Activity (Series A4 - Lesson 7): Well of the Water of Life Craft

Sunday Schoolhouse Series Activity - Unit A4

Lesson 7: John's Vision of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1 - 14)

As part of this lesson the children will make the Well of the Water of Life:

For this craft each child will need a good amount of mini marshmallows, glue, blue decorating sugar, markers, a piece of construction paper, and plastic glue on jewels. Each child will get a piece of construction paper to use as the base to build their well on. Glue the mini marshmallows into about a 5-6" circle. Then staggering the marshmallows stack a second and third row making the sides of the well. Carefully spread some glue inside the walls of the well on the paper. Sprinkle blue decorating sugar on the wet glue to look like water in the well. Older children can write the Lord's word below the well, "To those who are thirsty I will give you the privilege of drinking from the well of the Water of Life without payment." You can print off this verse for younger children to glue onto the paper. Use the plastic jewels to glue around the paper for further decoration. Older children can go further trying to create the Greek symbols for Alpha and Omega (see page 31 of the Classroom Resource book) on their sheets using jewels.

Activity (Series A4 - Lesson 6): Forgiveness Game

Sunday Schoolhouse Series Activity - Unit A4
Lesson 6: Paul Asks Philemon to Forgive (Philemon1)

As part of this lesson the children will play the Forgiveness Game:
Have the children stand in a circle. Pick one child to go first, he/she turns to the person next to them and as silly or seriously as they like says, "Brother/Sister will you forgive me?" The person they've spoken to needs to respond, "Brother/Sister I forgive you, but I just can't smile." The child has to say the response without smiling or they have to sit down. Keep going until there is one person left. After the game explain that it is often uncomfortable asking for forgiveness, but it is very important. And that like in the game, just because you ask for forgiveness it doesn't mean the person doesn't feel hurt anymore and they may not be ready to smile. Even if they don't feel better yet knowing someone cared enough to ask to be forgiven helps. End with the prayer provided for this lesson.

Activity (Series A4 - Lesson 5): Clay Sculpting

Sunday Schoolhouse Series Activity - Unit A4
Lesson 5: Demetrius Stirs Up Trouble (Acts 19:23-41)

As part of this lesson the children will make clay sculptures:
For this project you will need enough modeling clay for each child to get a large enough clump to sculpt with; as well as beads, plastic jewels or other decorations. The children can mold a hill and form a cross standing at the top. Press beads and jewels into the cross for decoration. Very small children may want to use popsicle sticks and glue if they are unable to make a cross stand up out of clay. Give older children more items to decorate with. Encourage detail like wood grain on the cross or grass on the hill. Explain that our faith should be out in the open - "up on a hill" like the cross they made. They, like Paul and his friends, may feel rejection, but can pray for courage in standing up and speaking in Jesus' name.

Worship & Education Festival - Schedule

Activity (Series A4 - Lesson 4): Break Free

Sunday Schoolhouse Series Activity - Unit A4

Lesson 4: A Slave-girl and Jailer are Set Free (Acts 16:16 - 34)
As part of this lesson the children will make chains and break free:

For this lesson you will need large size grey construction paper, tape or stapler, scissors and markers. Cut strips of constructions paper lengthwise approximately 2" wide. Each child should have at least three strips. Label the paper "sin", "evil" and "fear". Next, the kids can shackle their legs with the strips of paper. Two strips used to make loops on each ankle - tape or staple the paper together, and one strip to link the two shakles together. Now the children are chained in bondage to sin, evil and fear. Older children can be more specific on their paper, listing specific fears, sins and evil. See how easy it is to run around the room while in bondage. Revisit Paul's story in Acts. Explain how we are baptised in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and have the children rip a chain link and gain release with the reading of the trinity. The children could make a second set to bring home and demonstrate to their family.

Activity (Series A4 - Lesson 3): Honesty Discussions

Sunday Schoolhouse Series Activity - Unit A4
Lesson 3: Barnabus Give, Ananias Lies (Acts 4:32 - 5:11)

As part of this lesson the children will discuss dilemmas:
Ahead of class, prepare some index cards describing a situation where a person would need to make a moral choice. (There are several books and card decks of this nature that can be purchased at Christian Book Stores). Lay out a several different dilemmas a person might face in life and asking how the students would respond in that situation:
- An example for younger children might look like this:  You are at a friend's house.  Your friend has a lot of toy cars, and has two of one kind that you have been wanting for a long time. Would you take the car since your friend has so many and has two of that particular one?
- For older children, the dilemmas should be more complex. For example: Say you received extra change back back from making a purchase at a big store. You didn't ask for the money; it was not your fault.  Would you keep the money or bring it back?

As you discuss the situations, have the student think about the consequence of their choices.  For example, keeping extra change given to you accidentally at a big chain store will not cause the store to go bankrupt, but what about the cashier whose drawer is short? What do they think happens when you add up mistakes over a course of a year, could prices for everyone be raised? For younder kids, will a child be asked over to a friends house again if their friend knows their toys might be taken?

For an added activity, have the children illustrate one of the scenarios with a drawing, illustrating a good choice for that particular scenario.