| This craft is also the talk, it tells the story of Cain’s family but in a small book format they can take home and read themselves or have an adult read it to them. |  |
The central image to the witnesses to the crucifixion lesson (in large below) is really quite simple to recreate. I’ve made the mural image here from paper and fabric scraps. It could be made individually on a piece of printer paper or it could be made onto a noticeboard or wall in your teaching room, onto the floor of your hall or grass outside the church.
The pdf includes images for the three heroes in colour and as outlines (image below linked). I’ve not added a message to mine but the speech bubbles and the headings are included in the PDF file. If you would like individual images of the characters then please click on their names below the image.
Centurion, Beloved, Salome, Mother Mary, Mary
You need to create a dark background because the sky went dark, a space for the women to watch which isn’t too near,an earthy colour or green and a space for the soldiers, probably dry earth. You can use any medium you wish for this, eg: paper, sandpaper, fabric, grass, dirt, sand… etc.
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| The parable of the pearl begs for crafts using beads, and while we spent some time making cup and bead catchers, we also used all the beads collected for the story to make something wearable. I used pipe cleaners as the base, because they are more forgiving when left empty (you only need a fraction of the number of beads to make a bracelet), they tend to hold the beads in place better, and don’t need knots to attach. Grab a bunch of cheap bead bracelets and snip the elastic. Leave a pile of pipe-cleaners and beads in your craft area (we used a blanket on the floor) and let the kids be creative. It’s great practice of fine motor skills and surprisingly cheap for those on a tight budget. |
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Notes: While I was a bit worried about the younger boys in my group they actually did this surprisingly well and it engaged them for much longer than I expected. If you really can’t find beads, or not very many, then you could use pasta or plastic straws cut into small pieces. Example |
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| The basic idea for this craft has been circulating the various craft boards for a while and it could be connected to any healing story, but I’ve chosen this one deliberately. Simon-Peter’s mother-in-law was family, healed by Jesus’ touch. We can still send Jesus’ touch to those people in our church family, and community through his children, brothers and sisters in Christ. |  |
| This is a really simple, yet visually effective craft which uses the minimum of materials and can be done straight from the printer. It could be done with younger children though they could need help with cutting – though there is more room for error than you may imagine! |  |
| This David Anointed craft is a last minute gift. It’s a simple idea incorporating the key idea of the passage and the oil of anointing. |  |
This is the accompanying images for the story of David’s Anointing. You can run it as a story, as an extra illustration or as a craft. Story post here.
Print out the PDF on paper or card stock. I’ve included 2 versions, one with the objects the brothers chose separately and another with them already included – you only need one set. Do not use photographic or coated paper.
You will also want the story provided to refer to and a tray of dark paint or something to pain with. Add to the printout of David a heart cut from sticky back plastic or clear tape, you can stick this over his heart or face or both. (I used clear parcel tape)
As you tell the story you use these images to illustrate it. Slowly bring out each image at the beginning of the story, allow the children to name the brothers if you wish. If you wish to use the official names they are Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem and we just don’t know the last one. (more…)
| This mordecai craft is a simple and yet effective way to portray the story in a memorable way. These little viewers are simple to make up and easy to customise. They work best when held up to the light, reminding us that our view of the world is best when we look to God. |  |