The Power of Words (and Toothpaste!)

 A couple of months ago, I sat down one Thursday to prepare the children's sermon I was supposed to deliver on that coming Sunday. While we have been livestreaming only during COVID, I have been trying to do something "eye-catching" during my messages that will really grab the children's attention. However, when I first read the scripture passage the pastor would be using, I was stumped. It was James 3:1-12. 

". . . . .How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,[b] and is itself set on fire by hell . . . . "

Not exactly what I would call a "kid-friendly" passage! After I read and re-read the passage, prayed, and thought about it, I realized that the passage is ultimately about using our words wisely & kindly, and THAT is, indeed, a message that children need to hear. I remembered an illustration I had seen a long time ago comparing words to toothpaste which I thought would certainly pique interest and be a visual representation of the lesson. 

I put a tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush, and paper plate in a bag. As I began, I asked the kids if they had any guesses what might be in my bag. (Since we were livestreaming, there were no children actually gathered around me). Then, I pulled out the toothpaste to show them. 

I explained that toothpaste can be very good and helpful when we use it properly. We put it on a toothbrush and brush our teeth so that our teeth and gums stay clean and healthy. It keeps us from getting cavities and gives us fresh, minty breath! 

Then, I explained that, if we do not use toothpaste properly, it can also create a big mess. I pulled out the paper plate and began squirting the toothpaste all over the plate as I said, "You could take toothpaste and just squirt it all over the bathroom sink and counter, all over the floor, or even all over your brother or sister! What would happen if you did that??? Well, you would, of course, make a big mess. You would probably also get in LOTS of trouble. You might even have to clean it all up AND, then, you would be all out of toothpaste because you can't put that toothpaste back in the tube, can you?!?!" 

Well, words are kind of like toothpaste. We can use our words to be helpful and kind (hold up the toothbrush) OR we can use ugly, mean words that just create a big mess and get us in trouble! (show the plate of toothpaste) PLUS, once our words come out of our mouths, we can't just put them back in. Even if we say we're sorry, we still might have hurt someone's feelings with the words we said. 

I acknowledged that it can be hard to control our words - even for grownups -  because sometimes we get frustrated or angry and, sometimes, other people don't use kind words towards us. I told the kids that, language is a gift given to us by God and that God would not want us to use our language for hurting others. I said the next time they were tempted to use harsh words, I wanted them to think about my toothpaste and the mess I made squirting it all over the plate. Instead of "squirting out" unhelpful words, they could use their words to talk to God and ask for help. 

Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for the gift of words. 
Forgive us when we slip up and use hurtful words. 
Help us remember to use our words to be helpful, kind, and encouraging so that we can share your grace and love with others.
Amen.  

I think the message went well and even got an email from an adult member of our congregation who said the visual really stuck with her. It is not always a great idea to use metaphors like this as young children would have a hard time transferring the meaning of "using words properly" to "using toothpaste properly," but given the circumstances of livestreaming and challenges of engaging children through a screen, I am hopeful it worked for this one!! 

**I recommend using a cheap, very colorful toothpaste. You can usually get a tube of bright blue or pink kids' toothpaste at the Dollar Store.**

What ideas do you have for sharing this message with children?

Memorial Day Children's Message

Although Memorial Day is not a liturgical holiday, it is natural to mention it on the Sunday of that weekend. Here is an idea I used for a Memorial Day related children's sermon. 

Building a Memorial (Joshua 4)

This message is based on the passage from Joshua where, upon crossing the Jordan into the Promised land, God instructs Joshua to have twelve men build a memorial. 

Good morning everyone! I’m so glad  to see you today! 

Tomorrow is a special day on the calendar. Do you know what it is?  It is Memorial Day – a day that is set aside for us to remember men and women in the military who have died fighting for and protecting our country. The word “memorial” comes from the word “memory” because a memorial is something that helps us remember. On Memorial day and every day, this (Hold up an American  flag) is something that helps us remember the soldiers who have fought for our country.

There is also a story in the bible about a memorial. It is in the book of Joshua chapter 4. Remember that God’s people has been trapped in Egypt for 40 years and, when this story takes place, God had finally led them out of Egypt. (Read story from the children's bible.) So, 12 men each picked up a big stone and they used those twelve stoned to build a memorial to help them remember how God had helped them.

