A Meaningful Craft for Helping C

A Meaningful Craft for Helping Children Share Their Faith

By Sharlene Pritchett Wade

When crafts are used in children's ministry, I try to be sure they will have a lasting impact. Recently, I took the concept of the HisStory bracelets, wrote a rhyming verse and then selected beads to go with each bold word. The children made bracelets on stretchy cording. Challenge your children with incentives to memorize the poem. This craft becomes a tool children can use in sharing their faith with friends, as they follow the bracelet bead by bead. It also serves as a constant reminder of what Jesus has done for them.

A holy star shone in the sky so bright

To lead 3 wise men to a marvelous sight

A babe in a manger, Jesus there laid

A boy then a man, a carpenter by trade.

A fisher of men, twelve disciples He led, Spreading God’s Word, the people He fed.

‘Til one black day on a cross He was hung, His blood shed for us, God’s will it was done.

To save us He died, now in Heaven He lives, Our hearts to indwell, eternal life He gives.

(Copyrighted by Sharlene Pritchett Wade) Find beads to represent each of the items in bold. Here's what I used:

Star -- bead that had a star on it.

Wise Men -- 3 different, yet similar beads rather earthy-looking to depict the wise men.

Baby Jesus -- an oblong clear, crystal looking bead Jesus as carpenter -- wooden cylinder looking bead Jesus, Fisher of men -- glass fish bead Disciples -- 12 jump rings God's Word -- shiny gold bead Black day -- square black bead Cross - colored cross bead with rhinestones embedded Blood - red bead Save us -- crystal bead to reflect Salvation Heaven - beautiful gold speckled bead Heart -- heart-shaped bead