Sadness: Jesus is killed

Jesus was taken before several courts, some decided he was guilty, others didn't want to be involved. In the end the decision was given to the crowds outside and they voted for Jesus to be killed and a murderer to go free. The crowd had changed a lot since the excitement of welcoming him into Jerusalem.

Click here for the downloadable version.

The story

Read Luke 23:32-34, 44-49​ or listen to the story here.
It was the end. Their friend had died, all his promises and the hope they had were gone. What now? They had left everything to follow something...but it had not ended the way they had expected. Some had followed Jesus and were with him when he died, some watched from a distance and others were hidden away. They were let down, sad and alone.

We know it was not the end. Jesus had not come just for the people who he could meet but for everyone, even people who weren't born yet. He died so that we can be forgiven for all the bad choices they make big and small...but the disciples hadn't worked that out yet!

Ask each other...

Where would you have been when Jesus died?
What might his friends have done that evening?
When have you felt sad or let down?
Who looks after you when you are sad?

Make sure everyone has a chance to think and to share their thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers!

Respond

We all enjoy different things and we all respond to God in different ways. So here are five ways you might choose to respond together. Click on the + to see what you need to do.
Song: All through history
A great song to remind us that Jesus was part of a whole plan for the world!
Craft: Foil crosses
Equipment
Scissors, cardboard, kitchen foil, string, sticky tape and a blunt pencil.
Instructions
  1. Draw a cross shape onto the cardboard and cut around it.
  2. Using the foil, wrap it around your cardboard cross and try to keep the foil as flat as possible. Have a look at the picture for a suggestion on how to wrap your cross.
  3. Think about how Jesus, his friends and followers were feeling on Good Friday. Pressing gently on the foil, use the blunt pencil to draw patterns, pictures and words to represent those feelings onto your cross.
  4. Cut a piece of string or ribbon about 15cm long and stick both ends to the back of your cross. Hang it up somewhere you will see it often, to remind us of the amazing sacrifice that Jesus made for us. 
Bake: Change our hearts
We all make mistakes and bad choices and we might picture that as a dirty heart. But believing in Jesus brings forgiveness and makes our hearts clean again.
Ingredients:
  • 300g plain flour (and extra for rolling)
  • 200g butter
  • 60g sugar
  • 100g dark/milk chocolate
  • 5 tblsp jam (the amount depends on how much you want in them.
You will also need a mixing bowl, mixing spoon, rolling pin, baking tray, something circular to cut (it can be a cutter, cup etc), knife (or small heart shaped cutter), cooling racks, pan.

Instructions:
  1. ​Put the flour, butter and sugar into a bowl together.
  2. Mix with a spoon (hands work just as well and are more fun for small people). Keep going until it comes together into a ball.
  3. Put the oven onto 180°C.
  4. Dust some flour on the table and the rolling pin and roll it out. Cut out circles (we used a glass because we didn't have a cutter). The thinner they are the quicker they will be to cook. We made ours about 3 or 4 mm wide but we didn't measure.
  5. On half the biscuits cut out a heart shape.
  6. Put them onto a baking tray, They need a little space but they won't grow.
  7. They will need about 7-12 minutes in the oven. When the edges start to turn golden they are done.
  8. Take them out and leave them to cool.
  9. When they are cool melt the chocolate in the microwave.
  10. Put a blob of melted chocolate on half the biscuits without a hole, spread it out and then pop one with a hole on top.
  11. Optional: Put a few tablespoons of jam into a pan and heat it until it starts to bubble. This will make it chewier and less sticky when it sets.
  12. Put a blob of jam on each of the remaining biscuits and put a heart hole biscuit on top of each one.

​I wonder how it feel to think of mistakes making your heart unclean or dirty? I wonder how it feels for Jesus to make your heart clean?
Method:
  1. ​Put the flour, yeast and salt into a bowl.
  2. Pour in the warm water, oil (and honey) and mix until it comes together.
  3. Put a little flour onto the table and tip your dough on top.
  4. Knead the bread for 10 minutes, until it is stretchy and smooth. Kneading basically means punching, rolling, stretching and pushing.
  5. Divide the dough into 6 pieces and roll them into balls (or any shape you want)
  6. Put them onto the tray or into the tins you are using.
  7. Cover them with a damp tea towel (that isn't touching the dough) and leave them in a warm place for 1 hour. Try to be patient and not peek too much as it lets the warmth out.
  8. When the dough has doubled in size, heat your oven to 200°C.
  9. Brush with milk and add any toppings you want.
  10. Cook for 20-25 minutes until they are risen and golden.
  11. Leave a few minutes before tipping them out and cool before eating.
Playdough: Death and burial
Using something tactile can be a great way of thinking and talking about the story.

Build a cross and his friends with sad faces
  • Think of the things you miss now they are gone.
Create a tomb that is covered up.
  • Think of a time you have felt trapped or alone.

You can download the crucify mat and tomb mat (but save part two for the next session) here.
Outside: Find life
Go for a walk or explore in your local area. Look for something that is dead.
​
  • Where do you see life in it?

That may feel a little confusing, but the idea is to be creative and think beyond the end of life.

To get you going here are a couple of examples:
  • A stick is dead but it can bring life as a stick to float down a river or to be part of a 'bug hotel'.
  • Fallen leaves are dead but they rot and turn into compost which will feed the plants, worms and bugs and give them life or start new life helping a seed to grow.

Talk to God

King Jesus,
​
Thank you that you died for me. Help me remember that you are always there when I feel let down, sad or make mistakes.

I want you to know about...

​Amen.

Safeguarding

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