As we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, I want to do to two things.

First, see if you can build a memorial like the Israelites did. You can use twelve stones, or twelve blocks, or maybe twelve empty boxes. See how many different shapes you can build with them and think about a time when God has helped you and your family.

Then, especially tomorrow, which is actually Memorial Day, you can print a color an American Flag to hang on your door or you refrigerator. If you have an American flag, you can make sure it on display. As you color your flag or look at an American flag, say a prayer to thank God for all the brave men and women who have given their lives to keep our country safe and free. If you know someone who is currently serving in the military, it’s also a great time to send them a thank you note.

Let’s pray:

Loving God, we thank you for our country and for the freedoms we enjoy but often take for granted. On this Memorial Day weekend, help us to remember all who have sacrificed to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. Help us also to remember You, God, and to be grateful for all the gifts and blessings you provide. In the name of your son Jesus Christ, Amen. 

**This was written while the church was closed during the Cornavirus pandemic, so children were not actually present. If children are present, I suggest handing out 12 block or rocks and letting children construct a memorial. If you have time and a large number of children, you could let them do this in groups. You could also give them an American Flag coloring page.

Walking Through Holy Week With Children

With children, it is easy to celebrate the happy parts of Holy Week - the beginning (Palm Sunday) and the end (Easter). The middle parts of the story are difficult, but it is important that we don't just "skim over" the hard part with our children. So, as we prepare for Holy Week next, here are some daily ideas to use at home that I have shared with families in our congregation. 

• Palm Sunday -
•  Participate in the church palm processional! Read John 12:12-19 and wave your palms just as the people of Jerusalem did.
• Read Matthew's account of Jesus entering Jerusalem in chapter 21, verses 1-10. It says that the crowd put their cloaks on the road as Jesus came. Since Palm Sunday and Easter are close to Spring, think about the cloaks (coats) you may not need anymore. Pull them out of the closet, spread them on the ground and read this verse again. Then, Fold them up and take them to a donation site where people can use them when winter comes around again. 

• Monday - 
• Use Resurrection eggs! You can purchase a full dozen online or at Christian bookstores or you can make your own set! Here's one option: https://www.faithgateway.com/making-resurrection-eggs-easter-story/#.XK4knP1Kjcs (HINT: you don't have to make all 12 - for younger children, especially, you can make just 6). **If you purchase the full dozen, be aware that they are "intense" and include items such as the whip and the nails. Especially for long children, I suggest creating your own, more kid-friendly set. 
• Read John 2:13-17 and/or Matthew 21:12-13. In this passage, Jesus was upset that people were using the temple as a market place instead of as a place to pray. Do you have a "spare change" container in your home? Dump it out, count the change, and decide as a family, how much of it you can put in the offering plate on Easter Sunday. Pray the following prayer together:
  

• Tuesday - 
• Read John 12:35-36. Jesus speaks about "the light," so have some fun with light today! Build a fort and have some flashlight wars. Go outside and look at the stars. Eat dinner by only candlelight. Is there a room in your house that is totally dark when you turn out the lights? How does that feel? Use one of these ideas or find some fun light games on on your own! 
• Read Matthew 21:34-40. This is a familiar verse about the greatest commandment - to love your neighbor as yourself. Talk about what it means to be a neighbor. Who are your neighbors? What does it mean to love your neighbors? Have your kids ever watched Mr. Rogers? Here's a great episode that talk about love. How can you show love today?

• Wednesday - 

• Read Luke 22:7-23 - Did you know that, in some faiths and countries, it is tradition to clean your house on the Wednesday of Holy Week in order to prepare for the Passover meal? Talk about how your family prepares for special events, how the disciples might have prepared for Passover with Jesus, and, maybe do an extra chore or two! 
• Jellybeans! These sweet treats are an Easter icon, but did you know you can use them to teach about Holy Week? Share some jellybeans as you read and discuss the jellybean prayer. Maybe even make a jellybean treat bag or two for someone special! (Be sure to include the prayer.)

