Children's Lesson Support for Jesus' Cross
This is a simple and amazing way to make a cross that I learned when I was a child. There's a grown-up version of this too, but it is omitted here. Most children will want to make many and show their friends and family this "magic trick cross" . Of course, it isn't magic, and it isn't a trick, but take a look and you may smile!
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Magic Cross | ||||
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Really simple. Just follow the instructions below. While you are talking about the cross of Jesus, just pick up a blank piece of ordinary paper (8.5" x 11" or any proportionally smaller paper) and obviously begin to fold it so the class can see it. No other tools required - not even scissors....that's what adds to the appearance of magic! 5 to 10 minute Sunday school project they will remember seeing happen before their eyes. See below for an additional use of this cross as your "ticket to heaven!"
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Grades: 1-8 K - but it takes some strength to tear the paper. |
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New Testament - Jesus died for us | ||||
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Matthew 27: 32-61, Mark 15: 21-32, Luke 23: 26-43, John 18: 16-27 | ||||
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Make a cross before class so you know
what to do without looking at the instructions. |
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Make the cross again in front of the
class. When you have shown them your finished cross, the children will
most likely be interested to know how to make their own "magic"
cross. |
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Fold the lower left corner of the paper diagonally until the bottom of the paper meets the right side of the paper. |
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 2.
Take the bottom right pointed corner and fold it to meet the upper left
corner of the first fold. |
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 3.
Bring up the bottom point of the paper and fold over where the other folds
ended. |
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Fold it sideways in half. You will see your dot again if you used dots. |
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For younger children: You may want to draw a light line for tearing 1 inch from the fold. It may be a little more difficult for very young children to tear through all the layers, so teacher help to start it may be necesary. TEAR SLOWLY IN LITTLE BITS. |
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Note, the farther away from the fold that you tear, the fatter the cross will be. |
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7. Discard the pieces with the dot. Open the main piece and you have the cross! Remind the children there is no real magic! This is a trick. Only Jesus did true miracles.
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Death on the cross was a very cruel death. Jesus suffered. Depending on you student's age, you may or may not wish to dwell on this aspect of the Easter story. The cross today reminds us of His suffering for us, and by extension, the promise of new life in Christ after death and all He taught us. Alternate discussion: |
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The
photos have dots drawn on the paper only as reference to show you how
to fold the paper. If you think your class will need
some reference, put a big dot in each of 2 corners of the paper WHERE
SHOWN. You should be able to see the dots at all times during folding.
Dots will 'disappear" or really be discarded in the end. 
1. Orient the paper with the dots at the "top" if you made
dots, but dots are not necessary to make the cross if you leave the
paper in place and follow the intructions. 
4.
Pick up the paper and flip it over, sideways.You will not see your dots.
They will be face-down. 
5.
Visualize about an inch from the fold.You will tear through all the
layers down the imaginary line. 
6.
Even if the tear is ragged, that's ok. Jesus cross was rough wood! 
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Sunday School Resources FOR KIDS
from the Sunday School Director of Christian Education of Faith Congregational
Church, Mount Prospect, Illinois
©Jo Dibbern
Activities and crafts for Children's Religious Education, Christian Education,
Sunday School and Home School
