Flame: Creative Children's Ministry

This mat is part of our Ascension celebrations this week.  The Ascension of Jesus has so many themes to pull on, the one one I've chosen to pull for this mat is the theme of waiting- a reminder of the disciples heading back to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit to come and help them in their new job of going out to all the world as his witnesses. As usual, cover the sheet with a plastic folder and get creating! To print off the page, click here . As you create, here are some questions to chat about: I wonder what the disciples felt when they saw Jesus disappearing in the clouds? I wonder what is was like to go and wait for the Holy Spirit? How does it feel to wait for something you want? What helps you when you are waiting for something?

 This year we are following the lectionary more closely than usual, so I've been getting ready around the story from John 9, of Jesus healing the man who was born blind.   This picture is split into two to show the difference of the two states. Colouring the picture provides a great opportunity to chat to children about seeing and to wonder what Jesus helps them to see. Click here   to download and print the page and head over to our instagram page if you'd like to see the picutre creation video!

 Here's the reflective colouring sheet we used on Sunday to help explore the story of Jesus healing the Official's son. One of the themes we drew out was Jesus' compassion, something that the Bible links clearly to his healing miracles. Click here to download and print the sheet.

 Tomorrow our all age service will look at the story of Jesus healing the Official's son (John 4: 43-54). We generally have a craft going on on a table at one side of church that people can opt into whenever they want to in the service.  This craft has a scientific basis and is a really creative, visual way to illustrate the healing miracles such as Jairus' daughter, the Centurion's servant and others. The tissue paper figure rises from lying down to dancing, all with the help of static electricity. To print out the instruction sheet, click here .

Recently our all age service explored the story of the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000 and I drew a reflective colouring sheet for the service- for adults and children to use as one of the optional on table resources. Here's the video of the process, captured by my drawing app. If you'd like to use the sheet, click here to download and print.

 If you are looking at the Transfiguration Sunday, this is a resource that may come in handy.  Simply download ( click here ), print off and colour! Use the colouring time to chat and think about the story. Where else in the Bible do we hear God's voice saying 'this is my son'? What is your favourite part of the story? What does it mean to 'listen' to Jesus? If you're looking for another Transfiguration activity, try this scientific illusion .

There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  Matthew 17: 2 This is a really easy illusion, using a little bit of water science, that actually turns the Jesus figure dazzling white. Take a look :-) You will need: a colour picture of Jesus ( click here to download my picture), permanent marker pens (e.g. Sharpies), a plastic food bag, a long glass or jug of water. Put the picture inside the food bag. Use a pen to draw the outline of the picture on the outside of the food bag. Slowly drop the picture bag into the water and watch what happens!

This is a fun scientific activity to explore the theme of hidden things being revealed that is a key to the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. You will need: A sheet of red cellophane, red colouring pencils, blue or green pencils, white paper Here is a video of what you need to do: On Paul's journey to Damascus he encounters Jesus in a way that transforms him.  Even though he is temporarily struck blind, Saul/Paul's eyes are opened to who Jesus really is. Write words about or draw a picture of Jesus with your non-red pencil and then hide it with red squiggles. Use the red cellophane to reveal the hidden words! The red cellophane acts as filter for the red light so only the non-red words or pictures will be seen.

Last week we were looking at the story of Jesus and Nicodemus and I made this short video about John 3:16 to help with the storytelling. It's got a lot of symbols in it and they have led to lots of wondering and questions!

This is a fun way to celebrate Jesus as the light of the world, especially if you are celebrating Candlemas this Sunday! Traditionally at Candlemas (or the Presentation of Christ), the passage from Luke 2 where Simeon and Anna meet Jesus is read and we hear the famous lines: “Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said. 30  I have seen with my own eyes how you will save your people. 31       Now all people can see your plan. 32  He is a light to show your way to the other nations.      And he will bring honor to your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 29-32) Jesus is recognised as the saviour who has come to bring light to dark situations and to show people the way, and this prayer craft helps children to work with this image. You will need: battery operated tea lights, A6 size paper, felt tip pens, glue Put the A6 Paper in landscape orientation and ask children to draw pictures and write the names of ...