Our family has been learning more about the bible story where Jesus Walks on Water.
We have also been focusing on recognizing that God cares about our worries.
We started by memorizing one of my favorite bible verses.
Don’t worry about anything.
Instead, pray about everything.
Philippians 4:6
Experience God
We are fortunate to be able to use and share our experience with our preschool, Christian program: Experience God!
Each month we are given four craft activities and a whole host of suggested family activities that help us more fully understand and appreciate God’s message.
The optional Child Craft and Family Activity pack is a true blessing for us, supplying us with all the materials we need to create the following crafts!
And don’t worry, Experience God also comes with an interactive version of the bible story and offers suggestions on how to make the most out of each craft with questions to ask, steps to take, and prayers to say together.
See for yourself!
1 – Jesus Walks on Water
Ask
How was Jesus able to walk on water?
Jesus is bigger and stronger than the water. He is God.
Supplies
- paper wave*
- Jesus and boat puppets*
- 2 jumbo craft sticks*
- tape or glue
- scissors
*ours were supplied by Experience God (Mother Goose Time’s Christian Program)
Directions
Cut out the Jesus and boat puppets.
Attach a stick to the back of each one.
Take turns using the puppets to tell a story about Jesus walking on the water.
Explain
Jesus is bigger than all of our worries. He is all-powerful and can do the impossible.
Pray
Invite children to sit in a circle and hold a block.
Take turns sharing a worry and then placing the block in the middle of the circle.
Pray Together
“Lord, we give our worries and trust that you will be with us, protect us, and give us strength. Thank you for your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
2 – Pray All Day
Ask
When should we pray?
Explain that Jesus prayed all day. he prayed in the morning, afternoon, and at night.
Supplies
- paper*
- sun, moon, and stars stickers*
- scissors
- masking tape
- markers or crayons
*ours were supplied by Experience God (Mother Goose Time’s Christian Program)
Directions
Trace both hands of each child.
Encourage the children to cut out their tracings and color them with the markers or crayons.
Tape them together along the pinky fingers and use a vertical and horizontal piece of tape to look like a cross.
Invite children to use the sun, moon, and star stickers to decorate their hands.
Explain
We can use our hands, hearts and minds to pray all day and night.
Pray Together
“Heavenly Father, please help us to remember to pray all day. We love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
3 – Walk With Jesus
Ask
How can you keep what you love close to your heart?
Supplies
- blue beads*
- cross*
- yarn*
- tub of water
- spoons
*ours were supplied by Experience God (Mother Goose Time’s Christian Program)
Directions
Show children the blue beads and count them together.
Ask them to put them in water. What happens? Do they sink or float?
Use spoons to fish the beads from the water.
Invite the children to use the beads, cross and yarn to make necklaces.
Wear the necklace close to your heart or hang it in your room to remind you to live like Jesus, even when it seems as impossible as walking on water.
Explain
Jesus is our rock. He never changes and loves us in good and bad times.
Pray
Invite children to share what they learned about faith.
Pray Together
“Lord, help us grow in our faith. Please help us walk and talk with you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
4 – Float on God’s Boat
Ask
If God had a boat, what do you think it would look like?
Discuss different ideas for how God’s boat might look.
Would it be fancy or simple? Would it have holes or be perfect?
Supplies
- foam tray*
- cloth*
- jumbo craft stick*
- clothespin*
- tape
- markers
*ours were supplied by Experience God (Mother Goose Time’s Christian Program)
Directions
Give each child a foam tray. Push the craft stick through the center of the tray.
Use tape to attach the cloth to the stick for a sail.
Give each child a clothespin to decorate like a child. If desired write the child’s name on the clothespin.
Encourage children to play with the clothespin people and boats.
Explain
God’s ways are perfect. Have faith to ride his boat.
Pray
Invite children to pray with you. “God please help us to have faith and trust you with our lives. When our lives are filled with waves, please take away our fears and fill us with faith. We love you, In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
The supplies and ideas for these awesome activities came from Experience God, a Christian program focused on fostering prechooler’s relationship with God.
Blessings,
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