Samantha Lacey of Church from Scratch in the United Kingdom has created five beautiful colouring pages for Christmas
"We hope you enjoy colouring in these Christmas pages which you can download for free. As a church, we love using other people’s resources and creating and sharing what we come up with. You can download, use, share, print, email and re-post them as you wish – please attribute the author if you download and re-share and do not charge money."
"We hope you find some calm during lockdown, while colouring in this book. Take a moment for yourself or share with friends and family and spend time with God in a different way.
Love Through Lockdown was created by Samantha Lacey of CFS as a resource to help people during lockdown.
You can use, share, print, email and re-post ‘Love Through Lockdown’ as you wish, as long as you attribute the author and do not charge money for it. Churches are welcome to use it as well. Full details are in the book."
Church from Scratch in the United Kingdom made and used these videos last year and they helped bring the Christmas story into fresh focus for lots of people.
You can stream or download them, use/adapt the script, post the video files as part of your own social media output, home group discussion starters, you choose.
Imagine if Jesus was born in 2021. Mary is an ordinary teenager. Joseph a normal guy. This is a modern-day adaption of the Nativity story, released as ten episodes. The Christmas story, stripped of tinsel and myth.
Ideas that children can do before the programme starts. Suitable for children's work, where children gradually drop in.
Today God comes to Abraham and Abraham receives Him full of hospitality - a freshly baked loaf of bread, delicious veal, butter, milk, a place in the shade, washed feet. There is no end to it!
What do you need:
- nice pillows / cushions - A basin with warm water - towels - wipes to clean their hands with - tasty snacks and special drinks
What do you do:
Do: When the children come in, one of the leaders is ready to wash their feet.
Then they can sit on a cushion and another leader comes to clean their hands with warm towels. After this they get some nice snacks and special drinks.
It is already a big party and the children who come in later complain that they are so late!
Ideas that children can do before the programme starts. Suitable for children's work, where the children trickle in.
Today we are going to hear a story about Hagar who runs away from Sarai, because Sarai makes her life difficult. She runs away, but is seen and 'tagged' by God. He has an assignment for her: go back to Abram and Sarai. But fortunately He also has a promise for her: many descendants and a powerful son whom she is to call Ishmael - God who listens.
Do: Play tag with the children who come in. One of the leaders is 'it'. When everyone is tagged, one of the children can be 'it'.
When everyone is tagged and has caught their breath a bit, tell them something about today's Bible story.
Tell: Today we are going to hear a story about Hagar who runs away from Sarai, because Sarai makes her life difficult. She runs away, but is seen and 'tagged' by God. He has an task for her to do: to go back to Abram and Sarai. But fortunately He also has a promise for her: She will have many descendants and a powerful son whom she may call Ishmael, which meand 'God who listens' .
Rick Lenski has created a small PDF booklet with three magic tricks that you can use around the theme of Halloween. Two of the tricks are based on the "Skeleton in the closet" magic trick. If you want to get to know this trick, watch this YouTube video. This trick is not easy to find online. (This website sells them - October 2021)
You can download the PDF with the three Halloween ideas here:
A fun crafts idea about the Bible story of Abram counting the stars
Abraham: God's firm promises
This is a simple but fun craft on Flame Creative Kids with a real ‘awe’ factor when the children see the curds and whey separating. The fact that something solid is made from the liquid helps children to reflect on the fact that God’s promises to Abraham are solid and firm and that Abraham can trust God to do as he says. This activity is linked to the story of Abraham in Genesis 15, where God tells Abraham: “Look at the sky. See the many stars. There are so many you cannot count them. Your family will be like that.”
Ideas that children can do before the programme starts. Suitable for children's work, where children gradually trickle in.
Today we will focus on the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. This story revolves around a wedding feast. Apart from the serious message of shining your light, it is also a festive story, hence the decorated cakes.
What do you need:
- cakes - fun / tasty things to decorate the cakes with - whipped cream - plates and forks
Ask the children who come in to help you decorate the cakes. You might then be able to eat these cakes together at the end of your story.
Twenty-five new gospel magic routines by Rick Lenski
"Hard to believe God has given me enough ideas for book nr. 7 and I am starting on book nr 8. Over 30 years of teaching Sunday school and now in my 70s God is still using me. I pray this be use for His glory, not mine. God gives me ideas in dreams, sometimes just looking at a trick and many ways. He has been so good to me. If this has been helpful to you share it and share your knowledge and train those who are to follow. To God be the Glory." Rick Lenski
In today's parable, an important person gives money to his servants with the instruction to multiply this money. This is an exciting form of work in which you invest in children in a very practical way, with the hope that it will generate something for a good cause.
What you need:
- money
What do you do:
Do: After you have told the children the story about the talents, give them all 50 cents or 50 pence, or one dollar or pound or maybe five dollars or pounds (depending on your budget...). Ask them to do something with this talent to see if they can multiply it. All the money they get from this goes to charity. They are not 'allowed' to put the money in a piggy bank or spend it on sweets for themselves! The intention is that in the coming week they will do something with this talent, with this money, to multiply it.
A idea that the kids in your children's ministry can do while the program hasn't started yet. Suitable for children's work, where children gradually trickle in.
Today we are reflecting on the ascension of Jesus. In this lesson we use the image of an astronaut and rockets as a starting point to think about ascension with the children..
What you need:
- newspapers - adhesive tape
What to do:
Do: Divide the children who drop in into small groups. Give each group a large stack of newspapers and enough rolls of tape. Ask them to build a large rocket with the newspapers and tape.
The believers hear the sound of a strong wind. It is the Holy Spirit turning their lives upside down. They are, as it were, blown over by the Spirit. For this game, you need an Airzooka. They are not expensive and will give you hours of fun!
Tell: The believers hear the sound of a strong wind. It is the Holy Spirit turning their lives upside down. They are as it were blown over by the Spirit.
For our game today, we need an Airzooka. With this you can shoot a ball of air and blow over cups at a distance.
Do: Place a number of pyramids with plastic cups on the table and let each child try a number of times whether they can knock the cups over.
Ask: If you had been one of the disciples, would you have been blown away? What blows you away about God? Or what do you find special about the Holy Spirit?
The Hebrew word for the Holy Spirit is 'Ruach', which means wind. The believers do not just hear the sound of a strong wind, but the Wind of God has come in them and on them. The Wind of God drives them to tell everyone about God. They 'race' out to tell everyone the Good News.
What do you need:
- lots of Lego to build Lego cars - large balloons
What do you do:
Watch this video beforehand and make one or more examples so that the children can see what to make.
Do: Have the children build a Lego car alone or in pairs, which is pushed forward by a balloon. When everyone has made a car, let them race against each other in pairs. Which car is the fastest?
