YEA Lesson Library
Flat Bread
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches that, just as the Israelites celebrated the Days of Unleavened Bread when they crossed the Jordan, we celebrate these days today. It helps us to remember that Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Scriptures
Exodus 12:17
Exodus 12:19
Joshua 5:10
Joshua 5:10-12
Ezra 6:22
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Words to Know
ARK OF THE COVENANT - a gold-covered box where God's Law was kept
PROMISED LAND - the land east of the Jordan River God promised to the 12 tribes of Israel
UNLEAVENED BREAD - flat bread without yeast, baking powder, or baking soda
The Lesson
The night before Israel left Egypt, they kept the Passover. For 40 long years these people walked, and walked, and walked. They had their children, their clothes, and animals with them. God told them that there was a land that flowed with milk and honey. It was the Promised Land and He wanted His people to live there. They were almost there.
But there was a big river they had to cross before reaching the Promised Land. So God had to do a big miracle. The priests stepped into the river carrying the Ark of the Covenant. God caused the water in the Jordan River to stop flowing. It was as if a glass wall was holding back the water on both sides. Then the people walked across on dry ground to the other side. This is the land they had wanted to see for 40 long years. It was beautiful. The people were so happy. They were home at last!
Just as it was Passover time when Israel left Egypt, it was again time for the Passover. So the Israelites kept the Passover. Do you know what follows the Passover? The next day is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It lasts for seven days. Can you count to seven? One-two-three-four-five-six-seven. Did you know that there are seven days in a week? So the Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts for a whole week. Before we start eating unleavened bread, we put all the leavening out of our houses. Do you know what leavening is? It's anything you put in bread to make it light and fluffy - yeast, baking powder, and baking soda.
Then for seven days we eat unleavened bread. Your mom may bake some really yummy things during the Days of Unleavened Bread. But why do we eat unleavened bread? We do it because our friend Jesus wants us to remember that He is the Bread of Life. He is more important than any bread we ever eat.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - 1 Corinthians 5:8
Monday- 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7
Tuesday-Joshua 5:10
Wednesday- Exodus 12:17
Thursday - Exodus 12:19
Friday - Ezra 6:22
Saturday - Joshua 5:11,12
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, children will be able to:
1. Explain that Israel kept the Days of Unleavened Bread after crossing the Jordan.
2. Tell that the Days of Unleavened Bread last for seven days.
3. Tell the reason for eating unleavened bread is that Jesus wants us to remember that He is the Bread of Life.
Topics & Themes
Ark of the Covenant
Bread of Life
Days of Unleavened Bread
Holy Days, Unleavened Bread
Jordan River
Joshua
Leavening
Miracles
Unleavened Bread
Yeast
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students and Teacher's books, attendance and memory verse charts, music player, CD or cassette tape, ingredients for the recipe, toaster oven, wet wipes, napkins, animal cookie cutters, spoon, butter, jam, rolling pin (optional), fork, wax paper, box, gold foil paper, four rings, two dowels, hot glue, blue crepe paper
Preparation
Before class, cover a cardboard apple carton with gold foil. Hot glue four rings on it - two on each side - and put the dowels in them for children to carry this as the Ark of the Covenant.
Making use of a child's senses to teach the holy days can make the lessons memorable. This lesson appeals to a child's sense of smell, taste, touch, and sight. Using the recipe below, mix the unleavened bread just before coming to class. When you arrive, set the toaster oven temperature to 375 degrees. Stretch out the crepe paper to form the Jordan River in one part of the room.
Unleavened Bread
3/4 c. scalded milk
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. butter
1egg
2-1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
Beat egg, butter, milk, honey, and salt together. Gradually add the flour as you continue to mix. Knead smooth. Roll onto wax paper to 1/4" thickness, then roll it up and take it to class.
Review Questions
1. What river did Israel cross to get to the Promised Land?
2. What Feast did they keep after they crossed the Jordan?
3. Then what Feast did they celebrate?
4. How many days did they celebrate the Days of Unleavened Bread?
5. What did they eat for seven days? Why?
REACH Activity
Letter: U
Words: unleavened, under, up, unroll, understand, unwaveringly (“uh” sound as in “up”)
Sentence: DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY WE UNWAVERINGLY EAT UNLEAVENED BREAD FOR A WEEK?
Song
"I've Got Peace Like a River" is on page 63 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the children in prayer thanking God for the unleavened bread we had today and for giving us this Feast.
Printable Pages
