Editor's Note:
The following Cooking workshop lesson began as a post in our original website back in 2001. We loved it in particular because it demonstrated a good teaching technique: assigning meaning to the ingredients and mixing them as you talk about the story and ask questions. It's a great way to teach.
In the original version of this lesson below, the recipe calls for the meringue cookies to be finished at home in an oven that has been turned OFF after heating. And yes, that is how you make these meringue cookies! However, Luanne, one of our volunteer editors, did this project in her church kitchen and has added her notes to the lesson.
Luanne writes:
Instead of making the cookie dough to go home for completion (as the original lesson said), use the oven in the church kitchen so the kids can cook and eat them as part of the lesson.
We also substituted "Butterscotch Chips" for the pecans as we knew many of our kids wouldn't like pecans.
Place the cookies in the oven and have the kids help you tape the door shut. (In the article "7 Ways to Make Meringue Cookies Dry Faster" they suggest leaving the door open to let moisture escape.)
Then, go do an activity with the kid's - such as: easy skit, read the Easter story, play a game, etc.
During the "cooking" period, we had great fun learning an Israeli dance using the "Cross-Over Step" (also called Maylim or Grapevine) to the Messianic Song - "We've Been Approved by God" by Liberated Wailing Wall from their CD "David's Hope". Lyrics.
After extra activity, GO BACK into the kitchen and pass around pre-baked ones you have made AHEAD OF TIME. The children will not have a problem with this and they'll look forward to eating the cookies the following week. Put them in baggies with the recipe attached and the parents can try it at home with the kids sometime. Remember to get their cookies out of the oven the next day. Put them in a baggie and bring them to church next Sunday."
How to do the cross-over step is included in the Lesson.
This cookie recipe Easter story idea author is unknown and can be found at several websites across the internet.
Trial and Crucifixion
Cooking Workshop Lesson Sketch
Summary of Lesson Activities:
Uses an Easter Story (Meringue) Cookies recipe to explain the crucifixion to children.
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 26:47-27:61; Mark 14:43-15:47; Luke 22:47-23:56; John 18:2-19:42
Key Bible Verse:
There the soldiers nailed Jesus to his cross. Luke 23:3 (International Children's Bible)
Leader Preparation:
- Read the scripture ahead of time.
- Gather the materials.
Materials List:
- 1 cup whole pecans (Please be aware of any students with nut allergies!
Suggestion: Substitute "Butterscotch Chips") - 1 t vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup sugar
- Zipper baggies
- Wooden spoons
- GLASS Mixing bowl
- Electric Beater
- Bibles
- Optional: Song to dance to “We’ve Been Approved by God”. Found on both of the following CD's "David's Hope" or "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem" by Liberated Wailing Wall. Or use Spotify if you have an account with them. Lyrics https://www.invubu.com/music/s...Approved-by-God.html
- Read 7 Great Tips for Speeding Up the "Drying Time" of Meringue Cookies. https://thedoughacademy.com/7-...to-dry-out-meringue/
Lesson Plan
Opening:
Greet the children and introduce yourself.
Open with prayer.
Easter Meringue Story Cookies Story Sheet (also attached as a pdf)
Have pre-baked cookies on tray for your first rotation class (next week’s class will eat this week’s class cookies, same for following week – if you have an extra oven in the kitchen place them on a cookie sheet, inside an oven, and seal the door, prior to class.
Preheat oven to 300° (this is important to do before you start the mixing).
- Place pecans in zipper sandwich bag and have children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. (Substitute “Butterscotch Chips" for the pecans, if you have nut allergies. The kids will probably like the butterscotch chips better anyway!)
Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3. [1] Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. [2] The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe [3] and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face. - Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into GLASS mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30 [28] Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11 [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. [11] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. - Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush 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 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. - Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8 -- Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him, and ... John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 -- "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" ... and John 3:1-3: [1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." [3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." - Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matthew 27: 57- 60 [57] As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. [58] Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. [59] Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. - Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27: 65 -- 66 [65] "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." [66] So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. - Explain that Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed, because they did not know....
Read John 16:20 -I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy and John 16: 22 -- So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. - Optional: Rejoice by dancing to “We’ve Been Approved by God”. Form circle holding hands.
- After dance have children remove pre-made cookies. Say, notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9
[1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
[5] The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
[7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." [8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.
Reflection:
Have the children assist with the cleanup and close with a prayer.
Adaptations:
Option: Make Cookie Dough and send home with students along with attached Take-Home Sheet.
See attached to end of this lesson the following two files:
- "Easter Meringue Story Cookies Take-Home Sheet" pdf file, based on this lesson.
- "Easter Meringue Story Cookies Lesson Sheet" pfd file based on Luanne's use of this lesson and inserted in above lesson plan.