The Hebrew word for the Holy Spirit is "Ruach," which means wind. The believers do not just hear the sound of a strong wind, but the Wind of God has come into them and on them. In this game we dwell on this.
What do you need:
- a number of inflated balloons - a number of funnels
What do you do:
Tell: The Hebrew word for the Holy Spirit is "Ruach," which means wind. The believers don't just hear the sound of a strong wind, but the Wind of God has come in them and on them. I have some balloons here. These balloons are also filled with wind, with my breath. Can you catch these balloons?
Do: Take turns asking two or three children to come forward (depending on how many funnels you have). The children hold the funnel with their right hand from below. With the other hand they put the inflated balloon on / in the funnel. Now they are not allowed to use their other hand. They throw the balloon up with their funnel hand and then try to catch the balloon again. How long does this go well? Who can do this the most number of times without the balloon falling to the ground? After a few times, switch players so that everyone gets a chance.
Ask: It is quite difficult to catch a balloon. Who knows what to do to get the Holy Spirit in and on you?
The Hebrew word for the Holy Spirit is "Ruach," which means wind. The believers don't just hear the sound of a strong wind, but the Wind of God has come into them and is leading them forward. The believers immediately spring into action and start telling everyone about the good deeds of God. In this game we dwell on this.
What do you need:
- balloons
- masking tape
Preparation:
You will need a large play area for this. Tape a line on one side of the room with masking tape and tape a second line on the other side of the room.
What do you do:
Tell: The Hebrew word for the Holy Spirit is "Ruach," which means wind. The believers not only hear the sound of a strong wind, but the Wind of God has come into them and is leading them forward. The believers immediately spring into action and start telling everyone about the good deeds of God. Today we are going to use our breath, which is also a type of wind, to blow up a balloon and put it into action.
Do: Divide the children into groups of four to five children.
Put them in a row next to each other and give them all an empty balloon.
The children must inflate the balloon and release it toward the line on the other side of the room. Of course, the balloon might go in any direction, so it won't cross the line in one go. The children can go to the balloon and pick it up, but must remain standing where the balloon fell. From this spot, they inflate the balloon again and try to shoot it towards the line again.
Who needs the least number of attempts to make the balloon fly on the other side of the line?
A idea that the kids in your children's ministry can do while the program hasn't started yet. Suitable for children's work, where children gradually trickle in.
Today we reflect on the first church. A group of new believers who were all separate pieces at first, and now become a beautiful puzzle in which they are one with each other in everything and share with each other.
There is really a deep unity among the believers, in which they share everything with each other and agree on everything. It really is those wonderful honeymoon weeks of the first church. Everyone has food to eat. Rich people sell their house or a piece of land and give that money to the apostles. The apostles then shared this among the poor.
What you need:
- one or more puzzles (difficulty depending on age)
What to do:
Children who come in may help to make the puzzle or puzzles together. Can you do this in the 5 or 10 minutes we have?
Afterwards Share: Today we reflect on the first congregation. A group of new believers who first were all separate pieces and now become a beautiful puzzle in which they are all one and share are one with each other and share with each other.
The priests and scribes place soldiers to guard the tomb, but we already know that this was of little use. Jesus just rises from the dead! This craft activity celebrates that.
This idea is part of a complete Sunday School lesson on the Bible story of the crucifixion of Jesus. ( Matthew 27: 39 - 66 )
What do you need:
- worksheet - paper plate - lolly sticks - grey paper to make the stone - grey paint with brushes - coloured pencils / felt-tip pens - glue
A group discussion about Jesus' words on the cross
The leaders of the people and the priests mock Jesus on the cross. They have no idea what's going on. They can only see one piece of the puzzle and are missing the big picture. By means of a special puzzle we discover whether we see the big picture.
This idea is part of a complete Sunday School lesson on the Bible story of the crucifixion of Jesus ( Matthew 27: 39 - 66 )
Download the PFD booklet with thirteen Sunday school ideas on the Bible story of Jesus being crucified
Are you looking for a Sunday school lesson on the Bible story of Jesus being crucified in Matthew 27: 39 - 66?
This lesson will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, VBS, kidmin, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
We understand that these thirteen ideas are maybe too many to fit into just one Sunday school lesson, but we want to give you the opportunity to pick and mix, so that you can choose the ideas that fit with you and with your group of children.
Here are the following ideas for your Sunday school lesson for you to choose from:
* Prove who you are - a children’s moment * Guess who it is… - an icebreaker * How do I tell the this Bible story? - storytelling tips * Imagination of a child - YouTube video and discussion * Blow it into the bottle! - a fun science experiment * Telling the Easter story with smarties - a creative activity * Why have you forsaken me? - a creative discussion * Can you see the big picture? - a creative activity * Use all five senses on this Easter quest - a creative activity * Get down off the cross - a Bible game * Is anyone going to try and steal the body? - a Bible game * The guards were no use…. - craft activity * The torn curtain in the temple - a creative prayer idea
Download the PDF booklet with all these ideas
We have created an illustrated PDF booklet containing these creative ideas. Using this PDF booklet you can print all these ideas at home at your leisure.
Use this secular YouTube video to hold a creative discussion with the children about the Bible story of the crucifixion of Jesus
In this film, a teacher asks her class to draw an animal from your imagination. One little boy starts by colouring a page completely black and doesn't stop at that. He colours page after page completely black. Nobody understands what is going on. The boy is examined and even admitted to a psychiatric institution. In the meantime he carries on colouring pages black. At some stage someone comes up with the idea of a puzzle. They put all the black pages together and the little boy turns out to have drawn a life-size whale. He was just doing what the teacher had asked him, but his imagination was much bigger!
This idea is part of a complete Sunday School lesson on the Bible story of the crucifixion of Jesus ( Matthew 27: 39 - 66 )
How does this film apply to today's Bible story?
Just like the little boy, Jesus is busy with an assignment that goes much further than anyone can think of at that moment. The priests, law teachers and leaders of the people don't understand a thing. They don't see the bigger picture. They only see a man who cried out and is now dying on a cross. Even Jesus seems to lose the big picture at the darkest moment when he feels that God has abandoned him. But luckily God always sees the big picture...
Important questions:
It’s important to always watch the film yourself beforehand and to ask yourself: - do I want to show this to the children? - does this film work in the context and age-range of the children I am working with? If you choose to show this YouTube video, we suggest you use the following steps:
Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus and climbs a tree. But what if there was no tree? Could we have built a tree for Zacchaeus with marshmallows?
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on the Bible story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.
