Widow's Jar that Doesn't Run Dry

Elijah and the Widow's Oil

I Kings 17:7-16

This creative jar provides one way to tell the story of Elijah and the Widow's Oil.  With this jar, the "oil" is poured out until there is no more.  Then it mysteriously refills so that more oil can be poured out.  This can be done several times giving the appearance that it will never run dry.

For instructions with pictures, click here.

For another option on how to make this jar, click here.

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams

 This fat cow when folded turns into this skinny cow below.

Joseph Interprets Pharoah's Dream

Genesis 41

Pharaoh has a dream in which he sees seven fat cows by the Nile. Then out of the Nile came seven skinny cows who then ate the seven fat cows.  When God allowed Joseph to interpret the dream, he told Pharaoh that this meant the nation would have seven years of great harvest followed by seven years of famine.  This is a fun take home for the children to use to retell this story.

The top picture is the fat cow. This cow becomes the skinny cow by folding the paper horizontally two times.  First, fold the paper down from top to bottom matching the lower two line markings on the page. When folded, the cow is on the inside of the page. The fold lines are indicated by the red dotted line in the picture below.  The red dotted line is not on the page to be printed but there are two small black lines on the edge of the paper to act as a guide. Use the bottom black lines the first time.

Second, fold the paper up (so that you can now see the cow's upper body) along the area indicated by the dotted red line in the picture below.  The dotted red line is not on the page to be printed but two small dark lines are on the edge of the paper to act as a guide.

When finished, it will become the skinny cow.

To print the cow page, click on top photo.

Missions

Missions Lesson

I was asked to teach a series of lessons on missions and missionaries to 3rd and 4th Graders.  To introduce the series, I wanted to do a mini-version of a mission's experience that I participated in during my time of working in the Missions Department in college.

The purpose of the experience was to show a little of what goes into being a foreign missionary (on a very, very simple scale).  I wanted to show them that it wasn't as easy as it sounded.

I divided the children into two groups.  Group 1 was the missionaries from America sent to reach the native people of Waggly. Group 2 was the Wagglies.

I separated the two groups and secretly gave each a set of instructions that the other group could not know about until the experience was over.  The missionaries were instructed to learn about the culture and teach the Wagglies the entire story of the Good Samaritan.  (Fortunately for them, English is the national language in Waggly.)

The Wagglies were given instructions on how to behave which included some odd customs.  These natives would only listen to people who followed all their customs.  

Each group has their own instructions.

The evening went very well.  Some "missionaries" picked up on some of the Waggly customs very quickly while others never figured out any of the strange customs.  Some missionaries learned enough of the customs and befriended some Wagglies to the point of beginning to tell the story of the Good Samaritan but none were able to make it all the way through the story as instructed.

We brought the two groups back together and discussed the instructions that each group was given.  Then we discussed what it was like to be the missionary.  All of them said it was much harder than they thought it would be.  Learning the odd customs was their first challenge.  Then when they thought they had learned the customs, they began telling the Bible story and the Wagglies ran off. The missionaries never could figure out why that happened. (See instructions for the Wagglies for details.)

They also said that when they were trying to reach the Wagglies on their own, they became discouraged quickly.  But when some friends were able to come alongside them after learning some of the customs, they felt like they could work together to reach these people.

Though this is an extremely simplified version of what it can be like to be a missionary, the children were more sympathetic and more mindful of the current missionaries we are supporting.  They were even more anxious to hear from many of the people in our congregation who are or have been missionaries and who would be presenting real life missions experiences in Bible class over the next few weeks.  

In the end, several decided they would like to be foreign missionaries when they grow up and others said it changed the way they pray for the missionaries we have and will have in the future.  

All in all, it served as a great opening lesson to our series on missions!

Paper Sack Backpack

The children like to make and decorate their own backpacks.  I have used these paper sack backpacks for many stories.  Sometimes I use them when the story talks about travelling such as Abraham travels, Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph going to the Festival at the Passover when Jesus was 12, Paul's Missionary Journeys, and many more. 

Sometimes I use the backpacks to hold crafts and papers from the entire quarter.  I send it home at the end with all their "goodies" inside.

For instructions with pictures, click here.

Fiery Furnace Magic Window

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3

In this enjoyable magic window, you first see Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  When you pull the tab on the right, they are in the fiery furnace and the angel appears.

