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Renée Christine Yates
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Barb Lorseyedi
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CJae Froshay
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Authors
Mary D. Smith, M.S. Ed.
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Jesus Loves Me!
Jesus Loves Me!
Clouds
Top of Ark
Water Pieces
Finished Product
Jacob had treated his twin brother Esau unkindly, tricking him into giving
up his birthright and his father’s blessing. Esau was very angry and
threatened to kill Jacob. When their mother found out about Esau’s
threats, she sent Jacob away to stay with his Uncle Laban. She hoped that
after a while Esau would calm down and stop being angry at Jacob.
Jacob quickly left his home, traveling alone. He had a long trip ahead of
him, over 400 miles! He stopped each night when the sun had set and
camped. Jacob had lots of time to think about what he had done and to
realize that he had not trusted God as he should have.
One night Jacob stopped at a good place to rest. He lay down on the
ground with his head on a stone for a very hard pillow. It was not very
comfortable, but walking all day every day made him so tired. He was
soon sound asleep.
God was standing at the top of the stairs. He said to Jacob, “I am the
Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give
you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your
descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to
the west and to the east, to the north and to the south.”
God told Jacob that all people on the earth would be blessed through him
and his children. Then God made a wonderful promise to Jacob: “I am
with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you
back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have
promised you.”
Suddenly, Jacob woke up. The dream was very clear to him. He realized
that God had truly spoken to him. “This place is awesome,” Jacob said.
“It’s like the house of God and the gate of heaven.” He felt that heaven
had been opened to him in the dream God had given him.
The next morning when Jacob got up, he took the stone he had used for a
pillow and set it up for a memorial stone. He named that place “Bethel,”
which means house of God.
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Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, the ruler of all Egypt, and said, “The Lord, the God of Israel says,
‘Let my people go.’” But Pharaoh refused. (Pharaoh looks stubborn and shakes head no.) He did not
believe in God and would not obey Him. In fact, he ordered that the Israelite slaves should be made to
work even harder than they had before. Moses and Aaron went to speak to Pharaoh again. This time
Aaron threw his staff down and it became a snake. (Throw down the staff you made for the story on
pages 28–29.) Pharaoh was not impressed by this miraculaous sign. In fact, his magicians did the
same thing. But then Aaron’s staff swallowed all the others. Pharaoh still refused to listen.
Moses and Aaron tried again. They warned Pharaoh that if he did not let the people go, God would
turn the water in the Nile River into blood. Fish would die and no one would be able to drink the
water. (Pharaoh looks stubborn and shakes head no.) When Pharaoh wouldn’t listen, Aaron struck the
water in the river with his staff and it instantly became blood. (Actor 1 holds up a glass of red water.)
Pharaoh still refused to obey God.
A week later, Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh that if he did not listen, the land would be covered with
frogs. (Pharaoh looks stubborn and shakes head no.) Again Pharaoh refused, so God brought frogs
out of the water into streets and homes and fields—everywhere! (Actor 2 hops around like a frog.)
Pharaoh said he would let the Israelites go if Moses would make the frogs go away. (Pharaoh pleads
with folded hands.) But when the frogs died and were all scooped up and thrown away, Pharaoh
changed his mind. (Pharaoh looks stubborn and shakes head no.)
Then God covered the land with gnats. People were slapping themselves all over where the gnats bit
them. (Actor 3 slaps face, arms, etc., as if being bitten by gnats.) Pharaoh’s magicians told him the
gnats were from God, but he refused to listen. (Pharaoh looks stubborn and puts hands over ears.)
Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh that if he did not let the Israelites go, God would send swarms of flies
everywhere. Pharaoh, of course, wouldn’t listen. (Pharaoh looks stubborn and shakes head no.) But
when flies swarmed throughout Egypt, even in the palace, he promised to cooperate if Moses would
make the flies leave. (Actor 4 buzzes and pretends to be a fly.) But when Moses did, Pharaoh once
again refused. (Pharaoh shakes head no.)
Moses and Aaron warned Pharaoh that if he did not obey God, He would put a plague on Egyptian
horses and donkeys and camels and all livestock. Pharaoh refused again. (Pharaoh looks stubborn and
shakes head no.) God sent a plague that killed all the Egyptians’ livestock, but not the animals of the
Israelites. (Actor 5 walks on all fours, then topples over dead.) But Pharaoh did not give in. (Pharaoh
looks stubborn.) Then the Lord made boils break out on the Egyptians’ bodies. (Actor 6 rubs arms and
neck, in great pain.) They were in great pain, but Pharaoh would not change his mind. (Pharaoh looks
stubborn.)
Discussion
• What do you think the plagues taught the Israelites about God?
• What did they teach the Egyptians about their Pharaoh?
• How does God show His power in the lives of Christians today?
Memory Verse
“I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:12)
We can learn about God’s power by studying the Bible. How reassuring to know that He uses His
power to help those who love Him as He helped the Israelites.
1 2 3
4 5 6
The Israelites’ hearts were filled with fear when they looked
at the sea before them. Pharoah’s men were getting near.
9
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 39 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Moses lifted his arms and God caused the sea
to part. The thankful Israelites crossed safely.
10
Caption Oval
G o d Ta k e s
Care of
Me!
Finished G o d Ta k e s
Product Care of
Me!
Product 4.
5.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not kill.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.
Grape Patterns
Finished Product
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 50 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Balaam and His Donkey
Bible Story: Numbers 22–24
Tell the Bible story through this action rhyme. Have students copy your actions.
Balaam beat her hard, but then the donkey looked around
(Whip hand up and down as if beating something.)
And said, “Why are you beating me? I would like to know!”
(Hold hands up to head like donkey ears.)
Then Balaam saw the angel and he bowed way down low.
(Bow down.)
The angel said, “Your donkey saved your life; you could be dead!
(Stand with legs apart and one arm stretched out as if holding a sword.)
Forget rewards and go and do exactly what God said,”
(Point off toward the distance.)
Balaam’s talking donkey and an angel in the way
(Hold hands up to head like donkey ears, then hold out arms like angels’ wings.)
Made the prophet decide to do God’s will every day!
(Hold your thumbs up, then point toward heaven.)
Discussion
• How do you think Balaam felt when his donkey talked?
• Balaam seemed to be doing what God told him, so why was God so hard on him?
• Does God know your thoughts?
Memory Verse
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” (Psalm 143:10a)
God has many ways to teach us His will. How has He taught you?
Craft Materials
• patterns on page 53 • white paper • brown paper lunch bags
• crayons or markers • scissors • glue
Craft Directions
1. Copy the head and mouth pattern of the donkey on white paper.
2. Color and cut out the head and mouth of the donkey.
3. Glue the head of the donkey to the bottom of the paper bag.
4. Glue the mouth pattern under the flap.
5. Put your hand in the paper bag.
6. Lift the head to show the inside of the donkey’s mouth.
Head Pattern
Mouth Pattern
God.” (Psalm 143:10a)
“Teach me to do your
will, for you are my
Finished Product
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 53 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Rahab and the Spies
Bible Story: Joshua 2; 6:22–25
Practice reading this Bible story poem until you can read it or say it smoothly with expression. Before
you share it with your students, tell them that they will help you by repeating the same line every time
you raise your hand. The line is as follows: “Because Rahab believed in the Lord.” Have them say it
several times so they will remember it when you raise your hand and they need to say it.
“We’ll spare your life and your family too,” the spies promised that day,
“When the Lord brings us back to this place. But you must do what we say.”
Tie a red cord in your window; we’ll look for it when we arrive.
And no matter what happens in Jericho, we’ll leave those in your house alive.”
The spies sneaked away and hid in the hills, and then they hurried back home.
They told Joshua that the people were scared and the land soon would be all their own.
And when Joshua and the Israelites marched around Jericho’s wall,
A red cord hung out of a window up high as God made the stones start to fall.