This idea will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, VBS, kidmin, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
A fun Bible game about the Bible story of Zacchaeus
Jesus sees Zacchaeus sitting up there in the tree. Can the Night Watchman find the children?
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on the Bible story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.
This idea will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, VBS, kidmin, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
What do you need:
- a darkened room
What do you do:
Do: This game is played in the dark... Choose one child to go and stand in the corridor. All the other children are given a number. Then then hide themselves in the dark room and the night watchman comes in.
He or she then says: "The night watchman is coming and the clock strikes (a number) o’clock.
The person who has that number makes the sound of an animal. The night watchman has to try and find the person and guess who it is.
A fun Bible game about the Bible story of Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus exploited the people in Jericho. As a tax collector he went for the money and not for their well-being. If he had to, he would have someone undress up to his shirt.
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on the Bible story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.
This idea will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, VBS, kidmin, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
What do you do:
Tell: Zacchaeus exploited the people in Jericho. As a tax collector he went for the money and not for their welfare. If he had to, he would have taken the shirt off their backs.
Do: Ask everyone to take off their shoes, and pull their socks half off. The aim of the game is to try and get the socks off each other's feet by standing on them loose socks. The last one with at least one socks wins.
Check if this game fits your group. Make sure that children don’t tread on each other's feet. They are not allowed to touch each other with their hands.
Use this secular YouTube video to hold a creative discussion with the children about the Bible story.
A robot falls in love with a doll. They even get married, but one day the doll can’t do anything anymore. Her batteries are empty. As the doll comes back to life, we see the robot sitting lifelessly next to her. He has given her his batteries so that she can come back to life.
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on the Easter Bible story in Luke 23:26-56.
This video will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, VBS, kidmin, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
Why is this film applicable to the story of the crucifixion of Jesus?
In our story today Jesus gives his life for us. He died so that we can live again.
Important questions:
It’s important to always watch the film yourself beforehand and to ask yourself: - do I want to show this to the children? - does this film work in the context and age-range of the children I am working with?
If you choose to show this YouTube video, we suggest you use the following three steps:
Step 1: Test the battery
What do you need:
- a battery tester - new and old batteries.
What do you do:
Do: Give each of the children a battery
Ask: How do you know if the battery has any energy?
Tell: You could put the battery into a clock to see if it will work, or you could test the battery with a battery tester.
Do: The children can take it in turns to test their battery. Is it empty, half empty or completely full?
Tell: You can’t tell just by looking if a battery is empty. Today we’re going to watch a video in which empty batteries play an important part, and are also part of the Easter story. Shall we watch?
Step 2: Watch Toy love story:
Step 3: The Easter battery
What do you need:
- two torches
What do you do:
Ask: What does this video have to do with Easter, do you think?
Tell: Just as the robot gave his life to the doll he was married to, Jesus gave his life for us. The example of the batteries is a lovely one.
Do: Show the children a torch that works because its batteries are full, and a torch whose batteries are empty. Take the batteries out of the working torch and put them in the torch that was empty.
Tell: This is just like Jesus. He knows that our batteries are empty and gives his own life giving energy to us, so that we can shine again.
Ask: - What are the empty batteries in our lives? - How come our batteries are empty? - What sort of light to Jesus’s batteries give?
Use this secular YouTube video to hold a creative discussion with the children about the Bible story.
A father made of wood has a son made of iron. The fire in his son’s heart needs feeding with wood to keep it burning. The son eats everything that is made of wood – even their house collapses. The iron son sees what this is doing to his wooden father and runs away. Because he has no more wood to feed the fire, it goes out and he nearly dies. His father then puts a windmill in his heart, which also gives him energy, and the son comes back to life.
Why is this film applicable to the story of the call of Abram?
Abram and Lot are in a struggle for water and food. As in this film, there is not enough for both of them and their families. What do you do then?
In the Bible story Abram and Lot separate. In the video the father looks for a solution which means that they can stay together. Which is better?
Important questions:
It’s important to always watch the film yourself beforehand and to ask yourself: - do I want to show this to the children? - does this film work in the context and age-range of the children I am working with?
If you choose to show this YouTube video, we suggest you use the following steps:
Download the PDF
Due to the length of the text this idea can be downloaded as a PDF.
Use this secular YouTube video to hold a creative discussion with the children about the Bible story.
A mouse wants to go to the moon because he thinks that the moon is made of cheese. He builds a rocket, flies off and lands on a large piece of cheese. He thinks that this is the moon, but he has landed on a large piece of cheese in the cheesemongers.
Why is this film applicable to the story of the call of Abram?
Both Abram and the mouse go on a journey because they have a dream. Abram dreams of the promised land and a large number of descendants. God has promised him this. Do they both reach their destination? Why (not)?
Important questions:
It’s important to always watch the film yourself beforehand and to ask yourself: - do I want to show this to the children? - does this film work in the context and age-range of the children I am working with?
If you choose to show this YouTube video, we suggest you use the following steps:
Download the PDF
Due to the length of the text this idea can be downloaded as a PDF.
Download the PFD booklet with eleven great ideas on this Bible story
Are you looking for a complete Sunday school lesson on the Easter Bible story in Luke 22: 39 – 71 - Jesus being betrayed bj Judas, deserted by his disciples in the garden of Gethsemane and disowned by Peter?
This Easter lesson will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, VBS, kidmin, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
We understand that these eleven ideas are way too many to fit into just one Sunday school lesson, but we want to give you the opportunity to pick and mix, so that you can choose the ideas that fit with you and with your group of children.
Here are the following eleven ideas for your Sunday school lesson for you to choose from:
* Alone in the world - a children’s moment * Egg bowling - an icebreaker * How do I tell the this Bible story? - four storytelling tips * The early hatchling gets the worm - YouTube video and discussion * Pencils through a plastic bag - a fun science experiment * In the garden of Gethsemane - a creative activity * Friends make wrong choices - a creative activity * What does Easter mean to us? - a creative activity * Watch and pray... - a Bible game * Go on, guess who it is? - a Bible game * Father, forgive them… - a creative prayer idea
Download the PFD booklet with fourteen great ideas on this Bible story
Are you looking for a complete Sunday school lesson on the Bible story of Abram being called by God to go to Canaan in Genesis 12: 1 - 9?
We offer you the following fourteen creative ideas for your Sunday school lesson.
We understand that these fourteen ideas are way too many to fit into just one Sunday school lesson, but we want to give you the opportunity to pick and mix, so that you can choose the ideas that fit with you and with your group of children.
