I Can!

 

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This was a little play on words that my older kids got, but the younger kids just loved doing the program as activities.

 

This program was based around two weekly art activities - you might like to only do one, or both. The first was an "I Can". Before the term I collected one tin can for each child. Make sure they do not have sharp edges. Some of the cans I had to actually fold over the edge with pliers to make safe. You might like to find a metalwork enthusiast to help you with this one. I found a particular can opener that made blunt edges so I used that for every can I opened. You might also like to add a piece of felt etc around the top to create a safer edge. During the first week, the kids covered the outside of the can with a piece of paper and they decorated it, writing "I Can" on the outside.

 

The children took the 'I Can' home, but every week we made something to put in it. We would cut, glue, draw, decorate etc a symbol from the lesson and stick it to a popstick. The children could take it home and put it inside the I Can. The kids thought it was great.

 

The other activity we did each week was decorate a page in a book I made for each of the kids called, "My Little Book of BIG I Cans". I asked someone from the church each week to write the Bible verse on the page for the kids. The kids were given a specific activity to do in their books.

 

There were nine weeks in this program:

 

I Can Go to Heaven

Salvation. Give the children a basic Bible overview and then the opportunity to become a christian.

 

I Can Read My Bible

Encouraging the children to read their Bible, even if they are young. They can read their Bible story picture books that they have or ask their parents to help them.

 

I Can Trust God (to look after me)

Exactly as it says. God is the best parent and friend anyone could ever have. He will look after you always. He is always with you.

 

I Can Tell Others About God (to coincide with a churchwide mission week)

This was to coincide with a churchwide mission week. I invited the parents of two of my children who were preparing to go work as missionaries to come into our class and take the lesson. They did heaps of activities about international missions as well as talking about how they can tell people around them about God. The kids were encouraged to draw a picture or write a letter to some missionaries that our church sponsors to encourage them.

 

I Can Grow

Yes, they can grow physically, but more importantly, we can all grow spiritually. What do we need to grow spiritually and how do we do it?

 

I Can Be a Leader

Joash was a king at age 8. (Check out 2 Kings 12:2). Teach the kids that the don't have to do what everyone else is doing. They can make the choices that they know is right.

 

I Can Be a Model

"Don't Let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example..." What does it actually mean? This was sort of done over two weeks, a continuation from the previous week. This week we were looking at the wholistic life, rather than just when friends are doing something right when people are watching.

 

I Can Forgive (and love)

Forgiving is a very difficult concept for really little kids, so while introducing the terminology of forgiveness, I more explained it as they can still love someone who is mean to them. Not an easy concept for a kid! My focus was rather specific: Don't hit someone back who hurts you! (We had had a few situations previously)

 

I Can Celebrate (Party!)

Each term I love to finish with a party - Christianity was never meant to be boring! It clearly says in the Bible to celebrate and why not celebrate all the things we can do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Copyright kidsministryresources.pbwiki.com, 2007. May not be reproduced without pemisson.