Making a Cardboard “Theater”

Making a theater

Last week we discussed using previously posted “bits” of worksheets to make new lessons, and this week that idea is further enhanced by making a cardboard theater to help you tell your Bible stories.  The photo above shows the front of the theater which is just a cardboard box.  I am telling the story of Noah here.  It is up to you to determine how many scenes you want in your story.  I have made the opening to be a little smaller than one full sheet of paper to be able to utilize previous scenes from this blog but you can make the size suit your needs. You will need to tape up all of your sides (actually they are the flaps that would have made the top of your box) then cut out your opening.  Cut only the sides and top of your opening because you are going to gently fold down the bottom section to form your stage.

Side folded down to form stage

I had some felt left over from the lesson on Adam and Eve, so I glued it on top of the stage after it is securely taped.  Next I cut slots to hold scenery…these need to match as close as possible on each side so the scenery hangs straight..

slots for the scenery

I taped up the sides with heavy-duty tape and then to cover the tape I glued contact paper.  Glue it with a good tacky glue because it will not stay stuck otherwise!!! Cover as much of the box as you want.  It helps to “weatherize” your theater.

scene placement

                The scenes can be stapled to a ruler shape made out of cardboard accommodating a different scene on each side. You can also store all of your story figures and scenes in the back of your theater.

Front of the theater

Different figures can be glued or taped to craft sticks or reinforced cardboard.  If you don’t reinforce the cardboard it will start to bend as you move your figures around. Decorate the front of the theater with some sort of curtain if desired . I just had a small amount of wrapping paper handy but you can use material and also extend the length.  I glued the curtain across the top but stapled the gathered portions on each side.  Just make sure that your curtains do not interfere with your side slots.

 

Using past lessons as scenery.

For this scene, I sized a worksheet with the opening and cut it to fit.  Then it is glued to another full sheet of card stock that is then stapled to a cardboard ruler shape about an inch wide (see photo above …there is also a pic that shows you how to place the scenes into the slots you have cut).   Note: this is also the worksheet each child gets to color and take home.  Don’t be surprised if  your kids want to make one of these theaters for themselves!  This is also a good tool for review…encourage your students to retell the story using the theater!

 

side view with stage.

Jesus – Our Compassionate Savior

“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger and of great mercy.” Psalms 145:8

Widow of Nain

I have been traveling 3000 miles during the past three weeks to see friends and visit my new grandbaby.  If you are new to the blog: WELCOME… for a complete table of contents of Bible Stories, scroll back to June 19, 2013 for O.T. & April 2, 2013 for N.T.

I wanted to do a lesson on the widow of Nain  because it emphasizes  the great compassion of our LORD… but couldn’t figure out how to make the widow’s son “come alive”.  Brainstorming with my friend, Robin, she suggested a tab connected to the eyeball “…pull the tab and the eye opens…just like in all of the storybooks I read my boys when they were little”.   I found that magic tape makes the perfect tab!

 For completion of this project you will need brass brads, magic tape and card stock.  There will also need to be pre-cutting with an x-acto blade.  (Don’t allow the kids to use this tool…it is very sharp and regular scissors will make too big of a gouge in the paper!)

Luke, chapter 7 is an interesting chapter.  Jesus had been in Capernaum and “sent His Word” at the  “great” faith of the Roman centurion.    After healing the beloved servant of that notable soldier, He went with many people to the city of Nain.  Just as He was about to enter the gate of the city, a funeral procession was coming the other way.  The young man who had died was the only son of his widowed mother.  Her future was bleak indeed.  Jesus noticed her crushing sorrow and without any plea on her part, was moved with compassion to meet her great need.   Approaching  the bier, and touching it, said , “Young man , I say to you, arise.  And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak.  And He delivered him to his mother.”  The people glorified God, recognizing that He had  visited His people and had sent a great prophet.

Widow of Nain – wkst with text

John the Baptist was in prison at this time, and his disciples brought him word of this great miracle.  John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He was the  promised Messiah.  That same hour , the Lord healed many of the people’s infirmities, plagues and evil spirits.  Jesus told the men sent to Him, to go back and tell John what they had seen and heard  “…how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”   This , John would understand, was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61.  Jesus was indeed, the anointed one!  Now Jesus was asking John not to be offended.  Do you think that is a strange statement?  Remember that John was facing an uncertain future and knowing the truth about Jesus did not  change his present circumstances. Jesus wants believers everywhere to have faith in God’s Word and trust His purposes even if we don’t understand how things in our life are going to work out.

