Layered image crafts are simple and yet lovely keepsake crafts. This one for Young Jesus shows him in the temple talking to the crowd. This moment is really significant because here Jesus is showing us that while he is still almost 2 decades away from his main ministry time, his earthly relationship with God as his father is not something that just develops overnight.

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft materials

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout and scissors. You may want to use spacers (foam or cardboard), and a hole punch.

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft punch hole

Colour if required, then onto cutting. Use a hole punch to start the kids cutting the space in the middle of the frame.

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft cut pieces

This craft will look as good as your cutting skills but is forgiving if you skirt around small details like the indents on the pillars.

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft attach spacers

Add foam spacers (or cardboard pieces) to the back of the large step piece first and position.

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft begin construction

Next add the small step, this goes at the base, not in the middle.

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft add character

Add a spacer to the back of Jesus and put him in the middle of the picture. This will ‘squash’ the top step.

Next, add the pillars, we do these last so we can move around the Jesus figure more easily.

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft outer frame

Lastly, add spacers to the frame, then position.
(I found it better not to add any spacers to the crowd pieces.)

Young Jesus at the temple layered craft complete

The scene is complete.

the Milosevic Family

Help keep the free items on this site free by donating. This site supports my family as we live by God's great economy.

A4 size
(210 x 297 mm)

Download colour Download no colour
Becoming Jesus flaps craft animation

There is a real ‘potential’ focus within the Young Jesus story, and this craft ties into the idea that this child is developing into the man who will one day fully claim the title of Christ.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft setup

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some paper glue.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft cutout

Add any colour you want, then cut out the two rectangles.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft from 1

Fold the long strip in half, blank sides touching.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft form 2

Fold back each side, the folds should go along the dotted lines.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft glue

Add glue to the two inside sections.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft glued

Glue them together – doing this first will make the cutting easier.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft flaps

Cut along the dotted lines to separate the middle three ‘flaps’

Becoming Jesus flaps craft add background

Glue this piece to the background. This will add stability.

Becoming Jesus flaps craft final

Enjoy transforming young Jesus by adding wisdom, stature, and favour to see who he will fully become.

the Milosevic Family

Help keep the free items on this site free by donating. This site supports my family as we live by God's great economy.

A4 size
(210 x 297 mm)

Download colour Download no colour

US letter size
(8.5″ x 11″)

Download colour Download no colour
games graphic for young Jesus

The account of Young Jesus in the temple is a well-loved account of youthful contribution, but when it comes to games and activities, a question and answer session may not grab the kids’ attention so much. Here are a few activities that may let them get the wiggles out a bit more effectively.

Finding Jesus

Age group recommendation icon

All Ages

Smaller groups icon

Small group

Setup time required icon

Requires setup time

Noisy game icon

Noisy game

Space needed icon

Space needed

A ‘hide the thimble’ alternative. Using the hero’s post, print a small picture of the Jesus graphic and hide it in the room. Variants: play as rounds where Jesus is re-hidden, or you can print multiple copies and have each child find one.
Link to Mary and Joseph searching the city.

(more…)

Oh, to have heard young Jesus in the temple. A boy on the cusp of manhood, astounding the scholars of the faith. Rather than take the traditional parent perspective to this story, it’s written it from the eyes of one of the temple priests. There are 2 reasons for this, firstly this story is sometimes taught as the one thing Jesus did wrong, scripture disputes this and yet from a child’s viewpoint it’s an easy lesson to accidentally learn. Secondly, the story is an echo of a time yet to come and so the focus should be on the message of Jesus here, the significance of him being lost for 3 days can be drawn out with older groups

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: Luke 2

Young Jesus story post graphic
(more…)

The story of the God calling Samuel as a youngster is a great story to draw out ideas about listening, decoding, sources, support, and cooperation.

Nighttime Sounds

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

Cut out the cards and separate one. Place all the remaining cards face down over random squares. Look at the picture in the remaining uncovered square; this is what we aim to find. Lift any card. Does it match the original picture? If it matches, place it face up on that square; if it doesn’t, place it face down. We now have a new image we are searching for: the one under the card you just lifted. Continue until all the cards are face up.
Link: Samuel searching for the voice’s origin.

Recognising Voices

Age group recommendation icon

All Ages

Any sized group icon

Any size group

No setup-time required icon

No Setup time

Noisy game icon

Noisy game

Suitable for seated groups icon

Can be seated

Have the child playing Samuel sit in a chair (blindfolded, if you feel it’s needed, or with eyes closed). Point to one other child and get them to call out “young Samuel?” Can the child identify the voice?
Link: Recognising voices

That looks like a…

Age group recommendation icon

All Ages

Smaller groups icon

Small group

Setup time required icon

Requires setup time

Noisy game icon

Noisy game

Suitable for seated groups icon

Can be seated

Take a large envelope and cut a small hole in the side. (A hole punch will do this neatly.) Slip a picture into the envelope and give it to the children. The children will probably try to move the picture about to see as much as possible.
Link: recognising things by just one part

Follow the leader

Under 7’s

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Use this classic game where the ‘leader’ chooses an action, direction, or sound and the group need to imitate that.
Link: Samuel copied Eli’s instructions

Identify the sound

Age group recommendation icon

Under 7’s

Any sized group icon

Any size group

Setup time required icon

Requires setup time

Noisy game icon

Noisy game

Suitable for seated groups icon

Can be seated

If you have access to the internet within your space, then use this YouTube video to play guess the sound, the sound plays then the curtain lifts to reveal what made the sound. Others available too!
Link: Eli identifying God’s voice

These are the Character resources provided for: Young Samuel (1 Samuel 3).

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, decor, big screen presentations, flannelgraphs, 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, or to 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.

Wake up Samuel from him slumber with this simple split pin craft.

Both colour and outline templates are free to download at the end of the post. The template includes a photo, materials list and instructions or follow along the step-by-step photo’s on this post.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, a craft knife, hole punch, and a split pin (brad).

Use a craft knife to cut along the dotted line.
(For younger groups, do this before you start.)
Then, cut out both pieces.

Make holes where the small white circles indicate.

Thread the tail end of the Samuel piece through the slit.

Attach the two pieces using a split pin through the holes.

Move the tail piece to wake up Samuel.

the Milosevic Family

Help keep the free items on this site free by donating. This site supports my family as we live by God's great economy.

A4 size
(210 x 297 mm)

Download colour Download no colour

US letter size
(8.5″ x 11″)

Download colour Download no colour

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