Here you'll find an array of activities for elementary children that can be used in Children's Ministry, after-school programs, in the classroom and by homeschoolers.
Paul wrote many of the books in the New Testament. He wanted everyone to know that we do not earn salvation, it is a free gift from God. Salvation is for everyone no matter what their race or station in life. God loves and calls each one of us and offers us the gifts of forgiveness, new life, and eternal life. Life as a Christian may not be easy, but we have hope and peace. Paul’s life was not easy, but it is fascinating and his message is filled with hope. He traveled far and wide and started many churches of believers. Believers that believed that Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, Lord, and King.
These presentations give the backdrop to tell the salvation story as you read and tell the story of Paul.
Although Peter denied Jesus at His trial, Jesus gave Peter a second chance after His resurrection. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Peter replied that Jesus knew in his heart he did. Jesus told him to care for His lambs and feed His sheep. Peter did just that. He taught them about God’s love and power. Through the awesome power of God and Jesus’ name, he was God’s instrument to heal many and even raise some to life. Many believed in Jesus and were saved.
These presentations are a backdrop that you can use to tell these wonderful stories from the life of Peter and his part of God’s story — History.
In Jesus’ name, Peter and John heal a lame man. The story is in the song. He went walking and leaping and praising God. Even though the leaders, told Peter and John to never do or say anything in Jesus’ name again, they said they couldn’t stop. They prayed that they would be bold. They praised God and God gave them courage! 5,000 people believed that it is Jesus who saves!
Dorcas loved to make clothes for others, but she got sick and died. Now what will happen? We’ll find out in this presentation. We’ll also find out how they made clothes back then. Watch the story, make some clothes, read, listen, and tell the story. Will you accept the challenge to give some clothes to the poor too?
The story of Cornelius and Peter shows that God does not show favoritism. Salvation is for people from all nations! Read about it in Acts 10. The vision of the animals sparked several fun activities. We started with a game where the kids had to figure out which animal was on their back by listening to other’s clues. During the story, kids had fun filling up the sheet with animals. We also talked a little about clean and unclean animals. However the real point of the story is that God loves everyone! Salvation is for everyone! We too, should share God’s love with everyone.
Peter is thrown into prison, yet again. Sometimes trouble comes. Peter knew that if God was willing, He could save him. He trusted God so much, he slept! In 1 Peter 5:10, Peter shares that God gives the grace we need. Even tho we suffer, He will make us strong and steady. An egg put in boiling water may ‘suffer’ but it does become firm, strong, and steady. In the telling of the story, kids are encouraged to act it out. One way to retell the story would be to use this background and Peter & angel puppet. Another optional craft is a clock – God is with me and answers prayer all the time.
To finish our look at the First Church through the eyes of Peter we turn to his letter, 1 Peter. Here he reminds the church of God’s love, forgiveness, and power. He encourages them to be loving, kind, humble, respectful, truthful, and have self-control. In this presentation we make a puzzle, sing, play a game of choices, learn about bees, and make a craft of bees that remind us to bee loving, bee kind, etc.
The Israelites did not trust God to lead them into Canaan, the Promised Land, the first time. Moses sent in 12 spies. Only Caleb and Joshua believed that God could and would give them this wonderful land. So God led the Israelites back into the desert where they wandered for 40 years. The unbelieving generation died before they again were given the chance to enter Canaan. These interactive presentations tell the stories of their wanderings during those 40 years. We can find the stories in the last part of Numbers (15-36) and in Deuteronomy.
Each PowerPoint presentation has God’s Word and pictures to help you tell the story. Interactive activities, songs, crafts, and nature nuggets bring interest and drive home the point. Click on the link to go to the post with the story’s download.
The story is short, so we have lots of time for fun activities. There are prizes for those whose name stick is pulled, a game of Simon Says, a craft of Aaron’s rod with the memory verse (Romans 13:1), and an opportunity to make almond sticks. The lesson to be learned is that we do need to respect authority.
This is the second time Moses struck the rock for water. In fact the first time was in this same vicinity. However, this time God didn’t tell him to strike it. He was supposed to speak to it. God wants us to know that we can speak to Him, our rock, and He will gladly quench our thirst. Instead of complaining, we should pray. God cares for us! In this presentation we start off by striking a rock — a geode. What is inside? After the Bible story, we do the craft pictured.
God’s judgement hits the proud, complaining, distrusting Israelites. Are they really ready to enter the promised land? Will they truly trust God who saves them? A snake on a pole, representing Jesus taking on our sin and dying for us, is set up at God’s command. By just looking at it, people are saved. We too just need to look at Jesus. He IS our Savior!
God told Moses that he was going to die. Moses wanted to make sure the Israelites remembered how much God cared for them. He reminded them of all God had done for them. He reminded them of God´s rules, the 10 commandments. He reminded them of how God saved them and freed them. He reminded them that God would bring them to the land that he had promised. These are important for us to remember these, too. The lesson finishes with an opportunity for charades reviewing all the stories of Moses and the Israelites.
In reading the book of Acts, we meet several of the new converts. Seven of them are chosen to be deacons and serve the widows. Some served only a little while and then became martyrs as they would rather die than give up their faith in Jesus. Some traveled and were missionaries far and wide. Come let’s meet some of the new believers of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. They are part of his story.
These interactive presentations give you a platform to tell these stories using the scripture and pictures. They include object lessons, crafts, music and interactive activity suggestions.
Jesus had told his disciples that trouble would come, but that he would give them peace (John 16:1-4,33). We have peace knowing we have salvation! Stephen stood up for Jesus. He wanted everyone to know that Jesus died to save us from our sin and that He rose again to give us eternal life. No longer would lambs (or other animals) need to be brought for sacrifice. Jesus died once and for all and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus stood up for Stephen. He is with us too!
Philip obviously loved to tell people about Jesus. Follow his story as a new believer, ordained as a deacon, and as a missionary. As you tell the story or read the scriptures, let the kids pretend to be the characters of the story. Review what it means to become a believer and be baptized. Philip was sent on a mission to meet an Ethiopian and tell him about our Savior. Follow the links in the presentation to make a chariot. The presentation ends with a tic tac toe game to review the story.
