Category: Hands-On

“But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love and mercy.” Nehemiah 9:17b, NLT

From the Hands-On Bible

The Israelites kept a little pattern going that went like this:

1. Everything was OK
2. They’d start worshiping false gods
3. Things would go bad
4. They’d ask God for help
5. Everything was OK

This little pattern had been going on for more than 1,000 years. (If you were sitting in the care for 1,000 years, you could drive across the United States more than 90,000 times.) But God never stopped loving, forgiving, and waiting for the Israelites.

Read Nehemiah 9:17b again to see just how patient God is!

Let’s see how patient you are!

1. Fill a plastic cup with potting soil, and drop in a few seeds.
2. Cover the seeds with soil, and add water.
3. Watch the cup until you see the seeds start to grow.

When a plant comes up, remember that God always watches over, forgives, and waits for you!

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Activity from the Hands-On Bible

Read Matthew 21:1-11

As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2“Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
4This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5“Tell the people of Jerusalem,
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
6The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
10The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
11And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.

Parade of Praise

The people in Jerusalem had a parade-like gathering to honor Jesus. What can you do to honor Jesus? Think of a few ways and write them down.

The people cheered Jesus. They laid their coats in the road and shouted praises. Thin of ways you can praise Jesus and write them down.

Now, that you’ve made a plan, get going! Show Jesus he’s more important than anything else in your life.

Get your family together and have your own Jesus-honoring parade. You could even get people who are far away involved by having a video conference call and all being in the parade together!

What are some of your ideas?

Look inside the Hands-On Bible

Read all of Psalm 91

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

Activity from the Hands-On Bible

Read Psalm 91:11 out loud. How do God’s angels protect us? Maybe like this!

1. Grab two large plastic or paper cups, some newspaper, a raw egg, and some tape.
2. Stuff the cups with newspaper to act as padding, leaving room for the egg.
3. Put the egg inside the newspaper padding, and tape the two cups together with lots of tape!
4. Drop the cups from the height of your shoulders!

If you used plenty of padding and taped the cups well, your egg should be safe and sound! God has ways to keep us safe and sound too.

Read Psalm 91:11 again. Because God loves you so much, he sends his angels to protect you!

The next time you’re scared or worried, remember that God sends his angels to protect you, just like you protected the egg. (Know what else? God’s protecting you even when you’re not scared and worried! GOD’S AWESOME!)

Take a look inside the Hands-On Bible

Sometimes we forget how powerful God really is. Here is a great activity from the Hands-On Bible that goes along with 1 Kings 18. Read it together and then try this activity.

Want to learn more about the Hands-On Bible and try a few more ideas? Take a look inside.

Here is a great way to help the kids in your life engage with Psalm 23. Read through the Psalm together and then try this activity from the Hands-On Bible.

Want to learn more? See additional features in the Hands-On Bible? Take a look inside