The complete instructions  are posted on my other blog “kidsbible.wordpress.com”   Since there are a lot of steps I have included photos to help you as a picture is worth a 1000 words! There is also a worksheet without text if you would like to translate this. (also a PDF worksheet with text )

Zacchaeus is Found

Zacchaeus is Found

Zacchaeus  was very blessed indeed.  Jesus has been preaching the Good News for three years and is making His way to Jerusalem to suffer and die for the sins of the world.   We all know the story of  the vertically challenged chief tax collector…. tax collectors were hated because of their collaboration with the Roman government and exploitation of their fellow countrymen.  Perhaps he had heard of Matthew leaving the ranks of his profession, and was curious about what kind of a man would be worth following and giving up a lucrative profession for.

He climbed a tree to get a better look when he heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho. To his surprise, Jesus stopped and called him by name.  He was bid to come down quickly, for Jesus must go to his house.  The lonely man gladly welcomed Him – the result of the visit : salvation, forgiveness and a changed life.  Jesus sought Zacchaeus because He loved him.  No one is beyond seeking…Who is Jesus wanting you to reach out to? What stands in the way of us making the efforts necessary to show we care.  Maybe it is a child who has only come to your class once or twice. Pray and ask the LORD to help you make effective contact.   For complete instructions see the post at kidsbible.wordpress.com… (this will involve some precutting with an x-acto blade so you can fit Zacchaeus into the tree. ) I also used a leaf punch to cut out leaves.

Zack – worksheet

Zack – no text

Samson is Forgiven

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

Samson is Forgiven

We previously posted a lesson about the powerful  Nazirite judge of Israel – Samson. (August 2011)  His life has many lessons for us today so I think it would be a good idea to take two weeks to study his life.

A Nazirite vow was a serious commitment between a man or woman and God…a setting apart…a special consecration.  They would be willing to avoid all contact with any dead body…separate  themselves from anything pertaining to the grape or grapevine and as a visible manifestation of their  holy vow…no razor was to take any of the hair on their head all of the days of their consecration.  In Samson’s case ,  he was  called to a lifelong consecration from his mother’s womb!  Sadly, we have read about the poor choices Samson made even though he was mightily blessed by God with supernatural strength and was called to judge Israel for twenty years.

Samson went against the advice of his parents to marry a God-fearing Israelite woman choosing a Philistine woman instead because he liked the way she looked! (Remember…these were the days that everyone did what is right in their own eyes and stopped obeying God?  Sound familiar???)  He did not learn from his mistakes and made other poor associations with those that sought his defeat.  This might be a good time to teach about the bondage that the enemy of our soul wishes to put God’s children under.  As a result of Samson’s disregard of his sacred vows,  he was blinded, bound , and imprisoned with the lowly task of grinding grain.

There is hope for this poor soul, because scripture tells us “…however the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved…”  I’m  sure Samson had a lot of time to reflect on his sinful behavior  and was able to confess and repent because we read about him in Hebrews 11:32 as joining the ranks of the faithful.  When he was called to be brought to the idol temple to be mocked by the pagans gathered, he called on the Lord GOD (Jehovah) to remember him with strength once more.

Samson is forgiven – wkst

Samson – no text

Note: Depending on your translation there are two ways to spell Nazirite…or Nazarite!

The Miracle of the Tribute Money

“Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5

Miracle of the Tribute Money

The miracle of The Tribute Money is unique to Matthew…the “ex” tax gatherer!  .  Jesus was not liable for the temple tax being the Son of God, even though Peter impetuously answered the officials that Jesus would pay it!  The temple tax (Exodus 30:13) amounted to two day’s wages for a common laborer and was required of every adult Israelite male over 20 years of age for maintaining the temple. Jesus was free from obligation to pay this tax…after all, the temple belonged to Him according to Malachi 3:1 “…’Behold, I send My messenger (John the Baptist) And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, (Jesus) in whom you delight.  Behold, He is coming’, says the LORD of hosts”.  Jesus anticipated Peter’s question, and told him  to cast a hook  into the sea of Galilee and take up the first fish he caught.  Can you imagine how this must have humbled Peter who usually fished professionally with nets?   Jesus trusted in the miraculous provision of God to pay His taxes…not out of obligation but out of a desire that He not offend…(and I think as a great lesson for us.)

Please visit “kidsbible.wordpress.com” for the  instructions to this lesson.  I am still traveling and would appreciate your prayers for the LORD’S guidance to a new location which would have to include some kids to teach!  (If you are new to the blog…WELCOME… a complete Table of Contents  for  lessons I have covered from the Old and New Testaments is available if you scroll back past the last post on “food allergies”. (April 2, 2013)  For a Mother’s Day project see the blog from May 2, 2012

Update: (4/2014) Thanks for the prayers. The Lord has led me to a new area… I am settled and have a new class to teach!! Praise Him!!!

