STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR CHILDREN
The Stations of the Cross are a very important way for us to learn about Jesus. Each station might be hard to think about because many bad things happened to Jesus during the last week of his life on earth. We remember and talk about these things to help us understand how much Jesus loves us, but sometimes it makes us feel sad. We hope you will go through these stations with an adult who will help you. Jesus did die, but the important thing to remember is that he rose up from being dead and still lives today! We will celebrate that on Easter Sunday! If you have any questions, you may always call us. Love, Pastor Beth and Dr. Julie
Option 3 is to read the stations below with your family and talk about what it means to you!
Station 1: Pilate Sends Jesus to Die
THE BIBLE SAYS: Matthew 27:11-14, 24, 26b
Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. "Are you the king of the Jews?" the governor asked him. Jesus replied, "You have said it."
But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. "Don't you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?" Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor's surprise.
Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. The responsibility is yours!"
He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. "Are you the king of the Jews?" the governor asked him. Jesus replied, "You have said it."
But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. "Don't you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?" Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor's surprise.
Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. The responsibility is yours!"
He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
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FOR YOU TO DO:
Think of a time you have made a friend sad. Draw a picture of that time. Say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, when I hurt my friend’s feelings, I feel bad. Help me to make good choices and do the right things. Amen. |
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Station 2: Jesus Accepts His Cross
THE BIBLE SAYS: Matthew 27:27-31
Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the rest of the soldiers. They took away Jesus’ clothes and put a purple robe on him.
Then they took thorn branches to make a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his hand. Then they knelt in front of him and made fun of him saying, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and hit him on the head with it.
When they were finally tired of bullying him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be killed.
THE BIBLE SAYS: Matthew 27:27-31
Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the rest of the soldiers. They took away Jesus’ clothes and put a purple robe on him.
Then they took thorn branches to make a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his hand. Then they knelt in front of him and made fun of him saying, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and hit him on the head with it.
When they were finally tired of bullying him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be killed.
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FOR YOU TO DO:
Have you ever seen a bully make someone feel bad? Write or draw something that made you feel bad. Say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, make me strong so that I can help when someone feels bad. Amen. |
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Station 3: Simon Helps Carry the Cross
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THE BIBLE SAYS: Mark 15:21
A passerby named Simon was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. FOR YOU TO DO: Close your eyes tightly. Think of a time you were too busy to help someone. Say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I want to be helpful. Teach me to love you and love other people by helping. Amen. |
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Station 4: Jesus Speaks to the Women
THE BIBLE SAYS: Luke 23:27-31
A large crowd trailed behind, including many crying women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Don’t cry for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Someday things will be so bad that people will say “women who do not have children are lucky.” People will beg for the mountains to fall on them.
THE BIBLE SAYS: Luke 23:27-31
A large crowd trailed behind, including many crying women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Don’t cry for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Someday things will be so bad that people will say “women who do not have children are lucky.” People will beg for the mountains to fall on them.
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FOR YOU TO DO:
Wrap yourself in a blanket. Think of a woman who is important to you. Pretend the blanket is the woman giving you a good hug. Now say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I don’t always understand why women cry, but I know they were sad for you because they cared about you. When I am sad and I cry, help me remember women who care about me. Amen. |
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Station 5: Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
THE BIBLE SAYS: John 19:23-25a
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was made in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” The Bible told us that this is the way it would happen, and that is what they did.
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
FOR YOU TO DO:
Jesus was embarrassed, but he let it happen this way because he loves you. Roll two dice as you think about Jesus being embarrassed. Using the number you rolled, remember a time you were embarrassed:
2 = when you were with family 7 = when you were with friends
3 = when you forgot something 8 = when you told a lie
4 = when you were in school 9 = when someone misunderstood you
5 = when you didn’t understand 10 = when someone made fun of you
6 = when you were at church 11 = when you were careless
7 = when you were with friends 12 = when you cheated
THE BIBLE SAYS: John 19:23-25a
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was made in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” The Bible told us that this is the way it would happen, and that is what they did.
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
FOR YOU TO DO:
Jesus was embarrassed, but he let it happen this way because he loves you. Roll two dice as you think about Jesus being embarrassed. Using the number you rolled, remember a time you were embarrassed:
2 = when you were with family 7 = when you were with friends
3 = when you forgot something 8 = when you told a lie
4 = when you were in school 9 = when someone misunderstood you
5 = when you didn’t understand 10 = when someone made fun of you
6 = when you were at church 11 = when you were careless
7 = when you were with friends 12 = when you cheated
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Now say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, sometimes I want to do things my way, and I forget that I need to be kind. Help me be a kind person. Amen. |
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Station 6: Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
THE BIBLE SAYS: Mark 15:23-32
They offered him wine mixed with drugs so he would not feel the pain, but he said no. Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they put him on the cross with nails. They put a sign on his cross that said: “The King of the Jews.” Two bad guys were on crosses beside him.
