Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!: Thinking Theme: Easter

* This Easter I really want to focus on Holy Week and each significant event that happened leading up to the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. I want Sawyer to learn what this holiday is truly all about! I've included 5 specific lessons (will post pics as we go) with scripture references for you to read with your children. May you have a blessed week remembering the incredible sacrifice Jesus Christ made for all of us and praising God for His gift of love!

Memory Verses:
"But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.'" Matthew 28: 5-6

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live.'" John 11:25

1. Palm Sunday: John 12:12-17 - Palm Leaf Craft from DLTK
* Read the verses about Palm Sunday and print out the palm leaf and "Jesus is My King!" page from DLTK. Cut out the leaf and sentence, and glue them to a piece of construction paper. Cut out small pieces of green tissue paper or construction paper, and glue them on the leaf.

2. The Last Supper: Mark 14:12-26 - Communion as a Family
* Read the verses about the last supper. Explain what communion is to your children and how it is a special way we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. Break the bread and pray over it, then eat it. Then pray over the cup and drink the juice. Only Michael and I did this because our children are not believers yet, but we wanted to demonstrate to them what the last supper represents to us as Christians. We explained that one day when they accept Jesus into their hearts, they can participate in this holy communion, as well. This was such a special, blessed time for us as a family!

3. Prayer in the Garden: Matthew 26:36-45- Prayer Pail from Lu Bird Baby
* Read the verses about Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. Talk about the importance of prayer and how even the Son of God had to pray for guidance and comfort. Create this prayer pail/jar using any kind of small cup, pot, or pail and popsicle sticks. On the sticks, write the names of people you can pray for daily, as well as things like your church, your school, and your country. Each day your child can pick out a popsicle stick and pray for something specific. This is a great way to pray with your children!

4. The Cross: Mark 15:33-40 - Cross Book from Ministry to Children or Cross Craft from Frills, Fluff, and Trucks
* Read the verses about the cross, and choose one or both of these activities to do. We did the stained glass cross craft and followed the directions from Frills, Fluff and Trucks but tweaked it a little bit. Instead of contact paper, I used parchment paper because I already had that on hand. Also, we just did one layer instead of two. It still turned out very pretty! This was a great way to teach Sawyer about how the cross was a very sad thing that Jesus died on but also a beautiful symbol of the sacrifice He made for us!

5. The Empty Tomb: Matthew 28:1-8 - Resurrection Rolls from DLTK
* This is a very precious way to end the week! Read the verses about the empty tomb, and follow the directions from DLTK in order to bake these special rolls. I love this "kid-friendly" way of sharing what the resurrection is!