Palm Sunday Story Video is a short retelling of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. You can read the story in John 12:12-19
Here’s a link to a post with a Palm Sunday Story idea and some palm leaf crafts to make.
Tag: Bible story
Bartimaeus meets Jesus Bible Story
Homes Jesus visited – Simon’s Mother in law (video)
This is my third video story for younger children. The pictures are from Free Bible Images and the words are my own. Feel free to share.
Homes Jesus visited – Mary and Martha (video)
I’ve had a go at making a short video to share with our toddler group parents. If you like it and want to use it feel free! I’m still learning how to do this so any hints and tips welcome 🙂
The pictures are from Free Bible Images. The words are my own.
What is God like? Story Series for toddlers
What is God like? Story series for toddlers. This is a great way to teach young children some basic truths about God’s character.
There is a story from the Bible that teaches one truth about God each week. An alternative title would be ‘What does the Bible tell us about God?’
We answered the question by teaching that –
God is everywhere, God knows everything, God is holy, God is powerful and God is faithful. Of course the Bible tells us more about God than we have included here. We finish with the Christmas story explaining that God has made a way for us to know him.
This series would make a great run in to Christmas but I also think it would be fine to tell the Christmas story at a different time of year.
Each week you can use a story bag and a character or two. These can be Pringle people, happyland characters, a mini Moses (toilet roll!) and knitted characters. I think the children like the variety.
You could easily tell these stories to young children at home too.
Week One JONAH Story of Jonah and the big fish
Bible truth for toddlers – God is Everywhere
God is everywhere is a truth we learn from the Bible. We are using the story of Jonah to illustrate this truth in a way that is easy for toddlers.
To tell the Story you need –
- Jonah (we used a figure from happyland),
- a big fish (the one pictured is VERY big – made over a tent) and
- a toy boat.
Jonah and the Great Big Fish story
God said to Jonah, ‘go to the big city called Ninevah (can you say that? repeat the name together) and tell everyone there about me.’
Jonah listened to God.
But Jonah didn’t like the people in the big city of Ninevah.
‘I don’t want to! I’m not going to go!’ He said (have you ever said that?)
Jonah thought to himself, ‘I will go far away – so far away that God won’t know where I am.’ He went and got on a boat and sailed away, far, far away from Ninevah.
But then the rain came and the wind blew – and out of the boat came Jonah – and splash into the sea!
Down, down, down he went. ‘Please God, help me!’ he prayed. Could God still hear Jonah from inside the great big fish? Was God too far away? No he was not far away. He was right there with Jonah.
God is everywhere. Jonah couldn’t run away from God.
God knew exactly where Jonah was, God always knows where we are; and he sent something to help. It wasn’t a boat – it was one great big fish. The one great big fish opened up it’s mouth and swallowed Jonah. He was safe!
The one great big fish took Jonah back to land. God said, ‘Jonah, go to Ninevah’. And this time Jonah did exactly what God said.
God is everywhere, all of the time. So wherever you go God is already there!
God is everywhere craft
Week Two Genesis 41 Pharaoh’s dreams
Bible truth for toddlers – God knows everything
Say hello to Pharaoh! Pharaoh was a very important man. But he was upset. He had had a dream. It was a strange dream and it worried Pharaoh. He wanted to know what his dream meant. What could he do? He sent for all the magicians and wise men. ‘They will tell me what the dream means,’ he thought to himself.
But they had no idea what the dream was all about! No idea at all.
Oh no! What could Pharaoh do? One of his servants was thinking. He was remembering someone he knew. He had an idea.
‘Pharaoh I know someone who can help. He is in your prison. He is able to tell people what their dreams mean.’ Who was this man? His name was Joseph.
Pharaoh sent for him right way. Can you tell me what my dream means? he asked Joseph.
‘No! I can’t. But God can tell us what the dream means’. How can God do that? He can because God knows everything. God told Joseph what the dream meant. He told Pharaoh.
God knows everything about you and me too. He knows our names and he cares about us.
(Pharaoh and Joseph are made from pringles cartons)
God knows everything craft idea
This craft relates to the story – children can make their own Pharaoh puppet
Week Three Exodus 3 Moses and the burning bush
Bible truth for toddlers – God is holy
Say hello to Moses!
Moses was looking after his sheep. What noise do sheep make? Baa!
He saw something. It looked different. He’d never seen anything like it before.
What was it?
Was it a funny looking sheep? No!
Was it a funny looking snake? No!
It was a plant that was on fire but it was still green and not burning up at all!
He went a little closer! (note – explain that the children must never go near to fire)
Then Moses heard God’s voice. ‘Moses, Moses’.
‘Here I am’, Moses said.