Instructions for making a magic window

Pattern for Fiery Furnace magic window

Video on how a magic window works

The magic window pattern was made with clipart from the book Bible Story Clip and Copy Patterns by Corbin Hillam.  This is one of my favorite books to use as patterns for many, many things!  This precious book is no longer in print, so Mr. Hillam has graciously allowed me to give you the pattern for free.  He is producing a CD with the art from this book.  The drawings are fantastic!  If you would like to purchase a CD for $15, you can contact him at corbinhillam@yahoo.com.  It is well worth the money!  Other items by him can be seen at www.corbinhillamdesign.weebly.com.



Jesus At the Temple Blacklight Story

Jesus at the Temple

Luke 2:39-52

Using blacklight stories always grabs the children's attention.  Just turn off the lights and turn on the blacklight.  (Hint:  Be sure to wear dark clothes.) I made this story to tell of Jesus "getting lost".  My favorite page is when Jesus cannot be seen because of the crowd in front of him.  Then if the crowd is moved, there he is!  He is teaching listening to the teachers and asking them questions.  

I made this story using the Ellison die cut machine with fluorescent paper.  I didn't have a little boy die cut so I used the Cricut.  The whole story can be made using the Cricut.

Tissue Art Card

Tissue Art Cards

These cards were made using the technique called "tissue art".  I used regular tissue paper made for gift sacks.  The technique is extremely simple and takes very little time.  I just love the way the tissue adds color and texture!  On the inside of the cards, I write my own notes or phrases.  I use them when inviting people to Bible class, telling them we missed them, for birthdays, and many other ways. 

For instructions on how to make easy tissue art projects, watch my "how to" video:

http://youtu.be/jlkubYlGPg0

For the bees wings, I crumpled the paper first and made sure it was wrinkled as I put it on.  I did not laminate the cards but I did go over the lines with a Sharpie to give it a much neater and more finished look.

Plain Paper Sack Felt Board

 Plain Paper Sack Felt Board

I created a craft to go along with the application of being a missionary and sharing the stories in God's Word with others.  This is just a simple, plain white paper lunch sack.  I glued a small rectangle of black felt to the outside.  I then cut out pieces (using an Ellison die cut machine though you can use any pattern) to go with several different stories.  I put the pieces to each story in a Ziploc bag and labeled the bag with that story.  I made many pieces so the children would have several different stories to retell.  The Ziploc bags with pieces store inside the sack (if you flatten the bag by getting out most of the air).  The children spent part of the Bible class time using their pieces and telling each other the Bible stories.  Then they took the paper sack felt boards home and tell the stories to as many people as they could.  They were excited to go home and tell their parents, grandparents, and even many of their friends!

Saul is Lowered Over the Wall Moveable PIcture

Saul is Lowered Over the Wall

Acts 9:1-31

For this craft, I purchased scrapbook paper that looks like rocks and cut it to the size I wanted.  I made Saul using the Cricut machine.  The clear piece of plastic is lamination film left over from laminating other projects.  I cut a slit in the top of the scrapbook paper about an inch down and inserted the lamination strip there. Pull up or push down on the lamination strip to make Saul be lowered or raised over the wall.

Abraham and Lot

Abraham and Lot Separate

Genesis 13

More tissue art.  These are quite fun!

These are some figures I made to tell the story of Abraham and Lot. I made these using a technique called "tissue art".  I used regular tissue paper that you would use in a gift sack for all the clothes. The technique is simple and quick and makes the projects turn out beautifully.  It's much quicker than coloring and looks a ton better too. I used pastel chalks to color the skin.  I used patterns from Corbin Hillam's book Bible Story Clip and Copy Patterns.  The characters are precious and make great patterns for many things!

Learn how to create tissue art by watching my video!
http://youtu.be/jlkubYlGPg0 

Save all your tissue paper from birthdays, Christmas, baby gifts, etc. (Even save the wrinkled pieces.  Those pieces add texture.) It will all come in handy for this type of project. 

Samson and Delilah

Samson and Delilah

Judges 16

I made these figures to use for telling the story of Samson and Delilah.  I used a technique called "tissue art" to create them. I used regular tissue paper that you would use in a gift sack. I found a pattern in Corbin Hillam's book Bible Story Clip and Copy Patterns.  I just love the characters!  I used tissue paper for the clothes and shoes and used pastel chalk for the skin.  The tissue art is quick and simple - much easier than it looks here and it has such a beautiful look when it is finished.  This technique can be used for many other things including making your own cards. 