Here are the following fourteen ideas for your Sunday school lesson for you to choose from:
* Which countries have you visited? - an introductory activity * Are you a good listener? - a children's moment * I am going on a journey… - an icebreaker * Which countries do you know? - an icebreaker * How do I tell the story of Abram? - a storytelling tip * Scraps - YouTube video and discussion * Build your own old fashioned phone - a fun science experiment * I know that sound! - a creative activity * Quite a walk! - a creative activity * A suitcase race - a Bible game * Let’s travel to Canaan - a Bible game / quiz * Create your own paper sandals - a crafts idea & game * Footsteps in paint - a crafts idea * Let’s build an altar together - a creative prayer idea
Using this secular YouTube film you can talk with the children about the Bible story of Joseph reconciling with his brothers in Egypt
A ladybird dreams of being a bee and collecting pollen. But when he does meet a bee, it takes his toy away and stamps on it. Then the bee flies away. As he flies away he loses all his pollen and flies into a plant. The ladybird comes to help him, and they end up becoming good friends. The ladybird rides on the back of the bee, and together they collect lots of pollen. This works so well that all the other bees end up collecting pollen with a ladybird on their backs.
So what makes this film suitable for a discussion on the story of Joseph reconciling his brothers?
Just like the ladybird, Joseph had a dream. He dreamt that everyone would bow down to him one day. His brothers were like the bee – to start with they ignored him and treated him very badly. It seemed that there was no chance that his dream would come true.
Important questions:
It’s important to always watch the film yourself beforehand and to ask yourself: - do I want to show this to the children? - does this film work in the context and age-range of the children I am working with?
If you choose to show this YouTube video, we suggest you use the following steps:
Step 1 – This is what I really want to achieve… (5 minutes)
What do you need: - a soft foam ball - basket or rubbish bin
What do you do: One of the leaders holds the basket or bin high above his or her head. The children can then take it in turns to try and throw the ball into the basket while answering the following question – “This is what I really want to achieve…”
Tell the children – it’s good to have dreams, and to try to achieve things – for example winning at football or learning to swim, or playing a lovely piece of music. Sometimes we have to work really hard to reach our goals, and keep on trying until we succeed.
Step 2: Watch the video ‘Buggy’ together (5 minutes)
Step 3: Joseph’s four keys
What do you need: - four large envelopes, each with a picture of a key on them - four sheets of paper with the following words: 1 - ‘giving’ 2 - ‘don’t take revenge’ 3 - ‘show love’ 4 - ‘see God’
What do you do:
Tell the children: "This ladybird is a bit like Joseph. Just like the ladybird, Joseph had a dream. He dreamt that everyone would bow down to him one day. His brothers were like the bee – to start with they ignored him and treated him very badly. It seemed that there was no chance that his dream would come true – was there?"
Joseph discovered four keys to life that really helped him not to become bitter, but to touch his brothers’ hearts. Keys that eventually turned the situation completely around, and resulted in his whole family being reunited.
Let’s look at the four keys:
Show the children the four envelopes – open them one by one and talk with the children about the ‘key’ inside:
‘Generous’ – Joseph has a generous attitude towards his brothers – he gives them clothes, money, wagons, fertile land in Egypt, food. * - Question for the children: how hard or easy do you find it to be generous to others?
‘Don’t take revenge’ – Joseph could have made life very difficult for his brothers because of his position of power. But he doesn’t take revenge. * - Question for the children: have you ever taken revenge on someone?
‘Show love’ – Joseph chooses to love his brothers, not hate them. * - Question for the children: How do you show love in your life?
‘See God’ – Joseph chooses to see God’s hand in all that has happened to him, and to be thankful for what God has done. * - Question for the children: How was Joseph able to see God’s hand in his life, even during the hard times?
Download the PFD booklet with twelve great ideas on this Bible story
Are you looking for a complete Sunday school lesson on the Bible story of Joseph the Dreamer, Jacob's favorite son who gets to wear his coat of many colours in Genesis 37: 1 - 11?
We understand that these twelve ideas are way too many to fit into just one Sunday school lesson, but we want to give you the opportunity to pick and mix, so that you can choose the ideas that fit with you and with your group of children.
Here are the following twelve ideas for your Sunday school lesson for you to choose from:
* The coolest coat ever - an introductory activity * Live your dream - a children's moment * That’s not fair - an icebreaker * How do I tell the story of Joseph - three storytelling tips * Swing - YouTube video and discussion * Naming the colours - a fun science experiment * What do you see? - a creative activity * Bullying always hurts - a creative activity * Green with jealousy - a creative activity * What do you hate? - a Bible game * I am a caterpillar - a Bible game * A coat of love - a creative prayer idea
Use this creative activity to teach about the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colours
Joseph’s brothers were green with jealousy to see how their father put Joseph first. Joseph, who told on them time and time again, who was given a beautiful coat, and has now told them all his dreams. Yes, they were pretty jealous!!!!!
What do you need:
- a transparent plastic bag - washing up liquid - shampoo - green food colouring or green washing up liquid - water
What do you do:
Do: Make yourself a bag of green slime: (see the instructions at the end of the idea).
Show the children your bag of green slime. Tell them that in the eighties children played with something they called ‘smurf snot’- a soft green slimy gel in a bag.
Ask: - Ask the children who knows the saying ‘Green with jealousy’? - Why does the colour green stand for jealousy?
Tell: Joseph’s brothers were green with jealousy to see how their father put Joseph first. Joseph, who told on them time and time again, who was given a beautiful coat, and has now told them all his dreams. Yes, they were pretty jealous!!!!!
Ask: - Have you ever been jealous? Why? - What did it feel like? - What can you do if you are really feeling jealous about something?
Tell: We’re going to make our own green slime today.
How to make slime: - Pour a bit of green washing up liquid in the bag (or normal washing up liquid with a few drops of green colouring). - Add a few spoons of water - Now add a little shampoo or conditioner - you can add as much as you want - Make sure the bag is closed properly, and squish it between your hands.
Use this fun game to teach about the story of the priest Zachariah meeting the angel Gabriel
Elisabeth had been given the cold shoulder for years because she was unable to have children. People thought that she wasn’t worth anything anymore. But she is so thankful! ‘The Lord has helped me to become pregnant. He is so good to me.’
Elisabeth thought that God was really special because he had helped her to become pregnant even when she was old. Why do you think God is really special?
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on Zechariah meeting the angel Gabriel, as part of our series for advent and Christmas.
Use this creative activity to teach about the story of the priest Zechariah meeting the angel Gabriel
Zechariah is in the temple. Suddenly the angel Gabriel appears and tells him that he and his wife are going to have a baby. But wait a minute! That’s not possible! They’re both much too old! Can we trust what the angel Gabriel says?
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on Zechariah meeting the angel Gabriel, as part of our series for advent and Christmas.
