The Cross of Jesus Christ
The Cross of Jesus Christ is central to our Christian faith.
In fact, the work Jesus did on the Cross is central in Scripture, as well.
It is only because of Jesus’ willing sacrifice on the Cross that we are forgiven our sins when we believe in Jesus, confess our belief with our mouth, and repent of our sin.
Your kids can read all about the Cross in my narrative biblical history book from Christian Focus Publications, What Was the Cross?. The book is a fun way for your kids to learn about the story of God’s great plan for salvation. They’ll see how the Old Testament points forward to the Cross, how the work Jesus did on the Cross and why that is important to their own lives, and how the New Testament helps us understand the importance of the Cross of Jesus in our own lives.
This fun craft will remind your kids of what they’ve learned.
What Was the Cross?
Discover the amazing story of the Cross in this special book from the Who, What, Why? series! With fun black-and-white illustrations and easy-to-understand explanations, young readers will explore one of the most important events in the Bible.
Why did Jesus die on the Cross? What does it mean for us today? Author Danika Cooley takes kids on an exciting journey through time, starting in the Garden of Eden and following God’s incredible rescue plan all the way to Jesus. Along the way, readers will meet fascinating characters like Isaiah who told people about Jesus hundreds of years before He was born, John the Baptist who called Jesus “the Lamb of God,” and the disciples who followed Jesus everywhere.
The Cross is the most important event in all of human history because it is the moment when Jesus, who is God the Son and the Son of God, paid for the sins of all who believe in him. Sin makes us enemies of God. Not only did Jesus bring about the forgiveness of sin for all believers, but at the Cross Jesus also made his followers friends of God instead of his enemies.
What Was the Cross?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2025), page 8
Cross Craft
You can help your kids commemorate what they’re learning about biblical history in a hands-on way! Check out this fun video of the Cross craft!
The Cross of Jesus Craft Supplies
You’ll need a few supplies to make your Cross of Jesus craft:
- Cardstock (colored and white)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
- Permanent Marker
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Printable Templates with Instructions
- Don’t forget this fun book that will teach your kids about the Cross: What Was the Cross?
The Cross of Christ Craft | Instructions
Your child’s representation of the Cross is a great way to help them consider what they learn as they read What Was the Cross? from the Who What Why series!
1) Print your templates and labels.
Print the templates for the hill on cardstock. Cut out the pieces.
2) Assemble your crosses.
You will need one empty toilet paper roll to create all three crosses.
Cut the tube open lengthwise, with a straight cut from the bottom open end to the top open end. Then, cut the tube in half lengthwise again, from the bottom open end to the top open end, on the other side of the tube. You will create two halves of the TP roll.
Next, cut one of the halves in half sideways, to create two smaller quarters of the roll.
Finally, cut a short horizontal strip from the top of each piece, as shown. The strips will become the cross bars on your crosses.
Roll each vertically cut cardboard roll piece to create a tall, thin roll. Glue the long edges together, with a slight overlap, as shown.
Cut a piece of brown cardstock big enough to cover each thin roll. Cut a piece of brown cardstock to glue on one side of each cross bar.
Glue the cardstock onto each roll and each cross bar, as shown.
Glue a cross bar onto the front of each roll, about 1/4 of the way down from the top, to create each cross.
Use a permanent marker to make an X in the middle of each cross bar, to represent rope lashing a cross bar to each post.
3) Assemble your hill.
Lay the hill template pieces over thin cardboard or cardstock. Trace over the top, and cut out each hill piece.
Trace the grass pieces on green cardstock and cut out the pieces.
Fold the three flaps on the hill base upward 90 degrees. The long base will create the base of the hill.
Use the straight strip as the top of the hill. Glue or tape the flaps up together, then glue the straight strip in a curve over the top of the hill.
Glue the shorter grass over the top of the higher grass, as shown.
Glue the grass to the front of the hill.
Last, glue tall cross of Jesus to the middle, top of the hill. Then, glue a short cross on each side.
Display your craft as you read What Was the Cross? to remember Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for Christians on the Cross!
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Resurrection Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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