Learn how to create tissue art by watching my video!

http://youtu.be/jlkubYlGPg0

From now on, save all your tissue paper from birthday parties, Christmas, baby gifts, etc.!  You never know when it will come in handy for tissue art!

Patterns are used with permission by Corbin Hillam.  To purchase a CD with his precious artwork in it, e-mail him at corbinhillam@yahoo.com.

Pocket Folder Puppet Stage

Abraham's Three Visitors

Pocket Folder Puppets

Genesis 18

What a fun idea from a friend!!  This puppet stage was made from a simple pocket folder without brads in the middle.  I purchased a large group of them for 10 cents when they had them on sale this summer with the school supplies.  I recommend purchasing a colored folder.  One that has the color on the inside as well is best.  This one was white on the inside.  (If you have one with brads, just take the brads out.)

To make this exciting on-the-go puppet stage:

If the inside is white like ours was, glue a large piece of blue construction paper to the inside for the sky and a strip of tan paper on the pocket section for land.  (This could be adjusted for many other stories.  Light blue sky, dark blue water.  Black sky, tan land.  So many options!!)

We made the characters and scene using a Cricut machine.  I glued the people to popsicle sticks but did not glue the very bottom of the people to the stick.  This allows the people to stay put better.  The people are placed with their feet on the outside of the pocket and the stick on the inside of the pocket.  (See the second picture where Sarah is being inserted into the picture.)

The children enjoy manipulating the pieces and retelling the story.  Then to store everything, just put the pieces in the pockets and close the folder!

I plan to make several different versions of this project!

What Goes In Is What Comes Out

What Goes In Is What Comes Out

This application was made from a brown grocery sack.  I drew a picture of a boy on the front and cut out a circle for the mouth.  I talk with the children about the types of things they are listening to and watching.  These are the things that go into our heads and our hearts.  We discuss movies, music, gossip, discussions with friends, etc.  As we discuss these items we write them on a strip of paper and put them in the top of the sack.  Then we talk about what kind of words we want to come out of our mouths.  We reach in the hole where the mouth is and pull out the strips of paper or just lean the sack over and see what spills out.  Sometimes things such as kind words come out of our mouths but sometimes bad words and bad songs come out of our mouths.  We make the application that what goes in our minds and hearts is what comes out of our mouth.  Then we discuss how we can put good and kind things in our hearts so that good and kind things can come out of our mouths.

Fishers of Men Game

Fishers Of Men Card Game

This is a card game I like to make and play so the children can get to know one another better.  Sometimes I insert pictures of the ministers or missionaries or the elders so they can get to know who they are.

Deal five cards face down to each player.  Put the remaining cards in the middle to be the "fishing" pile.  Decide who goes first.  Player 1 asks the other player if they have a card that matches one of their own cards.  For example, "Do you have a picture of Cathy?"  If the player has a picture of Cathy, he gives it to Player 1 who then has a match.  Player 1 lays the match down in front of them and asks another player for a card.  Continue until the player does not get matching card.  At that time, the player says, "No, I don't.  Fish for men."  Player 1 draws a card from the "fishing" pile and keeps it.  Player 2 now asks the other players for cards to find matches in his hand.  Continue until all the cards in the "fishing" pile are gone or all the matches are made. 
Count to see who has the most matches.

In order to make this so that people can add their own children's pictures, I am linking the above pictures so you can insert them into Word, Publisher, or something else.  Resize the pictures to fit the page and then insert your children's pictures on top of the page with the little fish.  Print the blue page on the back.

For instructions, click here.
Cards

Jesus Raises from the Dead Moveable PIcture

Jesus Raises from the Tomb

Mark 16, Luke 24

When telling this story, I use this almost magical visual.  I make the tomb with a slit behind it.  I slide the Jesus figure through the slit so that half of him is hanging out the back of the page and the other half is showing as if he were lying in the tomb.  Turning the picture toward the children with my fingers in front beside the tomb and my thumb behind the page holding Jesus in place, I tell the story.

I let the kids help me roll the stone in front of the tomb.

As I tell the rest of the story, I use my thumb and slide the Jesus figure to my right so that he is out of the slit completely and on the back of the page.  I hold him tightly with my thumb so he doesn't fall.  I then have the children help me roll the stone away.  Jesus has magically disappeared!  Jesus has risen!  The grave cannot hold him!

For detailed instructions with pictures and patterns, click here.

