Tuesday, April 7, 2009

a way to remember good friday


Since Nate was little I have done a few Good Friday lessons with the kids. I want to do my best to get them to understand their sin and what Jesus did for them. This is the day to remember. I have found that they (me too) get so excited about Sunday morning when we take the time to reflect on the cross on Friday.
One of the visual lessons we do each year is to make a wooden cross. We find two pieces of wood around the yard or on a walk. We nail them together as best as we can. The rougher it looks the better. I then get out red paint and a brush. We each take turns naming sins that we know we are guilty of everyday. Having the older kids go first is helpful. As we begin, we each think of even more and each time we name a sin we make a red paint mark on the cross. Lying, cheating, complaining, envying, swearing, being unloving, unkind, bragging, selfish and disobedient. Our cross looks pretty beaten and bloody when we are done. After reading scripture and praying for forgiveness, we remember the cross.
On Sunday morning the kids look forward to finding that their rugged, red cross has been painted white. It makes an impact and our hearts are a little more prepared for our celebration and worship time at church.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

wow! i didn't know you did this - that is really great...have you done this for a while? our poor cross would be solid red...Steph would need her own cross...and me :O)

asteadfastheart@thehappyart said...

That's incredible, why didn't you tell me years ago?

Kevin and Pam said...

What a great idea!

Melissa said...

that is sooo dear. gosh, girl, what a TREMENDOUS family tradition. i'm all about some tradition, so i may totally snag this as a new one for us! i love that you paint their crosses WHITE on Easter! that's awesome. ok, i'll stop going on and on, now, and go to bed. i've got to go look for some rugged wood tomorrow!