Keep growing! That's God' message to Christians of all ages.
Luke 8:15 says that those who listen to and obey God's Word will
bear fruit for God's kingdom. Children need to see that when we
obey God's Word, God will cause our faith to grow. Use the ideas in
this section to help children grow in Christ.
1. Just as the small branches are attached to the main vine,
we're attached to the source of all life-God. Once a flower or a
vegetable is separated from the plant, it dies. In the same way, we
must be firmly attached to God in order to grow and live productive
lives. Use Idea 1, Trained Branches, to illustrate how we can
follow God and become more like him.
2. Plants don't grow properly if they receive too much sun, not
enough water, or if the soil has too much clay or sand. Jesus said
that those who hear the word of God and obey it are like plants
rooted in rich, fertile soil (Luke 8:15). Use Idea 2, Good Ground,
to teach children that the right environment and the right
nutrients make all the difference to plants and to Christians.
3. Jesus said that even if our faith is as small as a mustard
seed, we can move mountains. He also said that the kingdom of
heaven is like the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large plant.
Clearly, we don't need to be completely grown up in Christ before
we can start serving him. Even young Christians can make a
difference. Use Idea 3, Seeds of Faith, to help children see that
with their faith in God, they can do great things.
4. Christians never stop growing! Whether it's learning more
about the Bible, strengthening our faith, discovering the power of
prayer, or simply spending quiet times with God, spiritual growth
takes time and effort. Use Idea 4, Taller and Taller, to illustrate
the desire to mature in our faith.
5. It's hard to deny the goodness of fruit. Fruit that is sweet
and juicy is the mark of a healthy tree. Christians are also called
to bear fruit by leading others to Jesus, living out his commands,
and growing in our relationship with him. Use Idea 5, Sweet Fruit
to help children understand the importance of bearing fruit for
God's kingdom.
•••
1. Trained Branches
Make topiary frames out of clothes hangers.
Theme: When we remain in God, we become like
him.
Scripture Spotlight 1: "I am the vine, and you
are the branches. If any remain in me, and I remain in them, they
produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing" (John
15:5).
Scripture Spotlight 2: "Train yourself to serve
God" (I Timothy 4:7).
Collect: Lightweight wire hangers, plastic
containers such as large margarine bowls, pliers, dirt, small
rocks, small ivy plants, scissors.
Here's What To Do:
Before this activity, have an adult volunteer help you cut 1/3 of
the wire off of each coat hanger. Then use pliers to twist the open
end around the neck of the hanger.
Give each child one of these "shortened" wire hangers. Show kids
how to bend over the hooked end of the hanger so it's at a 90
degree angle to the rest of the hanger. Then have kids bend their
hangers into simple shapes such as hearts, circles, or birds.
Have older children use scissors to poke a few holes into the
bottom of the plastic containers. Instruct kids to place the
container lids under the containers to act as saucers and catch
excess water. Help kids stand up their wire shapes in the
containers and line the bottom the containers with small rocks for
drainage. Have children fill their containers with potting soil and
plant the ivy plants in the center of their pots, near the wire
frames. Demonstrate how to gently wrap the vines around the frames.
As the plants grow, children can continue wrapping them around the
wire shapes until the wire is covered with ivy.
For Further Fun:
• Have kids plant the topiary frames and the ivy plants in the
clay pots from Idea 2.
• Have children name different leaves on the plants for
characteristics they want to grow as Christians. Have them pray,
touching each leaf, as they ask God to help them grow in that
trait.
•••
2. Planter Painters
Painted pots for planting.
Theme: Listen and obey God so that you may
grow.
Scripture Spotlight 1: "And the seed that fell
on the good ground is like those who hear God's teaching with good,
honest hearts and obey it and patiently produce good fruit" (Luke
8:15).
Scripture Spotlight 2: "The earth causes plants
to grow, and a garden causes the seeds planted in it to grow. In
the same way the Lord God will make goodness and praise come from
all the nations" (Isaiah 61:11).
Collect: Small, clay flower pots; acrylic
paints; paper plates; petroleum jelly; rags or small sponges; a
variety of leaves.
Here's What To Do:
Distribute flower pots and have kids wipe off their pots with a
damp cloth to remove any loose clay or dirt. Allow children to
choose several leaves and decide how to place the leaves on their
pots. Show children how to spread petroleum jelly on the leaves and
press them (jelly side down) on their pots. The jelly will hold the
leaves to the pot while the children paint around them.
Pour a small amount of acrylic paint onto paper plates. Have
kids dip rags or small sponges into the paint and dab it all over
the pots. Kids may choose to mix colors, but the pots look very
nice even if only one color is used. Tell kids not to put the paint
on too thickly-the pots will take longer to dry and they'll look
nicer if some of the clay shows through.
When the paint has dried, have students carefully peel off the
leaves.
For Further Fun:
• Have kids fill their pots with potting soil and plant
flower seeds such as marigolds or herbs such as dill or mint. Place
these in a sunny area of your classroom so kids can watch the
growth process. Be sure to have someone water them!
• Allow kids to make a second pot that's the reverse of their
original. Have them dab paint on leaves, then press the painted
leaves onto a second pot.
•••
3. Seeds of Faith
Create mosaics with seeds.