The Israelites conquered the city that day and destroyed it by fire and sword,
But a red cord kept one family safe as could be
Because Rahab believed in the Lord.
Discussion
• What two things did Rahab do that showed she had faith in God?
• How did God reward Rahab for her faith?
• What are some ways God may reward us for having faith in Him?
Memory Verse
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
Rahab trusted the Lord, so she was not afraid to endanger herself by keeping the spies safe. She
believed that God would keep her safe.
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 56 and 57 • glue • scissors
• crayons or colored pencils • white cardstock paper • yellow yarn (optional)
Craft Directions
1. Copy the pictures on pages 56 and 57 on white cardstock paper.
2. Color all pictures. Then cut out the soldiers, haystack, and strip on page 56.
3. Cut the slits in the picture on page 57 and then place the strip in the slits.
4. Glue the haystack and people on the strip where indicated. (Optional: Use yellow yarn to glue
on haystack for extra effect.)
5. Slide the strip back and forth to show how Rahab hid the spies.
Haystack
Finished Product
Slider Strip
haystack
here.
Glue
Cut slit.
Cut slit.
Finished
Product
Samson Pillars
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 60 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Samson
Fold here.
Fold here.
Jonathan’s armor bearer was also a brave man. Every army officer
in those days had an armor bearer whose job it was to fight for and
defend his commander. He also held whatever weapons or armor
his commander was not using and made sure they were available
when he wanted them. Jonathan’s armor bearer did not hesitate to
follow his master. “Do all that you have in mind,” he said. “I am
with you heart and soul.”
Jonathan explained his plan. “We will cross over toward the men
and let them see us. If they tell us to wait where we are until they
come to us, we will stay where we are and not go any farther. But if
they tell us to come up where they are, that will be God’s sign to us
that He will give them into our hands. We will climb up the cliff
and defeat them.”
The two men went on a little farther then stood where the Philistines
could see them. “Look!” said one of the Philistines. “The Israelites
are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” The Philistine
soldiers yelled to Jonathan and his armor bearer to come up to their
outpost and be taught a lesson.
When the rest of the Philistines saw their fellow soldiers dropping right
and left from the attack of the two men, they began to run away. Back in
camp, the Israelites heard the noise and saw the Philistine army
scattering in confusion. That is when Saul discovered that his son
Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone. He realized that they must
have something to do with what was happening at the Philistine outpost.
The Israelite soldiers, much braver now that they saw the Philistines on
the run, followed King Saul to the enemy outpost. When they got there,
they discovered that the Philistines were so frightened and confused, they
were fighting one another! Saul’s soldiers took advantage of the
confusion and began fighting the Philistines who ran away from them.
Many Israelite soldiers who had been hiding in the hills because they
were afraid to fight now came out and helped fight the Philistines.
It was a tremendous victory for Israel even thought they had been greatly
outnumbered by the Philistines. But brave Jonathan and his brave armor
bearer knew that they had not defeated the Philistines—God had!
Discussion
• How did God reward Jonathan’s faith in Him that day?
• Why did all the Israelite soldiers suddenly become brave enough to join the fight?
• For what do you need to trust God?
Memory Verse
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Why does it take courage to live the Christian life and do what is right? The only way we can be the
kind of Christians He wants us to be is to trust the Lord for the strength and courage we need in a sinful
world.
Craft Materials
• pattern on page 67 • aluminum foil • tape
• white cardstock paper • glue • scissors
Craft Directions
1. Copy pattern on page 67 on white cardstock paper and cut it out.
2. Use foil to cover the shield. On the back side tape the edges down.
3. Cut a five-inch strip of paper and tape it to the back of the shield to slip a hand in.
4. Cut and decorate a cross out of cardstock paper. Glue it to the front of the shield.
Coupon good
Kindness for setting
Coupons the table.
Coupon
good for
one “I
love you!” Coupon good for one
big bear hug!
Crown Pattern
Craft Materials
• crown pattern
• white cardstock paper
• scissors
• markers or crayons
• sequins
• glitter
• stapler
• glue
Craft Directions
1. Copy pattern on white
cardstock paper.
2. Color, cut out, and decorate
your crown.
3. Make a 1- to 2-inch band
from cardstock paper to fit
around your head.
4. Staple the crown to the front
of the band.
5. Renact the story of Queen
Esther and King Xerxes.
Door Pattern
Lion’s Face
(Tune: “B-I-N-G-O”)
Then God sent a great, big fish to swallow Jonah whole. Oh!
He gulped Jonah down,
He gulped Jonah down,
He gulped Jonah down,
But Jonah did not die.
Jonah prayed inside that fish and asked God to forgive him.
That fish spit him out,
That fish spit him out,
That fish spit him out
Clear up on the dry ground.
Then Jonah hurried off to Nineveh to preach God’s word. Oh!
He obeyed the Lord,
He obeyed the Lord,
He obeyed the Lord
And did just what God said.
Discussion
• Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights. What do you think he thought about
during that time?
• The captain and sailors of the ship did not want to throw Jonah overboard, but when they did and
the storm stopped, how do you think they felt?
• God used a fish to teach Jonah a lesson. What are some other ways He teaches us what we need
to learn?
Memory Verse
“So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to
the left.” (Deuteronomy 5:32)
God wants us to obey Him. If we do not, He has ways of convincing us to—and they are not always
fun!
Craft Materials
• patterns on page 88 and 89 • crayons or markers • gray cardstock paper
• hole punch • scissors • yarn or string
Big Fish
Big Fish
Finished Product
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 89 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Jesus Is Born
Bible Stories: Luke 1–2; Matthew 2
Since the story of Jesus’ birth is familiar to almost all
children, use a star as a visual aid. Make a large star out
of paper. Cut it apart into six pieces as shown to the right.
As you begin the story, mount the center of the star on a
bulletin board. As you tell the story, add the star points in
the order they are numbered. Print key words on each
point of the star to remind students of the details of Jesus’
birth. Suggestions are given in the story. To involve
students in the story, give each one a smaller cut-apart
star. Have them put their stars together as you put the
large one together.
(Put the center of the star on the board.) One day God sent an angel with a very important message to
a young woman named Mary. “You are going to have a baby boy,” the angel said. “You are to name
Him Jesus. He will be God’s Son.” (Attach star point 1 to the left side of the star. Print key words on
the point, such as MARY CHOSEN.) Mary could not believe it! She was not even married. Then the
angel explained that God was going to be the Father of her son. She did not understand it, but she
believed the angel when he said, “Nothing is impossible with God.” Mary loved God and was honored
that God had chosen her to give birth to His Son.
Later, an angel appeared to Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, to explain what was happening.
Sometime later, the Roman emporer issued a decree that everyone in the Roman empire would be
counted. This was called a census. Everyone had to go to his hometown to sign up for the census.
This meant that Joseph had to go to the town of Bethlehem. He decided to take Mary with him since
her baby would be born sometime soon. Of course, that census was no accident. God arranged the
whole thing so His Son would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, just as the prophets had said
hundreds of years before! (Micah 5:2) Joseph and Mary may have wished they did not have to take
the trip to Bethlehem right then, but it was all part of God’s plan. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the
city was crowded with many other people who had come to sign up for the census. There was no room
in the inn for Mary and Joseph. Instead, they spent the night in a stable where animals slept. (Attach
star point 2 to the top of the star. Print key words on the point, such as BETHLEHEM STABLE.) That
night Jesus was born in the stable. Mary laid him in a manger, a box usually filled with food for the
animals. The Son of God went to sleep in the hay.