The people passing by were yelling ugly things to him and laughing at him. They said: You said you would tear down the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
The leading priests and teachers of religious law also made fun of Jesus. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!”
Even the men on crosses beside Jesus made fun of him.
THE BIBLE SAYS: Mark 15:23-32
They offered him wine mixed with drugs so he would not feel the pain, but he said no. Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they put him on the cross with nails. They put a sign on his cross that said: “The King of the Jews.” Two bad guys were on crosses beside him.
The people passing by were yelling ugly things to him and laughing at him. They said: You said you would tear down the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
The leading priests and teachers of religious law also made fun of Jesus. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!”
Even the men on crosses beside Jesus made fun of him.
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FOR YOU TO DO:
Think of someone you told you were sorry. Write down that person’s name in big letters. When we say we are sorry, Jesus forgets what we did. Tear up your paper and throw it away. Now say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I am not better than anyone else. Help me to say I’m sorry when I do wrong things. Amen. |
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Station 7: Jesus Cares for His Mother
THE BIBLE SAYS: John 19:25b-27
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
THE BIBLE SAYS: John 19:25b-27
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
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FOR YOU TO DO:
Go outside and look for a tree or bush that has flowers or nice color. Plants need gentle love and care so they can grow. Look at the plant, and think of your friends who also need your gentle love and care. Say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to be a good friend. Show me how to love and care for other people. Amen. |
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Station 8: Jesus Dies on the Cross
THE BIBLE SAYS: Matthew 27:45-54
At noon, the whole world turned dark for three hours. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?”
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he died. At that moment the curtain in the Temple tore in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened.
The Roman officer and the other soldiers near the cross were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
THE BIBLE SAYS: Matthew 27:45-54
At noon, the whole world turned dark for three hours. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?”
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he died. At that moment the curtain in the Temple tore in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened.
The Roman officer and the other soldiers near the cross were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
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FOR YOU TO DO:
Find something that is purple. Think of the Temple’s purple curtain as you see or touch it. Remember that sometimes bad things happen, but God can fix anything! Say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, sometimes when bad things happen I feel very dark inside. Please remind me that you are the light that shines in my heart. Amen. |
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Station 9: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
THE BIBLE SAYS: Mark 15:42-46
This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. The officer said yes, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
FOR YOU TO DO:
Ask an adult to help you light a candle. Watch it burn for a few minutes. Think about Jesus being the Light of the World. When you are ready, blow out the candle and remember the day that the whole world was dark – the day Jesus died. Say the prayer.
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, while I think about darkness, help me to look for your light in the world. Amen.
THE BIBLE SAYS: Mark 15:42-46
This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. The officer said yes, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
FOR YOU TO DO:
Ask an adult to help you light a candle. Watch it burn for a few minutes. Think about Jesus being the Light of the World. When you are ready, blow out the candle and remember the day that the whole world was dark – the day Jesus died. Say the prayer.
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, while I think about darkness, help me to look for your light in the world. Amen.
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FOR YOU TO DO:
Ask an adult to help you light a candle. Watch it burn for a few minutes. Think about Jesus being the Light of the World. When you are ready, blow out the candle and remember the day that the whole world was dark – the day Jesus died. Say the prayer. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, while I think about darkness, help me to look for your light in the world. Amen. |
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Thank you for going through the Stations of the Cross. This is a very hard story to understand, and it can make us feel sad. But it is important for us to learn about how Jesus died.
We want you to remember two things:
Now, Jesus lives with God the Father in heaven and wants you to believe in him so you can live there with him someday. Our special time to celebrate that Jesus is alive again is called Easter. We can’t come to church this Easter Sunday because of people getting sick, but we can’t wait to be happy with you very soon! Love, Pastor Beth and Mrs. Julie
We want you to remember two things:
- Jesus died because he loves you so much! You are special!
- Jesus was only dead for three days! On the third day, he rose up alive again!
Now, Jesus lives with God the Father in heaven and wants you to believe in him so you can live there with him someday. Our special time to celebrate that Jesus is alive again is called Easter. We can’t come to church this Easter Sunday because of people getting sick, but we can’t wait to be happy with you very soon! Love, Pastor Beth and Mrs. Julie
Here is a prayer like we might say on Sunday mornings.
It is written in the pray-and-repeat style.
Dear God... thank you... for loving us.
Help us... to love others... just like you do.
Even when we are sad... help us remember...
that we are Easter people! Amen.
It is written in the pray-and-repeat style.
Dear God... thank you... for loving us.
Help us... to love others... just like you do.
Even when we are sad... help us remember...
that we are Easter people! Amen.