‘Don’t come any nearer. Where you are standing is holy.’
God was there and so an ordinary place had become extraordinary because God is holy.
What does that mean? Holy means different to us. God is different to us. God is always great and he is always good.
Craft Idea – make Moses looking after the sheep
Week Four Exodus 14 Crossing the Red Sea
Bible truth for toddlers – God is powerful
Moses and God’s people were in a hurry. They were escaping from being slaves in a place called Egypt. They were leaving as fast as they could taking all their things with them. There were mums and dads and grandmas and grandads and babies and children just like you hurrying away from Egypt. Moses was their leader.
But Pharaoh, the king of Egypt was coming after them! He wanted his slaves back.
Moses and the people hurried. Pharaoh and his armies hurried after them!
Then something awful happened.
Moses and God’s people came to a huge sea of water. They couldn’t go round it. They couldn’t go under it. They couldn’t go through it! They were scared. They said to Moses, ‘ Why did you bring us here to die!
Moses said.’ Don’t be afraid. Stand still and see how God will work to save you today.’
What was God going to do?
God is powerful. He is more powerful than anyone. He moved the sea. The water separated and it stood up like towers. The land became completely dry. God is so powerful. He was able to rescue the people. They walked on the dry land, with the water either side of them – all of them got safely to the other side.
Crossing the Red Sea Craft Idea
Week Five Luke 1:5-24 Zechariah and Elisabeth
Bible truth for toddlers – God is faithful
One day a man called Zechariah was in the temple. It was a very special place where people went to worship God. Zechariah had a special job to do there – just once in his life! He was a priest and he had been chosen to go and burn some incense that would make the temple smell beautiful. He was all by himself. All the other people had to wait outside.
Suddenly an angel was there with him. Angels are big, strong messengers from God. Zechariah was frightened!
‘Don’t be afraid’, the angel said, ‘God has heard your prayers and you and your wife Elisabeth are going to have a baby son. You will give him the name John.’
Now Zechariah should have believed the angel but he didn’t! ‘How can that happen?’ he said, ‘Elisabeth and I are far too old to have children!’
The angel said, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence everyday! I was sent to give you this good news. Now since you haven’t believed me you won’t be able to talk until the baby is born.’ Then Gabriel went away.
Zechariah finished what he was doing. He went outside but he couldn’t tell anyone what had happened!
He went back home. Time went by. Would God keep his promise?
God always keeps his promises. God is faithful. Zechariah and Elisabeth had a baby boy and they called him John.
God is faithful craft idea – Elizabeth and Zechariah
Make a picture of Elizabeth with her baby
To find printable PDF’s to use for Elizabeth and baby go to this post about Hannah. I’ve used the same pictures but for a different story.
Week Six Luke 2 God has made a way for us to know him
Bible truth for toddlers – God has made a way for us to know him
We have heard about how God is everywhere. God knows everything. God is powerful. God is holy. God is faithful. Today we find out that God has made a way for us to know him.
‘Mary and Joseph were in the stable. That night something amazing had happened. Jesus had been born as a baby. Jesus was not just an ordinary baby – he was God’s Son sent from heaven.
Out in the fields there were some shepherds looking after their sheep. It was dark. There were stars up in the sky. Suddenly an angel was there! This angel had a message from God.
The shepherds were scared!
‘Don’t be afraid,’ the angel said, ‘I bring you good news of great joy that is for everyone. Today in the Town of David a Saviour has been born to you!’
Who is this Saviour? It is Jesus
The angel told the shepherds ‘ You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and in a manger’.
Then there were lots and lots of angels in the sky singing. It was such a special night – the Saviour had been born.
Then the angels were gone. The shepherds looked at each other. ‘let’s go and find this special baby’, they said to each other.
They dashed into the town and they looked. And they found him – the Saviour sent from God was there. God had sent Jesus to be our Saviour so that we can know God. The shepherds found Jesus. You can find Jesus too.
(The characters are from Early Learning Centre. The ‘straw’ is shredded tissue paper.)
God has made a way for us to know him – craft Ideas
As this is the Christmas story there are so many craft ideas to choose from! Here’s a link to several ideas.
On the Way to Easter.. the Rich Young Man
We are beginning to get ready for Easter at toddler group. This year we are going on the last journey that Jesus made into Jerusalem, meeting some of the people that Jesus met. Our first story is from Luke 18:18-23 and Mark 10:17-22. A rich young man comes to find Jesus as he is travelling to Jerusalem and asks him a question…
One day a young man came to speak to Jesus. He didn’t walk up to Jesus. He ran to Jesus. (Run on the spot) He wanted to ask a question. He thought that Jesus was important so he knelt down in front of him and asked ‘Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?’ (kneel down)
It was a good question and the young man really wanted to know the answer.
