Very young children's session

Provide the following play materials for very young children throughout the session: jigsaw puzzles.

 Gathering song

Sing to the tune: The Bare Necessities

Let’s sing of God the Father now
and Jesus Christ his only Son,
who aid you in your worries and your strife (A-men!)
and here’s the Holy Spirit, that force that helps you rest and pray,
in all the bare necessities of life.

Musical statues                                                           5 mins E

You will need: music and equipment to play it.

• Play musical statues and give a point to all who freeze. After a short time playing, end and check on points scored.
• Talk about the importance of ‘now‘, it’s easy to see in this game, but it can often be harder to focus on.

A version of the story for very young children.
Wrap a pass-the-parcel with each of the story sections below hidden in it. In the centre wrap the word ‘Jesus‘. Play pass-the-parcel as you unfold the story, a layer at a time.
1. Jesus said, ‘I have lots of things to tell you, but you are not ready to hear them yet.’
2. ‘I have to leave you, but the Holy Spirit is coming soon. The Holy Spirit will lead you in truth.’
3. ‘Everything the Holy Spirit shows comes from me.’
4. ‘Everything that belongs to the Father is mine.’

Treasure hunt

Play and explore uncovering who Jesus is 

Hide small objects/images around the room that tell us about Jesus, e.g. a Bible storybook, a cross, praying hands, a heart. As the children hunt, ask: What are these clues showing us?

Unfolding paper

Create a symbol of unfolding truth

Provide each child with a square of paper and ask them to draw a picture of Jesus in the centre. Fold the corners into the centre. Take a shallow tray of water and place the papers (folds facing upwards) in the water. Watch as they unfold to reveal Jesus.

Talk to God: Pray now!                                                      E S

Emphasise that God is with us and we can talk to him at all times

• Begin an activity, e.g. a game of ‘hide and seek’ or snack time. During the activity, call out, ‘freeze’.
• Encourage the children to stop and look at what they are doing. Pray: God, help us to know that you are with us when we are…’, adding what the children are doing each time. Do another activity or continue with what you were doing and encourage the children to say the words of the prayer next time you shout, ‘freeze’.

Sing

To the tune: Let it Go (chorus)

As I go,
May I know,
You love me from head to toe.
Spirit be, within me,
You’re alive for all to see!
Here I stand in the light of Christ,
Let the Lord shine on –
The world cannot harm me in any way.