Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is nearly upon us.  Personally, I do not like to do an "Easter Unit Study" with my children during the week leading up to Resurrection Sunday as I like to take the week off from our school studies so that we can reflect upon the incredible gift and sacrifice that our Lord made for us.  If your church has Maundy Thursday or Good Friday services, do attend.  Last year, our church held a Seder and we thoroughly enjoyed the picture of Christ in the Passover meal.

Resurrection Cookies

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

1. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.  Read John 19:1-3.

2. Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink.  Read John 19:28-30.

3. Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life.  Read John 10:10-11.

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins.  Read Luke 23:27.  (So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.)

5. Add 1 cup of sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He wants us to know Him and belong to Him.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the color white represents purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

7. Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Explain that each mount represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was lain.  Read Matthew 27:57-60.

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF (DO NOT BAKE COOKIES).

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.  Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.  Read Matthew 27:65-66.

10. Go to bed!  Explain to them that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed and they had to leave.  Read John 16:20 & 22.

On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies, like the tomb, are hollow!  On the first Resurrection morning, Jesus' followers were amazed and surprised to find the tomb open and empty.  Read Matthew 28:1-9.  HE HAS RISEN!  HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

God bless you and your family,

Terri Johnson

Terri Johnson is the creator of Knowledge Quest maps and timelines.  Her mission for the company is to help make the teaching and learning of history and geography enjoyable for both teacher and students.  She has created and published over 15 map and timeline products.  Her Blackline Maps of World History have been widely recommended in the education community and published in The Story of the World history series by Susan Wise Bauer.  Terri and Knowledge Quest recently won the “Excellence in Education” award granted by The Old Schoolhouse magazine for best geography company of 2003 and 2004.  Terri resides in San Antonio, TX  with her husband Todd and their five children whom she teaches at home.