Craft: Psalm 139

Memory collages

You will need: picture frames; a collection of collage items eg lolly sticks, buttons, shells, pom poms, fabric scraps, stones

Verse 16 of the psalm says that the days of our lives are written in God’s book and known by him. This craft helps children to reflect on events from their lives and to speak to God about them. Lay out the collage items and invite each child to take a picture frame. Ask them to think of an important memory from their life and to make a picture of it in the frame. Ask the children to reflect on why they chose that memory. What would they like to say to God about it? What would they like to ask him? Allow time for children to share if they would like to.

Lego labyrinths

You will need: Lego; Lego baseboards

Ask children to create a pathway on the baseboard. This could either be a spiral or more of a maze, as long as there is a way through to the end point! They might want to use colours or pathways to express events from their life so far. When the labyrinths are finished, use them as a tool to help children reflect on where God has been with them on their journey and where they might continue to journey together in the future.

There is a real theme of ‘journey’ in Psalm 139, so as the children trace their finger around the labyrinth, help them to reflect on God’s presence with them in the past and ask him to stay with them in their future.

Wonderfully made!

You will need: large strawberries; lolly sticks; chocolate; sprinkles to decorate; somewhere to stand the strawberry lollies while they are drying (a jam jar is good for this); access to a sink; a microwave

Wash the strawberries and hull them, dry them out (if you don’t do this, the chocolate won’t stick properly) and stick a lolly stick into the tops of each one. Melt the chocolate carefully in the microwave and dip the strawberries in chocolate once it has melted. Sprinkle on the decoration and place the strawberry pops into the jar to allow the chocolate to set.

The idea is that the children will have the chance to make something that involves a lot of intricate processes, but is wonderful as a result. Talk to the children about the intricate way they have been made by God and that he knows what makes up every part of us, on the inside and the outside. Think about the amazing things your body can do and thank God for them.

’Thoughts of God’ sand drawing

You will need: a tray or bowl (either one each or a few large ones for children to share); slightly wet sand; lolly sticks

This reflective craft helps children to explore what they think God’s thoughts might be – thoughts that “outnumber the grains of sand”. It might help beforehand to talk about what we know about God and what he is like, especially in relation to the psalm.

Put sand into the trays or bowls and level it out with your hands to create a flat surface. Ask children to think about what God’s thoughts would be – about the world, about people, about events. Get them to draw or write them in the sand. How would God encourage us, how would he bring us hope? What might he say about love? Again, give children the chance to share their ideas, if they want to, and prepare to be amazed by what they come up with!