Effective Children's Ministry

Posts Tagged ‘Easter’

Would you like to see a video of two of the cutest kids on the planet showing what they have learned about the Crucifixion? They use finger gestures to help recall the “5 mighty miracles of the cross”.

Hop over to FreeCMStuff.com .

I defy you not to grin from ear to ear when you watch the girls and then try to remember the gestures so that you can teach your kids!

Do you need a brief children’s Easter talk with a memorable visual aid? Then you might enjoy Don Stott’s post over at Childrensministerblog.com.

Using a sheet of newspaper and niftily tearing some simple shapes, he reveals the heart of the Easter gospel message.

Don has used this in primary (elementary) schools with great success, but people of all ages will be captivated.

Check out Don’s post, where he has full instructions with photos.

ChildrensMinistry.com is a great source of ideas and materials. In this article there are heaps of ideas for fun activities of an easter theme, including “Donkey Relays” , papier-mâché piñatas, using ice cubes  and making yummy Easter snacks.

It’s a varied bunch of ideas where there is sure to be something to suit your facilities and your children. Check it out here.

Touch, smell and taste combine to help children think about the Easter story in this easy-to-make, mouth-watering recipe. Start the evening before Easter Sunday.  

PHOTO courtesy of Hartini.com

You need:
1 cup whole pecans (or other nuts)
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
1 pinch salt
6 oz caster sugar
Strong plastic bag
Wooden spoon, mallet or rolling pin
Masking Tape
A Bible 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (Important — don’t wait until you’re half way through the recipe!)
Place the nuts in the plastic bag and let the children beat them with the wooden mallet or rolling pin to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3. 

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Because living chicks come from eggs, eggs remind us of life. Explain that Jesus gave up his life to give us a wonderful new life.
Read John 10:10-11. 

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand and let them taste it. Add a pinch to the bowl. Explain that this reminds us of the salty tears cried by Jesus’ friends.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
  

Now add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that although Jesus died, he did it because he loves us. He wants us to know him and belong to him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (7-10 minutes). Explain that the colour white reminds of something very clean. God will take away all our sin and make us clean inside if we are truly sorry and ask him to forgive us.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3. 

Fold in broken nuts. Then drop teaspoonsful of the mixture onto baking parchment on a cookie tray. Explain that each mound reminds us of the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
 

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a small piece of tape and “seal” the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66. 

GO TO BED!   Explain that they may feel sad to leave the meringues in the oven overnight and that Jesus’ friends were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a meringue. Encourage them to look at the cracked surface and then take a bite. The meringues are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ friends were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9 

He Is Risen! Hallelujah! Happy Easter!

-Author unknown

Here is another way of scoring your review quiz. While suiting the Easter theme of new life, this game is enjoyable any time of year. It is very simple , and enjoyed particularly by younger children.

Two hens each stand beside their nest, in which is a clutch of their eggs.  As the teams answer questions correctly, the eggs “hatch” and are replaced by yellow chicks. Which hen can hatch 6 eggs first, to win?

This free downloadable game is in a PDF file, with all the pieces ready for you to print , cut out and laminate. Full instructions are included.

Right-Click on the link below and save the file to your hard drive.

Download the Hens, Eggs and Chick game

I know Easter is a little bit away yet, but Catherine and I are trying to roll out some suitable resources in good time.

This game is a simple PowerPoint “Concentration” game. Matching pairs of decorated eggs are lined up behind numbers. (Thanks PeHaa for the free use of your beautiful designs!)

We have found that children of all ages enjoy this style of game as the bright illustrations make it an attractive way to review your Bible lessons.

At present this is available only in PowerPoint format. But we realize that some of you may not have access to a projector. If you would like the visuals for this game in a printable format, we might be able to arrange that.

Visuals suitable for printing and laminating could be secured upright on a board, or used as a floor game for a small group of younger children.

If this is something you would like, click on the contact tab above for our email address and get in touch. We’d love to help if we can.

Full instructions are included in the file which you can download below.  If you do not have PowerPoint on your computer, this presentation will still run. It’s ideal for playing with a child in your family while at the computer!  Or maybe giving your own little grey cells a work-out!

Right-Click on the link and save to your own computer.

Download the Matching the Eggs PowerPoint review game