Hello Sparks Families,
We do hope that you have been enjoying Sparks Family Praise over the last three months. It has been fantastic to see so many photos and videos of all the things you have been doing at home.
We’re going to be looking at Kings from the Old Testament for three weeks in July before moving to a slightly different Sunday morning model for the summer.
Over the summer there won’t be separate children’s work on Sunday mornings. Instead over the summer our main services will be All-Age. We’ll be looking at the characters of Elijah and Elisha. There will be a kids’ slot each week and then suggested activities for children to do. Keep checking this website each week for ideas.
We’re keen to know whether a model of online All-Age works more easily for families instead of watching several different things so we would love to hear any feedback you have. Do email me with any observations at kathryn.jackson@cornerstonechurch.org.uk
Love, Kathryn
We do hope that you have been enjoying Sparks Family Praise over the last three months. It has been fantastic to see so many photos and videos of all the things you have been doing at home.
We’re going to be looking at Kings from the Old Testament for three weeks in July before moving to a slightly different Sunday morning model for the summer.
Over the summer there won’t be separate children’s work on Sunday mornings. Instead over the summer our main services will be All-Age. We’ll be looking at the characters of Elijah and Elisha. There will be a kids’ slot each week and then suggested activities for children to do. Keep checking this website each week for ideas.
We’re keen to know whether a model of online All-Age works more easily for families instead of watching several different things so we would love to hear any feedback you have. Do email me with any observations at kathryn.jackson@cornerstonechurch.org.uk
Love, Kathryn
Sparks Praise - 12/07/20
Trophies
To remember that God should be number one in our hearts, why not make a trophy? You could do it with play d’oh or clay or using two cups like the one in the photo. Alternatively you could cut one out of card and prop it up using another small piece of card at the base.
Heart
Can you draw/cut out a heart and write lots of things you love on it? Then make a number one and put it over the top to remember that God wants to be number 1 in our hearts.
Watch
A little video on the consequences of Solomon’s sin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn77cgLQmDQ
To remember that God should be number one in our hearts, why not make a trophy? You could do it with play d’oh or clay or using two cups like the one in the photo. Alternatively you could cut one out of card and prop it up using another small piece of card at the base.
Heart
Can you draw/cut out a heart and write lots of things you love on it? Then make a number one and put it over the top to remember that God wants to be number 1 in our hearts.
Watch
A little video on the consequences of Solomon’s sin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn77cgLQmDQ
Sparks Praise - 05/07/20
Craft
Why not make a temple like the one King Solomon built? You’ll need a cereal box, a couple of kitchen roll tubes or 4 toilet roll tubes. You’ll also need a grown-up to help you cut the doors. The temple was bronze so if you can make it shiny that would be amazing.
Measuring Task
The columns on the temple were 8 metres tall and 5 metres wide. Why don’t you use a tape measure in your garden (or even on the street) to see how big that would be … it’s big.
Building
Could you build a temple with lego or duplo or bricks?
Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hx3d3uEclQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn77cgLQmDQ
Family Discussion
What do you remember from Sparks Praise about King Solomon?
What did he do well? The first video above helps with this.
What did he do badly? The second video above helps with this.
How was Solomon like us? He wasn’t perfect.
Why not make a temple like the one King Solomon built? You’ll need a cereal box, a couple of kitchen roll tubes or 4 toilet roll tubes. You’ll also need a grown-up to help you cut the doors. The temple was bronze so if you can make it shiny that would be amazing.
Measuring Task
The columns on the temple were 8 metres tall and 5 metres wide. Why don’t you use a tape measure in your garden (or even on the street) to see how big that would be … it’s big.
Building
Could you build a temple with lego or duplo or bricks?
Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hx3d3uEclQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn77cgLQmDQ
Family Discussion
What do you remember from Sparks Praise about King Solomon?
What did he do well? The first video above helps with this.
What did he do badly? The second video above helps with this.
How was Solomon like us? He wasn’t perfect.
