| While this story is all about action those actions are symbolised by two animals and because we can never have enough sheep crafts for bible stories (right!) this craft is a little sheep and goat that stand up. This would be a perfect pre-schooler craft as it really is super-duper simple! |  |
The least of these passage talks about an act of sorting. Sorting is something we learn from an early age and so lends itself well to games. The other element of the sorting is the revelation of truth. For very young children, any sorting game, toddler toys, wrapped boxes, or even just coloured scarfs can be a helpful way in. Here are some simple ideas for games and activities.
All Ages
Small group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
A printable game. Click on the image for the 2-page PDF download with instructions. Cut out a board and counters per player. The counters are mixed and placed in a bag. Players take it in turns to pull one counter. The counter is given to the right player. If you pull out your own counter, then go again. Sort your sheep and goats first to win. (For younger kids use counters, buttons, glass beads etc)
All Ages
Big group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
The children can sort themselves into groups according to age, colour of clothes, eye colour, types of shoes, or other obvious physical features. Trying to avoid boy/girl splits, where possible, will help mix the group.
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Read two statements and get the children to move from one side of the room to the other according to which statement is true. Including some religious statements like “Jesus loves me vs Jesus loves everybody” can lead well into the teaching.
Ages 7+
Big group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
This works well outside and in hot weather. Half fill plastic cups with water, drop food colouring into about half the cups, so a quarter of the cups end up one colour and a quarter another. The children then have to fill their team’s bucket with just one colour. They should have to use at least some clear liquid to show how our actions spread.
Under 7’s
Small group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
Draw around some objects and then get the youngsters to replace the right object in the empty gap. Any household item will do, but shapes with thin parts like scissors are especially effective.
| The King separated the Sheep and the goats, not because they were sheep and goats but because some had truly served their fellow man (for the least of these), when the others hadn’t. This craft illustrates that separation. It deliberately blank so that the older children can write their own messages on the wall and floor. |  |
This passage about separating the sheep and the goats, about putting your faith into action, about treating ‘the least of these’ like the king of all Heaven and Earth. It’s a beautiful if challenging passage and while I’ve written out a child-friendly version, it’s one of the passages that you could easily have your older kids read straight from scripture.
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 25
Jesus was teaching his followers about what would happen in the future. He had asked them to be prepared, he had asked them to use their talents wisely, and he had one more big instruction.
“One day everyone will be separated.” said Jesus, looking around his followers. “Have you seen the shepherd in the fields, they sort the animals putting the sheep to the right and the goats to the left, people will be separated just like that.
“The king will turn to those on his right and say, “Come, join me in my kingdom.
“Come good servants for when I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty, you gave me a drink, when I was a stranger you welcomed me. You clothed me when I was naked, cared for me when I was sick and visited me when I was in prison.”
The people on the king’s right will look confused, when did they feed the king? When did they welcome him as a stranger or care for him when sick?
The king will smile at the confusion and with great joy tell those on his right, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Then the king will turn to those on his left.
Leave here bad servants for when I was hungry, you didn’t feed me, when I was thirsty, you didn’t give me a drink, when I was a stranger you didn’t welcome me. You gave me no clothes when I was naked, no care when I was sick, and no visits when I was in prison.”
The crowd will protest. They had never seen the king hungry or thirsty, naked or sick, a stranger or in prison.
The king will turn in anger at them. “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did not do for me.”
Jesus looked at his friends, did they understand? They were not supposed to just serve Jesus but serve each other as if every person they met was Jesus. They could believe in Jesus’ words, but they needed to act on them too.
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