Bible, Glitter and Glue

Send us Fan Mail

When Jesus passed through the city of Jericho, a man named Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a better look. Jesus amazed the crowd by calling Zacchaeus down to say that he would be coming to his house. In a true act of repentance for what had probably been a dishonest tax-collecting career, Zacchaeus declared that he would pay back the people he had cheated and give half of his wealth to the poor.

Jesus was willing to help Zacchaeus change his life and he can also help us when we try to be better.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Luke 19:1-10

Outline:

1. Zacchaeus climbs a tree (Luke 19:1-4)
2. Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ house (Luke 19:5-6)
3. The people judge (Luke 19:7)
4. Zacchaeus repents (Luke 19:8)
5. Jesus states his purpose (Luke 19:9-10)

Tips for teaching:

• Make a tree craft
• Tell the story while sitting on the branch of a tree
• Talk about what it means to repent. To change one’s direction in heart, mind/attitude, and behaviour.
• Talk about true repentance is more than just saying you are sorry.  Adults can explore the idea of restitution and making things right.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Zacchaeus Meets Jesus

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

When parents brought their small children to Jesus to be blessed by him, the disciples tried to hold them back. Jesus told the disciples to let the children come to him.

Jesus loved little children. We should follow his example by taking special care of the children around us.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Mark 10:13-16

Outline:

1. Parents bring children to Jesus (Mark 10:13a)
2. Followers say stop (Mark 10:13b)
3. The King Speaks (Mark 10:14-15)
4. Jesus blesses the children (Mark 10:16)

Tips for teaching:

1. Invite a parent to bring their small child to class to talk about what needs they have and how to care for them.
2. Small children can play with dolls and talk about caring for babies
3. Sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World”
4. Adults can spend time considering how well your church accepts and blesses children. As a way of talking about it rate your church from 1-10 in how it accepts children.
5. List ways to encourage those who work with children

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Blesses the Children

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Then men with leprosy met Jesus as he was passing through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem.  Jesus told the men to go to a priest and be declared clean.  As the men were making their way to find a priest, they realised that they had been healed of their leprosy.  Nine of the men continued on to find a priest.  Only one of the men, a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus and give praises to God.

We should express thanks to God and to others.

Bible verses used in this episode:

•  Luke 17:11-19
• Leviticus 13:1-46 
•  Psalm 95:1-5
• Psalm 106:1
• Ephesians 5:20
• Colossians 2:7
• Colossians 3:15-17
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Outline:

1. Jesus met by 10 lepers in Samaria (Luke 17:11-13)
2. Lepers healed (Luke 17:14)
3. One returned to praise and thank (Luke 17:15-16)
4. Jesus comments on the Samaritan’s belief (Luke 17:17-19)

Tips for teaching:

• Help students understand leprosy and what that meant in these times.
• Younger children can write the verse or "Thank You" on a bandaid/plaster and use it as a sticker.
• Practice gratitude by listing blessings from God.
• Write thank-you notes to people who have blessed you.
• As a teacher of an adult class, be sure to prepare your own heart by praying and thanking God for blessings in your life.
• Provide post-it notes so adults can write blessings on each and then attach them to a wall.  After talking about these blessings, divide them up and pray about them.
• Adults and older children can begin a "gratitude journal" by jotting blessings down each day.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Heals Ten Lepers

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Jesus visited the home of his friends, Mary and Martha. While Martha was busy with meal preparations, her sister sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching. When Martha got upset at her sister for not helping, Jesus told her that Mary was choosing to do what was better.

Although there are many activities we can do, listening to Jesus should be our first priority.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Luke 10:38-42

Outline:

1. Martha invites Jesus and his disciples to her home (Luke 10:38)
2. Mary sat and listened to Jesus (Luke 10:39)
3. Martha instructs Jesus to reprimand Mary for listening to him instead of helping her (Luke 10:40)
4. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has made the better choice (Luke 10:42)

Tips for teaching:

• For children, re-create a home setting like it would have been in Martha’s home.  Children can lounge on pillows (not tables) and taste-test 1st-century foods like nuts, raisins, grapes, flatbread, curds (cottage cheese), honey, etc.
• Discuss priorities and choices.  If a tornado or bushfire was approaching your home and you had to leave then what would you choose to take with you? Which are the more important or better things? You would choose people over furniture, for instance.
• Adults and children can listen to the words of Jesus being read.  
• For an adult class activity try some or all of these methods. When you have completed all of the readings, then ask students to talk about what they learned from listening in these different ways.
  • Everyone else closes their eyes and listens to Luke 10:38-42 being read by 3 different readers, one after the other.  The 3 readers should use the same translation of the bible.  It would be better to have a diversity of readers. These can be different ages, sex, ethnicity, etc.
  • Repeat the exercise but, this time each reader should read from a different translation of the Bible.
  • Finally, listen to a pre-recorded dramatic reading of the Scripture.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Mary and Martha

