The Bible – Craft (Lesson #1)

• One empty, DRIED, plastic water bottle with cap PER CHILD – Do this prior to session*
• Dried rice, small peas, beans, or dried pasta to fill water bottle 2/3 full (approximately 1 ½ cup per water bottle)
• Optional – color the rice with food coloring, but this needs to be done prior to session*
• For younger children, pre-fill 1 ½ cups of dried ingredients into a snack-sized, Ziploc bag for less mess during the session, one bag per child. Do this prior to session*
• Funnel with opening to fit mouth of water bottle
• Assorted colored beads, seashells, buttons, marbles, or interesting findings (must fit through mouth of water bottle)
• Memory Verse printed onto Avery 5160 or 8160 Mailing Labels. Do prior to session*
• Assorted cardstock cut into 1 ½” x 3 ½” rectangles, helpful if cut prior to session*
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Index cards
• Yarn, string, or narrow ribbon, cut into 10-12” lengths
• Glue
• Pencil or pen

Instructions:

• Hand each child a rectangle cardstock, a Memory Verse label, and a pencil or pen.
• Have them affix the Memory Verse to the cardstock, centering it and allowing room on one edge for a hole to be punched. Write their name on the back of the cardstock.
• Pass out 1 index card to each child, 10-12 assorted beads, shells, marbles, buttons, etc and yarn or string – cut it for them so you don’t run out of yarn.
• Have them write or draw each of the 10-12 objects. Use descriptive words so they’ll be able to find these objects scattered within the bottle! Example: 1 orange marble, 2 brown football beads, 1 yellow button, 1 round, brown seashell.
• Punch holes in the Memory Verse card and Index card, looping the yarn through the holes.
• Pass out 1 water bottle per child. Drop the 10-12 objects into the water bottle. Give each child 1 ½ cups of dried rice, beans, or pasta. You’ll need to help most of the children with this step to prevent a mess. Carefully, using a funnel or making a funnel by taping an index card or paper into a cone, slowly pour the dried material into the water bottle. If a mess occurs, please notify the LSM Childcare Service Office so we can request a cleanup prior to the next session.
• Line the outside of the mouth of the water bottle with a little glue and screw the cap on tightly, allowing the glue to dry.
• Secure the Memory Verse and Index card onto the neck of the water bottle by tying a bow with yarn or string. Knot the ends of the yarn to prevent it from unraveling.
• Shake the bottle and try to find the objects listed on the Index card.
• DO NOT open the water bottle.