Fiery Furnace Puppet Show Kickin Crafts Styrofoam bowls, one per child X-acto knife Pattern of biblical figure, page 40 White construction paper Child safety scissors Crayons Craft sticks, six per child Tape Permanent markers in red, orange, and yellow Transparency sheets, 1/2 sheet per child Newspapers Paint shirts Kindergarten-aged children should be able to cut out the figures. Provide safety scissors and let them do the cutting if time allows. Before class, cut 8 1 2" x 11" transparency sheets in half. Use the biblical figure pattern on page 40 and white construction paper to precut four people figures for each child. Use the X-acto knife to make six slits in the bottom of each Styrofoam bowl; make the slits wide enough for inserting craft sticks. Cover the work area with newspapers. In class, have children put on paint shirts. Say, We are going to make a puppet craft you can use to retell the Bible story. When you finish, you can use the puppets to share the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with others. 1. Let children use crayons to add details to the four biblical figures. Then have them tape a craft stick to the back of each figure. 2. Give each child 1/2 of a transparency sheet, and let them cover one side with red, yellow, and orange marker scribbles. Then have them tape two craft sticks near the center of one side of the sheet, leaving about an inch between the sticks. 3. Begin to retell the Bible story. When you mention the fiery furnace, have children insert the sticks holding the transparency (fire) into two slits of the inverted bowl. As you name each figure (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), have children insert the figures into the bowl facing the fire. When you come to the part of the story about the fourth figure, have children insert that figure into the bowl. Let children remove all the figures and retell the story themselves. 14
Red Sea Stepping Stones Plastic tarp Plaster of paris Aluminum pie plates (one per child) Decorative stones or marbles (five or six per child) Baby oil Cleaning items: bucket of water, soap, paper towels Xtreme Option If time allows and resources are available, spray paint the footprints with gold or silver. Before doing so, cover the stones or marbles with masking tape. Caution: Do this activity outside. Before class, cover the work area with a plastic tarp. In class, say, Today we are talking about Xtreme Courage. You learned about Xtreme Courage in the story of Moses and the Red Sea. Moses had the courage to trust God, and the Israelites had the courage to follow Moses. Now you re going to make a footprint craft. It will help you remember that when you are afraid, you can step out with Xtreme Courage by trusting God. 1. Prepare the plaster of paris according to package instructions, and pour the prepared plaster into pie tins. 2. Have children remove one shoe and sock. Then have the children coat their bare feet with baby oil. 3. After children make their footprint impressions, have them clean and dry their feet before putting on socks and shoes. 4. Before the plaster dries, let children press decorative stones or marbles around the edges of their footprints. 20
Heart on a String Purchase modeling clay at a craft store, or make your own using the following recipe: 3 cups flour 1 1 2 cups salt 3 cups water 2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 tablespoon cream of tarter a drop or two of food coloring, if desired Blend all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook slowly. Stir constantly until the dough pulls away from the side of the saucepan. Remove the clay mixture from the pan, and let it cool for a few minutes. Then knead the clay until it is smooth and pliable. Store in resealable bags or sealed containers until ready to use. Note: You can add an extra sensory element by putting a few drops of scent, such as vanilla or peppermint, in the mixture. Sheets of foam or posterboard, scissors, paint shirts, paper heart-shaped cookie cutter Scissors Yarn Fast-drying modeling clay Waxed paper Coffee-stirring stick Glue Glitter plates, tempera paint, glue, glitter, markers, hole punch, yarn Before class, soften the clay, and divide it into palm-sized balls, one per child. Store the balls of clay in plastic sandwich bags until ready to use. Precut yarn for necklaces, one section per child. 1. Give each child a piece of waxed paper to cover the work area. 2. Give children the balls of clay, and have them flatten the clay to about a 1 -inch thickness. 2 3. Let children use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut a heart shape out of their clay. 4. Use a coffee stirrer to make a small hole at the top of each heart. 5. Have children carefully apply a thin layer of glue to the top of the heart and cover with glitter. Shake off the excess glitter, and allow the hearts to dry. 6. After the hearts are dry, insert a piece of yarn through the holes at the top and tie the yarn ends together to make the necklace. 26
Praying Hand Finger paint Finger paint paper Paint shirts Hand wipes Xtreme Option You can also make the craft using plaster of paris handprints. Purchase the plaster of paris at a craft store, or use craft sites on the Internet to find a homemade plaster of paris recipe. Allow time for the plaster of paris to dry and for children to paint their handprints. Before class, print across the top of each sheet of paper My Hands Are Praying Hands. In class, have children lightly coat their hands with paint and press them onto the paper to make an imprint. Provide hand wipes for the children to clean their hands. Allow the project to dry as you retell the Bible story. Say, Peter s friends prayed for Peter. We can talk to God in prayer when we are worried about something. God helps us have Xtreme Faith. 32
Pathway to Saul Children five and older may be able to cut out their own people figures. Provide safety scissors. Paper plates (one per child) Biblical figure pattern, p. 40 (two per child) White construction paper Scissors Crayons Cornmeal Glue Fruit Loops cereal Cheerios cereal Yarn Tape Before class, precut biblical figure (two per child) using the pattern on page 40. In class, say, Today we are talking about Xtreme Obedience. Ananias showed Xtreme Obedience to Jesus when he went to Saul, even though he was afraid of Saul. Jesus wants us to show Xtreme Obedience to Him. 1. Have children use crayons or markers to color the plate to look like the ground. Also let them use crayons to add features and details to the two biblical figures. 2. Have children make one trail of glue across the plate and smear it to a width of two or three inches. 3. Help children sprinkle cornmeal over the glue, and pour off the excess. This will represent Straight Street. 4. Encourage children to retell the story using their figures and plates. 38