Tag Archive | Easter

Fruit of the Spirit Eggs and So Much More! Katherine H. Purdy©

Mar31

                    Years ago when I taught preschool, Sunday School and spoke in AWANA, I always used a tool as I taught the Bible lesson so that the children would remember. That tool may be flashcards, flannel graph, or something the children could participate in. 

This especially worked for the older children. For example, at Easter, I used “Gospel Eggs” with correlating scripture cards. The children took turns opening the egg and the one with the corresponding card stood and read the scripture. Now you can buy Gospel Eggs at the Christian bookstore. (I always included Bible verse cards printed on business card paper so that they would remember the lesson.) To make sure I used as many senses as possible, candy or some treat was included. 

Earlier tonight, I was thinking about the children who came to our home each day for childcare. One Friday before Easter, I had planned to have an Easter Egg hunt but everything that could happen did happen. The Eggs weren’t ready and it was raining outside. Did I say rain? I meant pouring rain! 

While the children were napping, I made colorful eggs out of an old wallpaper sample book and hid them all around the playroom and den. The children were so happy! One would think they were chocolate covered eggs but I think it was the thrill of the search! Sugar from their Easter party might have attributed to their excitement.As I remembered the good old days with “my kiddos” and worked on the Easter blog, the thought came to me that it would be interesting to go beyond “Easter eggs” and emphasize how we change when we receive Christ as our Savior

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

fullsizeoutput_327e

I know this is a little crude but I think it gives you an idea of what I had in mind. We could also add the attributes of God. Of course, We could also include the Passover, Death, Burial, Resurrection of Christ but they are taught with the Gospel eggs. We could add the Rapture and Second Coming of Christ too. Just a new way to present the Gospel and growing in the grace and knowledge of The Lord Jesus Christ. Painted wooden shaped eggs with the messages on them and hanging on a tree would be a good example of growing as we trust Him and read God’s Word.

 

Fruit of the Spirit Eggs would be for older children but it would be fun to make some as a reminder of how we can be like Him. If anyone uses this illustration, I would love to hear about it or see pictures! 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Corresponding Verses:

  • LOVE – (Unselfish care for others) 

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

  • JOY

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

  • PEACE

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”

John 14:27

  • LONGSUFFERING (Patience)

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

Colossians 1:11-12

  • GENTLENESS (Kindness and Humility)

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,”

2 Corinthians 10:1

  • GOODNESS

“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10-11

  • FAITH (Adhering to, Relying on, and completely trusting)

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1 (The Faith Chapter!)

  • GRACE – (Receiving that which we do not deserve.Unmerited favor by God.)

When I was a teen at Colonial Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, VA. I heard this definition of Grace and it has stuck with me. I have quoted it often when teaching children. I think it may have been Dr. B.R. Lakin or Pastor Elbert M. Yeatts but I am not sure. They are both with the Lord now. It goes something like this: “If a little boy comes into the kitchen as Mama takes bread out of the oven and he asks for a slice and she cuts the bread and then hands it to him; that’s Mercy. However, if she first slathers that hot bread with butter and jam – that’s Grace!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

MEEKNESS – (Humility, lowliness, kindness)

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”  I Peter 3:15-18

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

“What shall we then say to these things? If be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:31-39

We Celebrate Today Because He Lives!

Mar27

Miss Madison

As a child, Easter meant a new dress, hat, gloves, shoes, purse and everything that a little girl needs. Of course, there was the filled basket of candy (I gave most of mine to Mom. I just liked anything with marshmallow or carmel.) and a pretty flower to wear. Orchids were popular then. Also fun Easter Egg hunting is still popular today.