Using this secular YouTube film you can talk with the children about losing hope and go deeper into the meaning of the Bible story of Zechariah meeting the angel Gabriel
An old man lives a lonely life. Sitting on a park bench he thinks back on his youth and his wife. He ends the day watching television. He wants to tell his wife something but realises she isn’t there any more. Sadly he strokes the arm of her chair.
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on Zechariah meeting the angel Gabriel, as part of our series for advent and Christmas.
Why does this film go with today’s Bible story?
This film is about sadness, loneliness and lost hope. The man in the video has lost his wife. Zachariah is also a very old man who has lost his dream. He’ll never have a son, the son for which he has waited so long and prayed so hard. Or will he? Is there still hope? But surely that’s not possible?
Important questions:
It’s important to always watch the film yourself beforehand and to ask yourself:
- do I want to show this to the children? - does this film work in the context and age-range of the children I am working with?
If you choose to show this YouTube video, we suggest you use the following steps:
A fun game about the Bible story of Mary's meeting with the angel Gabriel
In our story today the angel Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus will be the King of Israel and that there will be no end to his reign.
What does a king do? Is it easy or hard to obey a king?
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on Mary meeting the angel Gabriel as part of our series for advent and Christmas.
What do you need:
- a toy crown
What do you do:
This is an amended version of the well-known game ‘Simon says’.
Do: Have the children stand in a circle, and have a leader stand in the middle of the circle.
Tell: The leader is the king or queen, and wears the crown. The children have to obey him or her, but only if they use the words ‘The king says’ . So if the king says ‘The king says sit down’, then they have to sit down, but if the king only says ‘Sit down’ then they have to stay standing. The children who do sit down are out.
Do: You can also have the children take it in turns to be the ‘king’ or ‘queen’.
Ask: In what ways is this similar to what a real king or queen would do? Why / why not? What sort of King is Jesus do you think?
A fun way to introduce the theme of Mary meeting Gabriel
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on Mary meeting the angel Gabriel as part of our series for advent and Christmas.
What do you need:
- a big bag of marshmallows
What do you do:
Do: Have the children sit in a circle on the ground.
Ask: Ask the children to introduce themselves one by one, and give three marshmallows, which they have to put in front of them.
Do: One of the children starts as the king/queen. He or she stands in the middle of the circle. The aim is for the king to try and take the marshmallows from the children. The children can prevent this by calling out the name of another child if the king tries to take a marshmallow from them. If they say a name before the king has taken their marshmallow, the king has to then run to the child whose name has been called and take a marshmallow from them. But if that child also calls out the name of another child before their marshmallow has been taken…..then the king has to go to that child. And so on! If the king does succeed in taking a marshmallow, they can eat it, and the child whose marshmallow was taken becomes the king.
How careful can we lower our paralyzed friend to Jesus?
The four friends have to work together to help the paralysed man get into the house through the roof. They had to lower him down very carefully at Jesus’ feet. Very carefully, so that nothing gets broken! This game is a fun way of encouraging children to work together..
Theme:
The paralyzed man healed by Jesus, the story of the man through the roof
What do you need:
- an egg (hardboiled or not!!) - a plastic bag - string - an A4 piece of paper - an elastic band - glue - cellotape - empty toilet rolls
A complete programme for your Sunday school
This idea is part of a complete Sunday school / kids ministry programme about the story of the man lowered through the roof.
Divide the children into teams and give each team a raw or hardboiled egg (depending on how messy you mind things getting!
The children have to find a way of getting the egg safely to the ground when one of the leaders throws it out of a first floor window (if this is possible), or drops it from a height. They might make a parachute or something else with the materials provided, to help get the egg down safely. Which egg will survive the fall and stay whole?
Give each team all the materials listed above, and they can get thinking and building. The team(s) whose egg stays whole has won. You can give them 10 – 15 minutes to make their creations before throwing them out of the window/dropping them from a height.
With the help of a secular YouTube film and a creative activity you can explore Jesus’ sacrificial love.
This YouTube film shows the story of a paper creature that is attacked by a pair of scissors. Rock sees what is happening and he attacks Scissors out of compassion for Paper. Rock wins from Scissors but gets wounded. Rock carries Paper to a safe place, but because in the game Paper always beats Rock, he starts to crumble even as he is carrying her to safety. He therefore demonstrates sacrificial love.
It’s easy to find a link between this story and the incident when Jesus touches the leper and makes him promise not to tell anyone. The leper does tell everyone that Jesus touched and healed him. It has been centuries since anyone healed a leper – back in the time of the prophet Elisha, when general Naaman was healed. If Jesus can heal even a leper, surely he can help anyone! As Jesus had expected, large crowds came to see him – so large that he was no longer able to go into the villages and towns. His compassion for the man with leprosy, and the fact that the man was too excited to keep it to himself meant that Jesus was forced to retreat to more remote places. Jesus experienced a degree of suffering because of his compassion for this man.
Of course you can also use this video to teach on Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection!
Themes:
Jesus healing the leper, sacrificial love, Jesus' death and resurrection
Important question:
It’s important to watch the video yourself first and to decide if you want to show it to the children? Does it fit within your context and the age of the children?
What do you do:
Step 1: Have the children play the game ‘Rock, paper, scissors’. You could play it for a few minutes and have them change partners half way through.
If you don’t know the game, you can watch this link.
Step 2: Watch the video together, and possible one more time after completing step 3.
- rock - scissors - paper - the illness leprosy - Jesus - the ill man
1. Print the six images out and show them to the children 2. Ask the children to make three pairs of the images – which ones belong together? 3. Who represents Jesus in the video? (the rock) – why do you agree or not agree? 4. Who represents the ill man? (the paper) – why do you agree or not agree? 5. Who represents the illness? (the scissors) – why do you agree or not agree?
What on earth could be the link between cornflakes, a magnet and the star of Bethlehem?
To find out, you’ll have to watch this surprising TheDadLab video below. It is another one of his great, short videos on easy to do science experiments.
Just as the cornflake is pulled along by the magnet held above it, so the (three) wise men experience the pull of the star. It leads them towards Bethlehem, where they will worship Jesus and present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
"They went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed." Matthew 2: 9 - 10
This is a great object lesson to illustrate the Christmas story of the wise men following the star of Bethlehem.
It is fun and easy to do with the children. They can take it in turns to try moving a cornflake over the water.
Themes:
The Magi, the (three wise men, the (three) kings, the star of Bethlehem, God's direction
What do you need:
- a strong magnet - fortified cornflakes (check the label to see how much iron each serving contains—the more the better!) - a bowl of water
You can create a magical moment by bringing a stick figure to life.
