During the telling of a biblical story, the children are each given a drink that suits them. This allows them to experience the story and immerse themselves in the feelings of the characters.
Implementation of an example
The theme of the afternoon for young people is Saul's encounter with Jesus and how he then came to believe (Acts 9). The children can complete various stations in turn to experience the story of Saul. The story can be told by a leader, acted out as a play or written down so that the children can read it themselves.
To start with, the children are given a very bitter, gloomy and not very fine drink (wormwood tea). The drink triggers a not really pleasant feeling in them. It symbolizes verse 1-2 of the story, when Saul persecutes Christians full of hatred and takes them to Jerusalem, where they are killed.
The next station contains a sour, overwhelming but bright drink (with ginger, lemon). It symbolizes the bright light that Saul encounters on his way to Damascus. The light is Jesus, who asks Saul why he is following him and also tells him what to do next. (Verses 3-7)
After the encounter with Jesus, Saul is blind for a few days. The children are therefore given water with black food coloring in it. This shows the darkness that Saul experienced. (Verse 8)
Saul was blind for three days. During this time he ate and drank nothing. The children therefore have to walk a short distance without being given a drink. (Verse 9)
During this time, God appears to Ananias and instructs him to go to Saul and lay hands on him so that he can see again. At first, Hananias doubts whether this is a good idea. God explains to him that he has just chosen Saul as his instrument and wants to make his name known in this way. The children are given a small cup and a watering can and have to try to fill their cup. As the watering can has several holes, it is difficult to hit the cup. This is to show the children that the good news of Jesus is not just for them, but also for other people -> the holes aiming next to the cup so that the good news is spread. (verse 10-16)
Hananias obeys, goes to Saul and he can see again. He recognizes who Jesus is and wants to be baptized immediately. This is like a feast for us and so the children are given a very fine drink (raspberries, syrup, coconut drink, ice cubes) that is reminiscent of a feast (verses 17-18)
After this event, Paul begins to eat again in order to be strengthened and to tell other people about Jesus. The children are also strengthened with an ovi. (verse 19)
Materials
- Small cups
- 1. Drink -> wormwood tea
- 2. Drink -> ginger, lemon, water
- 3. Drink -> black food coloring
- 4. Drink -> raspberries, syrup, ice cubes, coconut drink
- 5. Drink -> milk, Ovaltine
- Watering can
- Possibly disguise for theater
- Biblical story to tell
Source: Canva
Overview image: Canva.com
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