Jesus said to him, ‘ You know what the Commandments are that God gave us, to tell us how to live to please him.’
‘I’ve kept them all since I was a young boy.’
Jesus looked at the young man. Jesus cared about him. Jesus wanted to help him. ‘Go, and sell all you have and give your money to the poor and then you will have treasure in heaven and come and follow me.’
But, oh dear, the young man had a lot of money.(Show money bag) He loved all his money very much. (Hug money bag to yourself) What a choice! Sell everything and give all his money away and follow Jesus or keep all his things and his money and go back home. What would he do?
The young man walked away from Jesus. (Walk on the spot, looking sad and dejected) He felt sad. He chose to keep his money.
Our first paper plate to make up our journey……
This is what we are working towards…
Journey to Bethlehem – week 4 – The Angel visits Mary
This week we get very near to Bethlehem! The story is the Angel’s visit to Mary from Luke 1:26-38.
Bible story – from Luke 1:26-38.
(Include actions in the story if you can – ask the children and adults to join in)
‘One day Mary was at home. It was just an ordinary day. Mary was cleaning the house (some actions here – maybe dusting or sweeping).
But then something extraordinary happened! An angel came to see her! Now angels are not like fairies. Angels are big and strong! (actions here too). The angel that came to see Mary was called Gabriel (ask everyone to repeat the name). He had a message from God.
‘You are going to have a very special baby,’ he said to Mary. ‘This baby will be God’s Son and he will be King forever.’
Who was this baby? This baby, that the angel talked about, was Jesus.
Mary listened. (everyone touch their ears). She knew that this promised baby would be very, very special and important.’
All the paper plates so far will be on display…
New plate to add……
And an angel craft idea…
All you need is paper plates cut into wedges, doilies cut into quarters, circles, wool, shiny paper and wool. You can either draw on the eyes and smile beforehand or let the children do it.
Journey to Bethlehem – week 3 – God’s promise to Abraham
This week the Bible story was all about God’s promise to Abraham to give him a huge family and to bless all the people on earth through that family. During the story I use the names Abraham and Sarah for simplicity. (At this point in the Bible they are still using the names Abram and Sara – and you can use these names if you prefer)
Bible Story – God’s Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3 and 15:5)
Bible truth for toddlers – Jesus was born into Abraham’s family
‘Say hello to Abraham! (take a puppet or doll from the story bag). Abraham lived a long, long, long time ago.
One day God spoke to Abraham, ‘Pack up your things and leave the place where you are living. Go to a place that I will show you. I will make you a great nation and all the families on the earth will be blessed through you’. God was making a promise to Abraham.
Abraham listened to God and he did what God said. He and his wife Sarah (take another doll or puppet from the story bag) packed their things and off they went.
God showed them where to go.
Now after Abraham and Sarah had been living in their new home for quite a while God spoke to Abraham again.
Abraham was outside at night time. It was dark. God said to him, ‘Look up at the sky and all the stars. So many stars that you can’t count them. This is how large your family will be.’
Abraham listened to God and he believed God.
And Abraham did have a large family .. and from that large family came Jesus. He is the one that blesses the whole world.’
When we had finished the story we added another paper plate to all the others ..
So, altogether the story so far….
To make your own paper plates you need –
Tissue paper
Stars
Cotton wool
A picture of Abraham
Spiral for the snake
Craft paper to decorate the snake
Cardboard tube for the tree
Feathers
Flower shapes
Pictures of animals
Be creative!
The Man by the Pool – John 5
Bible reference John 5:1-9
‘One day Jesus was in the big, important city of Jerusalem (ask children to repeat name)
In Jerusalem there was a special pool of water. The people believed that when the water started to move that the first person to get into the water would be made better. So every day lots of people who were unwell sat around the pool and waited.
Now, Jesus was walking near to the pool and he saw a man who had been unable to walk for a long, long time. He asked him, ‘Do you want to get better?’
The man said, ‘When the water moves there is no one to help me to get into the water and someone else always gets there first.’
Jesus listened to the man and then he told him, ‘ Get up, pick up the mat you are lying on and walk.’
And that’s exactly what the man did. He got up and picked up the mat he’d been lying on and he walked! He was so happy!
Jesus was able to make the man walk because he is the Son of God.’
Craft Idea – we decorated footprints
Emergency Bible lesson!
Do you ever have to organise a last minute Bible lesson/story for your Sunday school or Church club? Maybe someone is absent and you are the one who gets the text message ‘Can you sort out a Bible Story for club tonight?’
Well, here is an idea to help. There are a few things you will need but your group may already have them. Even better think ahead and have an Emergency Bible Story Kit all ready made up! The age group in mind is 5-11 year olds
The story is ….
