Abraham: God's firm promises milk stars

This is a simple but fun craft with a real ‘awe’ factor when the children see the curds and whey separating.  The fact that something solid is made from the liquid helps children to reflect on the fact that God’s promises to Abraham are solid and firm and that Abraham can trust God to do as he says.  This activity is linked to the story of Abraham in Genesis 15, where God tells Abraham:

“Look at the sky. See the many stars. There are so many you cannot count them. Your family will be like that.”

You will need: 250 ml milk, 3 tablespoons vinegar, a sieve, a spoon, a bowl, kitchen roll, cookie cutter stars (or other cutters if you would like children to choose!), food colouring if you want to make coloured stars!

Heat up the milk until it is hot but not boiling and pour it into a bowl.  Add the vinegar to the hot milk and start stirring.  Very quickly, the milk will separate into solids (curds) and liquid (whey). 

Use the sieve to separate the curds fully from the liquid.  This in itself is a fascinating thing to do!  

Next, squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the curds with your hands and then use the kitchen roll to absorb even more.  

When you have removed as much moisture as you can, flatten the curds out with your hands and then use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of it. 

I used stars to fit with Abraham’s story, but let children choose what they feel is appropriate to their own personality.  

Talk about:

What are promises?

How does it make you feel when someone promises you something?

What is trust?

Who do you trust?

What is it like to trust God?

Pray: Lay out the shares you have made and thank God for all the people we trust.  Ask God to help us to trust Him