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a mountain to pray.  As these disciples watched in awe, Jesus transfigured (changed appearance).  His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Even more incredible, Jesus was joined by the long-dead Moses and Elijah.  From a cloud that enveloped them all, the voice of the Lord affirms that this is his Son and they should listen to Him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 17:1-13
• Exodus 34:29-35
• Malachi 3:1 and 4:5
• Mark 9:11-13
• 2 Peter 1:16-21

Outline:

1. Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3)
2. The Significance of this event (Matthew 17:4-5) 
3. How this relates to the teachings of the time (Matthew 17:6-13)

Tips for teaching:

• Show children a “red letter” version of the bible.  Read aloud and have them listen to words Jesus said. Decrease the volume of your voice as you read so that children will have to listen very carefully.
• Tell the story in an interactive way by scooping 3 scoops of icecream into a glass (1 scoop each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah).  As you talk about the cloud descending on the mountain pour cola over the icecream and watch it fizz and buble up.  Children can repeat the story by then making their own. Eat and enjoy together.
• For a craft paint a picture of Jesus using glow-in-the-dark paint.
• Adults can explore the text together. They can use their own bibles or the teacher can pre-print Exodus 24:9-18 and 34:29-35 in one column and Matthew 17:1-13 in another. Students can circle similarities between the stories in Exodus and Matthew. Discuss why Matthew might be using the background of the giving of the law to tell the story of the transfiguration.  How does this relate to our understanding of Jesus today?
• Play an audible version of Matthew 17:1-13 in class so students can listen.  Those who use audible apps on their phones can share with the class how to use these.
• Discussion questions for adults: How do we listen to Jesus today? What prevents us or hinders us listening to Jesus clearly? What other voices in our world today can mask or down out the voice of Jesus?

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  The Transfiguration

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Jesus guided his disciples into a boat and sent them to sail across the Sea of Galilee without him.  He then spent time alone in prayer. 

Later in the night, Jesus observed the disciples rowing hard against the wind and so walked across the water to join them.  At first, when they observed the figure walking on the water, they thought it was a ghost. 

Jesus asked Peter to walk out to him so Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water too. When Peter began looking at the waves instead of Jesus, he began to sink.

This event shows the importance of trusting and having faith in Jesus.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 14:22-33
•  Hebrews 11:1-3
• Hebrews 11:6

Outline:

1. Jesus sends disciples on a boat and then goes to pray alone 
   (Matthew 14:22-24)
2. Walking on water (Matthew 14:24-31)
3. Calm water and worship (Matthew 14:32-33)

Tips for Teaching:

• To better understand the miracle of Jesus walking on water, very young children can experiment by trying to float a variety of objects on water.
• Older children will enjoy learning how magicians and filmmakers use tricks to make it appear people are walking on water.
• Memorise Hebrews 11:1
• Provide adults with paints or crayons and invite adults to use them to depict "fear" and then, in contrast, "calm". 
• Complete the following sentences:
  • Peter is a good disciple because _____________.
  • Peter challenges my faith because _____________.
• Adults can commit to one another to be of support if they see each other "sinking".

Full teaching instructions available free from Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Walks on Water

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

So many people wanted to hear Jesus preach that a crowd followed him to a remote location. As mealtime approached, the only food that was found was a boy’s lunch containing five small loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus instructed the apostles to divide the food among the crowd of 5000 men (in addition to women and children). Everyone ate as much as they and then there was still food left over at the end of the meal.

Jesus has the power to provide what people need.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• John 6:1-14
• Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17
• 1 Kings 17:8-16 
• 2 Kings 4:42-44
• Deuteronomy 18:15

 Outline:

1. Jesus preaching and healing (John 6:1-4)
2. The problem of the hungry crowd (John 6:5-9)
3. The meal (John 6:10-11)
4. Leftovers (John 6:12-14)

Tips for teaching:

• If older children enjoy maths have them calculate how much one meal of fish and bread would cost and then multiply that by 5000 men (plus women and children).  Find out the average daily wage and work out how long a person would have to work to provide food for that many.
• Eat fish and bread for a snack today.
• Adults could consider the question, "Why do I follow Jesus?"
• Ask adults which character they relate to the most and then explain why. Characters include Jesus, Philip, Andrew, the crowd or the boy.
• Share a meal together.  Have each person bring a dish to share for the meal and then an extra dish to share with someone afterwards. 

