Telling the story of Jesus' baptism: Printable cards and fuzzy felt

I've found it hard to track down a little story book that only tells the story of Jesus' baptism, so I've made some simple story cards that use accessible language...

For children who don't read yet, it's really interesting to see if they can suggest what the pictures are showing before you actually tell the story.  Sometimes they have very interesting ideas formed from what they already know of the character of Jesus! Click here to print out the cards. 

This weekend, I used the cards in conjunction with some fuzzy felt and it was fascinating to watch the children initially take the pieces to act out the story of Jesus walking on the water because this was a story they already knew and identified with Jesus and water!  Fuzzy felt is a great way for children to retell a story they have heard because it's easy to use and cheap and easy to make.  Just back a board with felt and cut out your own felt shapes to stick on!

Jigsaw Piece Intercessions

This is a really easy, tactile idea to use for a guided group of children and it would also work in an all age service.  All you need is for everyone to be holding a jigsaw piece (it's a great way to use jigsaws that have pieces missing so can't be used any more!)

Have either an adult or a child introduce each section and then leave space for response, either silent or out loud.

Hold the jigsaw piece in your hand and pray for yourself

Ask God to help you.  Thank Him for the good things in your life.  Ask him to help you see the big picture of the plan He has for your life.

Look at the parts of your piece that reach outwards.

Pray for people who reach out and help and show love to others.  Thank God for the people who help and show love to you.

Look at the parts of your piece that have spaces waiting to be filled. 

Pray for people who have lost something or someone or who feel that they have something missing in their lives.  Ask God to help them to know that they are loved by Him.

Try to fit your piece into the piece of the person next to you (it probably won't fit!)

Pray for people who find it hard to fit in, people who have moved to a new place, people who feel they have no friends, people who are being bullied.  Pray that they will find peace, friends and happiness.

Hold your piece and think of someone from your community, your friends or family that you would like to pray for.  Thank God for that person and ask God to bless and help them.

Come Holy Spirit: Fizzy Explosion Prayers

This is a great activity for a prayer station or group prayer time focused on praying for the Holy Spirit to come.  It would also work well for discussing the transforming power of the Spirit.  

You will need: Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), white vinegar, food colouring, eye droppers (less than 60p each at Boots!)

Mix food colouring into white vinegar to colour it.  Keep each colour of vinegar in a separate cup and add a dropper to each cup.  Cover the bottom of a baking tray with bicarbonate of soda.

 Drop a drop of coloured vinegar onto the soda and watch the explosion!

Think and talk about:
Talk about the power of the Spirit and how it can transform our lives if we pray for it to come.  Compare this to the power of the explosion that happens when the vinegar hits the soda. 

It might be good also to talk about the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit that can grow in our lives.  

Pray:
Ask children to choose a colour of vinegar that represents either themselves or someone they would like to pray for.  As they drop the vinegar onto the soda, pray that the Holy Spirit will come to that person and transform their lives

Reflective Colouring: The Baptism of Jesus

This is a new colouring sheet to help children reflect on the story of Jesus' baptism in Luke 3.

Click here to print off the sheet.  After they have heard the story let the children colour in, maybe in silence or with some music playing in the background and then give them the chance to share any reflections they might have on what they have heard!  Alternatively, use the colouring-in time as a space to discuss the story and what their response is.

Fruit of the Spirit: Exploring Gentleness by Playing with Oobleck!

I've used cornflour and water mixtures with children in creche before and know how much they love playing with it! Having spent some time on Pinterest, I now realise that the mixture is called 'oobleck'- always good to have a name for what you are playing with!

It struck me that oobleck is a really simple but effective way of helping to teach children about gentleness. The best part is that anyone can join in because oobleck appeals to everone from toddlers to adults (plus it can get a bit messy, which only adds to the appeal!)

You will need: cornflour, water (roughly half as much water as cornflour)

Mix the water and cornflour together and then pour the mixture out onto a tray.

As the children play with the oobleck, they will notice that the slower and more gentle their actions, the more liquid the mixture is and the easier it is to move fingers through it.  

Hard, sharp actions, such as slapping down on top of it will meet with solid resistance!

 Talk about: 
How can we be gentle towards others in words and actions?
Why might it be more helpful to be gentle with others than sharp and aggressive?
What might happen to us if we try to be more gentle towards others?

Pray:
Encourage children to move their fingers slowly and gently through the oobleck and pray that God will help them to be more gentle towards others in words and actions in the coming week.

Creation Story Play Dough Mat

Here is a play dough mat to help children respond to the creation story. 

Print off the mat (click here), laminate (if you want the mat for repeated use!) and then encourage the children to make a picture or model on the mat of their favourite part of the story or the part that stays in their mind the most.  There are small picture prompts at the bottom of the sheet to remind them of the key parts of the story.  Enjoy!

Fruit of the Spirit: Patience Weaving

This is a good activity to help children reflect on the Spiritual fruit of patience- how we have to sometimes wait and slowly and carefully do something in order to get to the end.  Because this craft takes time and concentration it is a great all-round reflection activity too!  Below are instructions and some ideas to talk and pray about.

You will need: Paper plates, wool or string, thin paper strips

Cut slits in the sides of a paper plate and thread wool or string through them to make a weaving frame.

 Start to weave the paper strips in and out of the frame.

Talk about:

• When do we have to be patient in life?  Can you think of a time?  Do you find it easy?
• Why is it sometimes better to be patient than to rush?
• Have you ever asked God to help you to be patient?  What happened?

Pray:

• Choose colours of paper to reflect your personality.  As you weave, ask God to help you to be more patient
• Write or draw on the paper slips areas of life where you would like to be more patient and, as you weave them, ask God to help you.

Play dough world map prayers

This is a very hands on and tactile way of praying!  

Ask children to choose a country to pray for and give them some play dough.  Put the play dough over the country on the map and mould it to fit the outline of the country, praying that God will bless the land and the people and that His kingdom will come there.  In the picture, I've used a giant wall map that I didn't have to use again afterwards as the play dough can leave a sticky residue.  Alternatively, you can laminate some smaller maps- maybe of different continents- and these will be able to be re-used.

Children might want to stick some sequins or plastic jewels into the play dough as a symbol of the blessing they are asking God to bring.

Have fun!