Clay Art/Storytelling Lesson Plan
Summary of Lesson Activities:
Using clay, the kids make their own story telling play sets . Students were divided up between those who made the house, and those who used clay to sculpt Jesus, the lame man, his friends, and the crowd. A stretcher made of fabric, small dowel rods and yarn is pre-made to help tell the story.
Open with basic bible study of the story then make a clay re-enactment scene for the students to use as they gather to retell the story as a group.
Supply List:
- Block of self-drying clay
- Clay face molds & sculpting tools
- Small dowel rods
- Yarn
- Burlap or cloth for mat
- Cardboard and scissors
- Computer/TV/ video “On Location The House of Peter”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELRcUMW_Cvo
Scripture/Bible Story
Help students locate Mark 2:1-12 in their Bibles.
Show students a diagram of first century homes in the Galilee. Talk about the size of house, how it is constructed and why it would be difficult to fit a large crowd of people inside. Use this link for "First Century Israelite House" 
Watch the short YouTube video: "On Location The House of Peter" It identifies the house as Peter's and gives a short retelling of the Bible story from Mark 2:1-12.
Then retell the story again, hitting the high points that students may have missed while watching the video.
Dig-Main Content and Reflection:
Divide the children up into groups: those who will build Peter’s house out of clay and those who will sculpt, Jesus and the other characters in the story out of clay. Students may need to use cardboard to make the roof to make it strong enough. Cut a hole in the cardboard and then plaster a layer of clay on top
To make the people, use clay to sculpt bodies. Impress heads into clay face molds to create faces for figurines.
After the students have completed their projects let the kids retell the story using the clay house and figurines.
Talking points while the children are working:
- Why did the paralytic (crippled) man’s friends bring him to Jesus?
- What stood in the way of them getting their friend to Jesus?
- Why do you think they tore a hole in the roof of Peter’s house? What would you have done?
- How do you think Peter felt when the roof of his house was first broken through? How do you think Peter felt after Jesus healed the lame man?
- Why do you think the people were so amazed by Jesus’ miracle?
- What barriers do you think keep people from feeling that they can meet Jesus today?
- Who brought you to meet Jesus? How did they bring you to meet him?
- Who could we bring to Jesus?
Reflection: Use "Forgiven" Band aid reflection from lesson plan printed above for closing life application activity. Close with prayer.