Abraham Offers Isaac Magic Window

Abraham Offers Isaac

Genesis 22:1-19

 

 

And yet another magic window!  This time the top picture shows Abraham as he is just about to offer Isaac.  When you pull the tab on the right, the ram  "magically" shows up in the bush! 

 

Patterns for making this magic window:

 

Instructions for making a magic window

Pattern for Abraham Offering Isaac

Video on how a magic window works

 

This project was made with a pattern from the book Bible Story Clip and Copy Patterns by Corbin Hillam.  This is one of my favorite books to use as patterns for many, many things!  This precious book is no longer in print, so Mr. Hillam has graciously allowed me to give you the pattern for free.  He is producing a CD with the art from this book.  The drawings are fantastic!  If you would like to purchase a CD for $15, you can contact him at corbinhillam@yahoo.com.  It is well worth the money!  Other items by him can be seen at www.corbinhillamdesign.weebly.com.   

Jesus' Resurrection Magic Window

Jesus' Resurrection

Matthew 28

In this magic window, we see the tomb where Jesus was laid in the top picture.  The stone is in front of the tomb.  When you pull the tab on the right, you see that Jesus is no longer in the tomb and the stone is rolled away!

Instructions for making a magic window

Pattern for Jesus' Resurrection magic window

Video on how to a magic window works

The magic window pattern was made with clipart from the book Bible Story Clip and Copy Patterns by Corbin Hillam.  This is one of my favorite books to use as patterns for many, many things!  This precious book is no longer in print, so Mr. Hillam has graciously allowed me to give you the pattern for free.  He is producing a CD with the art from this book.  The drawings are fantastic!  If you would like to purchase a CD for $15, you can contact him at corbinhillam@yahoo.com.  It is well worth the money!  Other items by him can be seen at www.corbinhillamdesign.weebly.com.



Daniel and the Lion's Den Magic Window

 

 

 

 

Daniel and the Lion's Den

Daniel 6

 

This is another super fun magic window.  The top picture is what the craft looks like at the beginning.  If you pull the card that is sticking out the right side, the angel that closed the lions' mouths "magically" appears in the picture (like the second picture).  Kids are always amazed at this fascinating project.  The older the children, the more they can do on their own.  I have used this for children as young as 3-4, but the only part they can do on their own is color it. 

 

Patterns for this magic window can be found here:

 

Instructions on how to make a magic window

Pattern for Daniel and the Lions as well as the angel page

Video on how a magic window works

 

The magic window pattern was made with clipart from the book Bible Story Clip and Copy Patterns by Corbin Hillam.  This is one of my favorite books to use as patterns for many, many things!  This precious book is no longer in print, so Mr. Hillam has graciously allowed me to give you the pattern for free.  He is producing a CD with the art from this book.  The drawings are fantastic!  If you would like to purchase a CD for $15, you can contact him at corbinhillam@yahoo.com.  It is well worth the money!  Other items by him can be seen at www.corbinhillamdesign.weebly.com.

Fishers of Men Card Game

Fishers of Men Game

This is an exciting way for children to get to know who the other children are in their class. When the children first arrive in class, I divide them up into small groups. (I have several decks of these cards made up.)  I give each group a deck of the cards and let them play the game which is similar to "Go Fish".  Sometimes I include pictures of missionaries, ministers, or elders so they can get to know who they are as well.

The instructions for making this game are a little more challenging since I was unable to upload a publisher document that can be edited.  

Instructions:.

There are two different ways to make this.  One is to print the .pdf file on the instructions page.  Click here for the instructions page.  Then print and glue the pictures on the front.  Laminate and cut apart.

The second way involves computer work:

1. Print and Create cards
2. Front Cards
3. Back Cards
4. Open up Microsoft Word or Publisher.  Set your page orientation at landscape instead of portrait.
5. Click on "insert a picture".  Insert the Fishers of Men Front picture.
6. Increase the picture size to be the full size of the page.
7. Insert the child's picture and put it in place.  You may have to format this picture to be in the front. Be sure to make two cards with each picture and name.
8. Insert a text box and put the child's name.
9. Continue until all children's pictures are in place.  You will need to make more than one page made like this.
10. Insert a new page.  
11. Insert the "Fishers of Men Back" picture.  
12. Increase the picture size to be the full size of the page.
13. Print the pages with the children's pictures on the front and the "Fishers of Men" words on the back.
14. Laminate.
15. Cut apart.
16. Play the game!