Children Program (6-12 years old) prepared by ĐH Tây Nam

Session II: How Big Is My God?

Theme connection:

Remind the children that creation, families, friends, foods, .. are all gifts from God.  All these gifts show the greatness of God and his love for us.  It is good for us to give thanks for these gifts. 

Art and Craft:  Acrostic Prayer (adapted from ‘101 Crafts to help kids grow in their faith’ by Laurine M. Easton)

Materials:  9” x 12” white construction paper or poster board (1 per child), crayons or markers, pencils, glue, ziploc bag (1 per child).

Directions:

1. Give each child a ziploc bag and let children go outside to collect materials from God’s creation – leaves, flowers, weeds, grass, seeds, sands, rocks, etc.
2. Have each child print the letters of his or her name vertically on the paper.
3. Have children think of things in this world for which they would like to thank God for.  Have children choose things that begin with each letter in their names.  The children should print these things horizontally on their paper, using a letter from their name as the first letter in each word.
4. Have children embellish their acrostic prayer by illustrating the things for which they are thankful for and decorate their name with collected materials from God’s creation.

Note:  You may need aides to help the younger children with the printing.

5. Invite children to show their acrostic prayers and share about them.

How Great Is My Relationship?

Theme connection:

It is often difficult for children to ask forgiveness of others in their lives or to grant forgiveness to someone who has hurt them because they don’t know what words to listen for or to say.

Activity:  Forgiveness Chain (adapted from ‘101 Crafts to help kids grow in their faith’ by Laurine M. Easton)

Materials:  Strips of paper, 10 to 20 per child, pens, pencils, or crayons, tape.

Directions: 

1. Discuss with children what words they can use to ask or give forgiveness.

  Phrases like the following can be useful to children.

I’m sorry.

Please forgive me.

I forgive you.

Peace be with you.

You’re forgiven.

I was wrong.

Con xin lỗi.

Con xin chừa.

Xin tha lỗi cho con.

2. To help children remember these words and phrases, show them how to make forgiveness chains.  Have children write a forgiveness phrase on individual paper strips and decorate the strips.  Repeat the process with other phrases and strips.  Then have children tape their links together.
3. The completed chain is a reminder that we are to ask forgiveness of people we have hurt by our words or our actions.  We must also forgive those who have hurt us.  Link all the forgiveness chains together for display in the classroom.