• Maundy Thursday - 
• Read John 13:1-20 and try washing each other's feet! How does it feel? Why do you think Jesus washed his disciples feet?
• Eat a special meal together like Jesus did with his Disciples. Try a meal in which the main course is fish. Then, have some hot cross buns for dessert. Eating fish is a tradition that reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made when he did on the cross and the cross on hot cross buns is also a reminder of the symbol of the cross. Or, just eat together around a table and read the scripture as you think about what Jesus and his disciples must have been feeling at their last supper together. 

• Good Friday - 
• Read John 19:17-25- Do you have a cross in your home anywhere? If so, look at ti and talk about it. Where did it come from? If not, consider purchasing one and hanging it up together. Another option is to make some crosses on your own! Check out these cross crafts!
• Tape Resist Watercolor Cross
• Fingerprint Cross 
• Popsicle Stick Crosses
• A Different Fingerprint Cross
• Tissue Paper Cross
• Color by Number Cross
• Cross Coloring Page 
• Read Luke 23:26-49 - Good Friday is a somber day. In church services on Good Friday, often the lights are dimmed throughout the service and people exit the worship space in silence. This can be a bit much for young children to take in, but they can do it in small doses! After reading the scripture, talk about how people who loved Jesus would have been feeling (super sad!). Turn the lights low, light a single candle, and try sitting in silence for a short time (maybe 2-5 minutes depending on the age of the children). 

• Saturday - 
• Read John 19:38-42 - Take a walk outside and look around for sign of new life. Pick some flowers to bring to church for the cross on Easter Sunday! 
• Read Matthew 27:62-66 - Make some resurrection rolls! Grab a can crescent roll dough. Wrap each  dough triangle around a marshmallow and roll it in some cinnamon sugar. Then, pop them in a muffin tin and bake! When you take them out to eat, where did the marshmallow go? How does this symbolize Jesus in the tomb? (Here's a more specific recipe, if needed.)

Other ideas:

Pray daily - Praying daily is always a wonderful practice! For daily prayers during Holy Week, try THESE or make up your own.

Easter Egg Hunt - Children often participate in multiple egg hunts around the time of Easter. It can sometimes be difficult to tie in this secular practice with our faith. Here are some suggestions to point out to children when we participate in egg hunts. 

• The egg can symbolize the tomb. Jesus was supposed to be inside, but when the women went to visit they got a big surprise (he was gone) just like the surprises inside the eggs we find. 
• Eggs are also a symbol of new life. Jesus got new life after he died and, through His death and resurrection, we get new life, too. 

Books - Books are always a great way for children to learn. Some great eAster books are:

• God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergen
• The Berenstain Bears a the Easter Story by Jan & Mike Berenstain 
• An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus by Susan Jones
• Easter love Letters From God by Glennis Nellist

Also, check out this Lego Journey through Holy Week! Such neat idea! 

I hope you find these ideas helpful as you journey through Holy Week with the children in your life. If you have other great ideas, please share them in the comments below! I would love to hear what has worked for you! 

Valentine Conversation Hearts Devotional Page

If I'm being perfectly honest, I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. It just feels artificial and commercial to me. I don't want anyone to tell me they love me on February 14th if they wouldn't say the same thing on the other 364 days father year! Yes, I'm a Valentine Scrooge! 

I am, however, a fan of love. In fact, my favorite bible verse is 1 Corinthians 13:4-6:  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. So, the one thing I do like about Valentine's Day is that it serves as a reminder of how we should love others and express that love EVERY DAY! The bible certainly has plenty to say about love, so Valentine's Day is great time to explore some of those scriptures and remind ourselves (and others) to love the way Jesus loved. 

A few years ago, I used Valentine's day as a opportunity to encourage a devotional practice for families in our congregation. It was a big hit and I have done some version of it every year since then. This year, I have created a single sheet that I will hand out during the children's sermon on February 3. That means families will have 12 days to use the devotional leading up to Valentine's Day. It is based on the idea of conversations hearts. There are twelve hearts on the sheet, each with a "typical" saying and a scripture that refers to love. The instructions are simply to pick one heart each of the twelve days, look up the verse together, and discuss the questions listed on the sheet. 

