SENSORY PATH INSTRUCTIONS:
Take off your shoes and read the stories while you walk this path!
1) As you step on the hay, remember Jesus’ humble birth. Jesus was born in a manger (an animal feeding trough.) Jesus didn’t come to earth the way anyone would expect the Son of God to come. He arrived humbly and entered fully into human life. God did make a divine birth announcement, though. Angels appeared to shepherds and told them to find God’s Son in a Bethlehem manger.
2) As you step on the wood shavings, think about the fact that Jesus was a carpenter, like his father Joseph. He probably had lots of experience with sawdust and wood chips. At about the age of 30, Jesus put down his carpenter’s tools and began to teach and perform miracles. Because he came from Nazareth (a small town) and had no formal religious training, many doubted his authority and abilities.
3) Jesus walked to many cities and towns teaching people about God. Wherever he went he showed love and compassion. He taught people about God and gave evidence that he was God’s son through miracles. As you walk on the stepping stones, think about these remarkable stories:
Jesus fed over 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish (Matthew 14:13-21)
Jesus gave sight to a man born blind (John 9:1-7)
Jesus gave a paralyzed man the ability to walk again (Mark 2:1-12)
Jesus healed people of serious diseases, such as leprosy (Luke 17:11-19)
Jesus spoke to a violent storm and calmed it instantly (Mark 4:35-41)
Jesus brought someone who had been dead and buried back to life (John 11:1-44)
4) As you walk on the palm branches, think about what happened on what we call Palm Sunday. The Sunday before Easter, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem (a big city). Crowds of people shouted praises to him and waved palm branches over him. They treated him like he was a king. Some people thought that Jesus was going to be the next ruler of Israel. Others knew that Jesus would rule over hearts, not countries.
5) As you step into the mud, think of another one of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus taught that we are separated from God because of sin. Sin is anything that we say, think or do that is not pleasing to God. Sin is messy like this mud and has to be cleaned up before we can be in a right relationship with God.
6) As you walk across this cross with your muddy feet, think about how Jesus carried your sin on the cross. The muddy footprints remind us that sin has a price and Jesus loves us so much that he died to take away our sins.
7) After Jesus died, his body was buried in a tomb. A large rock was placed over the opening to seal it shut. Jesus’ body was in the tomb for 3 days.
8) As you step out into the grass, remember that Jesus didn’t stay dead. Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus willingly died and then came back to life because he has power and authority over life and death. Many people saw Jesus after His resurrection and told others about the miracle.
9) As you rinse the mud from your feet in the water, think about the new life that is available to you through Jesus. If you want this new life, follow these ABC’s. Admit your sin, Believe that Jesus died to take away your sin, Commit your life to Jesus.
10) Heaven is real and God wants you there! Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus wants you to come to be part of God’s forever family and live with Him in heaven.