THE ARK

Play and learn activity  
Thinking about families  
Activity time: 5 mins
Aim: to start thinking about how God is with our families, whatever they are like.
You will need: the rhyme words below.

1. Use this rhyme words below about different families. Adult reads the first 2 lines and teach the children the line: ‘Thank you, God, that you are there.’

 
My family’s big!
My family small!
Thank you, God, that you are there.
 
          Sometimes we argue.
          Sometimes we share
     Thank you, God, that you are there.
 
          Sometimes we’re happy.
          Sometimes we’re sad.
     Thank you, God, that you are there.
 
          Sometimes we’re together
          Sometimes we’re apart
     Thank you, God, that you are there.
 
          My family’s special.
          My family’s is too
     Thank you, God, that you are there.

1. Say the rhyme once or twice, and then encourage the children to think of actions for each line. As a family make up the actions and then say the rhyme again, performing your own action.

 

Bible time activity
 
 Making Joseph
 
Activity time: 5-10 mins
Aim: To introduce the story of Joseph
You will need: The template of Joseph and coat mounted on to card, art materials, sticky tape, and scissors.

1. Give each child a copy of Joseph. Explain that the figure is a called Joseph. You are going to be hearing about him the next few weeks. When the story starts he is a young man and his father gives him something new to wear.
2. Point to the coat. It is long and has long sleeves: it was given to Joseph because his father loved him very much. This one looks plain and dull through: can the children make the coat bright and colourful?
3. Help the children to cut the figure of Joseph and coat. Show them how to fold over the shoulder tabs and dress ‘Joseph’.
4. Use the Joseph figures to act out the story.
5. Please keep them safe as you will need them for the next few weeks. 
   

The Story
 
Joseph and his brothers
 
‘Look at my new coat’, Joseph said to his brothers.
 
‘Isn’t it the most beautiful coat you have ever seen?
 
‘Who gave you it?’ they asked.
 
‘It’s a special present from Dad,’ Joseph answered.’ ‘He gave it to me because he loves me so much. Look at how wonderful it is!’
 
His brothers felt angry. ‘Why do you always get best thing?’ they muttered.
 
‘It’s because I am the best,’ Joseph told them. ‘One day, I am going to be a very important person indeed.’
 
His brothers thought Joseph was a bit of a show off. They did not like him at all.
 
But God looked after Joseph. He knew that one day Joseph would have a very important job in a different country.
 
God knows all about us too. He will always look after us.
 
Genesis 37:1-11

God and me activity
 
Craft prayers
 
Aim: to pray for our families
What you need: template ‘Craft prayer’ A4 paper, colouring pens
 

1. Cut a sheet of A4 paper in half lengthwise – one per child.
2. Give out the strips of paper and the show the children how to make concertina folds and draw a person shape that touches the folds (you could the template).
3. Invite the children to draw and cut out their own person to make a chain of people to represent the people in your family. These could include grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, if they wish.
4. Write ‘Thank you, God, that you have a plan for my family’ on the back and to use it each day to play for your family.
5. You could also repeat the activity but for special friends you would like to pray for.