Jesus calms the storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Main teaching point – Who is Jesus? The Son of God.
To tell the story you will need a parachute and a Bible.
To prepare take some time to read the Bible passage. It is a very simple story. Make a mental note of what happens when and where the action takes place and what time of day it is. These details are important and will help with telling the story.
Now with the children –
Everyone sits around an opened out parachute. Play a couple of parachute games fIrst to burn off some energy. Play one game of making waves and then stopping when a leader calls out ‘Be still’. This will come in handy when you tell the story.Then calm everyone down by finishing with making calmer and calmer ripples until eveyone is sitting still.
Now you are ready to begin. Have the children sit around the parachute and if you are the one telling the story you might want to stand and not have to work the parachute (let other leaders/heplers do that) Explain that the parachute will be Lake Galilee in the Bible Story and that at the moment it is still and calm. The sun is setting and it’s getting late. Jesus and his disciples have been very busy all day .. then continue telling the story in your own words. Remember that Jesus gets into the boat and makes himself comfortable with a pillow and goes to sleep. Then the storm starts. Get the group to use the parachute to imitate the waves as they get rough.
The disciples become more and more anxious – they wake Jesus up ‘Don’t you care?’ Then he speaks to the storm, ‘Be still’. The group need to still the parachute straight away.
Why are you so afraid, have you still no faith?’ Jesus asked. The disciple were filled with fear, ‘ Who is this that even the wind and waves obey him?’ they asked each other. (If you can, read this from your Bible)
Teaching point – How could Jesus make the storm stop? The Bible tells us that Jesus was able to make the world. (John 1:3) Nature obeys him because he is God.
Application point – If Jesus is God what does that mean for us? How should we treat Jesus? Give the children some ideas – you could write them on large pieces of paper or a white board. (for example – listen to him, follow him, obey him, find out more about him from the Bible)
Craft Idea – if you have white, blue and brown paper you could make ‘storm’ and ‘calm’ pictures. The children would need the paper, glue and scissors. Feel free to print the following pictures to give them ideas. We use Construction paper from Costco but you can get it from Amazon too. It’s always useful!
Hope this helps if you are ever ‘landed in it’ when it comes to telling a Bible Story!
God is everywhere craft and story
The Bible Story illustrates that God is everywhere! He is the God that sees us. Do you ever feel overlooked or unnoticed? God sees us all of the time. He knows what is happening in our lives. Have a read of this blog post full of encouragement for us when we feel unseen.
The craft idea reminds children that God is everywhere. This is obviously different to god seeing but slightly easier for young children to comprehend I think.
We told the story about Hagar (Genesis 16) to teach children that God is everywhere. There is a simple craft to accompany the story.
Who was Hagar?
Hagar was Sarah’s slave and Ishmael’s mother. When we meet her in Genesis 16 she is expecting a baby (Abraham’s son) and is showing contempt for Sarai, Abraham’s wife who has been promised a son but has taken matters into her own hands and given Hagar, her servant to Abraham as a surrogate. Sadly, things were difficult for Hagar and she ran away. But God knew where she was and spoke to her. Things changed for Hagar when God made her a promise about the son she would give birth to. She responds with the acknowledgement that ‘You are a God of seeing. Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.’
We can never be somewhere that is away from God. Wherever we go, God is there. God is everywhere!
God is Everywhere Story Idea
To tell the story to young children you will need
A story bag with a doll to represent Hagar.
Begin by taking ‘Hagar’ from the bag and introducing her to the children (say hello to Hagar – children wave)
Hagar was very sad. Can you pretend to be sad?
She decided to run away. Pretend to run by tapping hands on knees or run on the spot. Get the children to join in.
Then she sat down. No other people were there.
But, God knew where Hagar was. God is everywhere. Wherever we go God is there. God sees us!
He talked to her. Hagar, where have you come from and where are you going?
‘I’m running away’, Hagar replied.
‘It will all be alright Hagar.The baby you will have will one day have a large family. Go back home’.
Hagar listened. She knew God could see where she was. She knew that God is everywhere.
‘You are the God who sees me. You are the God who looks after me.’ she said.
Now Hagar was happy again. She went back home. A little while later her baby son was born and he was called Ishmael. God saw Hagar, he cared about her.
God sees you too, and cares for you wherever you go. Wherever you go God is there.
God is Everywhere Craft Idea
The following is a simple craft to go with the story – ‘Wherever I go, God is there’. It is a reminder that God is everywhere. Print as many as you need. The children can add colour and people. I used some stickers for the people on the bus.
God_is_everywhere_(Bus) PDF file.
Finally, I hope you enjoy telling this story that reminds us that God is everywhere!