Jesus Goes to the Cross

Rotation.org Writing Team

A "Stations" Reflection Workshop

Summary of Activities

Students will participate in three "learning stations" that take them through Mark's story of the Cross with a special focus on the meaning of the Cross for us today. It includes activities that incorporate two songs(!) about the cross—one traditional and one contemporary.

One of the hallmarks of the Workshop Rotation Model is its emphasis on the importance of teaching scripture and life application through a variety of teaching media and learning senses. The following three "stations" incorporate a number of these learning senses (or "intelligences"), including a "science" experiment and Christian music. The lesson also provides a creative way to go through the Mark 15 passage and includes a "kid-friendly" version of Mark 15.

• The focus of this lesson is weighted towards reflection, ...what it means to me.
• We suggest this workshop be used after other lessons from the set have been taught.
• The stations are designed to be used in successive order (1, then 2, then 3).
• If possible, have a helper gather and set up each station in advance, and perhaps teach their station as well.
• It is important to keep each station moving and not get bogged down into much "talking" as each station will compound on the one that precedes it, and each station's activities are designed to travel home in the hearts, minds, and hands of our students.

Scripture for the Lesson

Mark 15:1-47   See the attached handout for a condense version.

Key/Memory Verse:  "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NIV. See the Bible Background for more info.)

Lesson Objectives

See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives.

Preparation and Materials

• Read the Bible Background and scripture.
• Print the attached Mark-15-Stations-Supplies-List
• Prepare each station in advance as noted in the supply list and below stations.
• Make copies of the attached Mark.15.Condensed-StationsWorkshop for Station 1.

Lesson Plan

Open

Welcome your students and explain what they'll be doing and learning in today's lesson.

Station 1: Mark 15:1-47 Objects     (15 minutes)

Distribute copies of the Mark.15.Condensed-StationsWorkshop and assign its parts for reading. Below is a quick outline of the SIX OBJECTS found in Mark 15:1-47 that you will reveal. Before reading that section, reveal the object, read the passage (together or assigned), then pick up the object and pass it around as you quickly discuss it. Keep it moving. See the "OBJECT DISCUSSION" notes below for object suggestions and discussion.

TIP: This station needs to keep moving so that the other stations will have time.  Use the condensed version of the story attached to this lesson (or use a storybook and adjust/add objects as needed). Keep in mind that the other two stations will provide more reflection on this story, so don't belabor it here.

1. Mark 15:1-5 ~ ROPE
   Jesus is bound by the Sanhedrin and taken to Pilate. The crowd chooses Barrabas.
2. Mark 15:16-20 ~ THORNS
   The soldiers mock Jesus and beat him.
3. Mark 15:21-23 ~ WOOD BEAM
   Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross. Jesus is taken to Golgotha where he is crucified and a sign is placed over his head.
4. Mark 15:27-32 ~ NAILS
   They crucify Jesus and the crowd hurls insults.
5. Mark 15:33-41 ~ CURTAIN (to tear)
   Darkness covers the land and Jesus cries out, "Eloi, Eloi...." then breathes his last. The curtain is torn in two and the centurion declares, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
6. Mark 15:42-47 ~ LINEN
   The Burial of Jesus in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb.

Object Discussion Notes for Station 1:

To heighten anticipation, lay all the objects on a table and cover them with a sheet. Reveal each object prior to each scripture passage, and then let the students handle the object during the very brief discussion about the object to create a focal point and sensory memory. Not every object needs a lot of time. Remember to keep it moving.

1. ROPE: Preferably coarse. Ahead of time, tie the rope into a simple, easy-to-tie handcuff knot. (Pictured here. Instructions here.)  Handcuff one student and pull it tight. Hold on to the end ropes and give it a tug for dramatic effect. What do you think was going through Jesus' mind and heart as the religious leaders bound the Savior of the World like this?

2. THORNS: If you cannot find a real thorny vine or crown of thorns, use a rosebush stem soaked in warm water for 30 minutes before you bend it into a circle. Invite each student to press the tip of a thorn with their finger or feel it lightly pressed on their scalp—inviting them to imagine how it would have felt being jammed on Jesus' head. Why did they mock him?  Have you ever been made fun of? How did that feel?

3. WOOD BEAM: This can be a heavy or rough board, or an entire cross if your church has one available to use. (It should not be the smooth, polished kind.)  Have a student attempt to hold it in front of them as long, as they can, while you discuss "why" Romans used crucifixion to both kill and terrorize. (Only be as graphic as the age of your students will permit, but do not be afraid to be truthful.)

4. NAILS:  "Insults"  Use large rough nails. Pass and press them into your hand or wrist as you respond to these questions: Imagine the nails as the "insults" people hurled at Jesus. How does it feel to be insulted? How did Jesus feel about those insulting him? What kinds of behavior, actions, or words are "insults" to God?

