The cross is painful, soul-ripping, and beautiful.
The thought of leading our kids to that dirty yet precious place is terrifying to me at times.
I don’t want to get it wrong.
I don’t want to say the one unknowing thing that could lead them running far away from the cross… never to return.
And the cross – it’s a gory, bloody mess. When I truly think of what Jesus endured on that cross, tears flow and I feel sick.
But I can’t keep silent either.
Because I know – I know – that these kids need the story of the cross.
For they need a Savior.
Someone to save them from the pain and the evil and the sin and the yuck.
And so we talk and we read His Word telling the story as it is.
No, their little minds don’t need to grasp how truly gruesome Christ’s death on the cross was. They will get what they get. But when they see even a little of His pain, it will help them see how much He loves them.
And when they sin, where better to point them, than to the One who hears their cries and saves them!?
For as we talk and read and make His Story our life… God works the miracles in their little hearts.
And we make simple crosses… not only to help us remember this week’s Bible verses, but to remind us of Jesus’ love and sacrifice.
To make these beautiful salt-dough crosses… {I found the recipe and idea here… love it!! All of our kids – ages 1 to 8 – loved this project too!}
Knead together
-4 cups flour
-1 cup salt
-2 cups warm water
(We got 34 crosses using this recipe… so, you might want to half it.)
(Keep in Ziploc baggie in fridge, or use right away.)
Add food coloring or liquid tempera paint if desired (we used neon food coloring gels… pink, green, orange, purple) and knead it in well.
Roll it out and use a cookie cutter to make the cross shape (or, form it with your hands!).
Place a paper clip half way in at the top of the cross for hanging (or poke a hole in the top).
Then wet lightly with water and decorate with beads (buttons and shells work too). Make sure to push the beads in firmly. (The ones with lots of beads are trickier, as they fall off easier.)
Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake at 250 degrees for 3 hours. (or until hard- but not over-baked).
Once cool, add a coat of Mod Podge (clear glue may work as well?). This helps stick any loose beads in place and gives a pretty shiny finish.
And, if you’d like, add a ribbon to the top.
We’re excited to start this week’s activities for making Easter about Jesus! In the morning we’ll be waving our palm branches. We’d LOVE for you to join us! {If you didn’t get a chance to see- there is a complete supply list for the 10 days we’ll spend making Easter about Jesus.} These crosses would be perfect to add to (or take the place of any of the activities on) any of the last five days.
Joining our family in memorizing Psalm 145!? What precious words these were to remind us of the cross!
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
-Psalm 145:19-20
Here’s a video of Alyssa and Isaiah saying this week’s verses together. They were going to show you a game we play where we write out the verses (and draw some small pictures for those that can’t read) and take turns covering up some of the words/pictures. The others try to say the verses with some of the parts missing. We were going to cover the words with our special crosses, but they’re still drying… so, they opted for a fun rendition to share with you. :)
(Can’t see the video? Click here.)
Original article and pictures take www.ourfamilyforhisglory.com site
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