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.
Samson, the strongest man to ever live, was definitely strong. However he was also weak. God used his weaknesses, however to accomplish His goals. We can take comfort in this, that we are valuable despite or maybe even because of our weaknesses. We must remember that it is God who strengthens us! That strength might be physical strength, moral strength, emotional strength, or strength in any number of aspects of our daily lives.
In this PowerPoint lesson the story is presented in video, song, and in challenges. Push puppets are used to represent that though we are weak, it is God who lifts us up and strengthens us. God chose Samson, in fact created Samson to be physically STRONG and capable of breaking the controls of the Philistines. However, Samson’s weakness for Philistine women led him to give in to Delilah’s incessant pleas and break his Nazirite vow. He experienced God’s grace and a second chance. By God’s grace, we are STRONG.
Gideon saw himself as insignificant — the youngest from a small clan. God saw him as a mighty warrior! I wonder how God sees me? (Do you wonder too?) “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ” Ephesians 2:10. God took the time to calm Gideon’s fears, increase his faith, and demonstrate His Power.
You will find the story broken into two lessonsThese PowerPoints teach us about Gideon and how God enables us to work for Him.
Part 1: Gideon — One of the Judges
In this PowerPoint lesson, children have an opportunity to complete the picture and think about how God might address them; tear down a pre-built (built by staff or children who come early) tower; and experiment with wool, water, and a sponge. Overall the lesson is that God has big plans for our lives. He takes time to increases our faith and gives us tasks to do.
In this lesson, we learn that God does not need a large number of participants to win a war. He only needs a few good men. We each can be one of the few. It is not about trusting our ability, it is about trusting God’s ability! The battle is the LORD’s. Trust in the LORD! The children have the opportunity to make a trumpet and torch and act out the battle plan
Our Heavenly Father has given us many examples of great dads. He is the BEST Dad of all — gracious, generous, protector, provider, creative, present,….. the list goes on and on. He also made many examples of great dad — animals that are spectacular dads of the unborn, just born, and growing youngsters. This lesson looks at some of those examples and also examples from the Bible of fathers who were good dads. The videos are not mine, but I really appreciate the work that the author did.
The kids have opportunities to complete some challenges that give them a little idea of how dedicated these animal fathers really are.
God blesses good people and brings trouble to bad people. Right? Not always. However that was the thought of the day. The book of Job teaches us that God has a much larger universe and great controversy view. God maintains His integrity and faithfulness by ‘sending rain on the just and unjust.’ (Matthew 5:45) Lean in, watch, and listen as Satan makes his claims and God responds. God never gives a challenge, trial, or temptation that we can not be successful or overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13-14). “God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1).
There are two parts to this lesson. both are below.
Part 1: God’s Confidence in Job — Job and His Trial
This PowerPoint tells most of the story of Job, but stops as God is speaking, to be continued next week. It encourages kids to make paper bag puppets and do the conversation as an informal puppet show. They can even do it from their seats. Possible links to the puppet heads are given.
The first activity in this lesson is an interactive object lesson. An older child, parent, or teacher can be a shield (like God usually shields and blesses us) and hold a blanket to shield a volunteer while the other children throw the pre-wadded up memory verse words. Part 2 of the activity is for the shield person to either remove the shield or raise it to only expose the volunteer’s legs while the others again throw wadded up paper. Part 3 is to open the papers and put the memory verse in order. Part 4 is to discuss the memory verse and how it applies to the activity. Did the volunteer fee
This PowerPoint has a video that reviews the story of Job and focuses on the aspect of God’s speech about the animals. While we learn about these creatures from our Creator, the kids are encouraged to color and draw the animal or animals of their choice. We finish by celebrating God blessing Job again.
God is our Creator, the Sovereign Lord. With Job, we can say, who are we to tell Him what He can or can not do?
Activity: Color and finish the picture of an animal of your choice that God tells Job about. Add the scenery and draw another of the animal. This is a compilation of pages you too can find on the internet. Where to get the originals is stated.
Because of the persecution that began after Stephen’s death, many people left Jerusalem and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip was one of these people. Philip was full of Holy Spirit and wisdom. He was one of the chosen first deacons to serve the Grecian widows and a powerful missionary. Philip went to Samaria.
There was in that city a man, Simon, famous for his sorcery. Many there called him “The Great Power.” However, when Philip came they got to know the true Great Power, Jesus. They saw what true miracles looked like and were converted and baptized. Even Simon was baptized.
This story reminds me of Jesus’ story of The Sower. The persecution had the affect of the sower sowing seeds. In effect, God scattered His people and they began scattering the seeds of God’s Word, the Good News (Gospel) about Jesus, to people far and wide. Some seed fell on good soil and some on shallow, weedy, or hard soil. Was Simon in this condition? Did he stay in this condition? Here in lies the lesson.
One of the activities is to prepare simple pamphlets to attach to seed packets and share with others.
Isn’t it amazing all the galaxies they are finding? Isn’t it incredible how spectacular God’s creation is? There’s so many new resources on this topic. I’ll put some here and try to add some also. If you run across other resources that speak about the stars, galaxies, and heaven from the perspective of God’s creation, you can share them below.
There are several honors on this topic so this is going to be a longer post.
Honor Requirement link. This honor and presentation is more of a Q & A presentation. It has 60 slides! I recommend doing it more as part of your group’s favorite game and have prizes. You might let them either answer from their base of knowledge or find the answer on their phone in the space of a given time to receive credit for the answer.
The kids enjoyed the hide & seek game with a twist: hide in ‘plain sight’ but camouflage yourself. We told them in advance to bring clothes that would hide in the forest where we were camping.
They also enjoyed hiding little plastic animals in a place that camouflaged them and finding others’ animals.
At fair, we presented the activity of Camouflage Decoupage with Modge Podge. Note the links to the products — just click on the blue underlined word. I’m sure there are others out there also. I printed out the following sheets and bought some scrapbook pages with leaves and sand. The kids were to choose an animal and background that the animal would be camouflaged in. Then they followed basic decoupage directions of using the Modge Podge to ‘glue’ the background to small wood square or circle, and then cover it with a light coat of Modge Podge. Smooth it horizontally and vertically each time, taking care that the paper is smooth as desired. Add the next layer which probably is the animal and possibly words chosen. Again cover everything with a light coat of Modge Podge. Add the next layer of the picture which is probably the foreground grass or leaves or more sand which will better hide the animal, but not cover it totally. Remember the idea is to hide in plain sight. Again cover everything with a light coat of Modge Podge. You can add more foreground layers as desired in the same way. Finally go over the whole project again with a light coat of Modge Podge smooth it horizontally and vertically. The end result could be a coaster.
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!
The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:19-20. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Philip was asked to do exactly that, except he really wasn’t. He was told to south to the desert road; the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip didn’t ask why, he just started walking and watching for opportunities and listening for God’s prompting. When God said to stay near the chariot and he heard the Ethiopian in his chariot reading, he was quick to recognize the opportunity.
That’s a lesson to us (me too) to be ready and willing to go where God leads; to be watching for opportunities; and to go quickly without questions and hesitations.
This lesson gives an opportunity for kids to make a decision to follow Jesus and potentially to get baptized. It also is an opportunity to encourage them to be little missionaries and tell others about Jesus.
The craft is a fun compilation of a horse and chariot that works.
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