5. CURTAIN: Have a good looking piece of fabric with a small slit in the top that you will invite students to grab on either side and help you tear "front top to bottom."  Begin by drawing a line on the floor and describing the location of the Holy of Holies in the Temple which separates the Ark of the Covenant (symbolically representing God's presence) from the people. The curtain symbolically represented the separation and distance between God and humanity. The curtain is like sin. How did Jesus' death "close" that distance? Remove sin? Now invite students to help you pull apart the curtain and explain that the cross of Jesus put an end to the idea that our sins separate us from the love, forgiveness, and presence of God.

6. LINEN:  This should be a nice piece of linen or linen looking cloth—a symbol of respect for Jesus who had suffered so much. What motivated Joseph to show such respect?  Why didn't the other priests and members of the Council "see" what Joseph saw in Jesus? We will learn that this linen covering will be found rolled up in the Empty Tomb.

Station 2:  "Were You There?"     (10 minutes)

After considering the words to the famous song, "Were You There" (When they crucified my Lord), students will shape a ball of clay into a person representing them and place it in a cross scene you will place before them.

Place on the table in front of your students a simple scene of Golgotha with a standing cross that you have prepared in advance (see notes about this below). Around the cross are balls of modeling clay or playdough (no bright colors, please). After introducing the concept and singing the verse, students will take a ball of clay and fashion a representation of themselves then place it on Golgotha.

Say: As we learned from holding the story objects, when we read and think about the crucifixion of Jesus, we should think of ourselves as being there. And there are two ways we are there:  (1) As WITNESSES who watch and remember and tell the story, but also (2) As PARTICIPANTS.  We are the leaders and soldiers and people in the crowd who do not believe, who insult Jesus, who put him to death and need his forgiveness. And we are the participants who see and weep for his suffering and the cruelty of people.

There's a famous Good Friday hymn, titled, "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord."  (Do any of you know it?)  The first verse goes like this... (Sing it and invite them to sing-a-long if they know it. Have someone play the guitar or piano to accompany you if possible. Sing as many verses as you have time for.):

Station 3: "You Love Me Anyway"     (15 minutes)

A. Watching the Experiment (5 minutes)
B. Hearing and seeing the Music Video (5 minutes)
C. Making a Heart-Cross (5 minutes)

All three steps are inspired by the "meaning" of the Cross drawn from the lesson's (and set's) memory verses: Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:9-11, ...that the cross is a demonstration of God's love for us, and an example of how we are to live. Steps B and C complement and compound on Step A's "experiment."

A. The Experiment

The following "science experiment" (object lesson) is a simple but dramatic visual demonstration that reminds us that God's transforming love forgives our sin and calls us to forgive and love others. In many ways the experiment's visual is like the tearing of the Temple curtain in two: Our sin which separates us from God is torn in two, or as it is in this experiment, it is made clear (clean).

B. "You Love Me Anyway" Music Video

• How does the song and video make you feel about Jesus' crucifixion?
• What does it mean to be the nail in Christ's wrist?
• What does it mean to be Judas' kiss?
• Why do you think Jesus "loves me anyway"?

C. Making a Heart-Cross

Students make their own heart-cross:  (1) Using a brown pipe cleaner, students fasten together two sticks to make the shape of a cross. (2) Then they will use red pipe cleaners to make and fasten the shape of a heart to that cross for a take-home memento of the lesson.

Stick Note: If possible, use wood sticks from a tree. The vertical stick should be about 3" tall, and the horizontal stick a little shorter. Make sure they get the brown pipe cleaner wrapped at least twice around the sticks and twisted tight. There are many ways to twist the red (heart) pipe cleaner onto the sticks in the shape of a heart. Let them come up with their own heart design as desired.

Play the song-video again as students create their "heart-cross." You may also play another good contemporary Christian song, "Flawless" from Mercyme.

Option: When they are done making their heart-cross, invite them to take the clay-person that they made at Station 2, and as you begin to reshape YOUR lump of clay, briefly discuss how the love God demonstrated through Jesus on the cross should transform who we are. We should become more like Jesus—forgiving, healing, peaceful, standing up for what is right, full of prayer...  what else?

Close

Close with a prayer that reminds us of the love of God demonstrated through Christ on the cross... that we are God's children and no sin can ever change that, but his love can.

Adaptations

For Younger Students: Station 1: Use a storybook version of the story of the Cross and edit the objects per the story version you are using.  Station 2: Too much discussion about "Were You There?" is probably over their heads, but the clay activity is not. Simplify. Station 3: Here are two possibilities of Young Child Video Options that could replace the "You Love Me Anyway" mash-up: https://youtu.be/JMVec-dUers  or https://youtu.be/VK870VJBf0Y. Making the heart-cross, have the stick crosses tied together in advance, so they only need to add the heart to the cross.

For Older Students: If you have more time or another class period, spend time with the two music videos and their lyrics (google the song lyrics and print them).

For those with less class time: Either speed up Station 1 by using a condensed version of scripture, or skip Station 2.

Written by Neil MacQueen for the Rotation.org Writing Team

Copyright 2018, Rotation.org Inc.