The Passover Lamb

When my children were little I was looking for something to do with them to teach them about the real meaning of Easter. I wanted them to experience, learn and understand the picture of Jesus as the Passover lamb - how his death was foretold in the old testament, how the Passover lamb was a picture of Jesus, the Lamb of God. I wanted them to have a tangible experience of what God did for us – of forgiveness. I came up with the Passover lamb - a weeklong celebration of Easter.

Every night for a week starting the Sunday before Easter and ending Easter morning we have a little bible lesson with our kids. We go through the Passover what it means, how Jesus was the Passover lamb, we make unleavened bread, we pray for and anoint our house like the children of Israel had to anoint their doors when the last plague came over Egypt, we talk about sin and forgiveness. Each day we attach a sin to our little stuffed lamb and on Good Friday we take our sins and put them on a cross, Saturday we cover the cross and our sins. On Sunday morning the sins are gone and have been replaced with gifts, which represent our gift from God – eternal life through the power of the resurrection.

 

This has been a wonderful experience with our family so I decided to pass it along to others. The time spent with our children in the Word is the most valuable time ever spent with anyone. My prayer is that you will learn and be blessed with your children as I have by doing this with my children.

 

God bless you as you train up your children!

 

 

“For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:”

Psalm 78:5-7

Materials:

White Stuffed Lamb for each child

Easter basket

Children’s Bible

Masking tape

Marker

Cross (we use a 2-1/2' cross made from a 2x4)

Unleavened Bread Recipe 

Crayons

Grape Juice (for Communion)

Anointing Oil

Easter Gifts

 

Sunday Before Easter: The Passover Lamb

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Tell the story of Moses and the 10 Plagues of Egypt

• Read Exodus 12:1-14. Talk about it.

• Give lamb as gift.  Name the “Passover Lamb”.  Take good care of this Lamb.  Take it with you wherever you go.  It is like part of the family.

• Confess one sin.  Write it down on masking tape and attach it to the Passover Lamb. Put it to bed in the Easter basket.

• End in Prayer.

 

Monday: Unleavened Bread

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Read Exodus 12:15-20, I Corinthians 5:6-8. Talk about it.

• Eat Unleavened Bread, or make unleavened bread and leavened bread, see the difference

• Confess one sin.  Write it down on masking tape and attach it to the Passover Lamb. Put it to bed in the Easter basket.

• End in Prayer

 

Tuesday: Cross at the Door (Make Cross)

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Read Exodus 12:21-28. Talk about it.

• Anoint the doors of your home with oil in the same way the children of Israel did.  Remain reverent before God. Notice if you connect the dots of oil it will be in the symbol of a cross.  Make a cross out of hard paper and put it up in the living room or on your bedroom door.

• Confess one sin.  Write it down on masking tape and attach it to the Passover Lamb. Put it to bed in the Easter basket.

• End in Prayer

 

Wednesday: Pray for the enemy (make witness/easter card)

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Read Exodus 12:29-36. Talk about it.

• Pharaoh asked for a blessing.  Pray for those who have hurt you, forgive them and ask God to forgive them too. 

• Make an easter card for someone who doesn’t know Jesus.  Let them know what easter means to you.

• Confess one sin.  Write it down on masking tape and attach it to the Passover Lamb. Put it to bed in the Easter basket.

• End in prayer

Thursday: Last Supper (take communion)

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Read about Last Supper. Talk about it.

• Take Communion

• Confess one sin.  Write it down on masking tape and attach it to the Passover Lamb. Put it to bed in the Easter basket.

• End in prayer

 

Friday: Crucifixion (Lamb is gone, put sins on cross)

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Read John 19. Talk about it.

o Talk about how the disciples must have missed Jesus.  Do we know any loved ones we missed when they died.

• Take Lamb away (save for next year or give on Sunday Morning) & attach sins to the cross.

• Confess one sin.  Write it down and attach it to the cross.

• End in prayer

 

Saturday: Jesus is the Passover Lamb/Forgiveness (Sins away)

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Read John 1:29. Jesus the Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world.

• Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12.  Talk about it.

o Because of Jesus’ sacrifice our sins are forgiven.  Wednesday we prayed and forgave people that hurt us.  Our sins have hurt God.  When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice God no longer sees the sins that hurt Him and he forgives us.

• Cover the cross (and baskets) with a blanket or something so that they can be replaced tomorrow with the gift.

