My goodness, I’ve been a bad blogger. So many crafts, cakes, DIYs, homeschool activities…so little time to blog about them! Better late than never, right?
This weekend the kids’ ministry at our church was to study 2 Samuel 9-10. In this passage we find the beautiful story of King David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, the crippled son of his deceased best friend, Jonathan. I love this story. If only all of us took the opportunity to lavish kindness and love on one another, especially those who deal with lifelong hardship! I am so thankful to be part of a church body that teaches children beyond the favorite Bible stories that you find in a children’s picture Bible. The story of David and Mephibosheth is a hidden gem that can stir little children’s hearts to show love and kindness, especially to those who might look different. Think of the bullying, name-calling, and harshness our little ones are exposed to every day. This little lesson on compassion could make such a positive impact on their character!
For the lesson, my fantastic teaching partner, Aaron, brought his two older kiddos to perform the story as a skit. 24 preschoolers sat motionless as the play unfolded. It was simple, but illustrated the love of David for his friend’s son, despite differences and family hostility. The children were left with the truth that “God can help me show kindness to others.”
I wanted to send the children home with a memento of the lesson, so I came up with a simple craft. They colored a picture of a boy, added crutches and bandages to show Mephibosheth’s condition, and then added a table and food to show how David provided for him. Easy, check! Fun, check! Inexpensive, check check! Below are the materials and steps to complete the craft. Let me know if you have any ideas to improve it…Maybe older children could include David at the table with his crown.
Enjoy!
2 Samuel 9-10 Craft
Materials:
Mephibosheth Coloring Sheet (below)
Crayons
Scissors
Craft sticks
Gauze/white fabric
Liquid glue
Brown paper
Food magazines/coupon books/etc
Teacher prep: Cut the brown paper into strips. I cut the strips lengthwise, about 1/2 inch, and then cut a short end off and split it lengthwise for two table legs. Cut your gauze/fabric into small squares (two per child). Cut out plenty of food images from magazines, catalogs, and coupon books. Kids love picking out their favorite foods for the table!
In class: Children color the picture first, then glue on the crutches and bandages (in our 3s class, teachers apply glue to avoid waste, and so everyone finishes in a timely fashion). Add more glue for the table, and finally the food. Done! Such a simple craft, but each one comes out unique, and they all convey such an important message of love and kindness. If you’re looking for a way to illustrate 2 Samuel 9-10, I hope this craft will help you!
In His love,
Monique
unto good works 