Sparks Praise - 28/06/20
Crafts
1. Could you make a crown from cardboard? Decorate it with gems or stickers or by drawing jewels on it. This will help remind you that David was anointed as King.
2. What about doing a heart craft? You could make a heart from Hamma beads or cardboard. You could make a whole heart collection or heart mobile. This will remind you that God looks at the heart of people (not at their appearance).
3. Use a paper plate, some cotton wool, some black card and some goggly eyes to make a sheep.
This will remind you that God chose a lowly shepherd boy to be King of Israel.
1. Could you make a crown from cardboard? Decorate it with gems or stickers or by drawing jewels on it. This will help remind you that David was anointed as King.
2. What about doing a heart craft? You could make a heart from Hamma beads or cardboard. You could make a whole heart collection or heart mobile. This will remind you that God looks at the heart of people (not at their appearance).
3. Use a paper plate, some cotton wool, some black card and some goggly eyes to make a sheep.
This will remind you that God chose a lowly shepherd boy to be King of Israel.
Comic Book App
Don’t forget that for older children you may be interested in downloading an app (Comic Book is just one example) which enables you take photos and put together a comic strip. It can be a great way of re-telling a Bible story.
Family Discussion (Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13)
1. Why did Samuel think that Eliab was the one God chose to be king?
2. Why hadn’t David been invited to the sacrifice?
3. Why did God choose David?
4. What is more important than how we look?
Packages for Overseas Workers
We are planning to send some little parcels of cards, letters, drawings etc from our children to the children of overseas workers. If you’d like to contribute to that then Ruth Radcliff will be posting the parcels. Contact Kathryn Jackson kathryn.jackson@cornerstonechurch.org.uk if you’d like Ruth’s details.
Don’t forget that for older children you may be interested in downloading an app (Comic Book is just one example) which enables you take photos and put together a comic strip. It can be a great way of re-telling a Bible story.
Family Discussion (Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13)
1. Why did Samuel think that Eliab was the one God chose to be king?
2. Why hadn’t David been invited to the sacrifice?
3. Why did God choose David?
4. What is more important than how we look?
Packages for Overseas Workers
We are planning to send some little parcels of cards, letters, drawings etc from our children to the children of overseas workers. If you’d like to contribute to that then Ruth Radcliff will be posting the parcels. Contact Kathryn Jackson kathryn.jackson@cornerstonechurch.org.uk if you’d like Ruth’s details.
Sparks Praise - 21/06/20
Papier Mache Globes
This one requires patience. You’ll need an inflated balloon, old newspapers, flour and water. Mix one part flour with one part water until you get a thick glue-like consistency. Rip the newspaper into strips and glue the strips to the balloon with the flour and water mix. You’ll need about three layers of paper. Then leave it for 24 hours or so before painting.
Paper Plate and Foot Print
Paint or colour a plate blue and then draw or paint green land on top. Draw round your foot and write the Bible verse on it before sticking it to the plate.
This one requires patience. You’ll need an inflated balloon, old newspapers, flour and water. Mix one part flour with one part water until you get a thick glue-like consistency. Rip the newspaper into strips and glue the strips to the balloon with the flour and water mix. You’ll need about three layers of paper. Then leave it for 24 hours or so before painting.
Paper Plate and Foot Print
Paint or colour a plate blue and then draw or paint green land on top. Draw round your foot and write the Bible verse on it before sticking it to the plate.
Finger Paint Globe
Draw around a bowl or plate to get a good circle. Colour it in or paint it as a globe with sea and earth. Then painting your fingers put people all around the edge.
Draw around a bowl or plate to get a good circle. Colour it in or paint it as a globe with sea and earth. Then painting your fingers put people all around the edge.
Family Discussion
Read Acts 1:8
Read Acts 1:8
- What does Jesus tell his friends to do in this verse? (he said it before he went back to heaven)
- Do you remember who Jesus sent to help them? Do you remember the story about that?
- Can you remember the name of someone who to begin with did not like people sharing the good news about Jesus? What happened to him on the way to Damascus?