I'm excited to give these out to the families in our congregation and I wanted to share it with others as well, so I have made it available as a free download. Just click the link below the image of the sheet to download the document. Then, you are welcome to print as many as you wish. I just ask that you leave the "created by . . " line at the bottom of the sheet. Consider it my gift of love to all of you! 💖

CLICK  HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE VALENTINE DEVOTIONAL SHEET FOR FREE

If you use it, I would love for you to come back here and leave me a comment about how it worked or how you used it! 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Christmas Blessing Trail Mix & Crazy Sock Exchange

We have something in our children's ministry that we call Kids' Disciple Club. It is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and is kind of like a mini-youth group. We meet once a quarter and try to combine service, fellowship, and fun. We recently had our Christmas party event with included a fun, easy service project and a crazy sock exchange that was also easy, inexpensive, and super fun! 

Christmas Blessing Trail Mix

Every Tuesday and Thursday, our church serves a free meal to anyone who is hungry. These trail mix bags will be handed out to the guests who attend the meal. However, if you don't have a ministry like that, they could also be used as blessing bags to hand out to homeless people or taken to a local shelter for guests there. 

Basically, I had all the ingredients there along with some large foil pans. The kids wore gloves to dump all the ingredients into the pans, mix it up, and scoop it into sealable sandwich bags with the card pictured below. My hope was that the trail mix would represent elements of the biblical Christmas story, so, as you can see on the card, the ingredients were as follows:

• Golden Raisins  - 15 oz box ( to represent the star)
• Chex cereal - 12 oz box (to represent the manger - I used cinnamon, but any variety would work)
• Bugles - two 7.5oz bags (to represent angel trumpets -FYI, I could only find these at my local Dollar Tree!)
• Mini Marshmallows - 10 oz. bag (to represent the sheep and shepherds - could also use popcorn)
• Pretzels  - 16 oz bag (to represent Mary's loving arms)
• Red and green M&M's  - 11.4 oz bag (to represent God's love and promise of eternal life)

You could substitute or add other items as you see fit. One batch yielded about 30-35 half full sandwich bags and I would suggest that you distribute bags within a week after assembly so they don't become stale. The kids had lots of fun making it and I thought it was a great way for them to learn about this particular ministry of our church and help out in a simple way. 

Crazy Sock Exchange 

After we made the trail mix, it was time for some crazy socks! This is a great alternative to the "Dirty Santa" type of gift exchange that is often done. Everyone ends up with a fun pair of socks and some surprise treats! 

So here's how it works:

• Prior to the event I had given everyone these instructions: Purchase a pair of fun Christmas socks in a size that would fit this age group (these are available at any dollar store) and stuff both of the socks with treats. Then, tie the socks together and bring them to the party! 
• At the party, everyone started with the socks they brought. We sat in a circle and everyone got a turn to roll a die. We followed the rules based on what each child rolled:

For #6, they could keep the socks they had in hand and exit the game or choose to roll again if they wanted to keep going. 

We had about 27 kids there, so this took quite a while. I started having them take turns rolling by just going around the circle, but this got a little tricky every time we had to "scramble," so next time I might have them take turns in alphabetical order or something. One other piece of advice, pre-determine whether you will give everyone one roll, two, etc based on your time and group size. Then, once you have done it, the game finished and everyone gets whatever they have in their hands even if they end up with the ones they brought or a pair they are not fond of. 

It was super fun to see what creative ideas people had for stuffing the socks. Here are some of the things that were inside:

• Candy (this is a no brainer! Kids always love candy and almost EVERY pair of socks had some kind of candy inside!)
• Other socks! Some of the socks had other socks rolled up and stuffed inside.
• Small toys (bouncy balls, cars, play dough, etc.)
• Toiletries - travle sizes fit nicely!
• Toothbrush & fun toothpaste
• Money! A couple socks had a dollar bill inside with the other treats! the kids LOVED finding money.
• Hot Chocolate - Just stick some individual packs inside the socks.
• Candy canes
• Christmas ornaments (Make sure they are not breakable!)

One more suggestions - make sure you bring some extra  stuffed socks to the party! I had a couple kids who forgot to bring some and was very glad I had some extras on hand so they could still participate. It was also lots of fun for me to get creative and stuff some cute socks! 😀 Here are the ones I made:

We also played some other fun Christmas themed games, but I'll save those for another post! What fun ideas to you have for Advent and Christmas activities?

