Grades 1-3
Introductory Activity – Puzzle Race
Materials: colored paper, marker, scissors, tape
Write the Weekly Verse on 3-5 different colors of paper; write the complete verse on each color. Cut each verse into 8 pieces each. Tape the pieces randomly on the walls around the game area.
Group the kids into teams (the same number of teams as puzzle colors). Assign a color to each team. Lead teams to stand in the middle of the game area. On your signal, the first member of a team runs to retrieve one of her team’s puzzle pieces. When she returns to the team, she tags the next player, who runs to retrieve another puzzle piece. When a team retrieves all pieces, they can work together to assemble the puzzle. When the puzzle is complete, the team can shout “Son of God!” Lead all teams to read the verse together. Tell kids that this verse is part of the Bible story. Tell them to listen for who said these words and why.
Live It Out
Game – Dodge the Waves
Materials: cones or plastic cups, two sets of cards with the words of the Life Point (one word per card)
Mix each set of cards and scatter at one end of the game area. Set up the cones in a line, spaced between the start line and the cards. Group the kids into two teams. Teams should line up at the start line. On your signal, the first player from each team will run to the cones, weave in and out between the cones, pick up a card, and weave back through the cones to the team. Then the next player from the team will repeat the course. Continue until all cards have been retrieved. Guide teams to put the Life Point in order. Talk about things Jesus did that show His power, things that no one else could do (in today’s story and in the other stories from this unit). Say the Life Point together.
Craft – Miracle Stand-Up
Materials: heavyweight paper, colored tape, scissors, markers, glitter pens
Lead kids to cut seven squares of paper, approximately 6 inches square. Tell them to write the letters of the word miracle on the squares, one letter per square. They can use decorative lettering or add other designs around the letters. Show kids how to lay the letters side by side (in order) and use tape to connect the squares together; lay a length of tape from top to bottom that covers the two adjoining sides. Fold on the tape accordion style and stand up the word. Talk about the Bible story and some of Jesus’ other miracles; repeat the Life Point. Suggest kids write the Life Point (or draw pictures of Jesus’ miracles) on the back of their stand-ups.
Grades 4-6
Introductory Activity – Four-Square Definition
Materials: paper, pencils
Guide kids to fold their paper in half and then fold in half again. When they open their papers, they should have four sections. They can draw lines over the folds if they wish. Tell them to write in the first square what the word miraclemeans. In the second square, they can write an example of a miracle. In the third square, they can list something that is not a miracle. In the last square, they can draw a picture of a miracle. Guide kids to find partners and talk about their ideas (showing their papers) with the partners. Tell kids that they will hear a story today about a miracle. Talk about what a miracle is.
Live It Out
Game – Gimme a T (or F)!
Materials: none
Tell kids to spread out in the game area. Make a true/false statement about the Bible story. If the answer is true, kids should make a T with their bodies. If the answer if false, they should make an F with their bodies. Talk about the answer. Make another statement to continue the game. Say the Life Point after you have reviewed the story. Recall other things that Jesus did that show He is the Son of God.
Craft – Magnetic Puzzles
Materials: heavyweight paper (cut into 6-inch squares), gel pens, markers, magnetic tape, scissors, ziplock bags
Distribute squares of paper to the kids. Lead kids to write the Life Point in large colorful letters on their squares. They may want to add additional designs or embellishments around the words. Lead kids to cut their squares into several pieces (6-8) and attach magnetic tape to the backs of the pieces. They may also want to initial the backs to identify any wayward pieces. Challenge kids to work their own puzzles and then trade and work friends’ puzzles. Talk about the things Jesus did that show He is the Son of God. Tell kids to place puzzles on their refrigerators or magnet surfaces at home to remind them of Jesus and His miracles. Store the puzzles in ziplock bags to go home.
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