1604442_552440884874398_674899506_nMadison Easter Egg Hunt Kathie Trent Kingrey

Dying the eggs were so much fun; I remember the smell today. But what does that have to do with Easter? It doesn’t really. The fun traditions have nothing to do with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hinchee Family Easter 1969

Hinchee Family Easter 1969 Our first Easter as Redeemed, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Easter 1969 Kathie and Robin Trent, Steve, Kathy and Melissa Hinchee

Best friends ready to go to Easter Service 1969

 

We had much to celebrate that first Easter as believers. For the first time, I realized what Easter is truly about. It is about the great sacrifice that paid for my sin on the cross. Jesus willingly gave His life for you, for me, for those who followed Him, for Peter who denied Him, for the scoffers who cried “Crucify Him!” and for the thief on the cross who believed Christ – the sinless, perfect Son of God didn’t deserve death on the cross but that he and the other thief did deserve this death.

d18b87c74002d069443780c0167cc0ec (2014_04_18 04_35_45 UTC)

He was buried in a borrowed tomb which was sealed with a stone too big and heavy for man to move. Three days later, He arose from the tomb. He lives! And so my friend, Happy Resurrection Day. We celebrate because He lives! (Sing “One Day” with me!) Just think, He loves you! Isn’t this Joy so much better than candy? I know it is!

Love,

Kathy

7c075486b70d6f5ec1f1f44a2d6661aa (2) (2014_04_18 04_35_45 UTC)

Great Idea from The Learning Parent – Resurrection Rolls!

Mar21

2621_emptytombcrosses_full

“He is not here, for He is reisen as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” 

Matthew 5:28

Resurrection Rolls

Here’s a new twist on the Resurrection Cookie idea for Easter, both are recipes you can do with your kids/grand kids in order for them to understand the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This fun recipe uses Crescent rolls and a disappearing marshmallow!

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Read Matthew 27:57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus’ body after death.
5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb – pretend like it was three days!)
6. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

Now read Matthew 28:5-8

Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus’ body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus’ appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God’s Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God’s Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God’s Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won’t always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.

May you have a blessed and meaningful Easter!

http://characterconceptsblog.com

Activities to Emphasize the True Meaning of Easter / Character Concepts by Marilyn Boyer

Apr2

It is my joy to repost one of my favorite Easter posts from my friend, author, speaker, blogger, Homeschool Mom, wife, Mother and Grandmother, Marilyn Boyer. 

Her family site is now http://characterconceptsblog.com/ I hope you will have the opportunity to visit their site.

Looking for a special tradition to teach children about the true meaning of Easter? Reposted last year from The Learning Parent. This is a wonder activity to do with your children, grandchildren or young children to teach the true meaning of Easter. An empty tomb! “He is not here; He is risen!” Click on the link below for the recipe! Check out her website for other wonderful crafts, books, activities and pics! Activities to Emphasize the True Meaning of Easter |http://characterconceptsblog.com/

He is Risen!

Apr20

 

2621_emptytombcrosses_full

“He is not here, He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:6

Why do we celebrate Easter? It’s not about the new clothes, baskets of candy, it’s not about a bunny who hides pretty eggs for children to find. We celebrate Easter because God loved us enough to send His Son to bear our sin on the cross so that we may be saved. (John 3:16- 17) We celebrate Easter because He rose from the dead three days later and in doing so, He conquered death! He arose that we may have everlasting life. He did not stay on the cross. His work on the cross was completed when He said in a loud voice on the cross, “It is Finished!” He arose the third day because He is God! He has power over death. He also has the power to give us new life. Life everlasting through the Lord Jesus Christ and in Him alone.

811898561f560c7d552dfd1fabae6343

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

I Corinthians 15:3-4

Just imagine, every knee should bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Every time I read this passage, my heart bows to Him, with the realization of who He is and how significant I am and yet He gave His life for me and for you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 KJV
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
Have a Blessed Resurrection Day!
1604442_552440884874398_674899506_nMadison Easter Egg Hunt Kathie Trent Kingrey
As your little ones gather eggs and treats after Church tomorrow, remember the greatest gift hung on a tree for you and me.
But He didn’t stay there, oh, no! He arose from the dead, folded his napkin and left the grave clothes where His body lay.
So that we could see that He is alive today and He loves you! His gift of salvation is the sweetest gift ever.
Photo used with permission.

Peter’s Forgiveness: A Rhyme for Preschoolers

Apr18

 

My friend who has been working with four-year-olds shared this in her newsletter yesterday and has given me permission to share it with you. Children that age love rhyme and as you know, some jingles continue to come to mind years after we learned it. Praying it is so with this song/rhyme!

