Science with Jesus
£55.00 (Approx)
3.6Get the resource >
Overview
What does it say on the tin?
Kids will get to participate in or watch some fun experiments that remind them of some of the amazing miracles Jesus did. These miracles show us how awesome God is and why Jesus is our Saviour.
What do you get?
Digital pack of 6 sessions focusing on Jesus’ miracles. Each session includes: memory verse, parent sheet, skit or puppet show, craft activity, large group lesson, small group discussions and more. Session titles for the series are:
- Jesus Heals a paralysed man
- Jesus calms the storm
- Jesus feeds 5,000
- Jesus walks on water
- Jesus heals a blind man
- Jesus rises from the dead
Available to purchase from here. Downloadable.
Who is it for?
Children aged 6 – 12 years old. Enquiring, Beginning, Growing. Small groups. Younger youth.
Cost?
One free lesson sample available, full series available for £55.00
Review
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What is the overall quality of material presentation?
Material can be accessed as separate pdf files or one big pdf file with all the different sections in a recommended running order. Each sheet is clearly titled for its purpose and the layout is very simple with content allowing leaders to choose the order for each session. There is not much content on set up and considerations prior to running the series but the sessions themselves are well crafted and easy to run.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Objectives as well as key passages are listed in the lesson overview. Objectives are very much based on what children will be able to do or state at the end of the session. For example ‘Kids will state who Jesus is and why he is so amazing’.
How accessible are the leader’s notes?
The skit, large group and small group instructions are well scripted for the leader to follow while also giving the opportunity to add in their own thoughts and questions. Some of the other instructions are broad leaving the leader to figure out the logistics and time slots themselves so experience of this kind of planning would be beneficial in a leader. Language and title use are clear and self-explanatory.
Who could lead it?
Children’s workers and adults passionate about teaching children about Jesus through science.
How helpful are the participants’ resources?
Participant resources are in the form of take home crafts and ‘Make it Stick’ sheets for parents, as well as memory verses.
How good is any digital material?
Digital material is external to the series and in the form of videos and animations to help with the science experiments. Relevant, easy and quick to access.
How much prep will I have to do?
As this series includes some science experiments, leaders will need to plan ahead by ensuring they have the resources needed for the experiments, as well as time to practice them prior to running the sessions. Time is also needed for leaders to familiarise themselves with the sessions and ensure they have adequate support and materials for the craft too. Preparation can be done on a weekly basis for each lesson and the leader will need to figure out the order for the different sections. This can be changed depending on what is learnt from the first session, as each session has the same contents with a flexible running order to an extent; however there is also a recommended running order.
Is there website support? Links?
There are some external website links to help leaders understand the science they are demonstrating. These are all valid sites with active links.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
There is a lot of emphasis on interaction through science and experiments as well as through crafts. Children are encouraged to learn about how the experiments work while drawing parallels between them and Jesus’ miracles. Children then have time for interaction by discussion in the small group section.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
This series encourages children to learn during the session as well as with input from parents after the session. Children learn through doing experiments and crafts, listening to and watching skits and through discussion in small groups.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
This series runs for a period of six weeks and is designed for children aged 6 - 12 years old with the same material for all ages except for small group discussion questions. This series requires resources and time for experiments, both to practice prior to running the sessions and during the sessions. Experiment resources are quite specific, whereas craft materials can be widely accessed. This series can be run as a weekly Sunday school, after school club, or as a holiday club with some extra help and planning. It engages children in science and draws comparisons between experiments and Jesus’ miracle. The sessions have flexible running orders and can be easily extended or shortened depending on need and preference. For example, the leader can add on questions and time to the small group discussions in order to facilitate longer, more organic conversations.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
Children apply material during small group discussion and also by parents doing the ‘Make it Stick’ sheet in their own home time. There is an optional review sheet, where children write down answers to fill in the gaps and demonstrate they have heard the story.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
The small group discussions and large group lessons focus on the Bible and there are memory verses for children to learn too. There is no recommended running time for these, so depending on how long leaders want to spend, the material can take anywhere between 15 - 40 minutes.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
Biblical material is presented using skits with relevant characters and puppet shows. These usually require two actors to complete. The leader then summarises the science behind what has been demonstrated and links this to one of Jesus’ miracles. For example, using a nut dropping in to a bottle due to inertia is linked to the paralysed man who was lowered through a roof for Jesus to heal. Children then use the material by discussing it in their small groups, answering questions and solidifying learning through crafts, memory verses and parental support after the lesson.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Children apply material during small group discussion but only lightly so leaders may want to come up with their own application questions to ask. There are two options for discussion depending on the age of children. For example, in the case of the paralysed man, younger children are asked ‘What did Jesus do for the man?’ while older children are asked questions where they have to think more ‘Why did Jesus tell the man his sins were forgiven?’
Is there a particular theological perspective?
No specific theological perspective in this series. Positively reinforces and practises some simple prayers.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
In the miracles taught in this series, children also learn about Jesus’ followers, who were with him for each one. They learn what Jesus was demonstrating to his followers and therefore that this is applicable to them too. The last session gives children an opportunity to accept Jesus in their lives.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
Children learn in this series about six of Jesus’ miracles: healing the paralysed man, calming the storm, feeding 5,000, walking on water, healing a blind man and rising from the dead himself. Each of these stories teaches another characteristic of Jesus and his power, while also looking at the faith or lack of faith of the people with him. Children learn to trust him, even in hard times or when they do not feel like they are being given provision.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
By teaching children about Jesus’ miracles, they learn that God loves them so much, even to his son Jesus dying to save them (last session). Children may or may not have been taught this before, so these sessions are good for churched and unchurched children to teach them about Jesus, his miracles and God’s wider plan to save people.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
Children are encouraged to trust God in times where they are in a storm, pray to him if someone is sick, and to accept him in their lives through the stories they are taught in this series. Leaders may want to add in extra questions in the small group time to directly apply the story to situations the children may come across.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
Not a main focus in this series but some mention in the last session.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Not a main focus in this series with many practical examples. However, some questions encourage action at home in the ‘Make it Stick’ parent sheets.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Not a focus.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Not a focus.