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.
We start the presentation with a Tic-Tac-Toe game to remember how Peter denied Jesus. Then we make a boat and, act out the story as it is read and presented. After breakfast, Jesus and Peter go for a walk. Jesus gives Peter the chance to declare his love. Jesus gives him a job and assures him that he will be strong and not deny Him again. We too can share our love for God and feed others. We prepare some snacks and promises in a net to give away.
The following stories are witness reports of the fact that Jesus is alive! We too are witnesses because we see His work in our lives through the precious gift of His Holy Spirit. Praise the LORD!
Matthew 28, Mark 16 — Jesus rises, Women see and tell, Jesus is alive!
This presentation focuses more on the event of Jesus’ resurrection. There was an earthquake, Jesus rose, an angel rolled away the stone, soldiers fell then ran, and women came. The angel and Jesus had good news for the ladies and a message for His disciples. Jesus is not dead. He is alive! He will meet you. We, too, have the assurance that we, too, will see Him! Because He lives, we too will live forever with Him! Praise God!
This presentation is based on Luke 24. It highlights the walk to Emmaus and Jesus visiting the disciples. We start out with a yummy snack that helps tell the story of Jesus’ burial and resurrection, Resurrection Rolls with croissant rolls and marshmallows. This is a fun story to act out the story, if you desire. We end with Jesus’ ascension.
Extend the lessons over several weeks by using the lessons below:
Walk to Emmaus — Luke 24 — Savior Souvenirs in the context of Prophecy fulfilled
Cleopas and the other disciple were wondering about the events of Jesus’ death. Jesus came and explained the prophecies in scripture and how they were fulfilled in His life, death, and resurrection. We don’t know really what Jesus said, but we do know the prophecies that were fulfilled, so this lesson focuses on those prophesies as they looked back on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Jesus gave proof after proof that He was the Messiah and that He was Alive!
This presentation is based on John 20. It highlights Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus at the tomb and Jesus visiting the disciples again while Thomas is there. We are encouraged to believe it — Jesus is alive! He gave his witnesses proof. They believed and we can too! We start this presentation by making resurrection rolls with marshmallows and croissant bread. We also make some cute bag puppets to help tell the story.
We start the presentation with a Tic-Tac-Toe game to remember how Peter denied Jesus. Then we make a boat and, act out the story as it is read and presented. After breakfast, Jesus and Peter go for a walk. Jesus gives Peter the chance to declare his love. Jesus gives him a job and assures him that he will be strong and not deny Him again. We too can share our love for God and feed others. We prepare some snacks and promises in a net to give away.
In this lesson, we reiterate the verse, “Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41. Oh how weak we are in times of difficulty! Yet Jesus is strong! He is faithful!
This lesson includes one or more of the Savior Souvenirs — silver coins, a sword, a piece of leather like a whip, or a thorn (or a rose bush or olive tree) to represent the crown of thorns.
Before Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, He took time to prepare His disciples for what was about to happen. He assured them of His love and that they Holy Spirit would come to comfort and guide them. He told them He would prepare a place for them and come back to take them to be with Him. He also prayed for them and for all future believers – that includes us! In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done, and for strength. The object lesson in about doing God’s will. The craft is a special one. We made praying hand cast molds and then I finished them during the week.
This presentation starts with a show and tell. After kids share their bright and beautiful objects, we’ll talk about how God is brighter and more glorious than all these. He is brighter and more glorious than the son. Peter, James, and John were privileged to see Jesus, Moses, and Elijah in all their heavenly glory.
This is such a fun interactive story. Encourage the kids to pretend they are on a boat. Bring a fan and maybe a spray bottle to add wind and water to the experience during the storm. Have them get out of the boat like Peter. This slide presentation also includes songs, a craft and more. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is like a tight-rope walker focusing ahead. Try it.
Luke 4 tells of a very busy Sabbath day in Nazareth. Jesus starts by preaching in the synagogue and casts out a demon. After church he and his disciples go to Peter and Andrew’s home where he heals Peter’s mother-in-law and then they have lunch. After sundown (which technically it’s the next day), the town people bring the sick to be healed. Even after a late night, Jesus gets up early to spend time with His Father. Throughout the day, Jesus is living his sermon, which came from Isaiah 61. He came to tell the good news, give sight to the blind, and set people free. We finish the presentation with a obstacle course activity. The coloring page book that goes along with the lesson can be found here:
John the Baptist had disciples that followed him too. When John pointed out Jesus to them, two of the disciples followed Jesus. They excitedly introduced Jesus to their friends. We can tell our friends about Jesus too! The presentation starts with an opportunity for Show and Tell and ends with the craft pictured above and a relay race game with the object of bringing others to Jesus.
Jesus was and is a fisher of men. He came to where we are; to earth. He went were the people were. He told stories, healed people, did miracles, showing God’s love and power. He changed people’s lives. Jesus calls us to follow Him, to go fish and gather people into His kingdom of love and freedom. In this presentation the kids hear the story and get an opportunity to pretend to be fishermen as they sing, do the craft and activities.
Yes, I will follow Jesus! This is the start of an adventure with Jesus as the captain of your ship, the LORD of your life. Jesus chose 12 of his disciples to be His close apostles, but there were many more who chose to obey His teachings and live the life of faith and love. Come let’s learn their stories.
After His baptism, Jesus often spent time with His and our Heavenly Father. God’s will was His mission and His ministry. In these lessons we learn about Jesus’ first disciples. Some were called, some came, but all were welcomed. Come let’s follow Jesus. Let’s sit at His feet and learn the Truth.
John the Baptist had disciples that followed him too. When John pointed out Jesus to them, two of the disciples followed Jesus. They excitedly introduced Jesus to their friends. We can tell our friends about Jesus too! The presentation starts with an opportunity for Show and Tell and ends with the craft pictured above and a relay race game with the object of bringing others to Jesus.
Jesus was and is a fisher of men. He came to where we are; to earth. He went were the people were. He told stories, healed people, did miracles, showing God’s love and power. He changed people’s lives. Jesus calls us to follow Him, to go fish and gather people into His kingdom of love and freedom. In this presentation the kids hear the story and get an opportunity to pretend to be fishermen as they sing, do the craft and activities.
This presentation explores good money management. Give the kids each 10 dimes and let them experience what it is to tithe, pay a tax, save and spend money on their snack. The Bible story is Jesus calling Levi Matthew who is a tax collector. Will you follow Jesus? Matthew has a feast for Jesus and many of his friends come. The leaders question why Jesus is eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus’ answer shows that he loves the sinner and those in need. He shows mercy and forgiveness.
Participants get to take parts and read through the story. Learn about the sycamore tree and do the above craft of the sycamore tree that allows the kids to retell the story as they make Zacchaeus climb up and down the tree. Choose to serve God, not money. Choose to follow Jesus.
Jesus chose 12 of his disciples to be apostles. He sent them out 2 by 2 to repeat the messages he had given and He even gave them the power to do the similar miracles! Our Lord is not selfish! He calls, empowers, and sends. We too are sent to go tell the world this good news. The children have an opportunity to make a wordless book or bracelet and learn to use it to tell others about Jesus.