I don’t know about you but I can emphasize with Peter. So often we speak before we think, we act on emotions and we want to be so close to the Lord that we desire to walk on water with Him. And then in a moment of distress, we forget all He has done and say or try to do something in our own strength and we fail. The good news is that through the Lord Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and cast into the sea – as far as the east is from the west. Peter denied He knew Jesus; just as Jesus had said. When the cock crowed, he had denied Jesus three times. At that very moment, he looked up and Jesus was looking at him. Looking into the Lord’s eyes, Peter realized what he had done, then went out and wept bitterly. I love reading Mark 16:7 “But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter, that He goeth before you into Galilee, there ye shall see Him, as He said unto you.” Jesus was specific that Peter should know that He had risen from the dead and in including him, Peter knew that he was forgiven.  kp

~*~7cfbe1d425fbb5b5c61bd4f52393610aMusical instruments for kids

Okay, time to take a break and have some fun! Grab some four-year olds and let’s go!

First you’ll need to give some very detailed instructions, of course. Then give each of them either a set of lummi sticks or a triangle. (We’re talking musical instruments here.) No need to fret if they don’t get the instrument they want, they will be taking turns with them.

Now you need to learn the beat. Since you probably don’t have sticks and a triangle handy at the moment, you can use your hands. Slap your palms on the table (or on your thighs) twice to represent the lummi sticks, then snap your fingers once to represent the triangle. Ready? Let’s go! Slap, slap, snap. Slap, slap, snap. Slap, slap, snap. Slap, slap, snap.

Got it?

Good.

Now we need to add some words. Don’t sing them, say them. The more expressive, the better. Slap, slap, snap 3 or 4 times in between the verses. Here we go! Get your beat going first and . . .

Listen to the story of a man named Peter
Whom one day God called to be a great leader

Jesus found him fishing out at the lake
“Come with me, Peter, we’ve a journey to take!”

A journey of faith was what was in store
It would take much longer than a 3 hour tour

They walked and they talked along the dusty roads
Sometimes they were noisy, sometimes quiet as the toads

Peter saw Jesus heal the sick and lame
He saw Jesus help everyone who came

The blind, the deaf, and those who couldn’t speak
The poor, the needy, the lowly, and the meek

Jesus loved them all and helped them everyone
And then Peter knew the Son of God had come

Peter made a promise to never run awayd429105d0de563a7fe6f780ebd6b5d05
No matter what happened, with Jesus he would stay

But then the crowds and soldiers gave him such a fright
That Peter lost his courage and ran out in the night

Peter was so sorry for the words he’d spoken
He cried and felt so sad, his heart was almost broken

Peter wanted to see Jesus, look him in the eyes
To tell Him that he loved Him and to apologize

After Jesus died and came to life again
Peter was relieved Jesus forgave him of his sin

Peter knew that Jesus knows all things
Peter told others of the joy Jesus brings!

<><       <><        <><         <><         <><

Monday Melody – One Day!

Apr15

 

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives”

Matthew 26:30 (KJV)

I love this verse!

Not just that Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn but because of the timing. He knew and yet He sang!

It was Passover and Jesus had just given the reason for the Passover. As the first Passover was about the Exodus of God’s chosen people; the death angel coming by and if one had the blood of the Lamb on the doorpost and the upper post (which must have looked like a cross), the death angel would pass by. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you,” (Exodus 12:13)  It was a picture of The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God and His redemptive work on the Cross.  Jesus then told His disciples what was to happen as He broke the bread and poured the wine.

“This is my body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.”

“Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you.”

(Luke 22:19-20)

He knew what was ahead and before He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, plead with the Father and in obedience, to present Himself willing to shed His blood for you and for me. “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will, but as Thou wilt.” John 26:39.

