Flame: Creative Children's Ministry

For some reason, the lectionary has given us three consecutive weeks on Jesus the living bread in John 6, so here is something to help children to engage with what can be quite an abstract concept! You will need: 2 copies of the printable sheet, card, glue, a laminator (optional) Print off the sheet here   (or here if you would prefer pictures with labels) Cut out the pictures individually and glue them to pieces of card so that the picture can't be seem through the back.  I also laminated mine to make them more long lasting (I intend to make good use of them!) Lay the cards face down and take it in turns to turn two cards over. If your cards match, keep the pair. If they don't match, turn them over again and wait for your next turn to try again. The person who has the most pairs at the end of the game is the winner. Talk about:  Can you name the different types of bread? Which one do you like most? Which have you never tried? What do...

I'm getting ready for an all-age service in a few weeks time, when we are going to be thinking about Jesus as the bread of life. These are the creative intercessions that we will be doing with some bread. Even though we're going to be doing these prayers as a whole congregation, they would work just as well with a smaller group of children. You will need:  Enough bread rolls to pass around your congregation or group so that everyone will be able to tear off a chunk. Have a gluten free option as well, passed round on a separate plate, for those unable to eat bread. 1. Pass around the bread and ask everyone to tear off a chunk and to hold it in their hand. Pray for those people who live in places that are torn apart by war and for families that are torn apart and separated. Pray for those people who are ill and ask for healing. Pray for those with broken relationships. 2.When everyone has a piece of bread, ask them to hold it in their hands as you pray the next...

This week the lectionary pointed us to the story of Jesus telling the people that he is the Bread of Life (John 6).  As a response, here is a reflective colouring sheet to help children to think about Jesus' words.  I know that this comes a little late if you looked at this story on Sunday, but who knows when it might come in handy in the future! Click here  to print off the sheet.