In the fields outside Bethlehem were flocks of sheep being watched over by their shepherds. They
spent the nights lying outside under the starry sky. Usually, the only sound the shepherds heard were
soft bleats from some restless sheep. But that night something very exciting happened. An angel
appeared to the shepherds. They were very afraid, but the angel told them not to be afraid because he
had good news for them. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you,” the angel told
them. “This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby lying in a manger.” (Attach star point 3 to
the right side of the star. Print key words on the point such as ANGEL’S ANNOUNCEMENT.) Then
suddenly, the sky was filled with angels praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest!” The
shepherds could not believe their eyes and ears.
Star Beams
Finished Product
Bethlehem Scene
96
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Finished Product
“I ha
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G ar o
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from to tu to get .
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2
Wing Pattern
Fish Pattern
Boat Pattern
Jesus said,
“Follow me.”
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 100 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
The Lord’s Prayer
Bible Story: Matthew 6:5–13
Choose three students to read the parts in this interview. You be the interviewer. Then as you talk
about the Lord’s pattern for prayer, ask questions to make sure students understand what it means.
Interviewer: We know that prayer is important, but what is the right way to pray? Let’s ask some
people what they think. Excuse me, are you a person of prayer?
Student 1: Oh, yes, of course! I pray three times every day.
Interviewer: How do you pray?
Student 1: I go stand on the busiest street corner I can find. Then I raise my hands toward heaven
and when I am sure everyone is watching, I pray in a very loud voice so everyone can
hear me. Sometimes I get quite a crowd of people gathered around.
Interviewer: And you really think that works?
Student 1: Well, actually, I do not know if it works or not. I have never had any of my prayers
answered.
Interviewer: Let’s find out what somebody else thinks. How often do you pray?
Student 2: I pray all the time, all day and all night, constantly.
Interviewer: How do you do that?
Student 2: Well, I write my prayer out on a very long piece of paper. Then I attach the prayer
paper to my flagpole. The wind blows the strip of paper, and my prayer blows up to
God. (Wave your hand like something blowing in the wind.) Neat, huh?
Interviewer: That does not seem very personal. Does God listen to your prayers?
Student 2: How should I know?
Student 3: Of course not! (Poking interviewer in the arm.) Let me tell you the right way to pray.
Interviewer: OK, how do you pray?
Student 3: When I want something from God, I get on my knees, fold my hands, bow my head,
and close my eyes. Then I repeat what I want over and over a bunch of times. (Bow
down, fold your hands, close your eyes and say, “A good grade in math, a good grade
in math, a good grade in math, a good grade in math.”)
Interviewer: (Talking to class) Hmm, do you think this is the way God wants us to pray? (Let
students answer.) Let’s go to the Bible to find out what Jesus said about prayer.
(Turn to Matthew 6:5–13. Have students do the same. Read Matthew 6:5–6.) Does
God want us to perform loud prayers so everyone will see us and think how good we
are? What should we do instead? (Let students answer according to what the Bible
says.) Do you think verse 6 means we can only pray in the closet?
What Jesus meant was that we should talk to God in private. That does not mean that
we cannot also talk to Him in church with other Christians. And, of course, we can talk
to him silently no matter where we are. The important thing is to talk to God because
we love Him, not to make a big show for people.
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 101 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
The Lord’s Prayer
Bible Story: Matthew 6:5–13 (cont.)
Interviewer: (Read Matthew 6:7–8 aloud.) Does God want us to say the same thing over and over in
our prayers, like a chant? (Let students answer.) No, He wants us to talk to Him like
we talk to our parents or to a friend. We can tell Him anything. And we do not need to
keep asking for what we want over and over. We should just ask Him, then trust Him to
answer in His time according to His will.
Jesus gave His followers this pattern for prayer. He did not mean that we have to use
the same words He used, but we should include these ideas in our prayers. (Read verse
9.) We should praise God and thank Him for who He is. (Read verse 10.) We should
ask God for His will to be done on Earth. That means that we are willing to do what He
wants. (Read verse 11.) We can ask God to supply not just bread, but whatever we
need for each day. Then we need to trust Him and not worry about our needs. (Read
verse 12.) God wants us to confess our sins to Him, ask for His forgiveness, and
forgive others. (Read verse 13.) We should ask God to guide us and help us not to sin,
but to obey Him. The devil wants to trick us into doing wrong, but God wants to help
us to do right.
(Hold up a hand and have children do the same. Review the five parts of prayer as you
count each one off on a finger. Finger 1: Praise God. Finger 2: Ask for God’s will.
Finger 3: Tell God your needs. Finger 4: Confess sins. Thumb: Ask God to guide.
That was Jesus’ pattern for prayer.)
Discussion
• Where can we pray? How often should we pray?
• What should our prayer posture be—standing? kneeling? hands folded? lying down?
• How long should our prayers be?
Memory Verse
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
God said we should not worry, but we should talk to Him about our problems, our needs, and about
anything else. He is able to help us and He wants to hear from us often.
Craft Materials
• pattern on page 103 • white paper or cardstock paper
• crayons or markers • colored construction paper
Craft Directions
1. Copy pattern on white paper or cardstock paper.
2. Color the page and mount on colored construction paper for durability.
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 102 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
The Lord’s Prayer
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily
bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever. Amen’”
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 103 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Feeding Five Thousand
Bible Story: John 6:1–15
Make this story come alive for students by having the whole group participate. Bring enough cooked
fish sticks and bread so that each student can have some. (Just a bite of fish for each student is
enough, but bring a lot of bread so they can have more than one helping. Also, check for possible food
allergies before serving.) Choose a student to be the boy who gave his lunch and a few other students
to be disciples. Give the boy some of the fish and bread in a basket. Have the students pantomime
their parts as you play the part of Jesus.
One day Jesus was teaching about God and healing sick people. A huge crowd of people watched the
miracles He did and listened to Him. After awhile, Jesus took His disciples to a mountainside so they
could be by themselves, (Walk with the disciples to a corner of the room.) but the crowd followed them.
It had been a long day, and everyone was hungry. Some of the disciples suggested that Jesus send the
people away so they would go home and get something to eat. But Jesus had something else in mind.
He asked Philip, “Where can we buy food for all these people?” But, of course, Jesus already knew
what He was going to do.
Philip told Jesus that it would take eight months worth of wages (salary) to buy enough food for the
crowd of more than 5,000 people. (Philip counts on his fingers, then gestures at the crowd.) The
disciples did not have nearly enough money in their treasurey to buy food for the people. Then Andrew
brought a little boy to Jesus. The boy had brought a lunch with him—five small loaves of bread and
two little fish. He was willing to share it. Did Andrew think such a small lunch would feed all those
people? Maybe he hoped Jesus would use them to do another miracle, and Jesus did!
He had all the people sit on the grass. (Have students sit on the floor.) Jesus took the boy’s lunch and
thanked God for it. (Bow your head and pretend to pray.) Then He broke the fish and bread into
pieces and gave them to His disciples to pass around the crowd. (Put the bread and fish in baskets for
students to pass out. Make sure all the students in the crowd, the little boy, and the disciples have some
fish and bread.) The people sat on the grass and had a picnic like nobody had ever seen before.
It was amazing! Everyone ate as much bread and fish as they wanted. They ate; then they had
seconds. Some even had third helpings of the food. Finally, every person was full. Then Jesus told
His disciples to send the baskets around to collect the leftovers so that nothing would be wasted. (Have
the student disciples pass baskets around.) They collected 12 baskets of leftover fish and bread. That
was 12 times as much as they started with. The disciples could have another meal from them. What
had started out as a small lunch for one little boy turned into a feast for more than 5,000 people!
The people who had just been fed knew they had experienced a miracle. There was no other
explanation for the way the small amount of food had been enough for everyone. They began talking
to one another, discussing Jesus. They decided He would make a great king! With the miracles He
could perform, they would have everything they ever wanted. Nobody in the country would have to go
hungry again because Jesus could provide food with another miracle. Jesus knew what they were
thinking, so He left and went away by Himself. When the people looked around, He was gone. Where
was Jesus? He had gone up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. People began heading for home,
and the disciples got into a boat and headed for the other side of the lake.
