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We’re doing stories from the life of peter at Tuesday toddler group. last week it was the calling of the first disciples (Mark 1:16-18. Peter is still called Simon at this point. We have used the name peter to save confusion). The craft was paper plate fish.

This week it was the healing of Peter’s mother in law. (Mark 1:29-31)

The craft is a little bit more involved than usual – it is definitely one for an adult to make with their child. But it uses different textures and can be used to tell the story as the woman can get in and out of the bed.

There’s a free PDF of the bed and the woman is from kit that needs minimal prep.

peter’s mother in law (side 1 & 2)

The two sides of the craft – if you can’t do double sided printing/photocopying the side with the quilt pattern can be blank. It will work just as well.

You need pieces of fabric for the pillow and quilt. Mum-in-law has wool for hair and has a happy face one side and a sad face the other. The idea is that she isn’t glued to the craft but can get out of the bed.

I used a set of concertina girl shapes for the woman. They are from amazon. They need to be cut into individual people.

There are lots of opportunities for chat while making this craft. Parents/carers and toddlers can talk about colour and texture and of course talk about the story. We have our story half way through the morning with craft before and after. For those who make it before it can help them know what to listen out for.

Hope you enjoy making!

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.