sheet, crayons, paper cross Scripture: Luke 24:1-12 The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories pages 454-458 My First Hands-On Bible pages 350-353 Significance: The tomb is empty and Christ is risen. Jesus conquered death so that we might have eternal life. I highly encourage you to do a practice round of Resurrection Rolls and use the hints below to make sure the marshmallows cooperate. Impress: (Have crescent rolls and marshmallows near) We have covered a lot of stories from the Bible. We learned that Jesus road on a donkey while people shouted Hosanna. The second story included water and soap. Let s wash our hands like Jesus washed the disciples feet. (Wash hands) Next we learned how Jesus used bread, like these crescent rolls, to remind us of His body and the drink to remind us of His blood. Then Jesus prayed. Let s pray right now and ask God to help us listen to the happiest story in the Bible. (Pray) (Unroll one crescent roll) Jesus died on the cross for our sins. What are sins? The bad choices that we make like lying, stealing, not coming when Mommy calls for us. (List three sins and for each sin that you list lay a marshmallow on top of one crescent roll.) (Roll crescent roll around the marshmallows) Since we can't pay for our sins, Jesus took our place by dying on the cross. After Jesus died, men placed His body in a tomb or grave just like we put these marshmallows in the roll. And then the men rolled a heavy stone in front of the grave so that no one could bother it. (Pinch the bread seams very well) Let s put these in the oven and set the timer. (Bake) Seems like a really sad story, doesn t it. But that is not the end of the story. No. Jesus said that after three days He would rise again. Even though He was dead, He would be alive again. (Read Luke 24:1-12) (After rolls are done) Remember that just like Jesus' body was put into the tomb, we placed a marshmallows in our roll. (Open roll and let the child see the hole) Where did the marshmallows go? They are gone. Just like the marshmallows, Jesus is no longer in the tomb. He is alive. This is why we celebrate Easter - to remember that Jesus didn't just die on the cross for our sins but that He rose again to save us from our sins. He defeated death. Matthew 28:6 "Jesus is risen, as He said." (Make additional rolls together) Point Me to the Cross Day 7: The people who didn t like Jesus thought they had won. They had killed Jesus and put Him in a tomb. They thought He had lied. Jesus told them He was special and maybe He wasn t. Maybe Jesus was like everyone else. Normal like a piece of paper. But we know that isn t true. Jesus is very special. (Open the piece of paper) Jesus is the Son of God. Only the Son of God could have died even though He did nothing wrong, been buried, and three days later rise again.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 29 Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Activity: Resurrection Rolls Ingredients: Crescent Rolls 3 mini marshmallows (can signify the three nails or three sins) Directions: Unroll the crescent rolls and place the marshmallows in the center. Do not roll the crescent roll as you typically would. Fold the crescent roll around the marshmallows making sure to seal off any holes. Bake as directed. When done, the rolls will contain a hole where the marshmallows were. Hints: Make sure you seal off the dough well. Any leakage will result in a marshmallow mess all over oven. Don't do more than 1 big or 3 little marshmallows. Otherwise they won't melt. I also believe fresh marshmallows melt better. I ve also used regular bread dough and made little rolls. In doing this, we had more trouble sealing the bread and had trouble with the marshmallows not fully melting. Several of my friends use melted butter (anointing oil) and cinnamon (burial spices) but they have trouble with their tombs leaking! You may want to put the rolls in a muffin tin. And if your tomb leaks tell your child that the tomb was not strong enough to hold Jesus! (Thank you Buffy for this idea!)
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 30 Coloring Sheet: Jesus is Alive
ABC Jesus Loves Me Easter Activity Workbook Page 31 Jesus is Alive!