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Feeding Five Thousand
Discussion
• How do you think the little boy felt when Jesus fed the whole crowd with his small lunch?
• When Jesus prayed to thank God for the food, it was a good example for us to follow. Do you
pray before each meal, thanking God for the food He gives you?
• The people were so impressed with Jesus’ miracle of providing food, they forgot what He had
been teaching them. He later said to them, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that
endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27) What do you think
Jesus meant?
Memory Verse
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who
believes in me will never be thirsty.’” (John 6:35)
The people wanted Jesus to do more miracles for them, to provide more food. But Jesus told them He
had something much better for them than food. He wanted to give them eternal life. They were asking
Him for physical things, but He was talking about spiritual things.
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 106 and 107
• white cardstock paper
• crayons or markers
• scissors
• tape
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on white cardstock paper.
2. Color and cut out the patterns.
3. Cut the dashed lines on the basket.
4. Fold each side up and tape the flaps
together to form a basket.
5. Place the fish and loaves of bread patterns
in the basket. (Optional: Trying using
fish-shaped crackers to put in the basket.) Finished Product
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 105 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Feeding Five Thousand
Basket Pattern
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 106 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Feeding Five Thousand
Fish and Loaves of Bread Patterns
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 107 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Jesus Walks on Water
Bible Story: Matthew 14:22–33
As you tell this Bible story, have students copy the actions you do.
(Look scared as you sway from side to side as if in a boat being rocked by a storm.)
Afraid that they were going to drown. Help! God, save me!
Jesus stepped on the water and then walked out to their boat.
When they saw Him, they shouted in fear, “Look, there comes a ghost!”
Jesus told them, “Don’t be afraid. It’s not a ghost; it’s Me.”
(Shade eyes with one hand and look as if trying to see in the dark.)
“Come,” said Jesus, and Peter went, stepping with great care.
(Take a few cautious steps with arms held out to balance yourself.)
Then Peter looked away from the Lord and saw water everywhere!
Peter stopped walking and started to sink. “Lord, save me!” he cried.
(Hold one arm over your head as you bend your knees and slowly sink down.)
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Jesus Walks on Water
Bible Story: Matthew 14:22–33 (cont.)
Jesus reached down, grabbed Peter’s hand, and brought him safely to His side.
(Reach up one hand and quickly rise from your low position.)
“Why did you doubt?” Jesus asked. “Why is your faith so small?”
And when they both got into the boat, the wind wasn’t blowing at all!
“Truly, You are the Son of God,” the other disciples said.
(Bow down.)
Jesus had come and saved them all when they thought they soon would be dead.
And just as Jesus cared for them, He cares for you and me.
Discussion
• Why do you think the disciples did not recognize Jesus when He appeared on the water?
• If Peter had enough faith to walk on the water, why did he start to sink?
• Why do you think His disciples decided Jesus was the Son of God?
Memory Verse
“And without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6a)
Peter had enough faith to start to obey Jesus, but not enough faith to keep it up. God is pleased when
we have faith in Him, and He wants to help our faith grow. He wants us to trust Him in both good
times and bad times.
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Jesus Walks on Water
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 110 and 111
• white cardstock paper
• craft sticks
• crayons or markers
• scissors
• glue
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on white cardstock paper.
2. Color and cut out the picture of Jesus.
3. Cut a slit on the water in the boat picture where Finished Product
indicated.
4. Glue the figure of Jesus to a craft stick and insert
into the slit of the picture to make Jesus walk on
water.
Jesus Pattern
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 110 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Jesus Walks on Water
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 111 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Jesus and Nicodemus
Bible Story: John 3:1–21; 7:50–52; 19:38–42
Ask pertinent questions of students to help them understand the story of Jesus and Nicodemus.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council. Many of the men he worked with
and spent his time with hated Jesus. Why do you think they hated Jesus? (Let students answer.) The
Pharisees were important men in the Jewish religion. They made up all kinds of rules for people to
follow. For example, the Pharisees said that because one of God’s Ten Commandments said you should
keep the Sabbath day holy, that meant that if your cow fell in a ditch on the Sabbath, you could not pull
it out! You had to leave it there until the Sabbath was over. God had said no work should be done on
the Sabbath, but the Pharisees decided for everyone else what “work” meant. They made up so many
rules, people could not begin to keep track of them all, let alone follow them. Jesus said the Pharisees
did not really care about people pleasing God; they just wanted to have everyone do what they said.
When Jesus taught that people could not be saved by keeping rules and trying to be good, the Pharisees
were horrified. That idea went against everything for which they stood. Jesus said salvation was free if
people would believe in Him. The Pharisees accused Him of blasphemy and telling lies because they
did not believe He was the Son of God. So the Pharisees did not want to have anything to do with
Jesus except to get rid of Him.
Nicodemus was in an uncomfortable position. He was curious about Jesus. He had heard some of His
teachings and he had seen Him perform wonderful miracles. He knew Jesus could not have done those
things unless God were with Him. Nicodemus decided to go talk to Jesus. He knew the other
Pharisees would either make fun of him or, more likely, be very angry with him if they knew he was
talking with Jesus, for they considered Him to be the Pharisees’ enemy. So, Nicodemus waited until
dark to go see Jesus. The first thing Jesus said to Nicodemus was, “You must be born again.”
Nicodemus had no idea what He was talking about. What do you think Jesus meant? (Let students
share what being born again means.)
“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely, he cannot enter a second time
into his mother’s womb.” Then Jesus explained that He was talking about spiritual birth, not physical
birth. He told Nicodemus that he needed to be born of the Spirit. Nicodemus still did not understand.
Jesus made a very important statement to Nicodemus. It is probably the most well-known statement in
the whole Bible. Say John 3:16 with me. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What does “perish” mean?
(Let students answer that it means to die.) Again, Jesus was not talking about physical life, but
spiritual life. Those of us who believe in Jesus still have to die someday. And when our bodies die, we
will go to heaven forever.
When their conversation was over and Nicodemus went back home, did he understand everything Jesus
had told him? Probably not, but he understood enough to believe in Jesus. He did not stop being a
Pharisee and become one of Jesus’ disciples. Apparently, Nicodemus kept his belief in Jesus a secret
from the Pharisees. A year or so later, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, a Jewish
religious celebration. The Pharisees knew He was there, and were watching for Him. One day Jesus
stood up in the temple courts and began teaching. People were amazed at what He had to say. “How
did this man get such learning without having studied?” some people asked.
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Jesus and Nicodemus
Bible Story: John 3:1–21; 7:50–52; 19:38–42
Jesus said He was only teaching what God wanted Him to teach. He said that God had sent Him.
Some of the Pharisees tried to grab Him and keep Him from talking, but they failed. Many of the
people who heard Jesus that day put their faith in Him. This made the Pharisees and other Jewish
religious leaders even more determined to shut Him up. They sent temple guards to arrest Him, but
they were not able to get Him either. In fact, the guards went back to the Pharisees and said, “No one
ever spoke the way this man does.”
“You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees asked angrily. “Have any of the rulers or of the
Pharisees believed in him? No!” How do you think Nicodemus felt when he heard his fellow
Pharisees say that? (Let students answer.)
Nicodemus did not stand up and say, “I believe in Jesus!” But he did ask them, “Does our law
condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” Of course, they immediately
made fun of him and shot him down. They already had their minds made up that Jesus was a
troublemaker, and they were not about to listen to Nicodemus’ reasonable arguments.
When Jesus was executed, it was the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were responsible. They
paid Jesus’ disciple Judas to betray Him to soldiers who arrested Him. When Jesus was nailed to a
cross, the Pharisees watched Him die and felt glad that they had finally gotten rid of Him. But
Nicodemus was not glad. He was very sad. He had kept his belief in Jesus a secret from most people,
but it was Nicodemus who went with a friend named Joseph, also a member of the Jewish Council and
a secret believer, to take Jesus’ body away to bury it. The two men gently carried Jesus’ battered body
to Joseph’s own tomb, wrapped it in strips of linen with sweet smelling spices, and laid it inside.