Three times He prayed, so intensely, He literally sweat drops of blood. (Luke 22:44) He knew what “this cup” meant and yet, He sang a hymn with His disciples before they went to the Garden to pray.  The betrayal, the false accusations, the jeers from the crowds, the sorrow, the pain, the agony of the cross, The Father turning His back as His only begotten, sinless Son bore our sin in His body, the death, the burial and the resurrection – He knew all of this would happen but He gave His life a ransom so that we might have eternal life. Oh, what a Savior!

Do you know Him? Have you received His wonderful gift of salvation?

I have chosen my Mom’s favorite hymn for today’s melody. Each verse of this song tells of His great love for us. It is the Gospel in song. Click on the link below for the music and lyrics. I hope you will sing along with me!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
One day He’s coming—O glorious day!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/987#ixzz2yvYqw33U

 

Anticipation of Easter

Mar30
Hinchee Family Easter 1969
Hinchee Easter 1967
Hinchee Cousins at Granny Hinchee’s House
Friends ready to go to Easter Service 1969

Do you remember when you were a child and the anticipation you felt as Easter drew near?
I don’t know about boys, but I vividly remember going shopping to pick out
the perfect Easter outfit.
Not just a dress – but the matching assessories as well.

The perfect dress that “looked like spring”.
Hat
White Gloves
White lacy socks (for the younger years) or stockings. (I still remember my first pair. They made me feel so grown up!)
All new under garments were a must! (Does anyone remember the scratchy crinolines which made out dress move like a bell when we moved from side to side and caused it to puff out perfectly whenever we had the opportunity to spin around? Ah, what fun!)
White Patent Leather Shoes
White Purse complete with a new lace hankie, a  small comb, a small mirror, a stick of chewing gum  and a small coin purse with coins inside to place into the offering plate at Church.
A Spring Coat to match the dress if Easter came early in the Spring. (I think we called them dusters?)
A small corsage from Dad Hinchee made me feel quite grown up! I still love wearing flowers – in spite of allergies.

This was just part of the anticipation. Of course, Moms enjoyed preparing “Easter Baskets” which were waiting for us when we arose on Easter morning. (I enjoyed the marshmallow treats and gave Mom the jelly beans and creme eggs.)  I don’t know about you, but I am much older than my sister and brother and dyeing the eggs, preparing the baskets and watching Melissa and Steve squeal with delight on Easter morning was the best part of the tradition!

In 1969, our family celebrated Easter as new believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We added going to Church when we were saved in October of 1968. The first Easter at Church was extra special – two of my friends joined us and also believed on Him that Sunday!

After Church, the Hinchee family gathered at the Grandparents home for a wonderful meal cooked by one of the best cooks in Roanoke!

However, none of the trappings could compare with the true meaning of Easter. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! “He is not here, He is risen, as He said!”

For centuries, the anticipation of the coming Messiah is evident in the Word of God. God had promised to send a Savior. He established the Passover, laws, ceremonies, traditions that would point to the Cross. His Word revealed prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and our Salvation. That the LORD would lay on Him the iniquities of us all. (Isaiah 53).
The Passover is a picture of Christ. The Tabernacle and the altars with their offerings were a picture and yet when John the Baptist said of Jesus Christ, “Behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” was lost on the Rabbis, the religious zealots, those who were searching diligently for the Messiah didn’t even recognize Him when He bore their sin (and ours) on the cross of Calvary.

All the years of Easter traditions before I received Christ at the age of eleven did not point me to Christ. They didn’t symbolize New Life in Christ or that His shed blood washes us white as snow. – that in Christ, we are new creatures! I was just playing dress up until the Gospel reached my ears and my heart and He made me brand new!

Now, I am anticipating not only the celebration of His defeat over death when He arose from the dead but also the things to come. Thankfulness that He suffered for me and cleansed me from my sin – past, present and future! A home in Heaven,  The rapture. The wedding feast – as we are the Bride of Christ adorned for her Husband! (Okay ladies, now that is a good reason to go out and buy new Church clothes – right?)

I’ve been changed by the blood of the Lamb. He gave His life for me and arose that we may have new life! Does my countenance show it?  It’s not about the clothes or the sweets that remind us of His sweet sacrifice but it has everything to do with Him. How about you?

Worthy is the Lamb