3rd day…storyteller - puzzle figures
Activity Plan
Never Too Young – storyteller and art project
Purpose of Activity: Through learning about Timothy, the children will learn that the
church is a place for persons of all ages. Each has a place. The puzzle project will
demonstrate we’re all part of the church. The game helps illustrate and generate thoughts
about how we are servants.
Supplies needed:
To purchase
 The Jailhouse
Rocked, Abingdon
Press
From Oriental Trading
 Jumbo bulletin board
kid puzzle 57/6112
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On hand
Brown wrapping
paper
dowels
Google eyes
Construction paper
scraps
Markers
Scissors
Glue
Donation
 Fabric scraps optional
 Yarn
Description/Process of Activity
Advance Preparation
Prepare Timothy’s letters from Jailhouse Rocked by duplicating, cutting and attaching to
wrapping paper. Attach to dowels and roll as for scrolls.
Prepare scraps into sizes that can be easily worked with to “dress” bulletin board figures.
Prepare enough cutout shapes for PreK children. Cut yarn into appropriate lengths for
hair, etc. Construction paper clothes are easier for the children to handle, but fabric could
be used. Fabric need to be cut to size for the children.
Faith Sharing:
Greet children; gather into group in story area. Has anyone ever told you there’s
something you can’t do because you’re too young? (Don’t let this get too crazy!)
There was a boy in the Bible, name Timothy. He was a follower of Jesus, and was
a friend of one of Jesus early followers, a man named Paul. Paul wrote a lot of letters to
his churches – and they’re now books in our Bible. (Name a few for the older children)
I have some letters here – yes, they’re scrolls because that’s how letters were
written then – and I want to share them with you.
Read the letters. For PreK and lower elementary, ask the various shepherds to
take turns. Select 4 -5 five of the letters to read, including the first, and the two where
they refer to “too young”. The older elementary can take turns and could use all the
letters. Discuss as you go along. Note things like how letters begin, language. You may
want to paraphrase for younger children.
You are an important person to God, just as you are right now. We’re all
important. For a project, we’re going to create a cutout of us…show sample. The
supplies you’ll need are on the table, and there is a form for each of you to work with.
The only “rule” is that you can’t make your figure bigger than the cardboard
shape. Why? Because, if you look closely, you’ll see all the shapes can fit together.
Together, we are God’s church…and we’re going to put all our shapes together for our
closing time tomorrow night.
Dismiss to tables. Supplies are spread out.
As children finish their shapes, clean up space
Additional activity:
This is a modified version of “four corners” or “choices”. Children gather in
center. Leader points to 2, 3 or 4 corners, depending upon space available. (Note: I’ve
started the list of choices. Add as you like. If space allows for the older children, make it
3 or 4 corners.)
Timothy’s story reminds us of ways we can help others. I’m going to give you
some choices – some you can make as you are now, some that you could make when
you’re a grown up – and it’s OK to think about make these choices when you grow up.
Each time I say the 3 (4) choices, you have to quickly pick one and go to that corner. You
cannot stand in the middle!
Let’s try one:
You want to help people today. Would you rather
Bring food for the food pantry
Give some of your toys to the shelter
Give clothes to the mission
When you grow up and are an adult, would you like to work as?
Teacher
doctor or nurse
artist
Here’s another set
Writer
minister
fire fighter
(Talk a bit about serving God through our jobs.)
When you see trash on the ground in the park, do you
Walk by
kick it around
get a plastic bag and pick it up carefully
A new family moves next door. Your family can
Talk to them
take them cookies
invite them for supper
(These can use a little discussion about safety issues, if you use them.)
If you could travel anywhere in the world, you would go to
China
England
Africa
Prepare a few more choices…the object is to generate thinking about connecting day-today living with service, and to open the possibility of church service, professionally or
volunteer.
Closing:
We can learn a lot from Timothy. Let’s pray. God, we’re glad you can use
everyone, young or old, or every age in between to be your servant. Help us everyday.
Amen.
Staff needed: 2 adults – more if possible. Shepherds also will participate.