As they led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, who was coming in from the countryside. They put the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus.

How did Simon feel about having to carry the cross? Was he afraid? Angry? Sad? Or maybe thankful that he could help Jesus?

How do we feel about the cross of Jesus?

Matthew 27:27-38 is a passage in the New Testament that describes the events that took place during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Roman soldiers mocked and ridiculed Jesus, dressing him in a purple robe and crown of thorns, and then led him to be crucified. 

Do:
Give the children two popsicle sticks and let them create a cross by wrapping yarn or wool around and criss-crossing it, until the sticks are in place and form a cross. Tie the yarn or string off in the back and cut the rest of it.

Tell:
As they led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, who was coming in from the countryside. They put the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Ask:
How did Simon feel about having to carry the cross?

Was he afraid? Angry? Sad? Or maybe thankful that he could help Jesus?

How do we feel about the cross of Jesus?

Do:
Help the children talk about their feelings about the cross of Jesus. Does this make them sad, happy, angry, guilty, thankful? And why?

Let them write of draw their feelings about the cross on their small popsicle cross.

When the children have done this, they may place their small crosses near or under the big wooden cross.

Pray with and for the children and their crosses.