Tinker with your faith this Easter season. Included in your bag are the goodies you need to talk about the stories of your faith with your children. Ideas for each week follow.
If you have older elementary school aged children you might want to think about modifying the plan in the following ways:
You know your child best - so adapt each week’s ideas according to their abilities and interests. The goal is to get them hearing the stories and interacting with it in some way.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. You could have your kiddo create an experiment painting (described here - the video the blog post refers to is here). They could create a painting each week in response to the bolded reading using the object for that week in their painting in some way.
2. Your child could also write a poem, song, or short story each week in response to the reading/object.
3. Your child could take a photo of something in nature or their daily life that related to the reading/object.
Easter Day
Luke 24:1-12 Link to the text here.
Objects to explore: linen cloth, egg.
Questions for you and your kids: How do these objects relate to the bolded Bible story? Where do you see these objects in your daily life? What can you do for fun with these objects?
Week 1 (Mar 28-April 3)
Acts 5:17-26, Psalm 150, John 20:19-31 Link to texts here.
Objects to explore: hole punch (provided) or nails and paper (not provided)
Questions for you and your kids: How do these objects relate to the bolded Bible story? Idea: the hole punch and nails can relate to the wounds in Jesus’ hands. Where do you see these objects in your daily life? What can you do for fun with these objects? Idea: Punch holes (with your hole punch or nails) in the shape of a cross, use holes punched to create a heart.
Week 2 (April 4-April 10)
Genesis 18:1-8, Isaiah 6:1-4, John 21:1-14 Link to texts here.
Objects to explore: swedish fish and net
Questions for you and your kids: How do these objects relate to the bolded Bible story? Where do you see these objects in your daily life? What can you do for fun with these objects?
Week 3 (April 11-17)
Ezekiel 28:25-26, Luke 12:29-32, John 10:22-30 Link to texts here.
Objects to explore: cotton balls
Questions for you and your kids: How do cotton balls relate to the bolded Bible story? Where do you see or use cotton balls in your daily life? What can you do for fun with them? Idea: Use your cotton balls to create big sheep and tiny sheep. What do sheep need to live - how can you care for these sheep?
Week 4 (April 18-24)
Daniel 7:27, Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1-6 Link to texts here.
Objects to explore: seeds
Questions for you and your kids: How do seeds relate to the bolded Bible story? Where do you see seeds in your daily life? What can you do for fun with them? Idea: April 22 is Earth Day. Plant your seeds in pots, put them in a sunny spot and say this blessing over them: Bring to these seeds life that only you can give. Allow them to grow and produce abundantly. You can also sing: Grow, grow, grow little plants. - repeat 3 times and end with: Grow, grow, grow, grow, grow. (to the tune of - 10 little fingers - found here) Bonus Idea: Can you capture Psalm 148 in seven words? Write those words on a piece of paper in a 2.5” x 3.5” box and then enlarge it on a copier by 300% for a custom piece of art.
Week 5 (April 25-May 1)
Proverbs 2:9-15, Psalm 67, John 14:23-29 Link to texts here.
Objects to explore: pinwheel (create your own using the supplies in your bag and instructions found here) Questions for you and your kids: How does a pinwheel relate to the bolded Bible story? Here are some thoughts on how these are connected - The Holy Spirit blows through the world - changing the world for good - just like you change your pinwheel by blowing on it. Where do you see pinwheels or wind in your daily life? What can you do for fun with your new pinwheel?
Week 6 (May 2 - May 8)
Exodus 33:12-17, Psalm 97, Acts 16:23-34 Link to texts here.
Objects to explore: lock and key
Questions for you and your kids: How do these objects relate to the bolded Bible story? Where do you see these objects in your daily life? What can you do for fun with these objects?