Five Senses Bible Lessons - Smell

Lesson 4: Smell

Story: Fiery Furnace
Theme: Be faithful.
Verse:  2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved  and among those who are perishing;

Can you guess the smell game

Supplies:

• baby food jars (or Ziploc bags) 
• cotton balls 
• smell (extracts, essence oils, essential oils�)

Before the lesson, put familiar scents on several cotton balls using extracts or essence oils.  I used lemon, vanilla, orange, vinegar, cinnamon, and smoke.  For the smoke smell, light a candle, blow it out and then attach a cotton ball to the lid of the candle and put the lid on the jar for 30-60 minutes.  Seal the cotton balls in the baby food jars (You may want to do several cotton balls so that you have extra for the 5 senses craft in lesson 6). Number the jars and right down what each one is on an answer key. 

For the lesson, have the students number their papers.  Then, they should open the jars and smell them and guess what the smell is.  When they are all done, check to see how many they got right.

Tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel 3
Play this fiery furnace board game. 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Paper Craft by DLTK

Supplies: printout of furnace and parts, scissors, glue, crayons (or markers), red orange and yellow tissue paper (cut in small pieces), candle

Prepare the basic paper craft from this website.   Use the tissue paper option.  Before the lesson, light a candle, blow it out, attach the tissue paper to the lid of the candle and put the lid back on the jar for 30-60 minutes. Or put a lit candle in a microwave (or other enclosure) with the tissue paper.  Blow out the candle and close the microwave door (DO NOT TURN ON MICROWAVE). During the lesson, have the decorate the people and parts of the furnace and put it together and glue on tissue paper flames. Ask who is missing from the picture.

Play �Musical Furnace�

Put a pile of red, orange, and yellow cloths, rags, towels or fabric in the center of the room to be the furnace.  Play music and have the kids walk around the pile.  When it stops, they should jump in the �furnace.�  If you want, you can make it like musical chairs, having one less piece of fabric then kids.  Then, when they jump in the pile they should grab one of the cloths.

Discussion � When is it hard to be faithful to God?  What can we remember that will help us be faithful?  Did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego know that they would be saved?  Why didn't they bow down?  God was with them in the furnace.  Is God with you too when you are faithful to Him?


Here are links to all the lessons in the Five Senses Bible Lesson Unit:
1 - Taste
2 - Touch
3 - Sight
4 - Smell
5 - Hearing
6 - Wrap-up (uses all senses)

Now, it's your turn.

What did you like about the lesson?  Would you add or change anything?  Did you think the story worked well with the theme of smell?  Would you have used a different story or memory verse?  Do you have an idea for a different class or activity?

Click here for all of my Bible Lessons Unit:

Five Senses Bible Lessons - Sight

Lesson 3 - Sight

Story: Elisha and the blind army
Theme: Trust God.
Verse:  2 Cor. 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight

Introduction:

Optical Illusions: Print some of these optical illusions (probably the dual picture, motion, disappearing, color, and parallel line effects are the best) and have the students do them:

• http://www.sheknows.com/kids-activity-center/list/optical-illusions/
• http://brainden.com/optical-illusions.htm

Or download an optical illusion slide show here:         http://science.pppst.com/opticalillusions.html

Tell the story about Elisha and the blind army. 2 Kings 6:8-23
Seeing the invisible Army:

Supplies: printout of Elisha and servant overlooking army, white crayon, water colors, paintbrush

 Before the lesson, draw or trace horses and chariots of fire into the top of this picture (or something similar) using the white crayon.

During the lesson, when you get to verse 17, have the students paint the top with the water colors to see what the servant saw.

Update:  I recently updated this with a better coloring page that I found on www.audiovie.org. The original page is here.  I digitally erased the army.  You can print my erased version for each child in your class and one of the unedited coloring page.  Then, trace the horses and chariots of fire from the coloring page onto each of the erased versions using white crayon.  Then, the army will show up when they are painted with watercolors.

Alternatively, you can make scratch off pictures.

Supplies: 

printout of Elisha and servant overlooking army with heavenly army, laminate (or contact paper or clear packing tape), white acrylic paint, liquid dish soap, paint brush, coins (or something to scratch off)

Print out pictures of Elisha and his servant with the heavenly army already on it.  Laminate the papers (or cover with contact paper or clear packing tape).  Then paint over the angel with white acrylic paint mixed with liquid dish soap (1 part dish soap and 2 parts acrylic paint).  Let it dry completely and have the students scratch off the paint at the right point in the story.

