Flame: Creative Children's Ministry

On Sunday, our 3-5s will be exploring the story of the man who was lowered through the roof for Jesus to heal.  One of the things we will really be thinking about is why we are grateful for our feet and legs and we'll certainly be doing a fair bit of jumping around! To emphasize the idea that, all of a sudden, the man could move his feet and walk and run and jump, we're going to make feet that children can move around any way they want to!  Cut out a foot shape from card and punch holes either side. Double over a pipe cleaner, twist and stick the ends through the holes.  On the back, bend the ends over to secure. Decorate the foot with drawings or stickers and use the pipe cleaner as a handle to make the foot walk, run, jump or dance!

Today I was telling the story of the man lowered through the roof to Jesus to some 7-11year olds.  They always respond much better with a visual element, but I didn't have much room in what I was carrying so I told the story with 3 pieces of card... Two men carried their paralysed friend to see Jesus. When they arrived at the house where Jesus was.. ...it was so crowded that they couldn't get through the door! So they carried their friend up the stairs at the side of the house, onto the roof. They made a hole in the roof... ...and lowered their friend through it into the house below. Jesus spoke to the man, forgave his sins and told him to get up and walk. Their friend was healed!  The men went home praising God!

This week Sparks were learning the story of the 'man through the roof' and it seemed a good idea to act it out with little people rather than just telling the story!  I have to admit that I had some fun putting this together! Get a box and cut a flap in the roof.  This is your house! Then dig out all the toy figures you can find!  Here the two friends arrive with the man on the mat and see a crowded house... The men carry the man on the mat up the stairs to the roof. They cut a hole in the roof..., ...and lower the man down into the crowded house Jesus heals the man and the friends celebrate!