Worship Activity Bags for Kids

We all know that it can be hard for children to sit still and be quiet through an entire worship service. Different churches offer a variety of different ways to keep children engaged during the service. One very popular offering is worship activity bags for children.

There are a couple distinctive ways to approach this. One is to provide pre-assembled bags each Sunday. This is, perhaps, the most labor-intensive approach since it requires a set of "big hands" to assemble the bags each week for "little hands." Another approach is to set out worship bag shelves or carts that contain a variety of items and let children stuff the bags themselves withe the items they choose. At my particular church, we started many years ago with a volunteer who came in each week to organize and pre-stuff 50+bags. Once this volunteer relinquished her duties, however, we switched to the shelf method because we did not have a point person to do the bags each week. 

We have two different worship spaces. The cart is in one so it & the shelf is in the other.

A few things to consider;

The actual bags - I strongly suggest some type of canvas bags to avoid the crinkling, crunching noise of paper or plastic bags. It is completely worth the investment! 

These are the bags we use. (Markers for size comparison.) Our church logo is printed on the other side. We purchased many several years ago and they have lasted well.

Explanation to the congregation - If this is something new for your congregation, it will take some explaining, especially if children are stuffing their own bags. A letter to families, an announcement on Sunday mornings, a note in the bulletin, and/or some signage on the shelves where bags are located are all options. Be sure to include expectations that the bags AND the items in the bags are to be returned each week. They are not meant to be take home party favors! 😉 

Maintenance - Even if you use the shelf/cart approach, someone will need to regularly check the bags & shelves to make sure they are organized and re-stock items as needed. This is less intense than creating bunches of ready-made bags each week, but still needs to be a consideration. 

What goes in the bags? Below is a list of many, many suggestions. I am not, however, suggesting that ALL of these items be available all the time. These are simply suggestions for you to use based on your children and, quite frankly, your budget. Also, think about what ages of children are likely to be using the bags. Remember, too,  that items can be changed out seasonally. 

• Coloring books/coloring pages - You can purchase great coloring books at your local dollar store and/or print coloring pages as you please. 

  

  These both came from the dollar store!

• Markers/crayons/pencils - Of course, if they are going to have coloring books, they need utensils to color with! Crayons, washable markers, and colored pencils can all be offered. 
• Blank paper can always be used for coloring, not writing, or stickers.
• Stickers - All kids love stickers, right? You can also purchase seasonal  and bible story sticker sheets like THESE from Oriental Trading and other sources. 
• Books - Bible story books and children's bibles are great additions to the worship bags.
• Lacing Cards are a quiet activity that can keep little fingers busy while developing fine motor skills. The set of Bible Story Lacing Cards below can be purchased from Oriental Trading. They have a set of nativity lacing cards and various other religious and secular ones. 
  
• Pipe Cleaners - I don't know why, but kids LOVE pipe cleaners! I put them out for our bags and have to replenish them almost every week because they seem to be a favorite! Wiki Sticks are a similar idea, but would also have to her replenished pretty regularly. 

Photo Credit: Flickr

• Fidget toys - Honestly, go to Amazon and do a search fro "fidget toys." you will get LOTS of differs kinds of small items that are great to keep small hands busy. Pictured below are puzzle cubes (like rubix cubes) slinky (be sure to get plastic so they don't make as much noise), snake cube twisters, and fidget spinners. Also, check out Monkey Noodles, Liquid motion bubblers, and mesh and marble finger toys. 

• Activity pages such as word searches, mazes, and crosswords are great for older kids. You can find plenty of reproducible ones online or make your own. 
• Small puzzles are great for quiet play, too! You can get slide puzzles or twisty puzzles so you don't have to worry about losing pieces. 
• Scratch art is something most kids enjoy. You can get playing sheets or you can find shapes. 
  
