God is with us: glow in the dark tape pictures

I have a bit of a weakness for glow in the dark things. I ended up buying 100 glow in the dark baby Jesus figures before Christmas and I still haven't figured out what to do with them, but the day will come! My new favourite thing, though, is glow in the dark tape.  It has a lot of potential!  I got some quite cheaply online and have used it for a craft to help children explore the concept of God being with them in the darkness and hard times.  This craft would work well with stories about God's protection and presence e.g. Daniel and the lions' den, Moses and the Red Sea, Paul and Silas in jail.

You will need: Paper (any colour), scissors, glow in the dark tape, marker pens

Get children to cut up the tape and stick it on the paper in any design they fancy.  They can then, if they want to, decorate the tape with marker pens/ write verses about God's presence and protection.

Useful verses might include:
Psalm 16:1 Protect me, God, because I depend on you.
Romans 8:31 If God is for us, no one can stand against us. 
Psalm 118:6 The Lord is with me, so I will not be afraid.
Psalm 46:1 God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble

Children can then take the pictures home and put them somewhere in their room. As long as it has been exposed to bright light for a period of time, the glow in the dark tape is quite effective as a reminder that God is there in the dark (and in the hard times) with them.

Talk about: Why does light help if it is dark?
What situations in life can feel a little bit dark or scary or worrying?
Who do you go to when you are afraid or worried? 
How does it feel when you are with them?
Have you ever helped someone who was afraid or worried?
Have you ever asked God to be with you when you are finding it hard or scary?

Pray: Think about people you know who are worried or afraid. Write their names on the tape and stick it to the picture. When you see the tape glow in the dark, ask God to be with them and help them.