5-7s: David and Goliath Session Ideas

May 25, 2015May 25, 2015Leave a comment

Here are some ideas for exploring the story of David and Goliath with 5-7s.

Tell the story from a children’s Bible or use items in a story bag…

Challenge the children to walk in ‘Goliath feet’ made from cardboard and string (see picture above).

Have a bean bag target throw competition (as a reminder of David’s throwing skills).

Have a go with some paper ball catapults. Click here to see the original idea.

Decorate some stones to remind the children that something so small had such a great impact. .

Talk about times when we need to be brave. How do you feel? What or who helps you? Talk about times when you have trusted God to help you (it’s great for adults to share their expriences with the children!)

Prayer: Write each child’s name on a different stone and give them out so that each child has thier own name. Children hold their stone and ask God to help them when they need to be brave. Swap stones with someone and pray that God will help that person to be brave. Take that person’s stone home and remember to pray for them in the coming week.

5-7s: The Good Samaritan Session Ideas

May 25, 2015May 25, 2015Leave a comment

Here are some ideas for exploring the story of the Good Samaritan with 5-7s.

Tell the story with felt shapes: Click here to see the idea. Alternatively, tell the story with fruit. This gets a bit messy!

Let the children play with toy doctor’s kits

Draw out the themes of being good neighbours and helping and encouraging others.

Make ‘Get well soon’ cards
make hand print art work to help children think about being ‘helping hands’ to their neighbours.
draw pictures of the characters, cut them out and stick them onto lolly sticks to make stick puppets and retell the story

Pray for people who are ill using the healing board

Take home a ‘Helping Hands’ challenge sheet and encourage children to be good neighbours during the week!

3-5s: Exploring the Feeding of the 5000

May 22, 2015May 22, 2015Leave a comment

Here are some ways to help young children to connect with the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. The focus is food so there is plenty of opportunity to speak to the children about the food they like as they play. This might feed in, later, to thank you prayers.

Tell the story with props (e.g. felt bread and fish)

Make popcorn to show how, with the right help, a little can go a long way…

Play with toy food and utensils

Play with playdough, plastic forks, spoons, knives, plates and cups

Magnetic prayers to thank God for all the things He gives us.

Jesus Calms the Storm Session Ideas: 3-5s

May 22, 2015May 22, 2015Leave a comment

Here are a celection of ideas to help explore the story of Jesus calming the storm with 3-5 year olds…

Tell the Story with Story Stones

Play with some water and think about floating and sinking. Jesus won’t let us sink!

Make storm music

Play with some water streamers made of crepe paper, lolly sticks and elastic bands

Talk about times we are worried and how we can ask Jesus to help us. Blow some bubbles and let the children pop them as a sign of Jesus ‘popping’ the worries.