Newest Resources - Jesus Without Language

Thomas (John 20) | Story

To call Thomas the doubter is only half of the story, rather Thomas is a man of declaration. This story is not one encounter, but a look at Thomas from the perspective given by the statements he makes throughout the Gospel of John. Doubt is both a normal and, at times, a healthy reaction. Doubt is a form of questioning and leads both adult and child, alike, into a journey of discovering the truth. As leaders, we can easily mishandle doubt and make it a massive negative in young minds, often painting doubt as the opposite of faith. While there is some truth in that approach, it is important to note that Jesus does not dismiss Thomas because of his doubts but helps him find a way through them.

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 : John 20
Additional Passages : John 11 + 14

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

…continue reading about Thomas (John 20) | Story

Hagar & Ishmael (Genesis 21) | Games

Ishmael and Hagar are two rather bit characters that seem to show a deviation from God’s plan, but God is a god of second chances, a God who provides and a God who will guide even the most lost of characters onto a life of great meaning. These games look at these 3 ideas and try and illustrate one or more of them

Specific hunt– This is a basic treasure hunt game with a slight twist. Hide lots and lots of coloured papers around the room and get the children to hunt for them. Hide one last piece of paper, with the word ‘water’ written on it, in a very difficult place. When the game has finished tell the children that the winner of the game is the one with the paper that says water. It’s probable that no child has this piece, if so give them detailed instructions to find it. Link it into the idea that Ishmael and Hagar wandered a long time but needed God’s Angel to help them find water.

Blind man’s buff– little children love this game, as do some older ones too! It links well to the idea of Ishmael and Hagar wandering in the wilderness.

…continue reading about Hagar & Ishmael (Genesis 21) | Games

Hagar & Ishmael (Genesis 21) | Craft

The pivitol point in the story of Ishmael is the choice Abram makes. This simple folding craft, inspired by Aunt Annie’s Tetraflexagons, is a simple display of how God’s plan and Abram’s plan did not align, turn to the back to see Hagar and Ishmael having to leave.

…continue reading about Hagar & Ishmael (Genesis 21) | Craft

Hagar & Ishmael (Genesis 21) | Worksheet

This Hagar and Ishmael worksheet looks at the idea of God’s plan and how when we choose another way God usually gives us a second chance. It first examines the idea of mistakes, and then looks at Gods promises made to Hagar and Ishmael. The sheet ends by examining the emotions the main characters my have been feeling and a reminder that God also forgives and blesses his children today. The worksheet is best completed in small groups but could be done individually.

To complete the worksheet you will need something to write with and a bible. You may also choose to have some scissors and glue to reassemble the puzzle.

The PDF’s can can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant image.

10 things to consider when teaching Holy week

A young girl was collected from the children’s church early because she was crying uncontrollably. When she was calm enough to speak she relayed that the last time she had attended church the story was the birth of Jesus, today’s lesson was on Good Friday and it was unspeakably evil to call it good when they nailed an infant to a cross.

Another child came to church every Sunday without fail, even though they came from a non-Christian family. Every palm Sunday they waved paper blanches and every Easter Sunday they celebrated the resurrection. Later in life they admitted they had never really grasped the idea that Jesus had been rejected by the crowd, or explored the story of his death.

After Easter a terrified child suffered such bad nightmares they refused to go back to church. A well meaning teacher had decided that the kids should see the truth and showed them a movie clip of an actor being flogged and crucified. Oddly, the crucifixion didn’t scare the child but the bloody flogging scene disturbed them greatly.

Teaching Holy week is difficult. Some years I’ve waited until we know the end of the story before I’ve really explored it with the youngsters. Knowing it will end happily makes the scary part a little easier.

There is a lot of approaches to teaching youngsters the Easter story, and to be honest most of them involve hiding some of the ‘true events’ from the kids. Understandably, children can’t fully grasp all the things happening in the week leading up to Jesus’s death. However, which truths you chose to hide or omit from the story shapes the kids view of Easter. The regular attender couldn’t grasp the significance of the events any more than the other two terrified children. So how do we sensitively tell the truth to kids.

Do teach it, this is a central part of the Christian message, it should be taught every year!
Describe in simple words, eg. Jesus’s death destroyed the wall people had built between God and themselves.
Don’t miss the pain out of the story, Jesus knew he would face a painful death, it’s important.
Don’t teach only one part of the story, the empty grave and empty cross need to go together.
Being sad is OK. Some kids may cry, allow them to be upset but remind them that we know the rest of the story.
Be clear this is history not parable. put it in context of the 3 years of ministry and the roman empire.
Explore Holy week, before or after Easter spend a few sessions on the events surrounding Easter
Avoid blame. Jesus forgave, there is no baddie in this story, certainly not the children.
Avoid ignorance. Just because the disciples didn’t twig Jesus was coming back does not mean they were dumb.
Allow reflection. This is a powerful story, giving short pauses for reflection is important.

This post originally appeared on the 9th of April 2013