"I once was lost ..."
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Learn the hymn "Amazing Grace." If
possible, see if it can be sung in worship today. Explain various
terms in the hymn such as wretch and, especially, grace itself.
If practical, learn the hymn with the children blindfolded -- as
if blind. When they get to the end of the first verse, "Was
blind, but now I see," they can take off their blindfolds. (The
children can also put their hands over their eyes until this
portion of the hymn.)
* If a child is blind or deaf, talk about that blindness or deafness. Perhaps you have someone in the congregation who is blind or deaf. Invite them to visit with the children in a way that the children can enter their world and experience a world without sight or sound. Show how spiritual "sight" (vv. 35-41) is more than seeing with eyes or hearing with ears.
* Go to your church or public library and find out more about the hymn "Amazing Grace" and the wonderful story of John Newton. God's amazing grace reached beyond his sinful life and led him "home." (Most libraries will have books on favorite hymns. "Amazing Grace" is one of the world's favorites.)
* Take up a special offering for missionary work with those born blind.
* Act out the story in John 9. The whole chapter is a wonderful story of blindness and sight; sin and grace. Characters needed: Jesus, a man born blind (blindfold this child), a disciple (disciples would be better), former neighbors of the blind man, disbelieving Pharisees, and the man's parents). Tactfully deal with the part about Jesus making mud and putting it on the blind man's eyes.
To act this out, inform each child of her or his part and have a narrator read the entire story. Read it through once and as you get to each part, tell the child(ren) that this is their part and that they should be thinking of a way to portray this part of the narrative.
If possible, present this play to the congregation. Conclude with singing "Amazing Grace."
* Respond to any questions about this story.
* If a child is blind or deaf, talk about that blindness or deafness. Perhaps you have someone in the congregation who is blind or deaf. Invite them to visit with the children in a way that the children can enter their world and experience a world without sight or sound. Show how spiritual "sight" (vv. 35-41) is more than seeing with eyes or hearing with ears.
* Go to your church or public library and find out more about the hymn "Amazing Grace" and the wonderful story of John Newton. God's amazing grace reached beyond his sinful life and led him "home." (Most libraries will have books on favorite hymns. "Amazing Grace" is one of the world's favorites.)
* Take up a special offering for missionary work with those born blind.
* Act out the story in John 9. The whole chapter is a wonderful story of blindness and sight; sin and grace. Characters needed: Jesus, a man born blind (blindfold this child), a disciple (disciples would be better), former neighbors of the blind man, disbelieving Pharisees, and the man's parents). Tactfully deal with the part about Jesus making mud and putting it on the blind man's eyes.
To act this out, inform each child of her or his part and have a narrator read the entire story. Read it through once and as you get to each part, tell the child(ren) that this is their part and that they should be thinking of a way to portray this part of the narrative.
If possible, present this play to the congregation. Conclude with singing "Amazing Grace."
* Respond to any questions about this story.
