Crafts
Option 1: Reconciliation Craft
paper, construction paper, scissors, crayons, glue sticks
Gather supplies. Make copies of the outline of a man (three per child). Cut construction paper into 1" x 12" strips (two per child). Make a sample craft.
Place copies, strips, and remaining supplies on tables. Have children cut out three men, color them, and write the names Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon on them (one name per man). Have them accordion-fold two strips, gluing one strip to join Onesimus and Paul and one strip to join Paul and Philemon (with Paul in the middle). Remind children that Paul helped to bridge the gap in Onesimus and Philemon’s relationship.
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Option 2: “Free in Christ” Firework Painting
cardstock, paper towel tubes, scissors, washable paint, paper plates
Gather supplies. On cardstock, make copies of the words “Free in Christ.” Cut paper towel tubes into 5-inch lengths. Make a fringe by cutting 2-inch slits all the way around one end of each tube. Put different colored paint on paper plates. Make a sample craft.
Give each child a “Free in Christ” paper. Demonstrate how to dab the fringed edge of a tube into the paint and then gently press and twist the tube onto the paper to make a “firework.” Have children make fireworks on their papers, overlapping fireworks using different colors. Explain that while we associate the Fourth of July with fireworks and freedom, perfect freedom is only found in knowing Jesus.
Option 1: Pom-Pom Shooter
12-inch balloons, paper cups, scissors, permanent markers, stickers, washi tape, duct tape, large pom-poms, bucket/bowl
Gather supplies. Cut the tops off of uninflated balloons and knot the ends where you blow into. Make a sample craft.
Place supplies on tables. Have children cut the bottom out of a paper cup and decorate the cup with the provided supplies. Children then stretch the cut end of a balloon over the open bottom of their decorated cup. Help them secure the balloon in place using duct tape. Show children how to shoot a pom-pom by placing one in the cup, pulling back on the knot of the balloon, and releasing the balloon. Have children take a pom-pom and practice shooting it into a bucket/bowl on the floor. Remind children that Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon to make things right.
Option 2: “Free in Christ” Firework Painting
cardstock, paper towel tubes, scissors, washable paint, paper plates
Gather supplies. On cardstock, make copies of the words “Free in Christ.” Cut paper towel tubes into 5-inch lengths. Make a fringe by cutting 2-inch slits all the way around one end of each tube. Put different colored paint on paper plates. Make a sample craft.
Give each child a “Free in Christ” paper. Demonstrate how to dab the fringed edge of a tube into the paint and then gently press and twist the tube onto the paper to make a “firework.” Have children make fireworks on their papers, overlapping fireworks using different colors. Explain that while we associate the Fourth of July with fireworks and freedom, perfect freedom is only found in knowing Jesus.
