By Janette McCormick · The Passover provides an opportunity for God’s children to reflect,...

SHARING GODSSTORY WITH THE

PassoverBy Janette McCormick

“This will be a Memorial Day for you; you will celebrate it as a festivalto God down through the generations, a fixed festival celebration to beobserved always." Exodus 12:14

The Passover is one of the most important Jewish festivals held eachyear which is usually celebrated around Easter time. In the book ofExodus, found in the Old Testament we read how Moses was giventhe task by God to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt. TheChildren of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years. (NIV) God promised he would set them free but Pharaoh refused to releasethem so God demonstrated his power by sending 10 plagues on theEgyptians. The final plague was to kill every first born of both peopleand animals. The Israelites were to take the blood of an unblemished(not damaged, perfect) lamb and mark the top and sides of theirhouses so when the Lord visited that night he would see the bloodand pass over and no harm would come to his chosen people. Onlythe Egyptian families were harmed. When it came time for God to bring the Children of Israel to safetythey were to prepare a special meal, God gave them directinstructions to follow.

Bible Verse

The Passover Story

IMYC | Childrens ministry resource

Exodus 12 to find out what these instructions were(specifically look at verses 11 – 13).

Read:

Discuss with the children about the instructionsmentioned in this passage. Or even try having a SederPlate (Seder - Hebrew word used to describe this meal)prepared to let the children see what is described

Discuss:

Prepare a Seder Plate with the Children On Pesach, Jewish for Passover, it is customary to usethe most beautiful silver and dishes, rememberinghow God freed the children from Egypt and madethem into a proud, Jewish Nation. At the head of thetable beautiful Seder Plate is placed. In Hebrew, it iscalled ‘Kararah’. Before the Seder the Seder Plate isarranged by placing three whole Matzot (bread) in acover or special place under the table. On the plate sixitems are placed, each one is a reminder of thePassover story. Discuss with the children about the instructionsmentioned in this passage. Or even try having a SederPlate (Seder - Hebrew word used to describe this meal)prepared to let the children see what is described.

Activity:


- Matzo (unleavened bread - bread which contains no yeast) which is eaten-symbolically three times during the meal. - A bone of a lamb to represent paschal sacrifice. When the Temple atJerusalem was the centre of Jewish life, Jews would go there at PilgrimFestivals to sacrifice a lamb or goat. - An egg, also to represent sacrifice, but which also has another symbolism.Food usually becomes soft and digestible when cooked, but eggs becomeharder. So, the egg symbolises the Jews' determination not to abandon theirbeliefs under oppression by the Egyptians. - Greenery (usually lettuce) to represent new life. Salt water to represent aslave's tears. - Four cups of wine to recall the four times God promised freedom to theIsraelites, and to symbolise liberty and joy. - Charoset (a paste made of apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine) to represent themortar used by the Israelites to build the palaces of Egypt. - An extra cup of wine is placed on the table and the door is left open for Elijah.Jews believe that the prophet Elijah will reappear to announce the coming ofthe Messiah and will do so at Pesach. Reference: https://www.chabad.org

The Seder Plate


Suggestion:How about making this intergenerationaland encouraging your minister to teach onthe Passover in Church the same week.Then together as church family, prepareand share in a ‘Passover’ meal.

The Passover provides an opportunity for God’s children to reflect,remember, and rejoice! 1. The Passover is a time to reflect on the story of the children ofIsrael’s escape from Egypt and how God was looking after them.Imagine you were one of the children of Israel, how do you think youwould have felt that night knowing God was looking after you? In whatways do we see God care for and look after us today? 2. The Passover for the Jews is also a time to remember familymembers who they love and who are no longer with them. It is alsoabout the happy and sad times. Is there someone who is no longer inyour life that has been special to you? How do you remember them? 3. The Passover is a celebration of rejoicing, are there other ways towe celebrate what God has done for us? 4. How do you thank God for the things he has done for you?

Question time


Memory Verse


"Tell your children about it in the years to come,and let your children tell their children. Pass thestory down from generation to generation." Joel 1:3

Teach the memory verse to the children by using the template below! Write the words of the verse on the book template. Feel free to write oneor a couple of words on each template.

Read verse together and then take words away one by one- repeatingverse with the missing wordsRepeating the words in various voice tones. E.g. with a loud voice,quietly or in a whisper!Tapping a rhythm to the wordPut the verse to musicAsk the children if they have any suggestions!

Ways we can teach the children a memory verse:

Response


Encourage the children to share Gods story. Share a story about how you have shared yourfaith with othersHelp children identify the people in their livesthey may be able to share God’s story with. The following week you can also provide theopportunity to discuss whether they had thechance to share God’s story and love with thosethey know.

Worship: Sign your Cross – by Nick and Becky Drakehttps://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-sz-002&hsimp=yhs-002&hspart=sz&gdpr=1&p=nicky+and+becky+drake+easter+songs#id=1&vid=0daa477a9ba8f7bfe38e3357a7c0f1f6&action=click

God We Love You - by Nick and Becky Drake: https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-sz-002&hsimp=yhs-002&hspart=sz&gdpr=1&p=becky+and+nick+drake#id=2&vid=688c9660e6fc39b0bbdfbeb996cec4d6&action=click

Craft Activities


Items required:Paper plate, Felt tips

Once the Children of Egypt wererescued they had the opportunity ofa new life. Below is an activity thatrepresents the concept of new life! Items: Egg carton segment or eggcup, clean egg shell with topremoved, felt tip pens, googly eyes,cotton wool, cress seeds, water spray

Seed Plate

Cressheads

Steps:1. Carefully place google eyes on egg shell2. Draw on rest of face with felt tips3. Place in egg box or egg carton4. Fill egg shell with cotton wool5. Scatter on a few cress seed on top of cotton wool6. Spray with water7. Watch cress grow


This activity is a reminder of the lambthat was mentioned in the passagefound in Exodus 12. You will need:· Black and white funky foam· Lamb Template· Googly eyes· Scissors· Glue stick· Magnetic strip Steps:1. Cut out template pieces2. Use these to draw round on thefunky fun3. Cut out each piece4. Glue pieces together5. Add magnetic strip to back of lamb

Little Lamb Fridge Magnet


Father God Thank you for the story of the Passover, how you rescuedthe Children of Israel and set them free. Thank you that time is set aside to remember yourprotection and goodness. Help me to remember that you love and protect me. Thank you for special opportunities to remember whatyou did for me especially this Easter time. Help me to share about your love with my friends andfamily. Amen

Prayer


You might find the following sites useful: God Venture Passover Workshophttps://godventure.co.uk/product/passover-godventure-online-workshop/ Sammy Spider’s First Passoverhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Sammy-Spiders-First-Passover-Sylvia/dp/0929371828/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1553523728&sr=1-1&keywords=sammy+spiders+first+passover Passover at HomePremier Youth and Children’s Work magazine April 19 issue– for a free issue go tohttps://www.youthandchildrens.work/Get-a-free-copy

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