- Can you remember any of the things that happened to Paul?
Sparks Praise - 14/06/20
Comic Strip
You can download an app which enables you to take photos of different scenes from a story and then put them together to make a comic strip. One such app is called Comic Book, others are available. Why not make a comic strip of Paul’s shipwreck?
You can download an app which enables you to take photos of different scenes from a story and then put them together to make a comic strip. One such app is called Comic Book, others are available. Why not make a comic strip of Paul’s shipwreck?
The Bath Boat Challenge
To remind you of Paul’s journey to Rome and the shipwreck try and build a boat out of recycling. You could use a squash bottle, an ice cream tub, a yoghurt pot or anything else from your recycling that you think might float. Add a mask and some sails. I would love to see a photo of your boat floating in a bath or paddling pool or bucket of water. Why not add some figures to be Paul and the others on board the boat.
To remind you of Paul’s journey to Rome and the shipwreck try and build a boat out of recycling. You could use a squash bottle, an ice cream tub, a yoghurt pot or anything else from your recycling that you think might float. Add a mask and some sails. I would love to see a photo of your boat floating in a bath or paddling pool or bucket of water. Why not add some figures to be Paul and the others on board the boat.
Family Discussion (Acts 27-28)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jz2mlkByM
Watch this song by Seeds family Worship to help children learn Romans 8:38-39
- What happened to Paul on his trip to Rome?
- Did God look after him?
- How did God look after him?
- What did Paul do when he got to Rome?
- Can anything ever stop God’s good plans?
- Can we ever be separated from God’s love? (See Romans)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jz2mlkByM
Watch this song by Seeds family Worship to help children learn Romans 8:38-39
Sparks Praise - 07/06/20
Make Music
To remember that Paul and Silas sang when they were in jail can you make some music? Perhaps you could make a number of different instruments. You could make a shaker or use rubber bands stretched over a box to make a guitar. The picture is of a drum made by cutting the top off a balloon and then stretching it over a cup. Secure the balloon with a rubber band.
Paper Chains
To remember that Paul and Silas were in jail you could make some paper chains to remind you of the chains which held their feet. I’d love to see a photo of you with paper chains to your feet!
To remember that Paul and Silas sang when they were in jail can you make some music? Perhaps you could make a number of different instruments. You could make a shaker or use rubber bands stretched over a box to make a guitar. The picture is of a drum made by cutting the top off a balloon and then stretching it over a cup. Secure the balloon with a rubber band.
Paper Chains
To remember that Paul and Silas were in jail you could make some paper chains to remind you of the chains which held their feet. I’d love to see a photo of you with paper chains to your feet!
Family Discussion (Acts 16:25-34)
Why were Paul and Silas put into jail?
Did they have a tantrum about being put in jail?
Have you ever felt scared, worried or alone?
Ask your grown-up if they remember a time they have felt scared, worried or alone and whether they have known Jesus is with them in that hard time.
Re-tell the Story
Can you build a jail from bricks and use soft toys as prisoners to help you re-tell the story.
Why were Paul and Silas put into jail?
Did they have a tantrum about being put in jail?
Have you ever felt scared, worried or alone?
Ask your grown-up if they remember a time they have felt scared, worried or alone and whether they have known Jesus is with them in that hard time.
Re-tell the Story
Can you build a jail from bricks and use soft toys as prisoners to help you re-tell the story.
Sparks Praise - 31/05/20
Craft
Can you make a basket to remind yourself of Paul’s escape?
You could make a basket from paper cups, a paper plate or even a take-away bag.
You could make a Paul to go inside the basket or use toys as Paul.
Can you make a basket to remind yourself of Paul’s escape?
You could make a basket from paper cups, a paper plate or even a take-away bag.
You could make a Paul to go inside the basket or use toys as Paul.
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Family Discussion
Do you remember what Paul used to do?
How did Paul change?
Why did Paul have to escape Damascus in a basket?
Kids ask your grown-ups if they know someone with an amazing conversion story like Paul’s.
