Nail Cross-Making Art Project & Lesson "Liturgy"
This lesson plan blends the reading of the story of Christ's Crucifixion according to Mark with the creation of a Cross Necklace. I hope you like it.
Preparation and plenty of helpful hands is the key to making this work in a short amount of time.
The readings and cross-making takes about 30 minutes, so plan accordingly. Be sure to the the "how to" posts above this one at https://www.rotation.org/topic...8#441810505984420988 for some important tips, especially those about assembling the nails together with glue and a rubber band or wire ahead of time so that small hands don't struggle holding the four nails together as they wrap them with colored wire.
Below are the four scripture readings to be read at various stages of the necklace-making process. I have edited a couple of lines for the sake of clarity and brevity.
Assign "readers" parts.
Distribute the specified materials after each reading.
Feel free to offer comments or ask simple follow-up questions as students get into wrapping their nails crosses with the wire.
Reading 1: Mark 15: 1-5 “The Arrest and Trial of Jesus”
READER: Mark 15, verses 1 through 5. After they had arrested Jesus, the chief priests, teachers of the Law, and the whole Council met early on Friday morning to make their case against Jesus. Then they bound Jesus and led him to Pilate the Roman Governor for trial. “Are you the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked. “So you say,” replied Jesus. The chief priests then accused Jesus of many things, but Jesus refused to say a word, and Pilate was amazed
DISTRIBUTE the wire symbolizing the arrest and binding of Jesus.
Reading 2: Mark 15: 16-20 “Mocked and Beaten”
READER: Mark 15: 16-20 -- Then the soldiers put a purple robe and crown of thorns on Jesus. “Long live the King of the Jews!” they saluted. They struck Jesus and spat on Him and mockingly bowed down to him. And then they led Jesus out to be crucified.
CHILD: Why were they so mean to Jesus, and why didn’t Jesus ask God to rescue him so that he didn’t have to suffer and die?
READER: When we sin, it hurts others and makes fun of God. Our sins say, “I mock you, God, --and all your rules and silly talk about love and forgiveness.” Sin is like taking the love of God and nailing it to a cross.
DISTRIBUTE the nail crosses ready for wrapping with wire. As you distribute the nail crosses, continue with Reading 3...
Reading 3: Mark 15: 21-32 "Jesus is taken to Golgotha"
READER: Mark 15, verse 21 through 32. They took Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means “The Place of the Skull.” It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified Jesus (by nailing him to the cross). They placed a sign over his head announcing his crime. It read: “The King of the Jews.” The soldiers threw dice to divide up his clothing. And next to him they crucified two bandits. People passing by shook their heads and hurled insults at Jesus: “Aha! You said you could tear down and rebuild the Temple in three days. Why then don’t you save yourself and come down from the cross!” The religious authorities also made fun of Jesus, saying to one another, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself!”
CHILD: Why were people so mean to Jesus? And I wonder how we are still "mean" to him today?
CONTINUE finishing the cross necklace.
Reading 4: Mark 15: 33-41 -- To be read after the crosses are made, but before students wear them.
READER: Mark 15, verses 33 through 41. At noon darkness covered the land. And then at three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why did you abandon me?” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the Roman soldier standing near Jesus saw how Jesus had died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
DISTRIBUTE a length of necklace string to each person.
A CHILD: Today, I will wear the cross of Jesus because like the Roman soldier that day, I truly believe he was and is God's Son. Who else will wear their cross as a sign of their faith?
INVITE all those who wish to --to wear their cross necklace. If they would prefer putting it in their pocket, or sharing it with someone else, tell them that is okay too. God sees what is in our heart. Amen!
Review the three parts of the story and necklace:
- Wire binding to remember his arrest and scourging
- Nails to remember how they killed him and insulted him.
- A necklace string to symbolize our decision to show we believe in him and are thankful for his sacrifice for our sins.