The Bible does not tell us what happened to Nicodemus, or Joseph, after that. They must have been
thrilled when Jesus rose from the tomb, alive again. Perhaps Nicodemus remained in the Jewish ruling
council and kept trying to influence other Pharisees to accept Jesus.
Discussion
• Do you think Nicodemus truly loved Jesus? Why or why not?
• Do you think Nicodemus was brave or cowardly?
• Do you think Jesus wants those who believe in Him to tell other people about Him? Have you
ever told anyone else that you love Jesus and why?
• Why is telling others about Jesus often difficult? Who told you about Jesus?
Memory Verse
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Nicodemus was a timid Christian. He kept his beliefs to himself. We will never know what might
have happened if he had been open and had told his fellow Pharisees about Jesus. They might have
mocked him or thrown him out of the Jewish Council; but some might have believed. If we are not
willing to tell others about Jesus, how will we ever know if they might believe or not?
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Jesus and Nicodemus
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 114 and 115 • scissors
• crayons or markers • tape
• white cardstock paper • glue
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on white cardstock paper.
2. Color all pictures. Then cut out the picture of the
world and the paper strip.
3. Glue or tape the ends of the paper strip together so it is
a circular shape. Glue the circular piece to the back of
the world.
4. Then glue or tape the world just below the children on
page 115 so the world pops out of the picture.
Finished Product
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 114 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one
and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall
not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 116 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
The Woman at the Well
Bible Story: John 4:1–30, 39–42 (cont.)
Woman: Yes, I did.
Interviewer: Thanks for taking the time to share this experience with us. (Woman walks away and
John walks up.) Now we want to talk with John, one of Jesus’ followers, to find out
what happened next. Thanks for coming, John. Tell us what you thought when you
saw Jesus talking to a woman at the well.
John: Well, we were all surprised to see Him talking to a woman, especially a Samaritan
woman. We had walked into town to buy some food and thought He was resting. But
Jesus is always doing something surprising! She left shortly after we got there. She
seemed excited as she picked up her water jar and hurried away.
Interviewer: Thanks, John, for talking with us. (John walks away and two townspeople come up.)
To hear the rest of the story, we have invited a couple of people from the woman’s town
to tell us what they know. Did you talk to the woman after she had been with Jesus?
Person 1: I did. In fact, I think I was one of the first people she ran into when she got to town.
She was excited when she told me, “Come, see a man who told me everything I did.
Could this be the Christ?” Then she ran off to tell some other people the same thing.
Person 2: By the time she had told several of us what had happened, we wanted to meet Jesus for
ourselves, so we went to Jacob’s Well right away.
Person 1: Jesus talked with all of us who went out to meet Him. He did not care that we are
Samaritans! Many of us believed in Him.
Person 2: Yes, in fact, we asked Him to stay with us for a couple of days so He could teach us
more. He accepted our invitation, and even more Samaritans believed in Him.
Interviewer: So you believed in Him not just because of what the woman told you, but because of
what Jesus, Himself, told you?
Both Persons: Yes! That’s right! We know He is the Savior of the world!
Interviewer: Well, that is our report from Samaria. Stay tuned to this station for all the latest news
on the effect Jesus the Nazarene is having on this land. See you next time!
Discussion
• What did the Samaritan woman do that showed she believed in Jesus?
• What happened as a result of her telling others about Jesus?
• What are some ways we can be witnesses for Jesus?
Memory Verse
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (1 John 5:11)
Jesus offered the woman at the well eternal life, and she accepted it by believing in Him; so did the
people from her town. He offers eternal life to anyone who will accept Him as his or her Savior.
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 117 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
The Woman at the Well
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 118 and 119 • scissors
• crayons or markers • glue or tape
• white cardstock paper
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on white cardstock paper.
2. Color all the pictures. Then cut out the picture of
the water jar.
3. Cut the 1" x 3" strip of paper and glue or tape the
ends together so it is a circular shape. Glue the
circular piece to the front of the well.
4. Then glue or tape the back of the water jar to the
circular piece so the jar pops out of the picture.
Finished Product
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 118 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
The Woman at the Well
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 119 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
The Good Shepherd
Bible Story: Psalm 23; John 10
Let everyone act out this story as you tell it. You be the Good Shepherd and let your students be sheep.
Before the story, place a paper cup of water for each student on a table. On another table place a
snack such as popcorn or cereal on napkins. Bring a cane to use as the shepherd’s staff.
When David was a young boy taking care of his family’s sheep, he wrote a beautiful psalm comparing
God to a shepherd. (Have students walk with you around the room as you talk.) “The Lord is my
shepherd,” he wrote. “I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.” David was
describing how a shepherd takes care of his sheep. He leads them to places where the grass is fresh
and green so they can eat. (Have students follow you to the snack table and eat the snack.) “He leads
me beside quiet waters,” David said. As an experienced shepherd, he knew that sheep will not drink
water from a rushing stream. They will only drink from calm, still water. (Have students follow you to
the other table and each drink some water.) Like a shepherd, God cares for us and provides what we
need. In those days, shepherds were often with their sheep day and night. It was up to the shepherd to
protect his sheep from wild animals. (Have students walk around the room with you again.) Even
young David killed a lion and a bear to keep them from killing his sheep. Sheep feel safe with their
shepherd, so they can lie down and sleep in peace. (Have students lie down and pretend to sleep.) We
know that God watches over us and protects us, too. We do not have to worry or ever be afraid because
He is always with us, like a shepherd.
Sometimes sheep get into trouble. One might go astray from the rest of the flock. (Have one student
go off on his own and crawl under a table or kneel behind a chair.) On its own, the sheep might get
hurt or caught in a place from which it cannot escape. As soon as the shepherd sees that one of his
sheep is missing, he goes to look for it. When he finds the lost sheep, he helps it up. (Reach out the
cane for the student to grab onto and gently pull him or her up. Then walk back to the other sheep
with your hand on the student’s shoulder.) Then he leads the wayward sheep back where it belongs.
Doesn’t God do that for us? When we disobey Him and go our own way, we often get into trouble.
But when we confess our sin to Him, He forgives us and welcomes us home.
Hundreds of years later, Jesus used the example of a shepherd to explain His loving care for us. “I am
the good shepherd,” He said. Jesus said that He knows each of His sheep by name. (Touch each
student on the head and say his or her name.) Sometimes to keep his sheep safe, a shepherd puts
bushes and branches together and makes a pen or sheep fold for them. (Lead students into a corner of
the room.) He leads the sheep into the fold, then to make sure nothing can get in to hurt them, the
shepherd himself lies down at the entrance to the fold. (Kneel down or sit at the “gate” of the sheep
fold.) He becomes the “gate” to keep wild animals or thieves away from his sheep. That is what Jesus
does for us.
“I lay down my life for the sheep,” Jesus said. He was not talking just about lying down at the sheep
fold entrance; He was talking about dying. (Stretch out your arms as if on a cross.) Jesus loves us so
much, He willingly gave His life to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. Isaiah the prophet
said in the Old Testament that we are all like sheep that have gone astray and God put our sins on
Jesus, our Good Shepherd. He died for us, but then He came back to life! And because He came back
to life, we can have eternal life.
David was right. With the Lord as our shepherd, there is nothing else we could ever need!
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The Good Shepherd
Discussion
• How do you think people are like sheep?
• What happens when we do not follow our Shepherd, but disobey Him?
• What do you worry about? Can you trust Jesus, your Good Shepherd, to take care of that?