Miracle of the Tribute money – a

Miracle of the Tribute money worksheet

An Empty Tomb Craft

An Empty Tomb Craft

I am visiting the Hopi Rez and the kids are expecting to make Easter baskets this coming Sunday.  I have come up with 2 styles of “empty tomb” craft ideas to put the emphasis on the Resurrection…but they can also fit a piece of candy or two ! For instructions , see the blog at “kidsbible.wordpress.com”

Empty Tomb (part B)

empty tomb worksheet

 

Good News of Great Joy

“Glory to God in the highest…”

Listen to the words of the birth of our Messiah from the Amplified Bible “…And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn: and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.  And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flocks by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people.  For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ(the Messiah)the Lord!’ [Micah 5:2]…Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with  whom He is well pleased.’  (Luke 2:7-14)

We rarely see the heavenly host mentioned in the passage above, portrayed as a mighty army…but you can certainly use this season to do a teaching on angels. (There are a few facts about angels in the Aug. 11, 2011 post entitled “Jacob’s dream”) To make the angels above you will need a few craft items.  Hopefully you will have access to pinecones, a black sharpie to draw the faces, tacky glue, silver pipe cleaners , dolly hair , wooden beads and  wide ,white ribbon (if it has wire it will be easy to form into wings)  and a can of “snow”.  Try to pick out pinecones that will be in proportion to the wooden beads, upon which you will draw the faces of the angels.   If you have young kids you might have to draw the faces for  them.  You will also want to spray your pinecones with the “snow” so they can be dried in time for your class.   Twist a small length of ribbon in the middle for the wings ….if you have the ribbon with wire, you can fold the edges of the ribbon back so there is no rough edge. (see sample below)

back of angel

I attached the wings to the back of the pinecone with “sticky tack” …it is a white putty  that you use to put pictures on your walls.  If that is not available, just use a big blop of tacky glue. (there are other colors…make sure you use white!) The heads will go glued on one end of the pinecone…whichever you prefer. Apply glue around the neck of your angel and attach  a “collar” of pipe cleaner, twisting it to secure.  Last you will attach a small amount of doll hair with glue….be careful…this stuff has a mind of its own!  Add a silver pipe cleaner  halo if desired.

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If you are new to the blog…WELCOME..

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I have not posted in a while as my Father has passed away and I have been busy putting his residence up for sale and getting  myself ready to move.

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I have written a book as a Christmas gift for a young friend.  To see it go to kidsbible.wordpress.com (12/18/2012)

The Sign of the Covenant

Everyone loves rainbows… but the fact that it is a sign of a covenant with God may elude many admirers!  After Noah was commanded to enter the ark, he was told that he would have to wait seven more days inside the vessel before  the rain started. I’m sure he had no worries though, he had been faithfully obeying the LORD’S commands and preparing for many years.  But can you imagine  today being given a warning by God, that you have seven days before certain destruction falls?  Would your life change any?  Are there people you would encourage or share the words of life with?  Any habits you would finally get the victory over or ruined relationships you would seek to mend?  This scenario is not that far-fetched as we recall what Jesus said in Luke 17:26-27 & 30, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.  People will be eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark.  Then the flood came and destroyed them all…It will be just like this on the day the Son of man is revealed.”  The LORD’S saints are to be watching and prepared like Noah!

Instructions for this technique are posted over at “kidsbible.wordpress.com” (A New Beginning 10/3/2012)

A new beginning – worksheet

Scripture reference from Genesis 9:13, “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”

Important note:  Given the mature themes of the story of Cain and Abel, I  do not teach this lesson in its entirety to younger kids but you may send a note home with parents to encourage them to discuss the story from Genesis 4 with their kids as it includes helpful information to further illustrate the plan of redemption.  You will recall that God provided a covering of skins for Adam and Eve after they sinned.  This taught them that they needed a suitable covering – not the fig leaves they had sewn together.  God would have to provide a covering by shedding innocent blood.