Do you remember what Paul used to do?
How did Paul change?
Why did Paul have to escape Damascus in a basket?
Kids ask your grown-ups if they know someone with an amazing conversion story like Paul’s.
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Play
Can you build a big wall out of cushions and then pretend to be Paul and escape Damascus? Could you build a big wall out of wooden blocks and lower a basket over it? Can you sit in your washing basket to imagine what it might be like to be Paul in a basket? 
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Sparks Praise - 24/05/20
Watch
Watch an animated re-telling of the story of Paul on the road to Damascus from ‘What’s in the Bible?'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_7tdhPHcHw
Make
Can you make a happy and sad puppet to show Paul’s change from not being a friend of Jesus to being a friend of Jesus? You could just use two sides of a paper plate if that’s easiest.
Perform
Can you do a puppet show or a little play for your grown-ups to re-enact Pauls’ journey to Damascus.
Family Discussion
Why did Paul want to go to Damascus?
What happened on the way to Damascus?
How did Paul’s life change?
How are we like Paul?
Watch an animated re-telling of the story of Paul on the road to Damascus from ‘What’s in the Bible?'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_7tdhPHcHw
Make
Can you make a happy and sad puppet to show Paul’s change from not being a friend of Jesus to being a friend of Jesus? You could just use two sides of a paper plate if that’s easiest.
Perform
Can you do a puppet show or a little play for your grown-ups to re-enact Pauls’ journey to Damascus.
Family Discussion
Why did Paul want to go to Damascus?
What happened on the way to Damascus?
How did Paul’s life change?
How are we like Paul?
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Sparks Praise - 17/05/20
Craft
Can you put Peter in prison? Draw and colour a picture of Peter then put him behind bars either using another piece of paper cut into strips or using string.
Can you put Peter in prison? Draw and colour a picture of Peter then put him behind bars either using another piece of paper cut into strips or using string.
Planting
Can you plant a seed or a plant in a pot? Label it to say ‘the church grew bigger and bigger’ to remind you that in the book of Acts the church grew bigger and bigger.
Games
Ask a grown up to blow up a balloon so that it gets bigger and bigger - they can then let it go so that you can chase it. Remember as you do this that the church grew bigger and bigger.
Can you plant a seed or a plant in a pot? Label it to say ‘the church grew bigger and bigger’ to remind you that in the book of Acts the church grew bigger and bigger.
Games
Ask a grown up to blow up a balloon so that it gets bigger and bigger - they can then let it go so that you can chase it. Remember as you do this that the church grew bigger and bigger.
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Family Discussion Read Acts 5:12-42 as a family. Did Jesus’ friends stop telling people the good news about Jesus? Who was helping Peter and the disciples to be so brave? Why did they want to keep telling people about Jesus? |
Sparks Praise - 10/05/20
Ideas for sharing with people from church
Craft
Stick an envelope on a piece of paper or card. Draw some people onto lollipop sticks or strips of card and pop them in the envelope. This will help you remember that Church is the people who make it up and not the building.
Family Chat
Read Acts 4:44-47 again.
The passage tells us that as people saw all the love and kindness shared between the Christians that other people came to follow Jesus. Wow!
- Perhaps you could draw a picture or make a card and post it to someone at church who might be lonely.
- Perhaps you could bake some cookies for someone from church who lives near you and leave them on their doorstep.
- Maybe you could look out an old toy or game you have finished with and take it to someone younger than you and leave it on their doorstep.
- If you get pocket money you could give some of it to church for them to help people who are struggling. Your grown-up will find details about how to do that in the grown-up service.
- Perhaps you could pray for some people from church who are having a hard time.
Craft
Stick an envelope on a piece of paper or card. Draw some people onto lollipop sticks or strips of card and pop them in the envelope. This will help you remember that Church is the people who make it up and not the building.
Family Chat
Read Acts 4:44-47 again.
The passage tells us that as people saw all the love and kindness shared between the Christians that other people came to follow Jesus. Wow!
