Welcome to our children’s version of ‘Create at the Cross’
We would love to invite children and families to take part in Create at the Cross during Holy Week, to spend some time thinking about Jesus’ last days and then to be creative, maybe draw or paint a picture, write a poem or a prayer. As you think about the different events that took place that first Easter, let God speak to you as you reflect, worship and create!
There are five different themes – so why not choose one and get started!
Find a space where you can draw, write, paint or move around. Read the Bible verses or the part of the story from a children’s Bible story book, have a look at the pictures and think about the questions. Ask God to speak to you and to inspire you!
Here are some ideas for what you might like to do: Paint, draw, sketch, use pastels, write a poem, a prayer, a song, create a dance or a drama, use clay or playdough. Maybe you have some other ideas too?
There are so many ways we can be creative and worship God; we would love to see the results of your creativity so that they can inspire and encourage others, so do please share them on our Facebook page or send them to us by email: create@standrewsandallsaints.org
Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-10)
When they brought the donkey to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (Mark 11:7-9)
I wonder what it was like in Jerusalem that day, the people all crowded around Jesus, cheering and waving and laying their cloaks on the road before him?
Can you imagine the noise and the people looking to see Jesus, calling to him and shouting out their words of praise?
I wonder if you would have joined in praising Jesus as he rode by on a donkey?
I wonder how you welcome Jesus in your life today?
What might you draw or paint or write as you reflect on these things? Ask God to help you, as you think about this, to create a picture or a poem or something else!
Maunday Thursday: Jesus washes the feet of his friends (John 13:1-17)
For children… Ruth tells of how Jesus’ washed the feet of his disciples and used the sharing of bread and wine to help us to remember him, when we eat and drink together:
Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:4-5)
Jesus and his friends lived in a hot and dry land, they travelled by foot and their feet got very dusty! When Jesus invited his friends for supper they were very surprised by what happened. Usually a servant would wash the feet of visitors but Jesus knelt down and washed the feet of his friends!
Can you imagine how Jesus’ friends felt when he knelt at their feet?
I wonder what you would have said to Jesus if you had been there?
Jesus asked his friends to take care of others and he asks us to do the same, what can you do to help others?
What might you draw or paint or write as you reflect on these things? Ask God to help you, as you think about this, to create a picture or a poem or something else!
Maundy Thursday: The Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-41)
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” (Matthew 26:36-41)
Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He went to the garden called Gethsemane, with some of his friends and asked them to keep watch while he prayed to God to help him. But his friends were tired and they fell asleep.
Imagine you were there in the garden with Jesus; I wonder if you would have fallen asleep?
I wonder how the friends felt when they realised they had let Jesus down?
Jesus poured out his heart to his Father God, he must have felt very alone and scared. I wonder if there are things that you want to say to God about how you are feeling? I wonder what God wants to say to you?
What might you draw or paint or write as you reflect on these things? Ask God to help you, as you think about this, to create a picture or a poem or something else!
Good Friday: The Curtain Torn (Luke 23:44-49)
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. (Luke 23:44-49)
So much happened after Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was arrested and tried, his friend Peter denied knowing him, he was sentenced to die on a cross. As Jesus was dying, the sky darkened and the curtain in the temple was torn in two. The curtain is a symbol for the barrier that was between God and people and when it was torn in two it meant that the barrier was gone. Everyone is now able to have a close relationship with God because of what Jesus had done by dying on the cross.
I wonder how Jesus’ friends were feeling that day? Do you think all their hope in Jesus had gone?
Can you imagine what it must have been like to see this enormous curtain torn in two? What can you see? What can you hear?
I wonder how you feel about being able to have a close relationship with God because of what Jesus did?
What might you draw or paint or write as you reflect on these things? Ask God to help you, as you think about this, to create a picture or a poem or something else!
Easter Sunday: I Have Seen the Lord! (John 20:10-18)
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)
Easter Sunday, Mary and all Jesus’ friends must have been feeling desperately sad, not understanding what had happened to Jesus, waiting in darkness for a glimmer of light. They went to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid and the strangest thing had happened, the stone at the entrance of the tomb had been rolled away! And Mary met the risen Jesus! He is alive!
Imagine you were there, what can you hear and see? I wonder how Mary felt when she realised that this was Jesus she was speaking to?
I wonder what Jesus said to her? I wonder what Jesus wants to say to you?
I wonder if you have seen Jesus, whether you know him as your friend or maybe you are yet to see Jesus and know him for yourself?
We pray that this Easter, you will see the light of God in your life and will be able to say “I have seen the Lord!”
What might you draw or paint or write as you reflect on these things? Ask God to help you, as you think about this, to create a picture or a poem or something else!