This Sunday we reviewed the "lost" parables from Luke 15. We also played some games (see LOST: games).
(During review week I normally like to have the kids do something in church or for the congregation. It wasn't possible this week. What I would have done is have the kids lead the congregation in reciting our memory verse...Luke 15:10...There is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents... complete with a rousing cheer of joy at the end!)
January 27, 2009
January 18, 2009
LOST: craft
Our craft today was a magic trick that we can use to share the Gospel! "I once was lost, but the blood of Jesus covered me and now I'm found!"
(The craft was a basic "magic wallet" trick. The outside of the wallet has Luke 15:10 written out. Inside is placed a "coin" that says "I once was lost". The wallet is closed and a red cloth place over it, "but the blood of Jesus covered me". When the wallet is opened it now has a "coin" that says "and now I'm found!" Full disclosure: This was a very involved project with a lot of prep work. My group was 9 kids, 3rd-9th grade. I knew ahead of time that they are good about following instructions.)
(The craft was a basic "magic wallet" trick. The outside of the wallet has Luke 15:10 written out. Inside is placed a "coin" that says "I once was lost". The wallet is closed and a red cloth place over it, "but the blood of Jesus covered me". When the wallet is opened it now has a "coin" that says "and now I'm found!" Full disclosure: This was a very involved project with a lot of prep work. My group was 9 kids, 3rd-9th grade. I knew ahead of time that they are good about following instructions.)
January 11, 2009
LOST: games
Today we reviewed the "lost" parables from Luke 15. We especially discussed the idea of lost and found. In these parables, Jesus shares a scene we can relate to...finding something that was lost. Today we played "finding" games to emphasize the idea of lost and found. As the kids played the games, they were excited to find what they were searching for. This is just a little taste of the joy of the shepherd, the woman and the father from Jesus' parables. Of course, these parables tell of a joy that is just a small taste of the joy in heaven when even one sinner repents! Today we also started a prayer request list for the kids to share their requests.
(We played three "finding" games. Our main game was a team matching/memory game. The kids split into two teams and took turns flipping over two cards in the hope of finding a match. If a team found a match they got another turn. I used clip art to make matched sets on 8.5 x 11 cardstock. These were spread out over a large area with room to walk in between cards. The large scale of the game let everyone see and made it more interesting as a team game. The next activity was individual hidden picture puzzles. As individual puzzles were finished, small groups worked together on "finding jars". A "finding jar" is a canning jar filled with birdseed and small items to find. The kids are provided a list of what to look for and find the items by shaking and rotating the jar. I used 20 items in a quart jar. Some items were: guitar pick, safety pin, rubber band, paper clip, penny, toothpick, pony bead, pom-pom, button, marble, nail etc. The most important rule for "finding jars"...DON'T OPEN THE JAR!)
(We played three "finding" games. Our main game was a team matching/memory game. The kids split into two teams and took turns flipping over two cards in the hope of finding a match. If a team found a match they got another turn. I used clip art to make matched sets on 8.5 x 11 cardstock. These were spread out over a large area with room to walk in between cards. The large scale of the game let everyone see and made it more interesting as a team game. The next activity was individual hidden picture puzzles. As individual puzzles were finished, small groups worked together on "finding jars". A "finding jar" is a canning jar filled with birdseed and small items to find. The kids are provided a list of what to look for and find the items by shaking and rotating the jar. I used 20 items in a quart jar. Some items were: guitar pick, safety pin, rubber band, paper clip, penny, toothpick, pony bead, pom-pom, button, marble, nail etc. The most important rule for "finding jars"...DON'T OPEN THE JAR!)
January 4, 2009
LOST: activity
Today we continued looking at the "Lost" parables. We re-read Luke 15 and added the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18:10-14. We need to remember that not only does God love us, He loves others too! As humans, it's too easy to want to justify our thoughts or actions by looking at others and thinking, "at least I'm better than they are!" (thinking like the pharisee) Or look at others and assume their difficult situation is because they're not "good" enough or they don't "deserve" to be treated well. (thinking like the older brother) Jesus' parables speak to people of all times and places!
Our activity today was to serve others. Unfortunately, homeless men and women can sometimes be looked upon as somehow "deserving" their difficult situation. Remembering that the father held a feast in honor of his son's return, we made fun place settings and lunches for a local homeless shelter.
(We decorated plain red placemats [from restaurant supply] with jokes, riddles and stickers. Each placemat included a "God loves you!" sticker. The kids also rolled up a spoon, fork and knife with a red napkin and tied it with yarn. These will be used for dinner at the shelter. We also made sack lunches that will be handed out as guests leave the shelter in the morning. If you decide to do something similar, be sure to check with your local shelter for guidelines and how many guests to prepare for. Another place that might accept placemats is a nursing home. You might also be able to make little gift bags with lotion, lip balm etc. Again, ask first and be sure to make enough placemats/gifts so no one is left out.)
Our activity today was to serve others. Unfortunately, homeless men and women can sometimes be looked upon as somehow "deserving" their difficult situation. Remembering that the father held a feast in honor of his son's return, we made fun place settings and lunches for a local homeless shelter.
(We decorated plain red placemats [from restaurant supply] with jokes, riddles and stickers. Each placemat included a "God loves you!" sticker. The kids also rolled up a spoon, fork and knife with a red napkin and tied it with yarn. These will be used for dinner at the shelter. We also made sack lunches that will be handed out as guests leave the shelter in the morning. If you decide to do something similar, be sure to check with your local shelter for guidelines and how many guests to prepare for. Another place that might accept placemats is a nursing home. You might also be able to make little gift bags with lotion, lip balm etc. Again, ask first and be sure to make enough placemats/gifts so no one is left out.)
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