With many things swarming our world today, let’s focus on the Good News. Here is an amazing activity that points us to Good Friday and the gift of God!
What you will need:
· paper
· scissors
How-To Instructions
(Illustrated directions and a video are provided below):
1. Take a piece of paper and fold it in half (so that the result is long and skinny, or like a hot-dog as some teachers might say).
2. Turn the paper so that the open side is down.
3. Imagine the paper is divided into thirds. Take the left side of the paper and fold it in so that it is one third from the edge of the right side.
4. Take the lower left corner and fold it at a diagonal so the edge lines up with the part you just folded.
5. Rotate the paper so the diagonal edge is on the right.
6. Cut the paper twice vertically.
7. Unfold the pieces of paper.
8. Find the cross. Place it in the middle.
9. Ask: Why would we remember the cross? (Allow person to respond) Explain: We believe that God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins.
“ ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)
10. Find a piece that looks like a line. Place it above the cross.
11. What did the sign say that was placed over the cross? Explain: Pilate wrote “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” in three languages on the sign above Jesus.
“Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek." John 19:19-20
12. Find the two small square like pieces. Put them on the left side of the cross.
13. Ask: What do dice remind us of?
“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.’ This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’
So the soldiers did these things,” John 19:23-24
14. Find a piece that is folded once and looks sharp on the end. Put it on the right.
15. What does a spear remind us of?
“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: 'Not one of his bones will be broken.' And again another Scripture says, 'They will look on him whom they have pierced.'" John 19:34-37
16. Use all of the pieces that have been cut out from one sheet of paper, except the cross. In English, spell the word Hell. Explain that because of our sin (disobedience to God) we deserve death and separation from God forever. All of us have sinned.
”for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
17. Add the cross to the group of shapes and form the word light.
18. The gift of God’s Son, Jesus, changes everything. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. He sent His Son Jesus as the light for our world filled with darkness. Jesus died on the cross, we remember that on Good Friday in particular. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead! He is alive! If we confess our sins, God promises to forgive our sins.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ” First John 1:7
19. God’s gift is for all people! Remove the cross and form the word “death” in Chinese (see the illustration or video below). Without Jesus, we are dead in our sins.
“ And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” Ephesians 2:1
20. What we earned for our sin was death. The gift of God comes through Jesus Christ. Add the cross to the shapes and create the Chinese word “eternal life.”
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
21. Share this message with someone and how your life has been changed by the gift of Jesus!
“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” First John 4:14
Discussion Questions:
Why does the death of Jesus on the cross matter?
How does the resurrection of Jesus change everything?
What will you do with this message of hope?
This Good Friday Activity I shared today is from The Source of Love, a beautifully made Chinese film.