Memory Verse
“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his
pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)
The Lord is our shepherd and we are His sheep. We are sinful and are constantly making wrong
choices. We need Him to lead us and care for us. God made us, but we strayed away from Him and
went our own way. Jesus gave His life so our sins could be forgiven. When we accept Jesus as our
Good Shepherd, then we truly belong to God.
Craft Materials “Know that the Lord is God. It
is he who made us, and we are
• patterns on pages 122 and 123
his; we are his people, the
• white cardstock paper sheep of his pasture.”
(Psalm 100:3)
• crayons or markers
• scissors
• glue
• yarn or string
• hole punch
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns from pages 122 and 123 on white
cardstock paper. (Note: For more durability,
glue the mobile on cardboard or foam board.)
2. Color the sheep and mobile.
3. Then cut out the sheep. Glue the sheep back to
back and insert the yarn in between. You will
end up with three sheep to hang from the
mobile.
4. Hole punch the designated circles on the
mobile.
5. Attach each sheep to the bottom of the mobile at
different levels.
6. Tie string or yarn to the top of mobile and hang.
Finished Product
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 121 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
“Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and
we are his; we are his
people, the sheep of his
pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 122 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
The Good Shepherd
Sheep Patterns
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 123 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Zacchaeus
Bible Story: Luke 19:1–10
Your students will enjoy singing this song with you. Make copies for older students to read. Have
everyone sing with you and copy your actions.
(Walk in place.)
(Pretend to walk up a hill, then down, then turn all the way around.)
(Walk in place.)
(Pretend to climb a tree, then shade eyes with hand and look down.)
“Come, Zacchaeus, down from that tree. Come and hear My word.”
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 124 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Zacchaeus
Bible Story: Luke 19:1–10 (cont.)
“I’ll give half my wealth to the poor and right all my wrongs.”
Discussion
• Do you think Jesus knew all about Zacchaeus before they met? Why or why not?
• How did other people react when Jesus went to stay in a tax collector’s home?
• What did Jesus mean when he said, “Today salvation has come to this house”?
Memory Verse
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of
God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
Zacchaeus probably had a lot of money. Could he buy his salvation? No. Can we earn salvation by
doing good things? Definitely not. We can only be saved through faith in Jesus. This is God’s gift to
us, but it is our choice whether or not we accept that gift.
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 125 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Zacchaeus
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 126 and 127
• white cardstock paper
• markers or crayons
• scissors
• tape
• small silk flowers (optional)
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on white cardstock paper.
2. Color the tree picture and Zacchaeus.
3. Cut out Zacchaeus.
4. Roll a piece of tape in a tube shape and attach
it to the back of Zacchaeus. Finished Product
5. Then attach Zacchaeus to the top of the tree.
(Optional: For extra effects, glue small silk
leaves around the tree.)
Zacchaeus Pattern
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 126 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Zacchaeus
Tape
here.
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 127 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Lazarus Is Raised from the Dead
Bible Story: John 11:1–46
If possible, bring a stethoscope to class so students can listen to their heartbeats. As you tell the story,
follow the directions for drawing some simple lines on the board to represent Lazarus’ heartbeat (see
below). Have children copy the lines on their own paper.
Lazarus was very sick. (Draw a wavy line on the board as shown on the left below with Lazarus’ name
under it. Explain that the line represents the line on a heart monitor that shows how steadily a person’s
heart is beating. When the line on a heart monitor looks like this one, the patient is in trouble for sure.
His heart is beginning to give out.) His sisters, Mary and Martha, were worried about him. They did
not know how to help him get well, so they sent word to Jesus about his condition. They thought Jesus
would stop whatever He was doing and come to Bethany to help His good friend Lazarus, but Jesus did
not. Jesus told His disciples that Lazarus’ sickness had happened to bring glory to God. For two whole
days, Jesus stayed where He was, making no move to go to His friend. Finally, He suggested they go
to Bethany to see what they could do.
By that time, Lazarus had died. Jesus knew what had happened, but he was not concerned about it.
“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,” He said, “but I am going there to wake him up.” Death was not
a problem for Jesus. He had already raised two other people from the dead—the 12-year-old daughter
of Jairus, a religious leader, and the son of a widow in the town of Nain. Jesus’ disciples did not
understand Him. They thought Lazarus was really just sleeping. Then Jesus told them plainly,
“Lazarus is dead.”
By the time Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus’ dead body had already been in the tomb for four days.
(To the right of the wavy line print “+ 4 days” and a straight line to show that Lazarus’ heart had
stopped beating four days before Jesus arrived.) When Martha heard that Jesus had come, she went out
to meet Him. “Lord,” she said, “if you had been here my brother would not have died. But I know that
even now God will give you whatever you ask.” It sounded like Martha was blaming Jesus for her
brother’s death, didn’t it? But it also sounded like she might be expecting Him to perform a miracle.
Jesus promised her that Lazarus would rise again. She thought Jesus was talking about Lazarus going
to heaven someday. But Jesus meant what He said.
“I am the resurrection and the life,” He told her. “He who believes in me will live, even though he
dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Martha believed that Jesus was God’s Son,
but she did not understand what he was saying. She went home and told Mary that Jesus wanted to see
her. Quickly, Mary went to talk to Jesus. When she found Jesus she fell down at His feet crying and
said the same thing Martha had said to Him: “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have
died.” When Jesus saw Mary and many of Lazarus’ friends crying, He cried too. It made Him sad to
see His friends brokenhearted over the loss of Lazarus. But Jesus’ sadness did not last because He
knew He could do something to take their sorrow away.
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 128 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Lazarus Is Raised from the Dead
Bible Story: John 11:1–46 (cont.)
Jesus walked to Lazarus’ tomb, a cave with a big stone laid over the entrance. “Take away the stone,”
He said. Martha warned Him that since Lazarus had been dead for four days, his body would smell
bad. Jesus, however, knew that would not be a problem because the dead body was going to be
restored to life! When the entrance to the tomb was cleared, Jesus prayed aloud so Mary and Martha
and all of their friends could hear what He said. “Father, I thank You that You have heard me.” Jesus
was going to perform a miracle and He wanted to make sure everyone knew where His power came
from. Then He spoke in a loud voice: “Lazarus, come out!”
Suddenly, as the people watched in awe and surprise, Lazarus came walking out of the tomb. His
hands and feet were still wrapped in cloth strips and there was a cloth around his face, just as he had
been buried. But Lazarus was alive! (Draw a big jagged line as shown at the bottom of page 128 to
represent Lazarus’ healthy heartbeat. Print “+ Jesus” under it.) Jesus told the people standing around
staring to help Lazarus by taking off the grave clothes.
There was no doubt about it—Lazarus was alive, after being dead and buried for four days! Many of
Mary and Martha’s friends who had come to comfort them over their brother’s death believed in Jesus
that day. They put their faith in Him. Lazarus’ sickness and death glorified God and brought people to
Him just as Jesus had said it would.
Discussion
• How do you think Lazarus felt when He heard the voice of Jesus telling him to come out of the
tomb?
• A famous Bible teacher once said that it was a good thing Jesus said Lazarus’ name when He said,
“Come out.” Otherwise, Jesus was so powerful dead people everywhere would have come back
to life. Do you think that is true?
• Where did Jesus get the power to give life back to dead people?
• Why do you think God doesn’t always choose to bring the dead back to life?
Memory Verse
“. . . I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he died.”
(John 11:25)
Jesus gave Lazarus back his physical life, but He was also talking in this verse about spiritual life.
Someday we will die, but if we believe in Jesus we have eternal life. We will go to heaven to live with
Him forever.
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 130 and 131
Finished
• white cardstock paper
• scissors
Product
• tape
• crayons or markers
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 129 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Lazarus Is Raised from the Dead
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on white cardstock paper. Then color all pictures.
2. Fold the card on page 131 in half so the picture is on the inside. Then cut out the cover page on
page 130 and glue it to the front of the card.