This is ideal for when you do a talk about:
Easter As a visual demonstration of the resurrection of Jesus!
Creation Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2: 7)
The raising of Lazarus Rrecounted in the Gospel of John (John 11:1-44), a miracle of Jesus in which Jesus brings Lazarus of Bethany back to life four days after his burial.
The raising of the son of the widow of Nain Recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus arrived at the village of Nain during the burial ceremony of the son of a widow, and raised the young man from the dead. (Luke 7:11–17)
Being alive in Christ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
Watch the two video's below to discover how you use this great object lesson!
Fun crafts idea
Of course you can also use it as a fun crafts idea, as shown in the video below!
How does it work?
As you can see in the videa all you need is a whiteboard marker and a flat, shiny surface. Use a whiteboard marker to draw a stick figure on a flat, shiny surface and drop a little water on it. Then you'll see the drawing slowly lift off the surface and become one with the watery bubble.
This is because the ink in a whiteboard marker, unlike a permanent marker, includes an oily silicone substance. Because oil sits on top of water so does this ink, which will also move as the puddle moves. By gently blowing on the puddle the stick figure will swish and dance around according to which way you blow on it.
The final product may look like an intricate optical illusion, but the stick figure comes to life thanks to only a whiteboard marker, some water and a shiny surface.
Themes:
The resurrection of Christ, raising of Lazarus, the resurrecrtion of Lazarus, the raising of the widow's son, creation of mankind, being made alive in Christ
A cool science experiment with hydrogel beads about how we as Christians can be on fire for God by being filled by the Holy Spirit.
In Ephesians 5:18 Paul writes: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
In this object lesson we’re going to use hydrogel beads and a hot frying pan to demonstrate to children that we as Christians can be on fire for God by asking Him to fill us with His Spirit.
Themes:
The coming of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, being filled with the Spirit, the power of the Spirit
Download:
You can download a complete worksheet which will help you to do the object lesson and teach on being filled with the Holy Spirit within your Sunday school lesson or kids ministry.
It’s the Sabbath, the rest day for the Jewish people.
There is a group of people standing by the river in Philippi. They are all women. They have come together to pray. They believe in the Lord God and love him a lot. One of the women is called Lydia. She is a very rich woman. She sells beautiful red and purple material that you can use to make wonderful clothes.
A bit later a few men come walking up to the women and sit on the ground next to them. The women are surprised. They don’t know who they are. What are they doing here?
One of the men says ‘I am Paul”. We thought that you were praying. We also love the Lord God and also his son Jesus. He is the saviour, the Messiah.”
The women are even more surprised. Do these men know who the saviour is? The Messiah?
Then Paul starts to talk....
An easy to tell Bible story
We at Creative Kidswork want to make storytelling as easy as possible for you. That’s why we provide you with tons of easy to tell Bible stories. You can read this story aloud or tell it in your own way.
This Bible story from Acts 16:14-15 was written by Ellen Zuijdwegt for a Dutch Sunday school method, but you can use it at home, within a church service, Sunday school setting or anywhere you like
On Sunday the people go to the church. It’s not a normal church, but it’s quite a high building. On the third floor, at the top, there’s a large room, and everyone gathers there, because that’s where Paul is going to talk.
There are lots of people there. Everyone wants to hear Paul speaking. Eutychus is there too. He’s a boy and he wants to listen to Paul too.
It’s very busy and the whole room is full. There’s no space for Eutychus to sit, so he goes to the window and sits on the window sill.
Paul talks about Jesus. He talks for a long long time – there’s so much to tell and he is going away again tomorrow. So he talks, right on into the night.
An easy to tell Bible story
We at Creative Kidswork want to make storytelling as easy as possible for you. That’s why we provide you with tons of easy to tell Bible stories. You can read this story aloud or tell it in your own way.
This Bible story from Acts 20: 7-12 was written by Ellen Zuijdwegt for a Dutch Sunday school method, but you can use it at home, within a church service, Sunday school setting or anywhere you like
"Barabbas was listening hard. The crowd went quiet and he could hear a man's voice speaking. The next thing he heard was a great shout "BARABBAS, BARABBAS, WE WANT BARABBAS!" (Get the children to shout it out, really loudly). "Wonderful!" thought Barabbas. "It must be my mates, come to get me out of prison!" He began to feel much more cheerful. But then the crowd went quiet again, and again the man spoke. He couldn't hear Pilate's words, but Pilate was asking "What do you want me to do with Jesus?"
Themes:
The gospel, Jesus dying for our sins, Jesus dying in our place, to live for Christ
An easy to tell Bible story
We at Creative Kidswork want to make storytelling as easy as possible for you. That’s why we provide you with tons of easy to tell Bible stories. You can read this story aloud or tell it in your own way.
This Bible story was (re-)written by Korky and Anni Davey (OAC ministries) for a school assembly, but you can use it at home, within a church service, Sunday school setting or anywhere you like
Let's use this fun Bible study tool on Philippians 2
Today we are going to use a fun Bible study tool. It is very easy and it will certainly help the children in your Sunday school lesson, Bible lesson or youth ministry to reflect on this passage in Philippians.
In Philippians 2: 1 – 11 Paul writes that we should take Jesus as our example and look to him. He became a servant and was even willing to die on a cross. Paul encourages us to look at Jesus and then try to become like Him.
This Bible study tool on Philippians 2 is all about discovering who Jesus is. It will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
What do you need:
- 2 A3 pieces of paper, and pens - for each child a copy of the Bible passage Philippians 2: 1 - 11
What do you do:
Tell: Today we are going to make a list together of what we know about Jesus. We are going to write down as many things as possible.
Ask: - What do we know about Jesus? - How many things can we write down about Jesus?
Do: Make a list together with the children and write this down on the A3 paper.
Tell: Now we are going to make another list of how Paul looks at Jesus in this part of Philippians 2.
Do: Let the children read this passage first for themselves. Let one of more of the children read this passage aloud. You can repeat this one or two times.
Ask: - What does Paul say about Jesus in this passage? - How many things about Jesus can we discover in these eleven verses of Philippians?
Do: Make a new list together with the children and write this down on a new A3 paper.
Tell: Shall we look at the differences and similarities in our two lists?
Ask: - Before we begin, are there any words of things you don't understand in Paul's list of Jesus? - What similarities do the children notice in the two lists? - What differences do the children notice in the two lists? - What new thing have you learned about Jesus today?
It is a fun crafts activity on Philippians 2: 1 - 11 about looking at what it means to be one in Christ.. It will help the children in your Sunday school lesson, youth ministry, Bible lesson, children’s church or children’s ministry to reflect on this powerful Bible passage.
