Shared Owners (Acts 4) | Craft 2

This passage can be a little idealised and often the verses get pulled into economic and social theory arguments: but whatever we think of them, we know that the first Christ followers really did try wholeheartedly the ‘shared owner’ model. This paper craft is the key verse in this, taken very literally, the apostle’s feet became the resting place for gifts.

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

Fold the background along the dotted line so the Apostles sit up.

Fold the gifts of food and money, so the tabs go backwards.

Glue the gifts at the feet of the apostles.

The scene is best viewed from the side.

the Milosevic Family

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A4 size
(210 x 297 mm)

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(8.5″ x 11″)

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Shared Owners (Acts 4) | Craft 1

It can be difficult to know how to serve and imitate the call to be shared owners in God’s kingdom. This is especially true for children, who often have everything through their parents. This craft gives them an answer to draw upon. As you flip the various sections, you find suggestions for ways to serve God’s community.

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

Cut out the square.

The square needs to be folded in half, both ways, with the long edges touching. Then fold each side into the middle. Do this for all four sides.

Fold for the diagonals similarly. Fold in half diagonally, then each corner should be brought to the centre to form little triangles.

Once everything is folded, open the shape out and turn it print side down.
Take one side and fold it up.

Take the next side and fold that up, creating a little wing at the corner. (This is a crucial part, help the kids here!)

Repeat this process until you have a shape that looks like a pinwheel.

Flatten out the corners so you have a square.

Flip each corner to find the different combinations.

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)

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US letter size
(8.5″ x 11″)

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Shared Owners (Acts 4) | Story

We’ve over-spilled the lectionary this week to bring you an introduction to a face that is very familiar in the acts narrative -that of Barnabas. While his name is not really Barnabas at all, it’s Joseph, it seems this new moniker of Barnabas is something the Apostles bestowed upon him, suggesting a close familiarity in the burgeoning group. He is described as a Levite from Cyprus, so no rough fisherman, and was probably highly respected y means of birth. That his fields’ sale is enough to be mentioned in scripture shows it was almost certainly significant.

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 : Acts4:32-37

Biblical retelling of Shared Owners (Acts 4) for youngsters.

 Joseph, who everyone called Barnabas, had joined a new Jewish group in Jerusalem. It was lead by the apostles of Jesus from Nazareth. Jesus had not been an ordinary Jew; he’d been the Messiah, God’s own son that the Jewish people had been waiting for. He’d upset a lot of people because he wasn’t the type of messiah they wanted. Jesus didn’t lead an army or throw out the Romans; instead he told people to love their enemies, to care for those who were overlooked, and to be a servant to all. The authorities had killed Jesus, but death was no obstacle for Him. Jesus came back to life. Meeting Jesus’s followers had totally changed Barnabas’s life.

Those who believed in Jesus shared everything. Absolutely everything. They gathered together every day to pray, praise God, and find out how they could serve each other. The apostles would teach the truths they had learnt from Jesus, heal the sick and provide for the poor. Some of the women would cook huge meals and feed anyone who was there. For example, a man got a new job but had no shoes, and the next day a shoemaker brought him a pair. It was that kind of group; everybody shared everything.

One day, a man walked up to the apostles and laid a small bag of coins at their feet. He had sold something and wanted the apostles to give the money to those who needed it. The next day there was another gift laid at the apostles’ feet, and the day after that too! Barnabas prayed he would have something to give. He wanted to help the community of Jesus followers. It was a servant’s prayer, a good prayer, a prayer he hoped would make Jesus smile.

A few days later his prayer was answered. A man asked Barnabas if he would sell his field. It was a large field that had belonged to Barnabas’s family for many years. The man was really surprised when Barnabas joyfully shouted ‘Yes!’ straight away. He was so surprised that Barnabas had to explain that he hadn’t even thought of selling his field but God had answered his prayer.

The next day after work, Barnabas went to meet the other followers, unable to stop smiling. As soon as he arrived, he ran to the apostles so fast that he almost tripped… twice!. Then, he gently placed the bag of gold at their feet. Peter picked it up and tipped the contents onto his hand expecting a few small coins. As the bright gold coins rained over his hand and onto the floor, the apostles stood open mouthed.

Barnabas could have kept the money, but he had understood what it meant to serve even when it cost you. God had plans for Barnabas, and this was just the first step.

Mary Magdalene (John 20) | Craft 3

This Easter morning craft with Mary Magdalene and Jesus is a perfect candidate for the craft bags, unsupervised table, tight-on-time activity that often gets requested at Easter events. The two little pencil puppets / pencil toppers have a tiny background to act our the scene of joy and wonder that took place in the garden all those years ago.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, a hole punch and some sticks or pencils.

Cut out the shapes – you don’t have to be exact!

Punch a hole where the dotted circle appears with the hole punch.

You may need to use the sharpened end of the pencil to gently widen this a little.

Slide Jesus and Mary Magdalene onto the pencils using the two holes.

Place on your background to retell the story.

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

Psalm 118 + Palm Sunday | Craft 2

Palm Sunday and Psalm 118 set such a vivid scene, the shouts of ‘blessed is he’ float on the air, turning from a song of praise into an event of joy with our saviour arriving on the donkey’s back. This craft captures. A gentle movement has the crowd waving their arms and branches.

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

Cut out the shapes – you don’t have to be exact but the people in the background do need to be separated.

Take the largest shape and fold it in half along the dotted line with the print on the inside.

Fold the ends of the strips backwards so we form an ‘M’ shaped fold.

Open out and fold the people face down.

Fold the Jesus support tab too. This goes print side out.

Glue Jesus and the donkey on the support tab.

Glue the leaves to the hands of the people in the crowd.

Hold either end of your creation in each hand and gently move your hands closer and further apart to see the donkey ‘walk’ and the crowd move

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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