Children + Chalkboard + Church = Christ

Let's talk church! I love being the wife of a Youth Pastor! It's so rewarding when you get to see the smiles on the children's faces :) I am now in charge of the Children's Ministry on Thursday while my husband does his study with the youth. When doing my bible study with the kids I try to use the same bible verse Jared (hubby) is using for the youth.

 This week he was using Matthew 28:16-20 THE GREAT COMMISSION. I come up with a bible study for the children (so they can understand it). I also like to add a craft to give them an even better understanding of what I'm trying to teach them and so it takes up plenty of time to keep them from getting bored. With children, talking is only allowed for so long before they are ready to bounce off the walls if you know what I mean. So I make a short bible study and that leaves plenty of time to keep them busy with a craft!

Now after having you sit through my torturous explanation...let's get started!

So the example I used to explain THE GREAT COMMISSION passage was teachers. It fit perfectly because school is almost out and who better to talk about than the hard working teachers who do so much for our kids! With that I asked them questions along the line of what is your teacher's job and so forth. I explained that teacher's don't just teach us things they show us things we are trying to learn. So when they give us an example to follow it becomes easier to learn.

This is where I brought in the lesson. I told them that Jesus asks his disciples to teach others about God. I explained that it was the duty of the disciples to teach others how they too should follow God. I explained that Jesus also wants us to be teachers to. I asked the kids what they could do to be an example and teacher of God? What can they do to set examples for other children their age? How can they bring other children their age to know Jesus like they do? Then I explained if they did these things and were followers of Christ that he would be with them forever.

Now for the craft: I picked up some board at Home Depot. I asked them to cut it into the size I wanted. I then bought some chalkboard paint. I painted the board pieces and had the children decorate the edges. Now they have chalkboards so they can teach others to follow Jesus just like the disciples and be leaders/examples of Christ.

Here are their teaching chalkboards! The youth were even jealous and wanted to make one too!

I love this idea because you can use it for a simple bible study at home, at church, or for any idea/craft! So what do you think? I know that the children loved it! I also put the bible verse on the back so they will have it there to memorize, study, or teach.

 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  -Matthew 28:16-20