Talk together
Do, Make, Pray and Sing activities based on 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10
Choose from these ideas to help the children make connections between the Bible reading and their lives
Do - Joy relay
Explore how the good news is passed on
You will need: baton or stick.
- Remind the children that Paul passed the ‘baton’ of faith on to the Thessalonians and encouraged them to pass that baton on to others and become good influencers.
- Divide the group into teams and create a running loop around the room. Give each team a baton and explain that they are going to run a relay race by passing on the baton.
- Paul’s letter says that the Thessalonians ‘received the word with joy’. Ask the children to devise an action for ‘joy’ that they do each time they receive the baton during the race.
- Run the relay race, making sure the children pass on the baton each time with the ‘joy’ action.
Not suitable for gathered groups.
Make - Influencer cards
Thank those who have had a positive influence
You will need: folded card, craft materials, glue, pens.
- Encourage the children to think of someone who has influenced them personally in a positive way. It may be someone in their family, a teacher, a friend, someone they have seen on TV. If any of the children want to, allow them to share this with the group.
- Provide card and craft materials and ask the children to make a card for that person, thanking them for the influence they have been. Make sure that all the children have a way to send their cards to those who have been positive influences.
Influencer collage
Consider who has lived a life worth imitating
You will need: a large sheet of paper, pens, newspapers and magazines, craft materials, glue, scissors, access to the internet and printing, if available.
- Across the centre of a large sheet of paper, write ‘Imitators and influencers’.
- Ask the children to find pictures of those who they believe are good role models and have had a positive influence. Create a group collage of these people.
- As the children are cutting and sticking, ask them what makes a good influencer or someone worth imitating. Write these suggestions around the images. Display the collage poster as a reminder of how to live a life worth imitating.
Wristbands
A symbol of influence to wear
You will need: paper and pens, strips of plain fabric or wide binding ribbon, fabric pens or permanent markers, scissors.
- Talk with the children about how they could be an influencer in a positive way. Ask everyone to write down three things they would want people to notice about them – three things that are worth imitating. Give time for them to think and talk with others about this.
- Provide everyone with a strip of plain fabric or binding ribbon and cut a length that will fit and tie safely around their wrist.
- Ask the children to write the three words they have identified on a prepared strip, to make their personal wristband.
Gathered groups: prepare kit for individuals/household groups 72 hrs in advance.
Pray
Mirror prayers
Focus on how we can live a life worth imitating
You will need: lots of mirrors.
- Place mirrors around the room and ask the children to sit so they can look into one. Explain that you are going to ask them some questions to think about.
- As the children look into the mirrors, say: God looks at you and loves you. What does God want you to be? How will people see God’s love reflected in you? How will you be a good influencer?
- Allow some time for the children to reflect, then finish by praying: Lord, just as Paul and the Thessalonians were, help us to be good influencers, showing you to others. Amen.