Paul's Letter to Phillippians
Art Workshop
Scripture:
Philippians 2:1-4, 2:14-16a
Main Idea
How would we would look if we kept these verses close to our hearts and remembered them every time we interacted with others?
Lesson Objective:
At the end of the workshop the children should be able to tell what it means to be like-minded and to be one in spirit and purpose.
They should be able to tell some ways how they can look to the interests of others before themselves.
They should understand that Paul’s encouragement to do everything without complaining or arguing means not just with authority figures but even/especially with God’s commandments and the things Jesus wants us to do.
Materials:
- pictures of people, either from magazines, newspapers, home (not returnable), or simple cut-outs
- Large piece of poster paper, foam board, poster board, or display board-one per class.
- glue or glue sticks
- markers or pens
- sticker stars (optional)
Preparation:
- Read Philippians chapters 1-4 (it’s not that long!)
- Read and familiarize yourself with the lesson and the craft.
Lesson Plan
Opening:
Welcome the Children to the Art Workshop
Ask for a volunteer to read Philippians 2:1-4. Have the children share some of the good things they thought about or did during the week. Could they tell any difference in how they felt when they were doing or thinking those things? You might want to list these on newsprint.
Dig:
Activity
This craft should take most of the class time. Have fun with it but keep in mind that this activity is designed to help the children be more focused on what God wants for them.
Explain that the board represents the spirit and that we are all one in the spirit. Ask the children what they think that means (accept all answers).
Using only one posterboard or paper, have the children each draw a picture of themselves on the board-this does not need to be and should not be anything too fancy. If anyone is taking too long or keeping the class from moving on, that illustrates the first point of remembering to put others ahead of ourselves.
After drawings are complete, children should begin to glue their “people” to the board; explain to them that it’s ok to cover up the drawings in order to get all the pictures on. By gluing over our own pictures, this symbolizes and illustrates the second point of putting others ahead of ourselves No matter how full it gets, use only ONE board.
After all pictures are glued on, read Philippians 2:14-16a.
Ask: What does it mean to do everything without arguing or complaining? What is meant by everything?
Discuss:
We are to shine like stars as we hold out the word of life-what does that mean? (suggest, after discussing, that it means we are to be joyful as we share the gospel-not act like it’s a burden or annoying).
Have the children finish the poster by using markers to draw stars and write key words from the scripture today that will help them remember the lessons Paul wants us to learn.
Discussion (while children are making the collage)
- Talk about the pictures. Discuss how it felt to have the drawing of themselves covered up.
- Do they think that Jesus sees how they treat others? (let them answer-do not answer for them) Older children can be challenged a bit and asked why they think the way they do about this.
- Ask why they think Jesus wants us to put others ahead of ourselves.
- Ask each child to think of a connection from these verses to something in their own lives.
- At 10:35, turn the children’s attention back to the shepherd, who will wrap up the discussion and pray with the children.
Clean up.
Have the children help clean up the room. Pick up scraps of paper, etc.
Reflection:
Reflection: Remind the children that they learned three important concepts today:
1) We are to be united as one in Christ
2) We are to put others ahead of ourselves
3) We are to shine like stars as we hold out the word of life.
Ask for any thoughts on this. Work on the memory verse.
Prayer: Ask for joys and concerns; be sure to pray over those and to incorporate them into the following prayer: Dear God, you are a generous God. You gave us your Son, your Spirit , and rules to live by to keep us safe and healthy. Help us to remember that you also gave us each other and that you have given us all of these things because You love us and that we should never complain or argue about them. Help us to be shining stars for you and to share your love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Art lesson written by Sharon Yacoviello, Fishers United Methodist Church,
Fishers Indiana.
A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.