The LORD God provides a covering

No doubt  they would have taught the acceptable worship of the LORD to Cain and Abel, and we read in Hebrews 11 that Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice “by faith”  and faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Cain did not submit to the God-given instructions of his parents but willfully offered the fruit of his own self-righteous efforts.  Only Abel “obtained witness” from the LORD that his sacrifice was accepted and he was to enjoy right-standing with God as a result. Cain was filled with burning anger because he was aware that the LORD did not acknowledge  his sacrifice.  It was at this point that the LORD sought Cain to reason with him about his destructive attitude and offer him another chance “to do well” and be accepted. God, as a loving Father, also warned him  that sin was waiting to overtake him if he hardened his heart. We all know the result of Cain’s unwillingness to repent.  Jude prophesies that false teachers “have gone in the way Cain”… and certainly there are many religions that boast a plethora of man-made rules and rituals in which they seek to be made acceptable to the god that they worship.  Praise God, He has provided a covering for  all… and “whosoever believes” that the blood of the spotless Lamb of God is the only means by which our sins can be covered and washed away…is made acceptable to God.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8-9

The LORD provides a covering – 

*Note: I finally posted a worksheet for older children 10/26/2015

More Precious Than Rubies

God’s Hidden Treasure

I wanted to spend an extra week on the Creation story so I have encouraged the kids to bring in something “extraordinary” from nature to share.  We will also be going over  verses from Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 2 so we can go over the differences  between man’s wisdom; which might question the creation account, and God’s wisdom.   This will also give you  time to go over the added details that are found in Genesis 2.

” For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith; as it is written, ‘ The just shall live by faith’. (amplified) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools…” Romans 1:17-22

“Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

The Bible is a book of theology.  It is God’s revelation of Himself to man.  When we walk in “the fear of the LORD” (the beginning of wisdom according to Proverbs 9:10), we believe He is our awesome Creator.  “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”  (Hebrews 11:3)   The world ridicules this faith, but we can take a firm stand because we know that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) We can share with them the amazing work of creation that God  perfected in our lives by removing our unbelieving heart of stone and giving us a new heart and a new spirit.  You may be gifted to be able to share with foolish men who bash the Genesis account of creation, but look at Jesus’ example when He answered Pilate that He had come into the world to bear witness to the truth…”everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37) Just share the truth of the word, love them, and leave the results to the Holy Spirit.

NOTE:  If you are  teaching  just a lesson on wisdom to older children, I would add the verses from Proverbs 1:24-32 that describe the warnings of rejecting wisdom’s cry! 

God’s Hidden Treasure

The puzzle  in the sample will help teach truths about wisdom, a gift that will help us understand Genesis 1 and 2.  The worksheets are also posted on my other blog, “kidsbible.wordpress.com”

answers (from NKJV)

worksheet

God’s Hidden Treasures – rubies

The kids will need their bibles to look up the verses.  Different versions will have different words so you will have to help them find the word that fits  (I used NKJV)….but it is important that they at least look up the references so they can be familiar with the Book…remember “sword drills when you were young????

Paul Let Down in a Basket

Paul Let Down in a Basket

Scripture  reference is from 2 Timothy 3: 11-12,”…Persecution I have endured yet the Lord rescued me from all of them…Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

Paul was very zealous for the Lord.  He was given a word from the Lord  through the mouth of Ananias that he would suffer greatly for the cause of Christ. The beginning of his persecutions  is the short story from Acts 9.  After being gloriously converted and prayed for by Ananias, he went at once to the synagogue to tell everyone there the Good News about the Son of God.  Verse 22 tells us that he became “more and more fervent  in his preaching and the Damascus Jews couldn’t withstand his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Christ.  After a while the Jewish leaders were determined to kill him.”  Paul was told of their plans, so some of his converts let him down in a basket at night, through an opening in the city wall!  In 2 Corinthians 11 we read a list of his sufferings and I am beginning to marvel that we  do not prepare ourselves for suffering.  Maybe we think we don’t need to think about persecution because most of our bible heros get miraculously delivered? Unless we teach this aspect of living victoriously, we stand a chance of stumbling if we become offended  when we start to suffer for our faith.  Many Christians around the world are already suffering and the scripture clearly teaches that those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  We need to challange ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts to see if this is truly our desire that we so glibly sing about. I am under the conviction that we need to begin gently sharing this truth with at least our older children.  Discuss it with your pastor  if you are so led.  (“Typo” is corrected in the worksheet)

Note: Saul is Paul’s Jewish name.  It means “desired” while Paul , a Latin name, means “small”.  It is interesting that the Holy Spirit still refers to this great apostle as Saul in Acts 13:2.  I was under the impression that the Lord changed Saul’s name to Paul, but that does not seem to be the case.

Color page and cut out Paul.  Measure  and cut 2 pieces of string  and  poke holes in basket as shown in sample.  Thread string into holes and tape to hold on the back of the basket.   Loop string up and tack down with glue where the men’s arms are ( in the sample the string pulled away during the scan, but it should look like they are lowering Paul with ropes…I’m confidant you can figure it out).  You will need  a combination of tape and tacky glue.