Sunday Update

Oh, what a feeling when you need to convey an idea to a child and he gets it!

We had a wonderful lesson on the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. Each of them made their own craft so that they could take it home and tell their family about God.

We turned out the lights on the large pillar and right away, two of the children had to check out how it was lit. So funny!

When it was time to cross the Red Sea (blue balloons) I used my leaf blower instead of a fan and it worked very well.  Good thing, too, because after we crossed over on 'dry land', the water needed to cover up the Egyptian army, so I used the blower again to make the balloons cover up the horses and chariots!

Casey made a very good Moses, but we all understood that the power of God was what moved the water and destroyed the Egyptians. It wasn't the staff or Moses himself but he was a willing vessel for God's time.

Teaching is so enjoyable for I feel enriched by bringing the Word of Life to life for these children. They even line up outside my classroom to get inside!

What a blessing that I cannot contain! Thank you Jesus.

Next Sunday - The Holy Mountain!

Exodus from Egypt

Well, here are my props for this Sunday's lesson:

I started off trying to think of a way to visualize a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire for my class.

Funny, how I can't wait to get started on the next lesson as soon as class is over. Instead of a ministry let-down after class, I'm pumped more that ever to get to the next continuation of Biblical history.

I went to sleep Monday night asking the Lord to give me an idea on how to make these pillars. Of course, I wanted them huge but would settle for my 5 foot height. To a 5 year old that would be enough.

Tuesday morning wake up...no idea. Prayer time...it popped on my inner eye. I have one of those, too.

What if I took 2 tomato cages and put the wide ends together and the one footed end into a wooden platform, add a light and presto...pillar of fire!

 The base is just 3 drilled holes in a plywood square to put the bottom wires in. The center was zip-tied together. And then we added the up-light on the inside of the bottom.

Next I made the fire with yellow, orange and red tissue paper. I started from the top with the yellow and just kept working my way down, adding the orange and red to overlap. I then tore some strips of tissue paper and glued on the surface for a little added texture.

The pillar of cloud was framed the same way except I didn't use a base. I had gone to a thrift shop and found a white twin comforter. I just wrapped it around the frame and pinned it so that it would stay closed.

Adding to the lesson the craft from our curriculum. It fits perfectly to start off the class.

Instead of coloring, I took black and blue construction paper for the pillar backgrounds t(o signify night and day) and glued them to a white cardboard for stability. Then using the templates, cut out the 2 pillars and glued them to the black and blue areas. I tore pieces of the tissue paper and glued them to make the flame and then tore apart some cotton balls to make the cloud. Next, I cut out the Bible verse and voila! 

(Glue sticks are a most wonderful invention!)

At the end we will see 'The Red Sea' parting by the breath of God! I purchased 2 dozen balloons, blew them up and then bagged them until the end of class. We will spill them on the floor to signify the 'water of the sea'. Then, Moses will stretch forth his staff and behind him the window fan will blow to part the waters! I think they'll have fun with the balloons. That will be our release of energy time.

Oh, how great is God, to give us such enjoyment to reenact His story!