Play a blindfolded game such as blindman�s bluff, blind potato race, pin the horse to the chariot�

Here are some more blindfold games.

Discussion:  Why was Elisha calm even though he was surrounded by the enemy?  Could Elisha�s servant see the heavenly army with his eyes?  What needed to happen for him to see?  What can we do today to see things from God�s view? (read our Bible and pray)  Could Elisha's servant trust what he could (or couldn't) see?  Is it better to trust God or what we see for ourselves?


Here are links to all the lessons in the Five Senses Bible Lesson Unit:
1 - Taste
2 - Touch
3 - Sight
4 - Smell
5 - Hearing
6 - Wrap-up (uses all senses)

I love sharing.

What was your favorite part?  Was there a part of the story that you would have brought out more (there certainly is more you could focus on)?  Do you know of any crafts or activities that you would have used?  What about a different story or Bible verse you would have used for teaching about sight?

Click here for all of my Bible Lessons Unit:

Five Senses Bible Lessons - Touch

Lesson 2: Touch

Bible Story: Woman Touches Jesus� Garment
Theme: Turn to Jesus with problems
Verse: Luke 8:48 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

Introduction:

What are the 5 senses?  Which one did we talk about last week?  Today we're going to talk about touch.

Touch Test

Supplies: paper bags and small objects like paper clip, pencil, coins, rubber band, spoon �

You can make a paper bag for each child with each bag having identical objects or pass one bag around the room.  Have the kids put their hands in the paper bags (without looking), feel the objects, and write down what they think is in the bag.  Tell them how many objects there are.  When they have a guess written down for that many objects, empty the contents of the bag and see how many they got correct.

Tell the story of the woman who touched Jesus� garment: Mark 5:24-34

Jesus and woman puppets

Supplies: printouts, craft sticks or pipe cleaners, glue stick, fabric scraps, crayons, tape

Use this website or this website to print out a boy and girl puppet for each child: Depending on age, cut them out ahead of time.  Have them color the puppets and glue fabric on their clothes to make the woman and Jesus.  Then glue or tape them to the craft sticks.  Use them to reenact the story.

Play �Who Touched Me?�

Blindfold one child and have the others stand on the other side of the room in a line.  Point to a child and have them touch the blindfolded one.  Have the blindfolded child guess who touched him.  If they guess correctly, that child gets blindfolded.  Discuss how it is hard to know who touched you.  Ask how Jesus could have known.

Or for an older group, play �Heads Up, 7 up�

Pick a few of the children to be �it.�  Have the others sit down.  The teacher says, �Heads down, thumbs up.�  Each of the children who are �it� walk around the room quietly and touch one persons thumb.  Then, they return to the front of the room.  When they have all returned to the front, the teacher says, �Heads up.�  Those who thumbs were pressed stand up.  They have to guess who pressed their thumbs.  If they guess correctly, they switch spots with the one who pressed their thumb.  Discuss how it is hard to know who touched you.  Ask how Jesus could have known.

Discussion:*

Why did the woman touch Jesus' garment and not His hand or arm or face? Read Numbers 15:37-38 to see what the Jews put on their hem or corner of their garment. The LORD also spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.  Read Malachi 4:2 to see what would be special about the Messiah's hem of his garment. "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." The verse could also read "healing in its borders/hem" because the word is originally the same as "corners" in Numbers.  So if the woman had read the book of Malachi she would know that the Messiah would have healing in the hem of his garment.

Tassel bookmarks

Supplies: cardstock cut in 2 inch strips across, hole punch, yarn, cardboard (3 inch x 3 inch), scissors

Tape a piece of yarn to one edge of the cardboard.  Have the kids wrap the yarn tightly around the cardboard until they�ve used all you gave them (4 feet).  Take the tape off the yarn at the top of the cardboard and tie it around the loops of yarn.  Cut the yarn loops at the other end of the cardboard.  Tie a piece of yarn around the top of the tassel to hold it together.  Tie it to the hole in the bookmark.  Have the students write the bible verse on the bookmark.  Here is a helpful tutorial on making tassels.  Remind them that when they use the bookmark they can remember the woman who turned to Jesus with her problem.  They should remember to turn to Jesus, too.

