Jesus meets children!

This page takes you through the various activities we had at Messy Church on 8 November 2014. Have a look and try a few!

Height chart

Make a chart by sticking a tape measure to some card.  Then measure your height against the chart. 

Jesus followers argued about who was the greatest.  But Jesus took a small child and said accepting her was the same as accepting him.

What did you measure against on the chart.  Sometimes tall people seem more important but God loves small people too.

Sash

Take some material and write ‘God rules’ or ‘God is in charge’.  Then thread one end through the other to join them up. 

Jesus followers argued about which one of them was the greatest.  They wouldn’t tell Jesus because they knew he wouldn’t like it.

Sashes are worn to show that someone is important. 

Medal

Write on card that ‘God rules’ or ‘God is in charge’ then thread it on the cord to make a medal

Jesus followers argued about which one of them was the greatest.  They wouldn’t tell Jesus because they knew he wouldn’t like it.

Do you ever argue about who is the most important or the best at something?

Edible Medal

Make a smiley face on the biscuit with icing

Jesus followers argued about which one of them was the greatest.  They wouldn’t tell Jesus because they knew he wouldn’t like it.

What do you argue about?

Wii

Play a game on the Wii.  See if you can find an adult to play against.

Jesus said you must accept the Kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it

Adults aren’t the best at everything.  Sometimes children are better.  Who won your game?

Welcome plaque

Use the string to spell the word Welcome and stick it to the plaque

Jesus’ disciples stopped the parents with their children from bothering him.  But this upset Jesus who welcomed them

What ways can you think of to welcome someone?

Hands

Draw around your hand and cut it out.  Then decorate it and stick it on the big cardboard hand.

Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them

To bless someone is to say good things for them.  What do you think Jesus might have said?

Candles

Decorate a candle and use glass pens to decorate a candle holder.

Jesus blessed the children who were brought to him

Candles are given to babies, children and adults who are baptised to remind them of God’s blessing

Stone family

Make a family of stones by sticking eyes and drawing faces on them.  Stick them into some air drying clay.

Or you can make a clay family by shaping the clay into figures

Some people brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them

Who is there in your family?

Painting

Paint one of the children or the disciples and add them to the picture.  Give the children happy faces, and the disciples cross faces

Jesus  talked to the adults and the children

So we can talk to Jesus whatever age we are

Salad spinning

Put a piece of card in the spinner.  Add some blobs of paint.  Put the lid on and turn it round.  Then look at the pattern on the card.

The disciples thought that the children were messing up Jesus plans.  But Jesus told them the children had got it right.

Can you think of times when your plans get messed up?

Bracelets

Thread beads onto the string to make bracelets

These will go into the shoeboxes that are sent to children in other countries who don’t get any other presents

Calendar

Decorate a calendar

This will go into the shoeboxes that are sent to children in other countries who don’t get any other presents

Hand puppets

Take one of the hand puppets, add a face and decorate it

These will go into the shoeboxes that are sent to children in other countries who don’t get any other presents

People chain

Fold the piece of paper and cut round the person.  But don’t cut the end of the arms so that the different layers are joined together

Unfold the people, and write the name of someone in your family on each one

Then think of something you like about each person and write that on as well

Thank God for them