Starting Simple: Noah’s Ark
Talking about God’s faithfulness to preschoolers can feel like explaining quantum physics to a cat. But fear not! Simple stories from the Bible can bring those big concepts down to tiny, manageable pieces.
Starting with Noah’s Ark, explain how God kept Noah and his family safe, just as He looks after us. Use a toy ark and animal pairs to make the story interactive. Remember, it’s okay if the ark occasionally turns into a pirate ship in their imaginative play. The point is to connect God’s promise of safety and care to their world.
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David & Goliath: A Tale of Courage
David defeating Goliath isn’t just an underdog story; it’s preschool gold for showcasing courage and faith. Use a slingshot and soft balls (or socks if you prefer a safer indoor option) to reenact the story. Emphasize that God gave David strength, and He gives us strength too. Just make sure to establish clear rules about where slingshots can be aimed, or you might find your cat participating in the story as the giant!
Daniel in the Lion’s Den: Trust in God
Daniel in the Lion’s Den teaches trust in God, even when we’re scared. Create a ‘lion’s den’ fort with blankets and chairs, and share how God protected Daniel. This activity can open a conversation about fears and trusting God through them. This might lead to unexpected confessions about monster fears – suggesting that perhaps monsters are more afraid of God’s protective angels than we are of them.
Trust in God is a powerful lesson that resonates throughout the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. It serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges or fears we face, God’s protection is always present. By creating a visual representation of the ‘lion’s den’, we can engage in meaningful discussions and reflections on how we can trust in God in our own lives.
Jonah and the Big Fish: Listening to God
The tale of Jonah teaches us about listening and obedience. Create a big fish out of a box and let the kids ‘swim’ in and out, discussing how sometimes we run away from what God asks of us, but He’s patient and guides us back. You might find them more eager to ‘swim’ than listen, but that’s preschoolers for you – always ready for a dive, even into deep lessons.
The Creation Story: The Beauty of the World
Lastly, explore the Creation story, highlighting God’s promise of a beautiful, cared-for world. Use playdough or clay to create animals, plants, and people, discussing how God made each one special. You’ll likely end up with some interesting new species, but that’s part of the fun and creativity God encourages. Plus, it’s an opportunity to talk about our role in caring for creations, even those as imaginative as playdough monsters.
