A Sense of the Resurrection is an event designed to give participants activities to engage each of the five senses while learning about or recalling the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Each activity involves one of the five senses, so be sure to tell others you are leading, especially children, which sense they will be using in the activity. Starting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, we will be posting videos on our Facebook page to help guide you and your family through this experience.
Scripture
Each activity incorporates a selected scripture. Begin by reading the Scripture directly from the Bible. Some of us may feel that we know this story "too well," while others might be hearing it for the first time, especially children. So, make sure you read each word of the passage so they can hear it exactly how it happened. However, don't get bogged down reading each event from every gospel. We have selected the passage we think is the clearest and most appropriate for each activity. Please read them in their entirety to yourself beforehand, then you can judge, based on your kids' ages and attention span, how much to read to them. As you read the Scripture, tell everyone to imagine they are in the story and to use the sense assigned to the activity.
Activity
After you've read the Scripture, move to the activity. As you make the craft or journey through your experience, talk about the Scripture and the sense being used. Depending on the age of your family members and their understanding, your activity or craft may look different than the ones we have here. It's OK! The point is not to do a perfect activity, but to experience God's Word in new ways.
Talk It Out
This section is particularly important if you are doing this activity with children. It is written in first person so you can literally read it to your children. It is a starting point and a conversation starter to help you and your children discuss, think about and understand this passage of Scripture and how it relates to the activity. Don't worry if it's not a big theological discussion or if your kids start talking about superheroes and bumblebees instead. The idea is to get them talking and internalizing the Scripture.
Supplies
Bowls or Pans (to fill with water)
Soap
Towels
Scissors
Pencil
Essential Oil Diffuser (alternative below if you do not have a diffuser)
Small Mouth Jars (for no diffuser)
Loaf of Bread
Apple Cider Vinegar
Essential Oil (some ideas: spikenard, frankincense, myrrh; but anything aromatic will work)
Bamboo Skewers (for no diffuser)
Sweet Almond Oil (for no diffuser)
Paint Brush or Sponge
White Canvas or Thick White Cardstock (one for each person participating)
Washable Paints (colors of your choice)
1-2 Sheets of Card Stock (per person - can be white or pastel colors)
Tape
Green Garden Ties or Pipe Cleaners
Yellow Pipe Cleaners
Smell
ACTIVITY: ANOINTING
Read it together: Matthew 26:6-13
Do it together: [Video instructions will be posted on our Facebook page at 5 p.m. on April 8. Click the button below to view the video after it's been aired.]
Supplies: Essential Oil (spikenard, frankincense, myrrh, or anything aromatic), Diffuser (If you do not have a diffuser, you can make your own Reed Diffuser with bamboo skewers, small mouth jars, sweet almond oil, and essential oils)
Instructions:
1. Diffuse essential oil of choice.
2. If you do not have diffuser, you can mix 30% essential oil to 70% sweet almond oil.
Talk It Out:
Do you Like the smell of this fragrance? Jesus said Mary anointed Him to prepare Him for His death and burial. When she broke the jar and the perfume spilled out, the Book of John says, "And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." When we smell the perfume in our house, Let's remember that Jesus died for us. We can try to say a quick prayer Like, "Thank You, Jesus for dying for me!" each time we notice the perfume. Let's be Like Mary and prepare our hearts for Jesus' death.
Touch
ACTIVITY: FOOT WASHING
Read it together: John 13:4-17
Do it together: [Video instructions will be posted on our Facebook page at 5:30 p.m. on April 8. Click the button below to view the video after it's been aired.]
Supplies: Canvas or Thick Cardstock (at Least 8.5x11"), Washable Paints (in colors of your choice) Paint Brushes or Sponge, Bowls or Pans of Water, Soap, Towels
Instructions:
1. Paint the bottoms of feet and make footprints on the canvas in the shape of a cross (see example below).
2. Wash the paint off each other's feet. Parents can wash kids' feet and kids can wash parents' feet. This can be a serious ceremony or it can be playful. Either way, it will be memorable.
Talk It Out:
How did it feel to have someone wash your feet? What did it feel Like to wash someone else's feet? What do you think it was Like when Jesus washed the disciples' feet? Jesus was being really nice to them, wasn't He? He was showing them how to Love and serve other people. Jesus showed us how to be a servant and how to Love others by dying on the cross for us. He is God, but He is also a servant!
Sound
ACTIVITY: THE PASSION
Read it together: Mark 15:6-15
Do it together: [Video instructions will be posted on our Facebook page at 6 p.m. on April 8. Click the button below to view the video after it's been aired.]
Talk It Out:
What did you hear? Did any sound stand out for you? The sounds of the passion are uncomfortable; they signify Jesus' devotion to his mission on earth and Love of God in heaven.
Sight
ACTIVITY: THE PASSION
Read it together: Mark 15:16-27
Do it together: [Video instructions will be posted on our Facebook page at 6:30 p.m. on April 8. Click the button below to view the video after it's been aired.]
Talk It Out:
What did you see? Did anything stand out for you? In Jesus' time, criminals were nailed on crosses. We know that Jesus was not a criminal! In fact, He had never done anything wrong. It was horrible to be nailed to the cross. It was painful and embarrassing. Why did He have to die Like that? Why didn't He do a miracle and get off the cross? He died on the cross because He Loves you. He Let them nail His hands and feet to the cross so He could die in your place.
Taste
ACTIVITY: THE SIN OF THE WORLD
Read it together: Mark 15:33-38
Do it together: [Video instructions will be posted on our Facebook page at 7 p.m. on April 8. Click the button below to view the video after it's been aired.]
Supplies: Apple Cider Vinegar and Bread
Instructions:
Cut bread into cubes; dip bread in apple cider vinegar and eat.
Talk It Out:
How does the vinegar taste? Jesus takes on the bitterness and sin of the world. In some stories it is said the vinegar is mixed with gall, a poisonous herb. You can make the connection between the bitterness of the cider vinegar and the sin that Jesus took on.
Go Tell ...
ACTIVITY: EASTER LILY
Read it together: Mark 16:1-7
Do it together: [Video instructions will be posted on our Facebook page at 7:30 p.m. on April 8. Click the button below to view the video after it's been aired.]
Supplies: 1-2 Sheets of Card Stock (can be white or pastel colors), Pencil, Green Garden Ties or Pipe Cleaners (for the stems), Yellow Pipe Cleaners (for the stamen), Scissors, Hole Puncher (optional), Ribbon (optional)
Instructions:
1. Make Easter Lily (following these instructions) and attach one of our
pre-designed message tags (click button below to download PDF), or write your own Easter message (i.e. "Jesus Loves you" or "He is Risen!")
2. Walk around your neighborhood and place the Easter Lily on your neighbors' doorsteps
Talk It Out:
I want you to imagine what those women saw when Jesus came back to Life on that Sunday morning. First it was dawn, which means the sun was just coming up. The sun is super bright! Second, they saw a tomb with no rock in front of it. It wasn't dark inside anymore! Third, they saw a bright, shining man-an angel! Jesus came back to Life to show us how our hearts can go from dark to Light! That resurrection morning was a bright picture of what Jesus does in our hearts-He defeats dark death and makes us alive in His Light! This is good news worth sharing! Let's share this hope with our neighbors with an Easter Lily. The Easter Lily has become the traditional flower of Easter and it is considered a symbol of the resurrection. For many, the beautiful white flowers of the Lily symbolize purity, Life, good, innocence, and hope. Make as many Lilies as you would Like and place them on your neighbor's doorstep to share the good news. Jesus is alive!