Bible Story "The Sun Stood Still" (Joshua 10)

Have the children make 5 standups to represent the five armies who were attacking Gibeon and 1 standup to represent Joshua's army. Use Trix to represent the hail stones which God sent down from the sky against the enemy armies. The children can rain down the hail the the 5 enemy armies. Attach a round sun to a popsicle stick to reinforce about God stopping the sun in the sky so the daylight would last longer. God can do anything!

Bible Verse Fun

Deuteronomy 5:32 - "Walk in all the way the Lord your God has commanded you."

Children line up the words in the correct order and then play "Take Away" by removing one Little People figure at a time and saying the verse from memory.

NEVER GIVE UP ON KIDS!

In this video clip, two television personalities tell about their early learning disabilities.

 Mary Rice Hopkins and Darcie Maze are now featured weekly on TBN: "Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart". We can never give up on kids!

Easter Surprise Picture - Art Project

Have children fold a white sheet of paper in thirds. On the front side they can draw the 3 sad women and the stone over the tomb. For the inside surprise picture, they can draw the 3 women with happy faces -- the open tomb -- and a Bible verse.

JESUS IS ALIVE! Easter Bible Story

Based on Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1010; Luke 24:1-12

“Is it really true?” Joel asked.

“I don't know but that's what I heard, Ethan replied. “My dad was there.”

“Then it's really true that they killed Jesus?”

Ethan looked at Joel and said: “I was already in bed Friday night, but I heard my dad and mother talking. They crucified Jesus, buried Him in a tomb, and rolled a great, huge stone in front.”

“Didn't that make you upset, hearing all that?” Joel asked.

“I was so worried I couldn't sleep,” Ethan confided in his friend.

“Why would they kill Jesus, after all the great things He did for people?” Joel wondered aloud.

“Because they didn't understand Him,” Ethan explained. “And they were afraid.”

With his head in his hands, Joel sorrowfully said: “I just can't believe that Jesus is dead.”

Ethan replied: “Me either. I’m so sad. Did you know that Jesus brought my 12-year old cousin back to life?”

“That was your cousin?” Joel responded surprised.

“Yes,“ Ethan said. “She had been really sick. My aunt and uncle had the best physicians, but she died. My uncle Jairus raced from the house one day. Everybody knew where He was going.”

“To find Jesus?” Joel asked.

“Yes.”

“Did your Uncle Jairus find Him?”

“Yes,” Ethan replied, “and Jesus went to their home. He told her to get up. And she jumped up and walked around! My aunt and uncle couldn't get over it!”

Joel lifted his head from his hands and said: “Jesus really was the Son of God!”

“Yes, Joel, He was.“ Ethan said. “He performed SO many miracles and healed SO many people and changed SO many lives.”

“And now He's gone forever.”

(KNOCK -- KNOCK -- KNOCK)

“This is the Sabbath. Who in the world would that be?” Ethan wondered. I’ll go see who is there.”

“He's alive!” Jason exclaimed as Ethan opened the door.

“Hi, Jason! Come in,” Ethan said. “Who’s alive?”

“JESUS!” Jason shouted in his excitement.

“Jesus? Ethan repeated.

Jason excitedly continued: “Yes! The women had gone to the tomb.”

“What women?” Ethan interrupted.

“Mary Magdalene, and James' mother Mary, and Salome. The stone had been rolled away!”

“ROLLED AWAY?” Ethan could not believe what he was hearing.

“And the tomb was empty!” Jason said as he tried to catch his breath.

“EMPTY?” Ethan questioned.

“And there they saw …”

“WHAT?” Jason interrupted again.

“Two men in shining garments! They were angels! And the angels said, ‘Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He is RISEN - just as He said He would. Don't just stand there. Go - tell His disciples.’”

“JOEL, did you hear that? JESUS IS ALIVE!” Ethan exclaimed. ““He’s alive. He’s alive! He’s alive!”

SONG: “Rolled ‘em Away” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Come Meet Jesus album. (Available from www.MaryRiceHopkins.com or call 818-790-5805.

BIBLE VERSE: “Jesus is alive” (Luke 24:23b, NLT)

BIBLE MEMORY ACTIVITY: “Each One Tell One”

Have the boys and girls stand in a circle. The teacher starts and says to the child to her right: “Jesus is alive.” That child tells the next person: “Jesus is alive.” Continue until each one has told one. At the end, say the verse together 3 times.

Wow! What a Catch! Luke 5:1-11 Lesson Art Idea

Here's an art idea to use with the Bible lesson found in Luke 5:1-11, "Wow! What A Catch".

How to Teach Children A New Song

Before you can teach a song, you as the leader must know it. Listen to it over and over until you can sing the song spontaneously. As leader, you want to enjoy yourself as enthusiasm spreads! Even if you don’t have musical talent, you can teach a new song!

Provide opportunities for the boys and girls to hear the song before singing. The music can be playing in the background as children arrive, while engaging in craft activities, and also during snack time.

Children learn a song by hearing it many times, as memorization occurs via repetition. Knowing a song by heart, so the melody and lyrics will stay with children forever, is the goal.

Before actually singing the song together, ask questions. Be sure boys and girls know the song’s meaning and also the significance of unfamiliar words.

Perhaps you will enjoy using some of these ideas for helping children learn a new song:

1. A Mr. Echo puppet could be brought out. He sings one line; the pupils echo it.

2. Have the children make sock puppets, paper bag puppets or puppets on a stick. The children learn the words of the song as they have their puppets sing one verse or chorus at a time.

3. Play "Follow the Leader." The leaders sings one line, the children follow.

4. Use key words. Print key words of the song to be learned on slips of paper. Pass these out to the children. As the song is sung, pupils stand as their word is sung. This keeps the boys and girls alert to the words and helps them learn faster.

5. Have children illustrate various key phrases of the song. Photograph and transfer to PowerPoint.

6. Videotape the boys and girls singing. Play it back and let the children sing along.

7. Use the American Sign Language. Go to their user-friendly site which gives easy-to-follow instructions.

8. When the body moves, the brain remembers. Discuss with the boys and girls possible hand motions. Accept all contributions and then come to a consensus as to which ones will be used. Verbs and nouns often spark ideas for gestures.

9. Younger children will enjoy using rhythm instruments which will help them learn the rhythmic phrases of the song.

10. Have the children hum the tune before singing the words. Humming is a great way for learning a tune before memorizing words.

Keep singing new songs on a regular basis so the music will always bounce around in the children‘s heads.

Encourage parents to purchase the CD so the children can listen to the songs other than when at church. All songs by Mary Rice Hopkins can be purchased through her web site: or by calling 818-790-5805.

Be sure parents are aware the same puppets which are seen on “Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with A Heart” television program (TBN) can be purchased at Amaze Healing Wings. Children can use their puppets at home when singing.

Bible Handprints Calendar

Watch the video on YouTube to learn how to create this meaningful Bible Handprints Calendar.

More great ideas at Little Blots of Faith.