The kids in your class are set up with their Flat Jesus characters (and we hope you had fun working on them!). Now what?
As your families get ready to take their characters on adventures over the summer months, help equip them to connect the stories of Jesus to their own lives. This will keep kids them learning all summer long!
Cast a fishing line from a dock, shore, or boat and read the Bible story of Jesus calling his first disciples. As you wait for fish to bite, take turns putting your pole down like Simon, Andrew, James, and John put down their nets to follow Jesus. How is fishing for people different than fishing for fish? Take a picture of Flat Jesus by your bait or any fish you catch.
Prepare to attend a wedding or reception by reading the Bible story of Jesus’ first miracle at the Wedding at Cana. What kind of food and drink are served at the reception you attend? Tell another wedding guest about Jesus turning water into wine and take a picture of you with the guest and Flat Jesus.
Pack a picnic and bring your Bible to read the Bible story of Jesus feeding five thousand. If you want to be like the boy in the Bible story, your lunch will have some bread and fish. How much food do you think you will need? Give thanks for your food before you eat. Share your food with each other as the people in the Bible story did. Take a picture of your picnic with Flat Jesus.
Enjoy time splashing at the beach or local pool. Walk along the shore or float in the water. Imagine you are in the Sea of Galilee. How easy is it to stay afloat? Read the Bible story of Jesus walking on water. What did Jesus say to Peter? How did Peter respond? Take a picture of Flat Jesus with his feet just touching the water to remember Jesus’ power as the Son of God.
Going on a trip to visit friends or having family come to visit you can be full of anticipation and some busyness getting ready. Read the Bible story of Mary and Martha preparing to host the disciples and Jesus. Who in your family might act like Mary? Martha? Sit on the floor and read the Bible story of these sisters. Take a picture with Flat Jesus and take a deep breath to pause together.
Spend time on a raining or storming day to read the Bible story of what happened to the disciples when they were very scared of a storm. How do you feel during a storm? Take a picture with Flat Jesus by a window during the storm and then take another picture after the storm to remember Jesus calming the storm, “Peace. Be still.”
Get some seeds and go dig in some dirt! Read the Parable of the Sower and look for places where seeds will land. Where is there good soil? What do the seeds need to grow in good soil? Take a picture of Flat Jesus on the day you sow your seeds and again as the plants grow. Harvest your flowers or vegetables, sharing some with friends and tell them the Bible story.
Take a boat ride on a lake or paddle a canoe or kayak. Read the Bible story of Jesus’ baptism. When you feel the water splash your face, hands, or feet, think of baptism. Tell stories about baptisms in your family. Look up at the sky and clouds. What do you see? Take a picture of Flat Jesus with the heavens behind you.
Hike up a mountain path singing your favorite songs and praising God for creation! Sit down to take a break and remember Jesus preaching to all the people during the Sermon on the Mount. Read The Beatitudes. Take a picture of Flat Jesus sitting on a rock with you. Talk about how each of you is blessed. Say a prayer for all those in need and how they are also blessed.
Celebrate earthly and heavenly lives by reading one or more of the Bible stories about Jesus’ resurrection. If your family experiences the death of a loved one or visits a gravesite or columbarium, remember Jesus’ friends were sad when he died. Then share the good news, “Jesus is alive!” Take a picture of Flat Jesus and the picture or name of your loved one.
No matter where kids go this summer, Jesus is with them as they fish, celebrate, eat, swim, visit, pray, plant, paddle, hike, tell, and all the other things kids love to do! Challenge families to find even more Bible stories from the gospels that remind them of places and events they experience. Flat Jesus can go with them as a reminder that they and each person they encounter are a beloved child of God. The Bible tells us so.
Don’t forget to encourage families to take a photo of their kid with Flat Jesus! When families send you photos, post them on the Sparkhouse Facebook page with hashtag #FlatJesus for a chance to win $100 from Sparkhouse!