Carve a Cross Craft

If your kids are off school for Good Friday this week, then here's an idea for a fun, yet meaningful activity.  Also great for a Sunday School lesson.

 I did this for both of my kids classes when they were in 5th grade.

 (Wonder if those teenagers will want to do it again this year?....maybe.)

If your kids are younger, then you may need to help with the shape, then let them go to town carving with toothpicks, craft sticks, metal stamps, etc.

 All you need is some plain IVORY soap

carving tool (I used a cheap knife from Wal Mart, plastic may work too)

Paper plate

 Begin by lightly scoring your shape.  If you press too hard....this is what happens!

OOOOPPPPSSS!!!

After you've outlined your shape, begin slowly carving off bits and pieces of the soap. 

Go slow...and have a few extra soap bars, just in case!

 The paper plate holds all the carvings nicely.  The soap is fairly soft, so you can rub it, scrape it,...just have fun designing your own special cross.

Mine is pretty plain jane, but you arteests can have so much fun with this. 

I read this book to the kids, because I think I illustrates so well that there is nothing

 WE can do to earn salvation.  You can find it here on Amazon.

The story is based on Zechariah 3:1-5 and illustrates beautifully how Christ puts His righteousness on us, so that we may stand CLEAN before God.

"...all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."  Isaiah 64:6

"For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God,... not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Eph. 2:8-9

Happy Easter Week!