Thinking about, displaying, or having a devotional about the 7 final statements of Jesus on the cross are all great ways to commemorate Good Friday and focus more on Jesus during the Easter season.
Here is a short lesson plan for the 7 final statements of Jesus on the cross:
- Ask children/students to write down on a piece of paper any of the 7 final statements they can remember. You could have them find in the scriptures the other the statements they couldn’t remember on their own (scripture references are listed below). Then have them see if they can put the statements in the order they think they were said.
- Watch this very good ten minute video about the significance of these final statements and what they teach us about Jesus Christ. Invite children/students to take notes during the video writing down the statements and thoughts they have.
- Have them share which statement resonates the most with them and why. Don’t rush this sharing time.
- Display the seven final statements as part of your Easter/Holy Week/Good Friday decor. You could display them in the shape of a cross on a wall in your home, have them as part of a centerpiece on your table for your Easter dinner or Good Friday meal, make them into a banner, or a paper book. The link provided is a digital download my daughter made but you can easily make your own. If you are teaching your children/students they could create their own cards for display, or create a card with just their favorite one of the seven statements.
Seven final statements of Jesus on the cross:
1) Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
2) Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43
3) Woman, behold thy son. John 19:26
4) I thirst. John 19:28
5) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34
6) It is finished. John 19:30
7) Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit Luke 23:36
End with an invitation to ponder on these statements a little more.
Here is a Liahona article discussing the 7 final statements