What do you need:
- for each participant you need a small canvas of 10 x 10 cm, paint and brushes, or wax crayons.
What do you do:
Tell: We are going to make a big painting together, consisting of lots of different small paintings. Paul tells the church in Philippi that they are one. They belong together.
Do: Read the text again carefully.
Ask: - What is it that binds the people in Philippi? - Is that easy, do you think?
Tell: We’re going to make a painting of a meadow of flowers together. Everyone is going to paint their own flower, but the edges of your painting must blend seamlessly with the painting next to it.
Tip: Write the name of each child lightly in pencil on the canvases, then put them all on the floor to make one big canvas. Then write on the four edges of the canvases the names of the children whose canvas borders on the other canvases. In this way the children will know who they have to work with to make sure that their paintings blend together.
Do: Depending on the age of the children you could draw the shapes of the flowers that overlap two canvases. Then at the end you can put them back together, like a puzzle.
You can do a quiz with the children in which you name various towns and countries and the children have to guess what the inhabitants are called.
To take some British examples ( you can find examples that are relevant to your children):
London – Londoners Glasgow – Glaswegians Birmingham – Brummies
Finish up with the ancient city of Philippi. This will bring us to Philippians, and is a fun way to start looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Of course you can play this game with Paul’s other letters as well.
Themes:
Letters in the New Testament, The Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul,
Setting:
Children's Sunday School, Sunday school lesson, children's ministry, kid's time, children's moment in church, Messy church, youth work
The only object lesson you can do all over the world.
Really excited about this object lesson! Did you know you can use a balancing Soda Can to tell any Bible story about Jesus healing and restoring people? And the great thing is that you can find a Soda Can all over the world. Wherever you are, you can do this object lesson!
Just think about the four friends and the paralyzed man or about Bartimaeus, the blind beggar. But also about the story of Zacchaeus and the raising of Lazarus...
In the video below I demonstrate how you can use the balancing Soda Can to tell the Bible story in John 4 of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman near the well. This woman was like a empty Soda Can - totally empty, lying on its side, blown over by life. A woman who knows what it is to be judged by all the full Coke Cans in her village. The men and women who live such nobles lives and who pour their shame on this broken and emptied woman.
But then something amazing happens. Jesus offers her life to the full. He offers her Living Water. And this woman drinks it all. A miracle happens. She is filled with Living Water and suddenly there is a restored balance in her life.
Living life to the full, because Jesus restores the balance in your life
In John chapter 4 Jesus meets the Samaritan woman near the well. This woman was like a empty Coke can - totally empty, lying on its side, blown over by life. A woman who knows what it is to be judged by all the full Coke cans in her village. The men and women who live such nobles lives, who pour shame on this broken and emptied woman.
But then something amazing happens. Jesus offers her life to the full. He offers her living water. And the woman drinks it in. A miracle happens. The woman is filled with water and suddenly there is a restored balance in her life.
Download the PFD booklet with eighteen great ideas on these Bible passages
Are you looking for a Sunday school lesson on the Bible passage of Psalm 23 and John 10: 11-18?
We offer you the following eighteen creative ideas for your Sunday school lesson.
We understand that all these ideas are way too many to fit into just one Sunday school lesson, but we want to give you the opportunity to pick and mix, so that you can choose the ideas that fit with you and with your group of children.
Here are the following ideas for your Sunday school lesson for you to choose from:
* Find the lost sheep - an introductory activity * Discover the wolf - an icebreaker * The door of a sheep pen - a creative activity * Who are you in the flock? - a creative activity * A love letter from the Father - a creative activity * Practicing with snails - a creative activity * He leads us to green pastures - a creative activity * Make a good shepherd's crook - a crafts activity * Your rod and staff comfort me - a crafts activity * Make you own sheep - a crafts activity * In search of the lost sheep - a Bible game * Feed the sheep relay race - a Bible game * Shooting at wolves - a Bible game / crafts * Which side of the black sheep? - a creative prayer idea * How close to the shepherd are you? - a creative prayer idea * Safe in the Shepherd's hand - a creative prayer idea * He leads me beside still waters - a creative prayer idea * Praying for the lost sheep - a creative prayer idea
Create an unforgettable experiment for your Sunday school class
Did you know that you can create the most beautiful colour effects, even a rainbow, in a bowl of milk? The only things you need for this is a bowl of milk, different colours of food colouring (liquid) and a drop of washing up liquid.
This is not just a really fun craft, it is also a cool science experiment that will appeal to both the girls and the boys in your Sunday school class or your children’s ministry.
You can combine this experiment with several Bible stories or Christian themes:
The story of creation - creating something that is beautiful (Genesis 1) The story of Noah and the rainbow – creating a rainbow in the milk (Genesis 9:8-17) The story of the Bethlehem star – creating a star in the milk (Matthew 2: 1-12)| The theme of light conquering darkness – this works really well if you use lots of dark colours in the milk. The theme of the cross – maybe it is an accident, but most of the effects in the video below change into a cross.
How can you introduce the theme of 'the law' to children and teenagers?
When we look at Jesus in the Bible, he seems to have a knack for stretching the law beyond what the lawmakers of his time thought was appropriate. In their eyes Jesus was a lawbreaker.
"One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
Mark 2:23-27
Breaking the rules to bless someone else
When I was watching this Coca Cola commercial, I was reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan. The priest and the Levite thought that serving God in the temple was more important than helping someone on the side of the road, who could have been dead. He was dead, they would have been unclean and wouldn't be allowed to serve God in the temple They were not ready to cross their boundaries to help someone else.
In idea 217 we show you how you can use this video as:
- a short introduction to a Bible story, a Sunday school lesson, a RE lesson - a longer reflection on certain Bible stories and /or Biblical themes
Several Biblical themes in this commercial:
Talking about the law, how far can you go?, the Good Samaritan, Jesus and the law, Jesus the lawbreaker, Jesus and the sabbath, dealing with boundaries
Tell the story of Philip and the Ethiopian in a school assembly, a children’s program or in a preach
"They could see some green trees in the distance. They were approaching an oasis. What's an oasis? A place in the desert where there is water. It was lovely – a pool of water all fresh and cool. “What's to stop me being baptised here and now?” asked the Ethiopian. “Nothing at all,” replied Philip, “If you are sure you believe in Jesus, in his Father God, and in his Holy Spirit, and want to be a true follower of Jesus from now on, all your days....” “Yes, I do!” said the Ethiopian. So they stopped the wagon again, and he and Philip climbed out, and went into the water. It depends how deep it was – Philip might have dunked him under the water completely, or he might have cupped his hands in the water and poured some over him. It's a picture of being washed clean, not just on the outside, but on the inside, too."
