John 6:48-58

God gave Israel an activity to do once a year for seven days in the spring-to make and eat unleavened bread.
 

  Leviticus 23:5-6

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians used the eating of unleavened bread to illustrate the need to remove sin from our lives.

  I Corinthians 5:6-8
 

Touch and Hearing

The mixing and baking of the dough should be done as quickly as possible. The Israelites had to leave Egypt so quickly they did not have time to add yeast.

  Exodus 12:34

The speed can represent the need to immediately put aside a sin once it is recognized. An example could be anger at someone.

  Ephesians 4:26 and James 1:20 (I Corinthians 6:18-20 could be used with adults and teens.)

Utensils: large cookie sheet, mixing bowl, measuring cups-1 dry, 1 wet, and a table fork.
Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup hot tap water (warmer than lukewarm, but not boiling)

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Put 2 cups whole wheat flour into a mixing bowl.
Add 1 cup hot tap water.
Mix quickly with a fork until it forms a ball.
Spray an 11 ½ inch by 17 inch cookie sheet with oil or pan spray.
Spread dough evenly in the pan. (I used a straight-sided drinking glass.)
Prick the dough all over with the fork.
Put into the hot oven. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. (Too long and it gets way too tough to eat.)

Cool on rack before breaking and eating.

(This is not as long and complicated as the directions.)

While the bread is cooling continue with the lesson.

The smell of the bread baking can remind us of how pleasant it is to God when we ask him for forgiveness.

  Luke 15:10 and Leviticus 6:15.

(Take turns reading the scriptures so that every one is involved.)
 

When the flat bread is removed from the oven, we can see that it is not puffed up with air. This reminds us of our need to be humble, genuine, and truthful with our heavenly Father. It also reminds us knowledge without love only puffs up our vanity. Like a leavened cake, it tastes sweet but doesn’t nourish like bread.

  I Corinthians 5:8 and I Corinthians 8:1-3
 

After the bread has cooled, we can break it into smaller pieces to eat. This reminds us of several lessons:
 

• The taste and texture reminds us it is called the bread of affliction. Just as God heard the affliction of the Israelites in slavery so he has pity on the affliction of people who are captured by sin.  Deuteronomy 16:3 and Exodus 3:7

• It reminds us that Jesus was afflicted, broken, and pierced to free us from sin and death.  Isaiah 53:4, 12 and Matthew 26:26

• It reminds us we need to live by the word of God.  Matthew 4:4

• The Lord’s Supper (Communion or the New Testament Passover) continues to be practiced in the Christian community reminding us that Jesus has made forgiveness and life possible.   I Corinthians 11:23-32 and Colossians 1:21-23.

By Scarlett Stough