Messy Church at Home 

 

'Responding To God'

Saturday 20th June 2020
Time: Whenever you like!

Venue: At your house

Welcome

Welcome to our third Messy Church at Home. Today we explore the story of Philip meeting the Ethiopian Eunuch. It tells us that there is a great diversity of people, sometimes those we least expect, who are searching for answers in life. Like Philip, we need to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit to be available to hear these people, no matter what their background, and to help them understand the good news of Jesus.

Sharing our faith with all people, and particularly those who are different to us, is to follow the example of Philip, along with the wisdom of Peter: 'If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But to this in a gentle and respectful way' (1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT).
 

How to Use this Page

• Remember, Messy Church is for ALL AGES so do the activities together as a family and get involved in exploring the theme by discussing the ‘Talk About’ points.
• Use the ‘Click Here’ links to take you to videos of craft demonstrations and the celebration message and songs.
• We would love for you to send in photos of you taking part in this Messy Church at Home – please email them to messy@kingswisbech.org.uk and we will put them up on our church website, Instagram and Facebook.

Bible Story / Reading

Activities

Here are ideas to explore this month's Bible Story using things you’ll easily find at home. If you can’t find the exact things, what could you use instead? Your ideas might be even better!
 

1. Teddy Bear Chariot Competition

You will need: large, medium and small boxes; glue sticks; paper plates / card circles; masking tape, string; coloured pens; crayons, PVA glue; paper plates; coloured / wrapping paper.

Talk about how you are working together to be creative. What would it have been like in Bible times to ride in a chariot?

COMPETITION: Please email a photo of your chariot to messy@kingswisbech.org.uk. Final date for entries is Wednesday 1st July 2020. The judges decision is final. Prizes will be sent to you through the post.
 

2. Make a Scroll

You will need: large lolly sticks (or a couple glued together) - or any kind of stick / rod; paper; coloured pens; PVA glue.

Make a scroll out of paper and large lolly sticks (or alternatives). Glue the sticks on to the top and bottom of the paper. Write on to the scroll the words of 1 Peter 3:15-16: "If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way."

Talk about how people many years ago would read the Bible. Have you thought about how the Bible came to us? This verse helps us to remember how we can tell people about Jesus.

3. Ethiopian Flag

 

You will need: Paper, colouring pencils / felt tips (green, yellow, red, blue), yellow paper, scissors.

Watch the video for instructions.

Talk about what you know about the country of Ethiopia (or dome some research to find out some interesting facts).

4. Spice it up

You will need: variations Ethiopian spices in separate containers (eg. cumin, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cardamom, paprika, cinnamon) - you don't need all of these, just two or three will be enough.

Have the spices set up on a table so that you can take turns to smell the different ones. Can people identify what they are?

Talk about how all of these different spices are grown in Ethiopia, but they're all so different! We are all different, but God loves us as we are.
 

5. Prayer Activity

You will need: paper; something to write with; an idea of what a coffee bean looks like (see photo above)

Draw some rough coffee bean shapes on a piece of paper. Explain that one of the things Ethiopia is known for is its excellent coffee. Invite everyone to write the name of one person to whom they would love to talk about Jesus on one of the beans. Say: Jesus, help us always to be ready to explain our faith to other people, as you nudge us to. Amen

 

6. Tegre Board Game

You will need: cardboard egg cartons; yellow, red and green paint; paint brushes; scissors; glue or sticky tape; small seeds

To make the game board, you need to paint the cardboard egg carton in the colours of the Ethiopian flag. Cut off the top of the carton and then cut the top in half. Fasten each half with glue or tape to the bottom of the egg carton so that you have a section on either side of the game board to collect the seeds from your opponent.

Click Here to download and print the rules / instructions of how to play the game.

Talk about how important it is to understand other people’s cultures and traditions before talking to them about the gospel. 
 

Celebration

Here’s this month's Celebration. The video contains a great action song - a re-telling of the Bible Story and the Messy Grace.
Click below to watch the video and join in with the Celebration!

Eat Together

Click here to find more information about Ethiopian food.
Ethiopians eat together with friends and family, and often eat on a communal platter. Take the time to find out about Ethiopian food, and experiment. Ethiopian cuisine often includes spicy meat dishes.