- How would you describe the lives of the Christians in this passage?
- Parents did you see love and kindness amongst Christians before you became a Christian?
- Is there anyone, as a family, from Church you’d like to invite over (once restrictions are lifted) because you don’t know them well or you think they may be lonely?
Sparks Praise - 03/05/20
Jumping Games and Competitions
To remember that the man who was healed went walking and leaping why not play a jumping games:
Dancing
To remember that the man’s ankles were strengthened why not choreograph your own special dance. Can you pop some of Jane’s funky Sparks Praise moves into your dance?
Craft
Could you paint your feet and then make patterns on a big piece of paper (you may have to tape lots of small pieces together) and then jump and leap to make a pattern. Wash the paint off and then add another colour.
Family Chat
Read the passage from Acts 3:1-16 again. You could then discuss some of the following questions as a family:
To remember that the man who was healed went walking and leaping why not play a jumping games:
- Have a competition. Use chalk or tape to mark out how far each person in your household can jump.
- Cut out from paper different shapes (5 triangles, 5 squares, 5 circles) and pop them on the floor. The caller shouts out a shape and see how fast you different players can jump to the right shape.
- Draw a hopscotch with chalk on the floor outside. Play the game by throwing a small stone or pebble and doing the hopscotch to that number.
Dancing
To remember that the man’s ankles were strengthened why not choreograph your own special dance. Can you pop some of Jane’s funky Sparks Praise moves into your dance?
Craft
Could you paint your feet and then make patterns on a big piece of paper (you may have to tape lots of small pieces together) and then jump and leap to make a pattern. Wash the paint off and then add another colour.
Family Chat
Read the passage from Acts 3:1-16 again. You could then discuss some of the following questions as a family:
- What did the man do after he was healed?
- When the people at the temple saw the crippled man healed, what did they think?
- What did Peter tell the crowd so that they didn’t think the power to heal had come from him?
Sparks Praise - 26/04/20
Acts 2:1-4
To Watch
Buck Denver and the Sunday School Lady explain Pentecost.
Buck Denver and the Sunday School Lady explain Pentecost.
Activity
Play dough and Pentecost
Can you make some play dough figures and then put flames of fire on their heads?
Craft
Make a flame to remind you of the story of Pentecost
Can you make a flame from card or paper or tissue or even from Lego like the ones that my children made in this photo.
Play dough and Pentecost
Can you make some play dough figures and then put flames of fire on their heads?
Craft
Make a flame to remind you of the story of Pentecost
Can you make a flame from card or paper or tissue or even from Lego like the ones that my children made in this photo.
Sparks Praise - 19/04/20
Breakfast on the Beach - John 21:1-19
Further watching - The Friend Who Forgives
Learn more about Peter and the his breakfast on the beach with Jesus by watching this story.
Learn more about Peter and the his breakfast on the beach with Jesus by watching this story.
Craft
Paper plate fish - Cut out a mouth and keep it to use as a tail for the fish. Add an eye. Decorate your plate fish in anyway you like. I’ve seen cupcake cases folded in half and used as scales, tissue paper or tin foil used as scales. Alternatively you could paint or colour in a plain white plate.
Craft
Hand fish - Draw round your hand on some paper or card (or get someone to do it for you). Cut the hand out. Add an eye (a google one or draw one). Add a mouth; it can be any colour or material you like. Stick you fish on to a lollipop stick or a strip of cardboard and you have a fish puppet.
Paper plate fish - Cut out a mouth and keep it to use as a tail for the fish. Add an eye. Decorate your plate fish in anyway you like. I’ve seen cupcake cases folded in half and used as scales, tissue paper or tin foil used as scales. Alternatively you could paint or colour in a plain white plate.
Craft
Hand fish - Draw round your hand on some paper or card (or get someone to do it for you). Cut the hand out. Add an eye (a google one or draw one). Add a mouth; it can be any colour or material you like. Stick you fish on to a lollipop stick or a strip of cardboard and you have a fish puppet.