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Feeding of the 5,000

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Jairus was a synagogue ruler who asked Jesus to come to his house and heal his 12-year-old daughter.  On the way to the house, Jesus healed a woman who had been sick for 12 years. 

By the time they arrived, the little girl had died, and the funeral had already begun.  Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead.

Some people thought the woman and the father were “bothering” Jesus, but Jesus was concerned with both. We can approach God with problems, whether they are “big” or “small”.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Mark 5:21-43

Outline:

1. Jairus begs Jesus to heal his dying 12-year-old daughter (Mark 5:21-24)
2. Jesus heals a woman who had been sick for 12 years (Mark 5:25-34)
3. Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from death (Mark 5:21-24)

Tips for teaching:

• Help children learn the significance of bringing a dead person to life by checking pulse and heartbeat.
• No problem is too big or too small for God. He wants to hear us talk to him about our lives. Teach children how to pray.  Very young children can repeat after the teacher.  Older children can take turns praying.
• Ask adults to think about what was happening in their lives 12 years ago.  Consider what it would be like to suffer an illness for 12 year.  
• Invite someone with a long-term illness to share how this affects their life.
• Choose someone who might be overlooked and bless them in some way.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

For many, Easter has just become a time for bunnies and egg hunts. For Christians, however, the resurrection is the REAL story for this and any day.

This activity allows  an opportunity for everyone to participate and is an easy way to shift the conversation from eggs to the important story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Preparation:
We suggest purchasing a dozen plastic eggs and then using a Sharpie marker to write the numerals 1-12 on them.  Fill each egg with the items listed below.  We placed ours in an empty egg carton.

*Don't have plastic eggs? Use bags or baskets or simply bring these items out to display one at a time.  End with empty hands.

How to Tell the Story:
Gather children or your family around and explain that you will be telling the most important story ever told.  You can open the eggs yourself or let the participants open them. 

Eggs will be opened one by one beginning with egg number 1.  Before going on to the next egg you will be talking about the significance of what the contents represent.

The Eggs:

Egg #1: A leaf or twig (palm leaf if you have one)
Triumphal Entry- Matthew 21:1-11

Egg #2: Bread or  cracker and a  communion cup
The Last Supper– Luke 22:7-23

Egg #3: Coins
Judas betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver– Matthew 26:14-16

Egg #4: Thorns (thorny twig from a bush)
Crown of thorns- Matthew 27:27-31

Egg #5: A cross
Jesus carrying the cross- John 19:17

Egg #6: Nails
Jesus being nailed to the cross John 19:18; John 20:25-29

Egg #7: Dice and purple cloth
Soldiers casting lots for Jesus’ clothes– John 19:23-24

Egg# 8: Black paper or cloth
Darkness covering the earth– Matthew 27:45

Egg #9: Small piece of a sponge
Soldier offered a drink of vinegar on a sponge to Jesus– Matthew 27:46-48

Egg #10: Thin gauzy cloth
Joseph of Arimathea wrapping Jesus in cloth– Matthew 27:57-60

Egg #11: A stone
The stone that was rolled away– Matthew 28:1-4

Egg #12: EMPTY!!
He is not here.  Jesus is alive!  Matthew 28:5-7

Links to More Instructions:

• Full instructions
• Printable instructions on one page

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A deranged man approached Jesus.  Satan had caused the man hurt by sending evil spirits to live inside of him.  Jesus confronted the demons and sent them out of the man and into a herd of pigs. The pigs then ran off a cliff and plunged to their death.

Satan hurts people and wants them to suffer.  Jesus is stronger than Satan.  He loves people and helps them and saves them from Satan.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Mark 5:1-20
Ephesians 6:10-12

Outline:

1. A man living among tombs (Mark 5:1-5)
2. Jesus addresses the demons (Mark 5:6-13)
3. The town reacts (Mark 5:14-17)
4. The commission (Mark 5:18-20)

Extra Links:
Downloadable illustrations from Free Bible Images

Tips for teaching:

• To recreate the scene, tell this story by candlelight or in a dark room.
• Talk about the mercy of Jesus and apply that to ways we can be merciful to those around us.  For children, use examples such as a boy who has lost his dog, a girl that fell off the slide or a new child at school.
• Adults can discuss situations or habits that "possess" us and then ask God to use his power to remove them from our lives.  

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Healing of a Demon-Possessed Man

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]