3. Cut out Lazarus and fold in half. Tape him in the middle of the inside of the card so he pops out.
Lazarus Pattern
Cover Page
The Story of Lazarus
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 130 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 131 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Jesus’ Death
Bible Story: John 18–19
Before you tell this story, set up four different stations in the corners of your room. The first station
should look like a garden. Mount pictures of flowers and trees on the wall and, if possible, set some
plants on the floor. The second station should be like a courtroom with a chair for the high priest. The
third station is the governor’s palace. Cover a chair with a fancy cloth for Governor Pilate to sit in.
The final station represents the hill where Jesus was crucified. Draw three crosses, cut them out, and
mount them on the wall at this station.
Some of the Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders had been trying to get rid of Jesus for a long time.
Finally, they figured out a way. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples agreed to betray Him after the Passover
meal He would be eating with His disciples. That night after the meal, Jesus took His disciples to a
garden to pray. (Have students walk with you to the first station, then stop and sit down on the floor.)
Jesus knew He was going to be killed, so He prayed that God would help Him. The disciples, instead
of praying with Him, fell asleep. A little later Judas came into the garden with some soldiers and
Pharisees. He kissed Jesus to show the soldiers which man to take. Peter drew his sword and slashed
at one of the men, cutting off his ear. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, then He healed the man’s
ear. The soldiers arrested Jesus and took Him away. He went without a fight because He knew it was
His Father’s will for Him to die.
Jesus was taken to the Jewish high priest. (Walk to the second station as students follow you. Sit down
in the chair and cross your arms.) The high priest questioned Jesus as if He were on trial though He
had done nothing wrong. When Jesus gave an answer they did not like, one of the officials nearby
slapped Him on the face. While Jesus was being questioned, Peter was waiting out in the courtyard.
As he stood there, three different people asked him if he were one of Jesus’ followers. All three times
Peter denied even knowing Jesus.
When the high priest was finished with Him, Jesus was taken to Governor Pilate’s palace. (Walk
students to the third station and sit down in the chair.) “Are you the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked
him. Jesus told the governor that His kingdom was not a worldly one, but a spiritual one. After Pilate
talked to Him for a while, he went out and told the Jewish officials who had brought Jesus, “I find no
basis for a charge against Him.” It was the custom at that time for one prisoner to be released during
the Passover celebration. Pilate asked them if Jesus should be the one he released.
“No, not Him!” they shouted. “Give us Barabbas!” They wanted to make sure Jesus was killed, so
they insisted that Pilate release a convicted criminal instead. Pilate did not understand what they had
against Jesus, but to please them he gave orders for Jesus to be beaten. Some soldiers twisted some
thorn branches together and put it on His head like a crown. Then they mocked Jesus and spit at Him.
Finally, Pilate took Jesus outside the palace for the Pharisees and others to see. As soon as they saw
Him, they began shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Even though he did not agree with them,
Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
Soldiers took Jesus and walked Him along the streets to a hill outside the city. (Walk students to the
fourth station and have them sit on the floor.) They nailed His hands and feet to a wooden cross, then
raised the cross and dropped the bottom into a hole in the ground. Pilate had a sign printed, “JESUS
OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS,” and the sign was nailed to the cross. As Jesus hung on
the cross in great pain, some soldiers gambled for His robe which they had taken off of Him. Jesus was
not the only one being executed that day. Two thieves, one on each side of Him were also crucified.
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Jesus’ Death
Bible Story: John 18–19 (cont.)
Jesus’ mother Mary and some followers of Jesus stood near His cross. Jesus saw His mother and asked
His disciple John to take care of her when He was gone. Jesus died a few hours later. Joseph and
Nicodemus took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in cloths with spices, and laid it in Joseph’s tomb. The
Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders, who hated Jesus, were glad He was dead, but His friends and
disciples were heartbroken.
Discussion
• Why didn’t Jesus want Peter to use his sword to protect Him?
• Why were those who arrested Jesus so determined to have Him executed even though He hadn’t
committed any crime?
• Could they have killed Jesus if He were not willing for it to happen? Why?
• How does Jesus’ death on the cross make a difference in your life?
Memory Verse
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
Jesus chose to die, not only for your sins and mine, but for all sinners, even those who crucified Him.
He died for everyone, but He knew everyone would not put their faith in Him.
Craft Materials
• pattern on page 134
• white cardstock paper
• markers or crayons
• colored construction paper
• scissors
• glue
Craft Directions
1. Copy pattern on white cardstock paper.
2. Color and cut out the dashed lines on the pattern.
3. Glue the picture on a piece of colored construction
paper so the picture has a border and the cut-out
pieces show the background color.
Finished Product
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 133 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Jesus’ Death
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 134 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Jesus’ Resurrection
Bible Story: Mark 16; John 20
Involve students in this Bible story by having each one make a sign that says, “Jesus is alive!” Tell
them to listen carefully as you tell the story and each time they hear you say, “Jesus is alive” or “Jesus
was alive,” they should all hold up their signs and say, “Yes!”
Jesus’ friends were so sad that He was dead. Some of the women who had believed in Him got up very
early on the morning after the Sabbath and went to his tomb. They took along sweet smelling spices to
put on his body according to the customs of those times. On the way there, they discussed how they
would get the stone away from the door of the tomb so they could go inside. But when they got there,
they had quite a surprise—the stone was rolled away and the tomb was open! Not only that, the
soldiers who were supposed to be guarding the tomb were gone. Instead, a young man in a white robe,
actually an angel, greeted them. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said to the women. “You are looking for Jesus
who was crucified, but He is not here. He has risen!” The women could hardly believe it. They knew
Jesus was dead, but now they were being told He was alive! (Students hold up their signs and say
“Yes!”)
The angel told them to go and tell Jesus’ disciples the good news. He promised that they would see
Jesus soon. The women ran as fast as they could and found Peter and John. “Jesus is alive!” they told
them. (Students hold up their signs and say, “Yes!”) Peter and John ran to the tomb. They looked
inside and saw the strips of linen that had been wrapped around Jesus’ body and the cloth that had been
around His head. But His body was not there. They knew it was true! Jesus was alive! (Students hold
up their signs and say, “Yes!”) They did not understand it, but they believed it.
The disciples went home, but Mary Magdalene stayed near the tomb crying. She thought someone had
stolen Jesus’ body. Then Mary turned around and saw a man standing nearby. She thought he was the
gardener, but then the man said her name. Suddenly, she realized that it was Jesus standing there. He
was alive! (Students hold up their signs and say, “Yes!”) She was overjoyed. Jesus told her to go tell
the other disciples. Mary found the disciples and said, “I have seen the Lord!”
Later that evening, ten of the disciples were together in a room with the doors locked. They were
afraid that the people who had killed Jesus would now decide to kill His disciples. Suddenly, without
opening the doors, Jesus came in. “Peace be with you,” He said. Now they could see for themselves
that Jesus was alive. (Students hold up their signs and say, “Yes!”)
Thomas had not been with the disciples that night, but they told him what had happened. He did not
believe them. “Unless I see the nail marks in His hand and put my fingers where the nails were, I
won’t believe Jesus is alive,” he said. A week later all 11 of the disciples were together again with the
doors locked. Jesus came and stood among them. Then He told Thomas to look at His hands and
touch the scars with his fingers. But Thomas did not have to. He saw with his own eyes and knew
Jesus was alive! (Students hold up their signs and say, “Yes!”)
“Because you have seen Me, you have believed,” Jesus said to Thomas. “Blessed are those who have
not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus remained for 40 days after His resurrection. He appeared to many other people at different times,
sometimes to large crowds of people. Everyone knew that Jesus had been executed, but those who
knew Him said there was no doubt in their minds—Jesus was alive! (Students hold up their signs and
say, “Yes!”)