• End in prayer

• Make Easter cookies (recipe at end)

 

Sunday Morning:  HE IS RISEN

• Pray

• Sing a song about Jesus.

• Read John 20.

• Eat Easter cookies

• Give Gifts/unveil filled Easter baskets that will be where the cross was under the blanket.

• Talk about Easter and what we did this week.

• End in Prayer

Unleavened Bread

http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/213682/matzah/?page=0

Easter Cookies

I got this recipe over 10 years ago and don't remember where I got it from so I can't give the person credit. :( This is not my own recipe but we love it. 

 

1- cup whole pecans

1-teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1-cup sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon

tape

Bible

 

1. Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)

 

2. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

 

3. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and he became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30

 

4. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.Read John 10:10-11

 

5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

 

6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story ids that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

 

7. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in god's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

 

8. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest. Read Matt. 27:57-60

 

9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

 

10. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66

 

11. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22

 

12. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER Jesus followers were amazed to find His tomb empty. Read Matt. 28: 1-9

Bittersweet Success

I let my oldest son cry it out and regret it. My second son and first daughter were great sleepers so I didn't even need to try that. My youngest is the worst sleeper. I nursed her to sleep until I weaned her at 18 months which was about 6 weeks ago. To get her to sleep after that, we had our routine which ended with me laying down with her in my bed until she fell asleep and then I'd transfer her to her crib. I just can't bear the screaming when it sounds like she's terrified. I personally don't like being afraid so I don't want her to be if I can help it. 

I have been trying to get her to fall asleep on her own without crying. I've read that routines help so every night we change her diaper, get her into jammies, brush her teeth, pick out three stories to read in mommys bed, when the stories are done I pick her up and walk her to the light switch while I pray with her and then I turn off the light. We go back to my bed and lay quietly until she falls asleep. Then I transfer her to her crib. 

It all was working fine until she started crying when I laid her down in her crib. I decided to switch it up a bit and try reading the last story to her while she was in her crib to kind of prepare her and inform her that she was supposed to sleep there and it was a safe place. Since doing that we added singing "twinkle" after the last story. It seems to calm her. She usually whimpers cries when I leave but not for more than 5 minutes (and she doesn't sound terrified so I'm ok with it). Needless to say, I dread bedtime every night because I never know how bad the crying will be, how terrified she make look, and how long it might take. But, I figure just like weaning is easier when it's gradual maybe falling asleep on her own will be easier when it's gradual.

Well, this week, after her routine, I lay her in her crib to read another story and sing to her and she pointed to the door and said "all done". I didn't understand what she was trying to say so I started reading her book to her. Then she said, "bye bye" and pointed to the door. I got the point. She wanted me to leave! I asked her, "Do you want me to leave?" And she nodded her head "yes!" So since Monday I have a very big brave girl who can fall asleep on her own without crying! 

I sure miss those early days of nursing her to sleep and all the cuddles. I knew those days would end and they would fly by fast. I cherished each moment and I'm proud of my big girl. Now to get her to sleep through the night...

Valentine's Day

How did our Valentine's Day go? Well...we did better this year than previous years! It still got a little lost in the shuffle but we did start one new tradition that was really fun. Secret Cupid. Of course I found it on Pinterest: http://www.bombshellbling.com/secret-cupids-valentines-day-family-tradition/

We should've started a week before but hey, it's me and we started a few days before. Better late than never right? Anyway, I went to dollar tree and bought a bunch of goodies, baggies and Valentine's, set them in a centralized location with a pen for writing on the Valentine's 

Then I made little notes and shoved each one into a sealed envelope for each person to pick one

Everyone got an envelope with a name. I picked two so I could help Gracie participate. My two oldest (boys 20 & 15) were reluctant but humored me and played along. We had 3 days to give secret treats and Valentine's to each other. It was really fun and everyone enjoyed the mystery. We had several laughs and it was cute to see everyone being sneaky. We even got in the mood to play clue because we wanted to solve the mystery. 

On Valentine's Day we went on a hike and in the evening, after dinner we revealed our secret Cupid! It was so much fun. I hope we will do this every year. 

Here are some links we used to learn about St. Valentine:

http://m.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchandMinistry/churchhistory/st_valentine_the_real_story.aspx

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4768652

And here are some ideas we didn't get to but hope to do next year:

-Send care packages and/or Valentine's to lonely people. We had a list going of people we thought could use a little extra love (widows, retirement homes, single people, etc) but didn't get a chance to mail them out in time for Valentine's Day. Maybe we will spread some love on an ordinary day instead. 