Discussion:  Who did this woman turn to with her problems first?  Who was able to help her?  Where can we turn when we have a problem?  Is any problem too big for Jesus?


Here are links to all the lessons in the Five Senses Bible Lesson Unit:
1 - Taste
2 - Touch
3 - Sight
4 - Smell
5 - Hearing
6 - Wrap-up (uses all senses)

I want to hear your thoughts

What would you have done differently?  Would anything not work well with your kids?  What could you do instead?  Would you have used a different story or verse?  Do you have any ideas for a craft or activity that would go well with this story?  There may be simpler ways to explain things (I was a high school teacher, not elementary school).  If so, please let me know of changes I can make.

* The information for this discussion was found in the July-August 2011 issue of the "Words of Truth"publication available from Christian Literature, Inc.  It was found in the article "Touching the Hem" by Philip Johnson.

Click here for all of my Bible Lessons Unit:

Five Senses Bible Lessons - Taste

Last year, I taught some Bible lessons with the theme of the Five Senses.  It was so much fun that I thought I'd share it.  I taught everything in two lessons that were two hours each because we were at a Bible conference, but I broke them down here into several lessons that could be taught in Sunday School.  Feel free to adapt them or use just the pieces that you like.  Today's post is just the first lesson.  More lessons are coming!

Lesson 1: Taste 

Story: Esau�s birthright
Theme: Hunger for God
Verse:  Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.�

Introduction: Name the five senses.  Why do you think God gave them to us?  Today we're going to talk about taste, using a story about Jacob and Esau.
Tell Jacob and Esau's birth story � Genesis 25:19-28
Painting Craft - 

Supplies: cardstock, construction paper, craft paint, paintbrushes

Before the lesson, make two or more "person templates" by printing the person below on cardstock (make it about 4" x6").  Cut them out.  If you want to make shirt and pants templates, cut the hands and feet off of one and cut it through at the waist.  During the lesson, have the children fold their construction paper in half.  Then, have them trace the template onto one half.  They should fill in the person with paint.  Fold the paper in half again and press down on it so the paint transfers to the other side.  Allow the "twins" to dry.  

Tell the Birthright Story � Genesis 25:19-34
Discussion: What is your favorite food?  What would you pay for your favorite food?
Taste test � 

Supplies: food, paper, pencil, blindfolds (optional)

Before the lesson, prepare bite size portions of different foods.  For younger kids, it makes it easier to use different textures (bananas, apple, orange).  For older kids, make it more difficult by using similar textures (carrot, pepper, apple onion, pear). During the lesson, have the students number their paper for how many foods you have.  Then, blindfold the kids or have them close their eyes.  Have them eat each food and write down what they think it is.  See how many they got correct.  You might want to give the winner an edible prize.

Discuss the differences between Jacob and Esau � physically, personality, and what they liked.
Decorate the twins painting craft � 

Supplies: glue stick, shirt and pants template (optional), paper (or scrap fabric), hair (or cut up fuzzy object), crayons or markers, scissors

Have the kids write Jacob above one twin and Esau above the other.  Then have them decorate each to show what they looked like and what they liked to do.  Use the shirt and pants template to cut out paper or fabric for their clothing or have them cut out robes (with or without a pattern to trace, depending on age) to be more authentic.

Discussion:  What did Esau think was more valuable: the stew or the birthright?  What did Jacob think was more valuable?  Which do you think was more valuable?  Which would last longer?  Why do you think Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of stew that would only last a short time?  What are other things of the world (like the stew) that we can hunger for? How can you hunger for God�s blessing?


Here are links to all the lessons in the Five Senses Bible Lesson Unit:
1 - Taste
2 - Touch
3 - Sight
4 - Smell
5 - Hearing
6 - Wrap-up (uses all senses)

I want your input.

Do you have any ideas about this lesson that you would like to share?  Would you have used a different story or a different Bible verse  (I had debated about Ps 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"? Do you have any craft or activities that would go well with this lesson?

