These are suggestions only, to help parents/caregivers engage their children in services that use the Revised Common Lectionary. They can be used by parents/caregivers or those who help out in small congregations that can not afford to pay Child and Families Ministry. Some congregations use all 4 readings in their services others only two.
They can also be used at home during Family Devotion Time. Remember it is never too early to start faith practices in the home.
If using during worship Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.
Read during the Bible readings,
Pray during the prayers,
Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.
Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.
Remember you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
You might need to prepare these in advance
https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018 THIS IS A NEW SEASON, AMERICAN FALL OUR Spring . For $10 American dollars (about $Aus 16) you have 12 weeks of colouring sheets. Or you can combine with other parents or ask the Church to make the purchase for yourself and the families.
http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2013/09/responding-to-bible-feelings-cards.html
Click to access EX-9781557255952.pdf
The Early Readers Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/early-readers-bible-2001-gilbert-beers/0310701392.jhtml
Paper plates
Textas
glue
drawing paper
FIRST READING: Job 42:1-6,10-17
READ: The Early Readers Bible p.255
DRAW: Draw a picture of all the wonderful things God gives to us.
PRAY:
In good times and bad I will value you God. Amen
PSALM 34:1-8 (19-22)
I will bless the Lord all the time!
We’ll never stop praising our God! (HOLD YOUR ARMS UP AND AWAY FROM THE BODY)
Magnify the Lord with me.
Together we’ll lift his name high. (PALMS UP RAISE ARMS SLOWLY UNTIL THEY ARE ABOVE YOUR HEAD)
Taste and see – the Lord is good!
Relax and rejoice – you are safe in him. ( SMILE AND RELAX YOUR BODY – FEEL ALL YOUR MUSCLES RELAX)
When trouble comes, cry out to God.
He is always around you, protecting you. (WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND YOURSELF- GIVE YOURSELF A CUDDLE)
FROM http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-34-always-praising.html actions have been added by me
How does the Psalm make you feel? Use any of the methods previously used such as drawing a face or putting the facial expression on a plate or using https://e2epublishing.info/posters/ (scroll down a long way to find them)
or try these feeling cards http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2013/09/responding-to-bible-feelings-cards.html
SECOND READING: Hebrews 7:23-28
READ How do I Pray for Grandpa by Laura Alary http://www.picturebooktheology.com/search/label/intercession
PLAY/PRAY: Use a play mat such as https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/10361911/ then play and pray. Add people, animals and cars, ambulances, police cars, fire engines etc.
PRAY: Use the Praying in Colour method Praying in colour https://s3.amazonaws.com/supadu-imgix/paracletepress-us/pdfs/excerpts/EX-9781557255952.pdf
GOSPEL READING: Mark 10:46-52
READ: The Early Reader Bible A Man Who wanted to see, pp.419-423.
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018
MAKE: a paper plate face emphasising the eyes. Draw them or cut out eyes and paste them on . You can google eye pictures and cut them out an paste them on to finish your plate. (don’t use googly eyes, from craft shops, with the young as they are easily swallowed)
PLAY: Eye spy around the church. eg I spy a place where we baptise children, etc.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 