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Jesus’ Resurrection
Discussion
• Why do you think Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus when she first saw Him near the
tomb?
• What made Thomas decide he did not need to feel the scars in Jesus’ hands to know He was really
alive?
• Why do you think Jesus appeared to so many people after His resurrection?
• What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed?”
Memory Verse
“Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19b)
During His last supper with His disciples, Jesus told them that He would not be with them much longer.
But He promised them that He was going to give them eternal life. If Jesus had stayed in the tomb, we
would still be able to have our sins forgiven. That is what His death did for us. But for us to have
eternal life, Jesus had to conquer death and come back to life.
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 137 and 138
• white cardstock paper
• crayons or markers
• tape
• scissors
• two big craft sticks
• stapler
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on white cardstock paper and color.
2. Tape the two pieces together to make one large
picture. Finished Product
3. Accordion fold the picture to make a fan and staple
the bottom of the fan.
4. Take the two craft sticks and tape to each side of the stapled end to make a handle for the fan.
5. Use tape to wrap around the bottom to make it sturdy.
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 136 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Jesus’ Resurrection
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 137 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Jesus’ Resurrection
#7046 Bible Stories & Crafts 138 ©Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Peter’s Escape from Prison
Bible Story: Acts 12
Choose a few students to pantomime this story as you tell it. Take a few minutes to go over the story
with them beforehand so they will know what to do and when.
(Peter standing with his brother.) Peter was one of Jesus’ first disciples. He and Andrew, his brother,
had been professional fishermen, but when they met Jesus they left their fishing behind and went with
Jesus. (Peter and Andrew turn around and walk away together. Peter comes back alone and pretends
to watch with appropriate facial expressions as Jesus preaches and heals.) Peter heard Jesus preach
and teach, saw Him heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf. He was there when
Jesus raised dead people back to life. Peter was heartbroken when Jesus died, but overjoyed when
Jesus came alive again! After Jesus left to go back to heaven, Peter became the leader of the disciples.
When the Holy Spirit came, Peter preached a stirring sermon about Jesus’ death and resurrection to a
huge outdoor crowd. (Peter makes preaching gestures.) About 3,000 people believed in Jesus that day
and the New Testament church was begun. Another day, Peter and his friend, John, healed a lame
beggar. (Peter and John help up the lame man.) The actions of Jesus’ disciples made the Jewish high
priest jealous because so many people listened to them. He had them thrown into jail, but the Lord
opened the doors and set them free. Instead of running for their lives, Peter and the others went back to
the temple to tell people about Jesus. When they were ordered to stop talking about Jesus they replied,
“We must obey God rather than men.” (Peter folds his arms across his chest, points to heaven, then
shakes his head as he points to others.)
Now Peter was in prison again. King Herod decided to make some points with Jewish religious leaders
by persecuting the Christians. He arrested some and had James, the brother of John, put to death. Then
he arrested Peter and threw him into prison. The king assigned four squads of soldiers to take turns
guarding Peter. (A squad is four soldiers.) He was chained to two soldiers and more soldiers stood
guard at the prison entrance. (Peter sleeping between two guards.)
While Peter was in prison, Christians all over Jerusalem were praying for him. The night before King
Herod planned to put him on public trial, their prayers were answered. Peter was calmly sleeping
between the two soldiers to whom he was chained. He was not worried or afraid of what might happen
to him the next day. He trusted God to take care of him. Suddenly, Peter was rudely awakened by a
poke in his side. He opened his eyes and saw an angel in his cell. (Peter wakes up and stands up as
the guards sleep.) The angel said, “Quick, get up!” Peter looked down at his hands and saw that the
chains had fallen off his wrists. The two guards he had been chained to must have been in a deep
sleep, because neither of them stirred, even when Peter stood up. The angel told him to put on his
shoes and wrap his robe around him. “Follow me,” the angel said. (Peter follows in a daze.) In a
daze, Peter did what the angel said and followed him out of the prison. He thought he was having a
dream as he and the angel walked past the first and second guards and through the prison doors. When
they got to the iron gate that led to the city, it slowly opened without anyone touching it and the angel
and Peter went through it. They walked for a while, then suddenly the angel was gone. Peter was
standing all alone on the city street in the middle of the night. (Peter looks around and at his freed
wrists in surprise, then joy.) He suddenly realized that it had not been a dream—he was out of prison!
God had sent His angel to rescue Peter. He headed for the home of Mary the mother of John Mark, a
place where Christians often gathered to pray together. (Peter walks away and pretends to knock on a
door and keeps knocking.)
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Peter’s Escape from Prison
Bible Story: Acts 12 (cont.)
When Peter arrived, he knocked on Mary’s door. The house was full of Christians praying for Peter, so
a servant girl named Rhoda went to answer the door. Before she opened it, Peter said something and
Rhoda recognized his voice. (Rhoda pretends to go to the door, then runs off with excitement to others
who are praying.) Excitedly, she ran into the other room, forgetting to open the door to let Peter inside.
“Peter is at the door!” she exclaimed.
The others stopped praying and began arguing with Rhoda. “You are out of your mind!” they told her.
But Rhoda knew what she had heard. Finally, someone said, “It must be his angel.” (Others pretend to
argue with Rhoda, then go to the door and open it, amazed and joyful when they see Peter.)
All this time, Peter had kept knocking on the door. How excited and amazed everyone was when they
opened the door and it really was Peter waiting to be let in. He went into the house with everyone
talking at once. Peter held up a hand to get them to give him a chance to speak. (Peter holds up a
hand, then pretends to talk.) He described how the Lord had sent His angel and delivered him from
prison. It was what they had all been praying for, but they could hardly believe how the Lord had
answered their prayers! Peter told them to let James, the brother of Jesus, know what had happened.
He was a leader in the Jerusalem church and would be thrilled to know how the Lord had worked that
night. (Peter walks away.) Then Peter left Mary’s home and went somewhere else. Perhaps he
thought the king’s men would come looking for him there and he would not want to put the others in
danger by staying.
The next morning when Peter’s absence was discovered, the guards could not understand what had
happened. One minute he had been right there, chained as usual to two soldiers. No one had come in
or out as far as anyone knew, but Peter was definitely gone. King Herod ordered a thorough search and
when Peter could not be found anywhere, he had the prison guards executed. He did not like looking
like a fool.
Some time after that, King Herod went to the town of Caesarea. One day he put on his royal robes and
sat on his throne to deliver a public speech to the people. The audience was so impressed, they shouted
“This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Proud Herod was glad to be called a god. He sat on his
throne and accepted their praise. But suddenly, he was struck down with a horrible sickness. Five days
later the proud, wicked king was dead. But Peter and other Christians continued to tell people about
Jesus wherever they went. (Peter standing with arms outstretched as if preaching.) The Word of God
began to spread and many people believed.
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Peter’s Escape from Prison
Discussion
• What had Peter done wrong to make the Jewish high priest and then King Herod throw him into
prison?
• Do you think Peter was afraid in prison? What did he do that showed he trusted God?
• Christians were praying for Peter, so why do you think they were surprised to see him at the
door?
• Why couldn’t anyone at the prison figure out what had happened to Peter?
Memory Verse
“For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers, but the face
of the LORD is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)
Peter actually quoted this verse from the 34th Psalm. Perhaps it was a verse he had memorized and
thought about when he was in prison. He certainly found out how true it is, didn’t he? How does the
truth of this verse make you feel—happy? afraid? sad? safe?
Craft Materials
• patterns on pages 142 and 143 • scissors
• colored cardstock paper • glue or tape
Craft Directions
1. Copy patterns on colored cardstock paper.
2. Cut out strips of paper.
3. Tape or glue the strips in a circle forming a paper chain.
Finished Product
©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. 141 #7046 Bible Stories & Crafts
Peter was arrested.
142
Christians were praying for Peter.
143
The angel suddenly left.