Another pinterest find, Heart Attack:

Smother someone with paper hearts that have reasons why you love them on it. http://www.bombshellbling.com/heart-attack/

Valentine's dinner:

My plan was to make a dinner themed with hearts and red then do our Secret Cupid reveal and Maybe have some games related to love. But...instead we ordered pizza and played Clue. 

Ding dong ditch:

Got this idea from a friend who does this with her kids. It's kind of a mix between the Secret Cupid and care packages. Secretly give treats or baked goods to people in your neighborhood. Especially the elderly or shut ins. Or anyone needing extra love. 

So, that was Valentine's Day. The next overlooked holiday is St Patrick's day. My husband is Irish so he is interested in doing something. I said "Go ahead!" Haha. We shall see...I'm gearing up for Easter. Possibly my favorite holiday!

Blues, Costa Rica & a Birthday

I've been in a funk lately. It's a recurring funk. Trying to sew my way out of it. Still have Valentine's Day ideas in the back of my mind somewhere and hoping it doesn't get lost in the shuffle again this year!

Yesterday, my oldest was offered a scholarship to Costa Rica. He would need to leave within a week! While scrambling to get a passport and plane ticket the opportunity was extended to the fall semester so he decided to go then instead. He will take these next several months to prepare for traveling and missions work there. I'm so proud of him and am thankful that he's gonna stick around for a few more months. 

My birthday was last week and I turned very old. Nothing exciting except for I had a bad cold for only one day. One of my bestest friends dropped me off several home remedies and some sweet treats. Not sure which thing did it - the ice cream & cake or the ginger tea & oils but I'm thankful that the cold was only one day!

I hope the blues turn to blue skies soon! I have a lot to be thankful for and I've got a lot to do!!

Valentine's Day Traditions?

We've never really had any traditions for Valentine's Day. I guess the only tradition would be me scrambling to make the cupcakes and valentines for my kids' school party. I've always flip flopped between feeling like Valentine's Day was either a dumb or romantic holiday and neither one of those ideas really sparked an interest in me to celebrate it as a family holiday. The idea of it being a holiday to celebrate God's love may have crossed my mind once or twice but with my birthday a few weeks after Christmas and my sons birthday a few days before Valentine's Day, the holiday always got lost in the shuffle.

With a new little one to teach I think it's time to put on my preschool mommy hat and dive into creating some fun and meaningful traditions for Valentine's Day. And what better way to celebrate the holiday of love than to reflect on the only lasting, true, perfect love, agape? It's always humbling to take a moment and remember just how great and personal God's unfailing love is.

Psalm 57:10

For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Isaiah 54:10

"For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, 

but even then my faithful love for you will remain. 

My covenant of blessing will never be broken," says the LORD, 

who has mercy on you. 

Micah 7:18

Where is another God like you, 

who pardons the guilt of the remnant, 

overlooking the sins of his special people? 

You will not stay angry with your people forever, 

because you delight in showing unfailing love. 

Romans 5:8

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us

while we were still sinners.

1 John 4:10

This is real love - not that we loved God,

but that he loved us

and sent his Son as a sacrifice

to take away our sins

Ephesians 2:4-5

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

that even though we were dead because of our sins,

he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead

(It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)

Psalm 86:15

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy,

slow to get angry 

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness

Zephaniah 3:17

For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

he will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Romans 8:38

And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love.

Neither death, nor life, neither angels, nor demons,

neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow - 

not even the powers of hell can separate us

from the love of God.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The faithful love of the lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Through having a tough few years emotionally and a very tough pregnancy God truly pierced my heart with his love and my heart was healed. I am now able to love and live life to a greater extent than ever before. My hope and prayer for my children is that they would know and feel God's love so personally that they will be able to stand confidently through all the seasons of life. This verse is what I want my children to get out of Valentine's Day:

Ephesians 3:18-19

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts 

as you trust in him. 

Your roots will grow down into God's love 

and keep you strong. 

And may you have the power to understand, 

as all God's people should, 

how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 

May you experience the love of Christ, 

though it is too great to understand fully. 

Then you will be made complete 

with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

So, Valentine's Day traditions, a holiday celebration of glorious love. Where do I start?