Activities based on Matthew 16.21-28
Choose from these ideas to help the children make connections between the Bible reading and their lives
Give it away
Explore the theme of freely offering what you have.
You will need: The book, The smartest giant in town by Julia Donaldson.
- If time allows, read the book aloud. If not, summarise the story (or ask the children to help if they are familiar with it). The giant is selfless and generous with his favourite clothes, giving to those in need, which ultimately leads to him feeling content with owning very little, and rewarded by those he helps.
- Make the connection between this children’s story and this week’s Bible passage.
- Discuss the idea of gaining by giving with the children. Can they think of any good examples of this?
This activity could be adapted to work as part of an online children's session - live or pre-recorded.
Make
Inspirations collage
Create a display of selfless heroes
You will need: collage materials, a large sheet of paper, scissors, glue, felt tip pens.
- Research recent examples of Christians (and other people, religious or secular) who have made sacrifices for the greater good. Examples may include Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, Mahatma Gandhi, Oskar Schindler, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr, Dalai Lama.
- Provide magazine images and articles or printed information about these people for the children to read, cut out and stick on a large sheet of paper to make a collage.
- Have the children write words/phrases such as ‘Faith as tough as it is good’, sacrifice, selfless, hero, inspiration, across the collage. As they complete it, talk about what it means to be a modern-day martyr or hero.
Sacrifice artwork
You will need: examples of artwork on the theme of sacrifice; paper, paint, paintbrushes, felt tip pens, other art materials.
- Display some examples of paintings and drawings on the theme of sacrifice for the children to look at, perhaps including some interpretations of Jesus’ death.
- Encourage the children to think about which images speak to them.
- Invite everyone to use paint, pens or any other resources available to create their own picture depicting sacrifice. Have copies of this week’s Bible readings available as further inspiration.
This activity could be adapted to work as part of an online children's session - live or pre-recorded.
Pray
Reflect on the challenge of the call to follow Jesus
- Invite the children to think about how the first disciples shared the story of Jesus with others, who passed it on to others through the years, leading all the way to today. Explain that it hasn’t always been easy, and that people have suffered for sharing their faith.
- Ask the children how it feels to be part of Jesus’ story, and what kinds of joys and difficulties they might face being disciples today, i.e. the way Jesus’ story is as tough as it is good (examples might be: joys – having a best friend with you all the time, having hope in your heart; difficulties – getting teased for your beliefs).
- Finish by praying about these things together.
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