A Kids Friendly Mothers’ Day Activity and Lesson

Aim: Children will understand the importance of mothers (biological and spiritual) in our

lives. ( Exodus 10:12; John 19:25-27) Children will understand the importance of being grateful for and encouraging people

who are important in our lives. Children will create a teacup card with a teabag and scripture tea tag to give to their

mother or another important female role model in their church.

Key Scriptures:

Exodus 20:1212 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you

John 19:25-27 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.Matthew 23:37 (for background)[The Lament over Jerusalem ] “Jerusalem, Jerusalem,…How often have I desired to gather your children together as a   hen   gathers her brood under her wings , and you were not willing!Materials Needed:Teacup template (below)Tea tag templates (pictured below, use link to print)Cardstock paper (recommended)Paper with pretty prints, e.g. scrapbooking paper (recommended) ORcoloured paperTea bags (enough for each member of your group – different varieties, if available)Glue stick (optional)Stapler (Optional)String (For stringless teabags)Pretty ribbons, lace, stickers, diamantes, etc. for decoratingMarkers, pens, pencils for writing and decorating cardsScissorsTape (scotch/cello)

Method:

The Mini-Lesson:Begin your time together by greeting each child by name. Pray together and follow your usual beginning rituals. Download “A Kids Friendly Sunday” for ideas: http://www.kidsfriendly.org.nz/wp-content/Uploads/A-Kids-Friendly-Sunday2.pdf

Talk with your kids about why today is special. (It’s Mothers’ Day.)

Ask: Why do we celebrate Mothers’ Day? (Mothers do a lot for us and so it is good to

thank them and celebrate them.) Did you know that God wants us to appreciate our mothers? (Exodus 10:12)

Read the verse aloud together. Ask, Why do you think God gave us that command?

Did you know that when children can’t be with their mothers or if mothers can’t be with their children, God asks us to look after them? (John 19:25-27) Read the verse aloud together, or ask a volunteer to read it.

Explain that Jesus knew he was going to die and his mother would need someone to look after her. (Widows weren’t allowed to work, so they couldn’t support themselves.) He also knew that as God’s family, we must see each other as mothers and fathers; brothers and sister. If we think someone in our midst might be lonely, we should care for them.

Now we are going to make a special card for someone in our church. If you want to make one for your mother, you may. If you have time, or if your mother isn’t here, you can also make one for someone else in the congregation who might like to receive a card today. (If you have close enough relationships with some of the women in your church, you may want to suggest someone who would enjoy getting a card from a child.)

Why this craft?

Mothers work very hard and deserve time to relax. A cup of tea is often associated with taking a few moments out to rest and reflect. Giving someone a “teacup” and teabag is an encouragement to take the rest that they deserve.

The Craft:1. Print teacup template (below) on card and cut to create a pattern to trace.2. Choose the tea tag labels (below) you’d like to use and print them.3. Organise coloured/printed paper so children may easily choose.

Instructions for Children:1. Choose a piece of coloured paper, a tea tag, and a tea bag.2. Use the teacup pattern to trace/cut a teacup shape from your coloured paper. If you

want it to be a card, fold the paper, then trace. Cut out, leaving the fold on the left.

3. Affix the tea tag to the tea bag using a string and stapler, or by stapling/gluing over the existing tea tag.

4. Write a message on the inside (if folded) or back of the teacup card. 5. Decorate your teacup card using materials provided.6. Staple or tape your teabag to your card. OR Create a pocket inside or on the back of

your card using a rectangular piece of paper taped on three sides.

Please visit: http://restministries.com/admin/refresh-teabags/ to download.

For more colours and options go to: http://rachelwojo.com/scripture-tea-tag-printable/

For more colours and options go to: http://rachelwojo.com /scripture-tea-tag-printable/