The Road to the Cross
By Jessica Tracy – Preschool and Elementary Principal
I love the weeks leading up to Easter; they are the best time of the year! The beauty of spring begins to unfold, and flowers bloom with new life. More importantly, we are reminded of the message of the season and the rock-solid foundation of the Christian faith: that Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, and is coming again! For this reason, we take time to lead our students through a “Road to the Cross” during Holy Week.
Each year, on the day before Good Friday, our Lower School students engage with interactive stations and reflect on the events of Jesus’ crucifixion in a unique and meaningful way. Teachers guide this journey through the five stations, describing each scene. Students write ways they can pray, serve, repent, share the gospel with others, and celebrate Jesus.
Our Lower School staff is dedicated to knowing, loving, and preparing your child for the world. They are also committed to providing experiences and instruction that help in their journey through each stage of spiritual development and guide them toward the truth of the gospel—becoming vibrant followers of Christ.
SCENE ONE: JESUS’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
In Scene One, Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, footprints lead to a red carpet. Students form a line on both sides of the carpet and wave palm branches, acting out the arrival of the King of the Jews in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. They take turns walking through this human tunnel, experiencing what it is like to be celebrated. A student reads John 12:12-13, “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” Students write on a palm branch ways they can honor and celebrate Jesus.
SCENE TWO: THE LORD’S SUPPER
Jesus’ footprints then lead to Scene Two, The Lord’s Supper. A student reads John 13:5, “Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” The teacher explains how Jesus told His disciples to serve one another. Students silently wash one another’s hands, reflecting on how they can be more intentional in serving others.
SCENE THREE: THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
The Garden of Gethsemane is the setting for Scene Three. Pictures of flowers and nature created by Kindergarten and 1st grade students are displayed. Students share the places they go to pray. Mark 14:32-36 is read, “And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray…” Students think about how Jesus, knowing what would happen to Him that night, modeled the importance of prayer when facing difficult times. Then they write their prayer requests on sticky notes and post them around the pictures in the garden.
SCENE FOUR: THE CROSS
Footprints take students to Scene Four, The Cross. They reflect on the sins in their life. Romans 6:23 is read, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Students write the word “sin” on a piece of paper, contemplate their sin, pray for forgiveness, and place their sins at the foot of the cross.
SCENE FIVE: THE TOMB & RESURRECTION
In the last scene, students see Jesus’ footprints leaving the tomb. The stone is rolled away! Students read John 8:12,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Students thank Jesus for choosing the long road to the cross for His great sacrifice, bringing sinners new life.