Crafts
Option 1: Textured Paper
paper, crayons, variety of items with different textures and shapes (coins, keys, sandpaper, bark, leaves, doilies, sticker shapes, etc.)
Gather supplies. Print paper with the Big Truth or Memory Verse printed on top (one per child). Make a sample craft.
Give each child the Big Truth paper. Set crayons and a variety of textures and flat objects on the tables. Have children place different textures and objects under their paper and rub a crayon over the paper until the shapes and textures appear. Have children continue to rub different items to fill their paper. Remind children that when pressure and hard times come, God is there.
Option 2: Mouth Paper Bag Puppet
paper bags, scissors, glue, crayons, yarn, googly eyes (optional)
Gather supplies. Make a sample craft.
Give each child a paper bag. Set glue, scissors, yarn, and crayons on the tables. Have them lay the paper bag with the flap facing up. Children should draw eyes (or glue on googly eyes), nose, and mouth on the flap. Have them cut yarn and glue it to the puppet for hair. Then have them open the flap and write “I trust you, God” so that when they open the mouth the words are visible. Remind children that we can trust God in all things.
Option 1: Trust God Wreath
paper, paper plates, scissors, hole punch, string, construction paper, glue sticks
Gather supplies. Punch a hole in the top of each plate (one per child). Cut pieces of string into 8-inch lengths for hanging. Print the Big Truth on paper (cut to fit the plate, one per child). Make a sample craft.
Give each child a paper plate, scissors, string, and Big Truth paper. Set construction paper and glue sticks on the tables. Have them cut out the center circle and thread and knot the string through the punched hole. Have children tear the construction paper into small pieces and then glue them on their plates. Children continue to tear and glue paper until the entire plate is covered. Then have them glue the Big Truth to the wreath. Remind children that when they feel worn and torn, God is still God.
Option 2: Paper Lantern
paper, construction paper, markers, glue, staplers, scissors
Gather supplies. Cut 1-inch wide strips of construction paper (one per child). Print and cut in 1-inch strips the Big Truth (one per child). Make a sample craft.
Give each child a piece of construction paper, the 1-inch Big Truth, the 1-inch construction paper, and scissors. Set markers, glue, and staplers on the tables. Have the children use markers to decorate their piece of construction paper. Then have them fold their paper in half lengthwise and cut nine slits into the folded edge (beginning 1 inch from the side and leaving about 1 inch between slits). They need to stop cutting at least 1 inch before reaching the other end of the folded paper. Unfold the paper and glue the Big Truth along the top or bottom. Then staple the short edges together to form a lantern. Staple a strip of construction paper to the top for a handle. Explain that when life seems dark and hard, God is making a way through the darkness.