• Flash Cards are a fun way for kids to learn. You can purchase some or create your own. Some ideas include bible story on one side/scripture on the other; sanctuary symbol on one side/location on the other (so they can actually find it in the worship space); and sing language image on one side/word on the other side (The Frutis of the Spirit are great for this one! )
• Bingo card - I saw this idea on another site. Create a bingo card with words they might hear during the worship service (pray, hymn, God, etc.) and let them mark off the words as they listen! 
• Magna doodles or Etch-A-Sketches both come in mini/travel size are are great for small bags. 
• Small treats such as fruit snacks or lollipops - This really only works if you are pre-stuffing bags each week. 
• Something kids can put in the offering plate - Somewhere, I saw the idea to give children a small sheet of paper that says something like "My Artistic Offering to God" or "Thank You, God, For . . ." so that they can draw a picture or write a sentence and, then, actively participate in the offering by putting it in the plate. 

Last, but not least, here are a few suggestions for what NOT to put in the bags. (Please note: these are all just from my personal opinion and experiences. If you feel these would work in your setting, you could certainly try them!)

• Play dough/slime - In our sanctuary, the pews are upholstered, so I have always been afraid that play dough and/or shine would get stuck tot he fabric. Many child care facilities have also expressed concern about these materials harboring germs. These could work if you pre stuffed bags so that old ones could be replaced with new/clean ones each week, but that can get pretty pricey! 
• Anything that make any amount of noise! I once purchased several of the little wooden Jacob's ladders (like this) thinking they would make great little fidget toys. I was quickly informed by several people that the "clackety-clack" noise they made was quite disruptive an had to remove them from our shelf! 
• Anything that is too expensive to replace. Unfortunately, the small fidget toys and a few other items I have put out have a tendency to disappear and have to be replenished periodically. If you have something you cannot afford or do not want to lose, I would suggest you don't put it out just to be safe. 

Have you tried worship bags? Have some additional suggestions of what to include or what not to include? Please feel free to share in a comment! 

Follow Me! (Matthew 4:18-22 - Jesus Chooses Disciples)

Jesus Calls the First Disciples 

Matthew 4:18-22 (NRSV)

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

In this passage, we see the beginnings of  of Jesus' ministry with his disciples. When I read it, I am always struck by the ease with which it seems they followed. Jesus said, "follow me," and they simply did it - without hesitation, without question. Of course, now, we know who Jesus was and what he was going to accomplish in his ministry. However, they did not. Still, they followed. 

I think this scripture can be a great example to use when trying to help children understand the concept of faith. I have used a couple different approaches when teaching this scripture in a children's sermon. 

One time, I actually printed face airplane tickets. They looked something like this: 

I started by giving each child a fake ticket and the first things they asked was, "Are these real?" 😂I explained that they were not real, but we were going to pretend they were. I asked them where they would like to go and got a wide variety of answers including Disney World, Mexico, and Alaska! Then, I asked the kids this - "If I gave you a real plane ticket to go on a trip with me, but you couldn't bring anything with you - not your favorite toy, not your best friend, not your parents - AND I didn't tell you where we were going, would you still go with me?" Some of the kids were clearly perplexed by this question. After all, they know me and trust me, but going on a big, unknown trip with me is a pretty big leap! (I also think they were a little afraid saying no high hurt my feelings.) I continued by affirming that it would be a really hard decision to make and that, if you went on the trip, it would probe be pretty scary. Then, of course, I explained that that was pretty much the choice the disciples had make when Jesus said "Follow me." They were leaving their families and going on a trip that was full of unknowns. They said yes because they had faith in Jesus and, sometimes, having faith means doing hard, scary things. I ended a lighter note by telling them that if any of them were going to Disney World soon, I would happily go on that trip with them! 

Another time, I focused on the "follow me" aspect with a game of Follow the Leader. Almost all kids will be familiar with this game. If your setting allows, you can actually get up and move around - even invite the adults to join in! If not, you could simply play in place by placing hands on your head, clapping hands, stomping feet, touching nose, etc. Tell the kids what a good job they are doing following you and ask, "What if I did something really crazy? Would you keep following me?" (Give some "crazy" examples like, "what if I turned cartwheels down the aisle? or "what if I just got up and ran out the door into the street?") Chances are some kids will say yes, some will say no, and some will seem perplexed. That will lead into the discussion of the story of Jesus' disciples and how the way they followed Jesus was actually kind of crazy! Explain that faith is believing in something or someone even when it seems scary or crazy. 

Overall, this is a great scripture to use with kids. I think it is something they can relate to in a concrete ways to understand the abstract concept of faith.