These are suggestions only to help parents engage their children in services that use the Revised Common Lectionary. They can be used by parents 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. 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.
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. Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
Remember you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
You might need to prepare these in advance, and place them in a special Church Bag ready to go for Sunday Morning.
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2018 Will get you 14 colouring in pages, that is 14 Sundays worth and I will refer to them over the coming weeks.
ttps://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2018
http://www.wearesparkhouse.org/media/downloads/SHC/FlatJesus_Frolic.pdf, but reduce copy to 50%
Lion Story Picture Bible https://www.word.com.au/The-Lion-Picture-Bible/Sarah-J-Dodd/9780745963037
or The Jesus Storybook Bible https://www.word.com.au/The-Jesus-Storybook-Bible/Sally-Lloyd-Jones-Illustrated-by-Jaqo/9780310708254
My First read a loud Bible https://www.word.com.au/My-First-Read-Aloud-Bible/Mary-Batchelor/9781860247712
A4 blue cardboard
2 colours of blue crepe streamer
white cardboard
texta’s
white paper or journal
paper plate
FIRST READING: 2 Samual 11:1-15
READ: Lion Story Picture Book pp.142-143
OR The Jesus Storybook Bible p.130 until last paragraph
PLAY: if you have an Ikea road mat or similar, let them play pointing out the rules. ie Stop signs, give way to pedestrians. Emphasis that we all need rules to live by but no one is above God’s rules.
PSALM 14
READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-14-all-fall-short.html just read the psalm to your little one (on the right of the page) reprinted below
Psalm 14: “There is no God”
“There is no God!” everyone says.
“I can do what I like!” everyone thinks.
“Who cares about God?” everyone asks.
“I’m here for me, I don’t answer to anyone!”
God looks for faith, will he find it anywhere?
God looks for care for the poor.
God looks for love, will he find it in me?
DRAW: would these words make God HAPPY or SAD, draw a happy or Sad face or choose a happy or sad face from one drawn, downloaded or on a cushion.
SECOND READING EPHESIANS 3:14-21
SAY: God can do more –
WAY more – (spread out your arms)
more than we can ask or
even imagine! (point to your head)
borrowed from http://www.conversations.net.nz/ephesians-314-21-year-b-pentecost-10.html actions are mine
READ/WATCH: DID I TELL YOU I LOVE YOU TODAY BY Deloris Jordan
thanks to http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-july-29-2012/
Paul prays for all, like this Mum does.
PLAY: with your dolls or soft toys, praying for each of them.
FIVE FINGER PRAYER ; https://www.paracletepress.com/Products/5257/praying-with-my-fingers.aspx?bCategory=CHILDB!CHIPRA
GOSPEL READING: JOHN 6:1-21
READ: My First read a loud Bible pp.176-179 Food for everyone, and Jesus walks on Water
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2018
MAKE: colour in and cut out loaves and fishes http://fototo.me/loaves-and-fishes-coloring-pages/loaves-and-fishes-coloring-page-gulfmik-6f-c44-collection-of-printable-fish-pages-3/
then stick onto a paper plate.
OR
Take strips of two different blue crepe paper. Twist them, then cut them to fit on a blue A4 cardboard. Alternating the colours, tape or staple at each end of the board (smaller twists work best) from top to bottom.
Download a colouring in of Jesus try http://www.wearesparkhouse.org/media/downloads/SHC/FlatJesus_Frolic.pdf, but reduce copy to 50%
from Sparkhouse https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/introduce-flat-jesus-summer/
Colour in Jesus, then attach him to a piece of cardboard that is taller then the A4 sheet, so that he can walk over the water.
The Cross in My Backyard 