A beautiful Bible story written by Korky and Anni Davey (OAC ministries) with an easy to do painting. You can however also tell the story without a painting.
Themes:
Baptism, Being born again, Philip and the Ethiopian
Introduction: So many things seem to happen between the arrest of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. How can you help the children to make sense of all that happens?
Korky and Anni Davey (OAC ministries) have written a short script that you can use to 'walk' through all the events of Good Friday with the children.
Probably one of the best object lessons of all time
We think that this toy is maybe one of the best object lessons of all time. You can buy it for a few dollars or pounds on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
It works very simply.
Invite a few children to come forward. Ask them to stand in a circle and hold hands. Take the energy stick in your right hand and take the hand of the child on your left. Leave the circle 'open' by not taking the hand of the child on your right. Then ask the child on your right to also take hold of the other end (the silver end) of the energy stick. When they do this, something amazing happens. Lights go on and you hear a funny noise. What's happening?
There is a small current that you don’t feel and that you can’t see. This current flows through the whole circle as long as everyone is holding hands. It connects through the circle of hands to the other side of the energy stick and then the electrical circuit is complete.
But how can use this in different ways within your kids ministry?
Multiple uses within Christian ministry
Some of the teaching points that you can make using the energy stick are... - the importance and power of unity - everybody belongs to the group - everybody is important - if one part of the body suffers, we all suffer - the power of the Holy Spirit - the existence of God - God’s amazing love that flows through us
You show a large silver bowl that is empty. When you turn it upside down nothing comes out. When you pick it up again and start tip it up, water will pour out of it!
Something from nothing, liquid from mid-air! This can be repeated again and again, with the vase continually filling with water.
Being able to produce water from nothing time after time makes this trick ideal for telling different Bible stories, such as:
- Moses getting water from a rock (Num 20:11) - the widow's endless jar of oil (2 Kings 4:4) - Jesus being baptised (Matt 3:13).
Use this powerful object lesson to demonstrate what it means to have faith
You take an seemingly empty cup. You fill the cup with water. When you turn the cup upside down, no water comes out.
How can this be? It is not because of the cup, but because of what is in the cup. It is a very easy Gospel magic trick that we will explain below.
Why call it gospel magic, and not just a trick?
Because you can use this trick to explain to children, teenagers and adults what it means to have faith:
You ask a child, teenager or adult to sit on a chair. You fill the cup with water and you promise them that you will turn the cup over above their heads, but that no water will come out. They don't even have to blink their eyes. Can they trust you? It is hard to trust when everything inside you screams the opposite.
This is what faith is.
You can combine this trick with stories in the Bible where people had to show great faith before the miracle happened. Stories like the building of the ark, Abram sacrificing his son, Moses in front of the Red Sea, the fall of Jericho, etc, etc.
Using a Matryoska doll to teach in your Sunday school lesson
Another beautiful and powerful object lesson. that you can use to explain the Biblical truth of the (Holy) Trinity to children, teenagers and adults.
How do you do this in a way that they can see it and understand it?
Several images to explain the Trinity
Of course you can use the image of an egg: "The Trinity is like an egg. In one egg you have the white, the yoke, and the shell composing one full egg."
Or the image of water: "The Trinity is like water. Water has three states: solid, liquid, and gas. Although the water changes forms it is still H2O. Just as water changes forms so too is the Trinity."
Or the image of a three-leaf clover: "The Trinity is a like a three-leaf clover. There are three different cloves that represent the three different persons of the Trinity."
But did you know that you can also use a Matryoshka doll / Russian doll to very easily and visually explain the truth of the Trinity to them?
You can use the Matryoshka doll not only to teach them about the Trinity, but it is also a beautiful example of us being safe in Christ and secure in God the Father.
Jonah waits in vain for the destruction of Nineveh
Jonah has finally done what God asked of him. After he got spat out by the huge fish, he went to the town of Nineveh. He told the people in the city that God would destroy the city unless they repented, and then he went to sit on a hill just outside the city to watch the show. He’s quite looking forward to it - what a show it’s going to be!
In the meantime in the city of Nineveh, the inhabitants are repenting. God sees this, and spares the city.
Jonah doesn’t realise this, and waits....and waits.....and waits.. It’s getting too hot. But what’s this?
During the night God makes a large bush grow, so that Jonah can sit under it. What a blessing! But what’s this?
During the night God sends a worm that eats the bush and causes it to die. Jonah is furious!
And then he gets the lesson.....
Themes:
Jonah is waiting for the destruction of Nineveh, Jonah and the miracle tree, God sent a worm, Gods goodness and compassion
Video:
In the video below we show you how you can illustrate this story using the worm mix.
Before you try this yourself, it’s helpful to watch the introduction video in which we show you how to prepare the worm mix.
In this creative task the children are going to decorate a cross. This is a follow-up of writing and drawing prayers on the cross (see idea 4).
Themes:
Light of the world, the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This idea can be used for:
- Creative prayer or interactive moments during a service - Prayer rooms - Teaching concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus
Bible text:
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Description:
A big wooden cross is lying on the ground. In small groups the children get a few minutes to decorate part of the cross. Every child can glue beads to the cross, paint on the cross, or find another creative way of expressing what Jesus’ cross means for him or her. Within the preparation of this creative task around 50 holes have been drilled into the cross. After the decorating is completed fairy lights can be put through these holes. The cross can then be hung up somewhere and become a cherished memory, or be referred to within future settings.
You will need:
- A wooden cross (with holes drilled into it for fairy lights). - Glue - Beads - Paint - Fabric - Scissors
How do you tell the Bible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace in a new way?
Or the story of Daniel in the lion’s den? Or the story of Jonah in the fish? Or the story of the Israelites walking through the Red Sea?
Well, it's very easy. All you need is two oranges and a jug of water. Fun, easy, healthy and unforgettable!
You know, you can tell any story about God’s protection using these two oranges. Easy to use as a preaching illustration, in a Sunday school, during a children’s moment in church, in an school assembly or in a RE lesson.
Can you paint the story of the Bible in one go? Yes, you can!
Korky and Anni Davey (OAC ministries) have made a skecthboard painting of the whole Bible in 15 steps. It is very easy to do and it will allow you to share the complete story of the Bible in one go.
Most of the ideas on this site are members only. To give you an indication of the quality and content of our material we have made a number of our ideas available for free. In the first week of April 2019 we are renewing the site, so more free ideas will become available after this week.
To get access all the ideas you can become a memberfor only $25 per year. Click on the button on the right for more information.
We understand that these eleven ideas are way too many to fit into just one 
We offer you the following fourteen creative ideas for your 
We offer you the following twelve creative ideas for your 
