Introduction
One of the easy lessons we wish to teach children is that God and Jesus wish that we will follow Them or Thnieir Words. This is a foundational principle that every child needs to learn.There are many Bible stories or events that lend themselves to helping children understand the importance of following God and Jesus. One such event is Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him and leave their fishing boats. Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1: 16-18, Luke 5:1-11. Here are a few activities that will encourage children to follow Jesus like these men did.
Activities
One: Using a Jesus stick figure or Jesus doll/puppet, have children march around the room following your chosen Jesus figure. A stick figure may be made by printing the attached figures of Jesus and mounting to craft sticks. As the children march, the teacher and helpers can sing “Follow Me”.
“Follow Me”
Tune: “London Bridge”
“Follow Me” Jesus said,
Jesus said, Jesus said.
“Follow Me” Jesus said.
“Be fishers of men.”
Two: Children enjoy a map. You can use this enjoyment to play a simple game. Give each child a stick figure of Peter. This can be made by printing the Peter figure below and mounting with double stick tape to a craft stick. Tell the children how the four fishermen followed Jesus. Show them the map you have printed from below. Using your stick figure, have Peter walk on the footprints to reach Jesus. Explain that we must be willing to follow Jesus. That means we are to follow Him and God by following Their words in the Bible.
Three: Sing a little song about Jesus being our leader.
Fisher of Men
“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Fisher of Men is what I’ll be
Jesus Christ leads me.
Sharing God’s Word with everyone
That is what must be done.
