When 2 or 3 are gathered, Jesus is with them – This craft takes that literally, piecing Jesus together as the different people join. There is nothing moving in this craft, and it’s deceptively simple.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some paper glue. It is strongly recommended to print on heavier paper or thin card if that is an option for you.
Cut out the pieces.
Concertina fold the biggest piece, so the words are on the outside to form the stand
The characters all have numbers on them to help us with the next steps, take a moment to find them all.
Place number 1 in the first position behind the words.
Repeat with the other characters.
You may want to glue them in position eventually, but it’s best to make sure they are all positioned correctly first.
Now see the single picture form by looking straight on from a slight distance, or with one eye closed 😉
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Print the game PDF page by clicking on the picture. We order things to help us understand the world and how to act. In this game, you are given 5 random images and told to order them. How you order them is entirely up to you and no answer is wrong, but you must give a reason why. Are they in value order? Age order? Does the order tell a story? Etc. Link to the blueprint conflict resolution part of this passage.
I can… we can…
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Repeat the following statement, changing the parameters, “I can reach this high/far, together we can reach this high/far.” “I can lift this much, together we can lift this much” etc. By working with others we achieve much more, praying with others we are joined by Jesus.
Cuck-oo, moo moo
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
One person shouts out the first half of an animal sound, and the next person needs to respond with the other half. e.g. person 1 says, “twit” and the next says “twoo”. Dependent on your setup, this can work over screens, directed across rooms, or going around a circle. Which sounds work alone, which need a partner?
Prayer chain Jesus
All Ages
Any size group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Sit the children in a circle and say we will be passing around the word ‘Jesus’ one letter at a time. Have the first person throw a letter J, you can do this with a ball or just by imitating the action, the receiver throws the letter E until you reach the last S and start again. Link to the idea that we find Jesus not alone but gathered, even if only 2 people were throwing the letters they would still find Jesus.
Who ate the cookie from the cookie jar
Under 7’s
Small group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
If you have very small children, sing a round of this song. Talk about how it can be difficult to admit our mistakes and how others can accuse us. Link to Jesus talking about conflict
This craft is based on Matthew 18 verse 20 where Jesus speaks about where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name – though it plays with the wording a little. This is a perfect craft for a younger group as it’s so simple. It’s recommended to print this one in colour and allow the child to customise the final craft by adding colour to the words and details to the background.
For each passage, there is a collectable card alongside high-quality character images and a colouring page. All other graphics are extra’s!
Click on the images below to see a larger version. Save the images by right click + ‘save image as’ (computers) OR long press + ‘save image’ (mobile).
These images are NOT copyright free.
These resources are provided for personal/classroom use only. Use can use them for teaching, games, publicity, decorations, big screen presentations, flannel graphs, stickers, or any other non-commercial activity in your church, school, home, or organised group. You may not use them in products you are going to sell (both printed and digital). Nor may you upload the original images online, on websites, social media or in YouTube videos. Any questions, please reach out to me using the contact page link at the end of the page.
There are two quite distinct teachings in this short 6 verse section from Matthew 18: the teaching on resolving arguments and the teaching on corporate prayer. To capture both, this retelling weaves a fictional story about one of the crowd of extra’s. We know from Acts 2 that many men were with Jesus throughout his time but not chosen to be one of his disciples, one called ‘Justus’ is mentioned and this is an imagined story of his. Which of the two elements you decide to stress is entirely up to you.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Main Passage : Matthew 18 15-20 Extra reference : Acts 1
Jesus was teaching his followers, but today he wasn’t speaking to a large crowd, he was speaking to those who already knew him. To Jesus’ right, he saw Justus, one of the men who followed Jesus and the apostles. Justus wasn’t looking at him but at another man, his face was angry. The two men had argued the day before and clearly hadn’t made friends again. Jesus paused for a moment, he didn’t want arguments to pull apart his followers.
“Are you listening?” Jesus said loudly into the air, in the corner of his eye, he saw a few faces turn back to him, including Justus.
“When somebody wrongs you, this is what you should do.
First, go and talk to the person. If they do not listen, then ask 1 or 2 people to join you, not to take your side but to listen to you both. If that does not work, then ask the church to speak to him or her.”
“But what if they still don’t listen?” Justus called out, hoping that this argument would not go so far as the last one.
Jesus looked down at the ground. His heart broke because he knew there would be people who wouldn’t listen.
“They will be like one who has never known the church.” he sighed. “Love them, pray for them, but walk away from trying to get them to apologise.”
Justus looked at the man who was once his friend. He couldn’t imagine this journey without him,
“Will they never come back?” he asked.
“Pray they do” said Jesus, a smile forming on his lips “Pray, pray together, for when your prayers are in agreement then the father will answer them. Gather to pray with other believers.”
“How many others?” Justus asked.
Jesus paused, raising his voice again, this was important.
“Where two or three are gathered, together, in My name, I am there with them.”
“Just two or three?” shouted another voice.
“Oh yes! You need no great crowd, I will be with you.”
Justus pushed through the crowd to his friend, they were both apologising at the same time. Days would come when they would pray together, praise together, and remind themselves that they gathered because of Jesus and when they did… He Was Always There.