Theme: Faith helps us accomplish great
things.
Scripture Spotlight 1: "I tell you the truth,
if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this
mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move" (Matthew
17:20).
Scripture Spotlight 2: "The kingdom of God is
like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground. But
when planted, this seed grows and becomes the largest of all garden
plants. It produces large branches, and the wild birds can make
nests in its shade" (Mark 4:31-32).
Collect: A wide variety of seeds, beans, and
uncooked rice; sturdy paper dessert plates; glue; black yarn.
Here's What To Do:
On a table set out a variety of seeds (in separate bowls), glue,
study paper plates, scissors, and black yarn. Have kids gather
around the table so they have access to the different types of
seeds. Have kids draw a mountain on the inside of their plates.
Show kids how to outline the drawing by gluing the black yarn over
the lines of the picture. Be sure kids don't use too much glue, as
it may cause the black dye to spread onto their fingers and the
picture.
After kids have outlined their pictures, explain that they'll
use the seeds to fill in the drawing. Demonstrate how dried peas
might be used for grassy areas, birdseed makes a nice sky, or
sunflower seeds can make the mountains standout. Encourage kids to
be creative and to use seeds to fill in every area of their
pictures.
For Further Fun:
• Add variety to kids' choices by dying white rice blue
for a sky. Put the desired amount of rice in a sealable plastic
bag, with a teaspoon of food coloring and a tablespoon of rubbing
alcohol. Squish the rice around with the food coloring and alcohol
until each piece is colored. Spread the rice on a newspaper to dry
for several hours.
- As a finishing touch, kids can use the black yarn and
whipstitch around the edge of the plate to make a dark frame.
•••
4. Taller and Taller
Create cardboard people who grow taller.
Theme: Christians can grow every day.
Scripture Spotlight 1: "Jesus became wiser and
grew physically. People liked him, and he pleased God" (Luke
2:52).
Scripture Spotlight 2: "But grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him
now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).
Collect: Cardboard (empty cereal boxes or
poster board work well), paper fasteners, markers or paints,
construction paper, tape, glue, scissors, rulers.
Here's What To Do:
Before class, cut the cardboard into 1X8-inch strips.
Each child will need six of these.
Distribute the cardboard strips. Show kids how to make an X with
two of them, by poking holes at the intersection and fastening the
two strips together with a paper fastener. Have them use the other
four cardboard strips to make two more X's so each child has three
X's.
Instruct kids each to put one X in front of them, then put a
second X above it so the ends overlap. Have them poke holes in the
ends and attach the two X's with paper fasteners. Ask them to
attach the third X in the same way. Then have kids cut off the top
two sections of the third X.
Have students cut feet, arms, and a head from construction paper
and glue them to the cardboard frame. When kids push the feet
together, the cardboard person will grow taller. When they pull the
feet apart, the cardboard person will shrink.
For Further Fun:
• Have children each share something that helps them grow
closer to Jesus-such as reading their Bibles, praying, or learning
new things about God. Each time someone shares, have kids make
their cardboard people grow a little.
• Write and choreograph a puppet show for younger children using
the cardboard figures. You can do a familiar Bible story or you can
make up a contemporary story about growing in God.
•••
5. Sweet Fruit
Make fruit pizza together.
Theme: Christians will bear fruit.
Scripture Spotlight 1: "And I give you this
work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last..." (John
15:16).
Scripture Spotlight 2: "But the Spirit produces
the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says
these things are wrong" (Galatians 5:22-23).
Collect: Prepared sugar cookie dough, baking
sheet, 3-oz package of cream cheese, powdered sugar, assorted fresh
fruit, apricot jam, lemon juice, mixing bowls, spoons, knives.
Here's What To Do:
Before you begin, have kids wash their hands. Form four
groups and explain that they'll all be helping to make a fruity
snack to celebrate the fruit of the Spirit. Set up group one first,
then while they're working, set up the other groups.
Have group one pat the sugar cookie dough into a big circle on
the baking sheet. Bake the big cookie according to the directions
on the package, being careful not to let it burn. (Group one can
also help later with cleanup.)
Help group two mix the cream cheese with a cup of powdered sugar
and about a teaspoon of milk or water, until it's spreadable. When
the cookie comes out of the oven and cools, allow group two t
spread the cream cheese frosting on it.
While the other groups are working, have group three cut the
fresh fruit into bite-sized pieces and mix the fruit with a couple
teaspoons of lemon juice. Good fruit choices are seedless grapes,
strawberries, kiwi, oranges, bananas, and apples-any fruit with
edible seed will work great. After group two has spread the
frosting on the cookie, group three may arrange the fruit on top of
the frosting.
Have group four mix 1/2 cup of apricot jam with one tablespoon
of water. They may heat the mixture on a hot plate or in a
microwave until it's thin. Have students brush or drizzle the
apricot glaze over the fruit. Cut the fruit pizza into wedges and
enjoy.
For Further Fun:
• Make a few smaller crusts ahead of time. Then form trios and
have each trio work on its own pizza. Kids can sample squares of
each other's pizza to see what unique combinations they used.
• Kids can make bite-sized pizzas by using small, flat sugar
cookies as their crusts.
