Bible Reference:
Matthew 9:35, 12:9-14, 22:34-40
Lesson Aim:
To tell the children about some things that Jesus did, helping them understand that Jesus is God’s Son and he can do things that we can’t do. This also introduces the children to the fact that people wanted to kill Jesus.
Main Message:
Jesus was able to make the man’s hand better because he is God’s Son. But some Jews were not happy about it. They didn’t think that Jesus is God’s Son. They thought about how they could kill Jesus.
Lesson Options
Helping It Stick
Choose from these activities to enjoy with your kids to help repeat and consolidate the Main Message from this part of the bible.
Creative
Hand bible verse: Trace the child’s hand and write Matthew 9:35 in the centre. The child can draw on it, colour it in, decorate it etc. Punch a hole in one of the fingers and tie some string through it.
Hand flower pot: Paint the child’s hand green and press it onto a piece of paper. (Alternatively you can trace the child’s hand, and let them colour it green before sticking it on a piece of paper). Let the child draw (or colour in) a flower on the tip of each finger. Cut out the shape of a flower pot from red paper (alternatively you can use white paper and let the child colour it in red). Paste the pot at the bottom of the hand print. Write the letters J E S U S on each finger tip/ flower and “IS GOD’S SON” at the centre of the palm or on the pot.
3D Art Hand: Draw the outline of your hand and then, while drawing a straight line, you curve the line when it meets the contour of your hand. Write in bold letters on your artwork - Jesus is God’s Son.
Spray Paint Hand Art: Put a drop of food colouring a spray bottle with water. Best to choose a bright colour. Put your hand on art paper and spray to make a hand outline. Make two outlines. Wait for it to dry before tracing your hand to make a few more hand outlines with a bold texta or marker. Draw different patterns in the outline of your traced handprints and colour in. Write “Jesus is God’s Son” in bold letters on your artwork.
Physical/Tactile
Up in the Air: The aim is to keep a balloon up off the ground as long as possible. But you are only allowed to use one hand. You can keep score as to how many hits you do or time yourself.To make it challenging, have multiple balloons.
Guess the Object: Put an item on a plate (e.g. some slime, a toy, some pasta, etc.) and the child has to guess it without seeing it. To make it harder, the child has to avoid using their hands, to guess; they can only use other body parts.
“Hand-less” Relay Race: The child has to run from one spot to another carrying an item to place down at the other end, but they can’t use their hands.
Exploring: For younger kids, talk more about the great things we can do with our hands and then provide pipe cleaners, large beads, a cardboard box with holes in it and let the child explore the way things fit and move using fine motor skills.