Click here for all of my Bible Lessons Unit:

Bible Verses for Amazing Grace

Probably the most popular hymn in the English language, Amazing Grace was written by John Newton, a former slave trader.  The meter (number of syllables in each line) of Amazing Grace is what is called the Common Meter (8.6.8.6.).  It is not called the Common Meter for nothing.  There are many tunes (both traditional and new) that have this meter.  As a result, Amazing Grace can be sung to many tunes. It can even be sung to The old Coca Cola Theme Song (I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...)

Here are some hymn tunes that have been used for Amazing Grace over the years (click on them to hear them):

New Britain - the traditional version

Arlington

Evan

Pisgah

Primrose/Twenty-fourth

Warwick

There have been many more recent tunes as well.  Here are a few.

The nostalgic camp version:

Not What My Hands Have Done
by Horatius Bonar

Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

Of Esau in Hebrews 12:17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;

1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 

Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.

Matthew 9:6 "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home."

No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;

Hebrews 7:26-27 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.

Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.

Of Christ in Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,

1 John 4:10  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free.

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood -

I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;

2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light.

Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

�Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;

Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

Jeremiah 33:8  'I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned against Me and by which they have transgressed against Me.'

I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.

1 John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

John 14:19 "After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also."

I'm sure there are more verses that fit with the lines of this hymn.  If you have any to add, please let me know!  I'd love to here about them.  Also, if you have any hymns or praise songs that you would like me to do, please let me know.  I am working on Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone next.  Thanks, Anita, for the idea!

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Beach-themed Candles

So, obviously this post isn't about hymns or worship songs.  You're probably thinking why is she posting this on "Scripture And ...".  Well, the Bible definitely encourages sharing.  1 Timothy 6:18 says "Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share".  So I thought I'd share some craft ideas.  These aren't full tutorials, but they were pretty simple projects.  Even I could do them!

Beach Pillar Candles

I made these at a ladies' craft day and I absolutely loved them.  So I made some more at home.  Here is what you need:

• pillar candles
• spackling compound (I used lightweight)
• sand
• seashells and/or pebbles
• newspaper (for work area)

Here's what you do:

1. Put some newspaper down on your work area.
2. Use a knife/spatula or something to apply a thick layer (about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick) of the spackling compound to the vertical part of the candle (not the bottom or top!).  You can apply a texture to them before the next step if you like.  I swirled mine with a fork.
3. Press the seashells and stones into place.
4. Pour the sand over the spackling compound.  Carefully, shake off any excess sand.
5. Dry overnight.

The great part of this project is that it is very flexible.  Some of the ladies at the craft day did a Christmas theme instead with red and green gems and glitter.  

I've never burned these candles, so I'm not sure what happens with that.  The spackling compound is somewhat flammable (it has to get very very hot first, like cooking oil), which concerned me.  Also, I didn't want any wax to drip down the outside. If you do burn them, please keep an eye on them especially the first time.  I wouldn't recommend burning them for more than an hour at a time.

Sand and Shells Candle Holder

I got the idea for these luminaries online.  I believe it was inspired by this craft: Candle Holder Seashell Craft although mine is much more simplistic.

• glass candle holder (any shape or size - although I found flat sides worked well with the shells I had)
• Elmer's glue-all or decoupage glue
• paintbrush
• sand
• seashells
• clear polyurethane
• newspaper
• tealight candle or votive candle

Here's what you do:

1. Put some newspaper down on your work area.
2. Experiment with placement of the shells to make sure they will sit properly on the glass.  They will attach better if their edge touches the glass well.  That is why I used mostly square candle holders and scallops.
3. With a paintbrush, paint glue on the edges of the shell that will touch the glass.  Use enough glue but don't overdo it (how hopeful is that advice?).  The glue will need to dry before you turn the candle holder and apply the next shell.  If you use too much glue, it will take a long time to dry before you can turn it.  I made quite a few of these for gifts so I attached shells assembly line  style so I wasn't just sitting around waiting for the glue to dry. 
4. When all of the shells are glued on and dry, use a paintbrush to paint glue on one outside vertical side of the glass candle holder.  I left a 1/4 inch space at the bottom (you don't want any sand to scratch a table).  Pour/sprinkle sand over the glue, shaking off any extra.  Repeat with the other sides.  Allow the glue to dry overnight.
5. Lightly brush off any excess sand again with your finger or a paintbrush.  Then, paint over the sand with the polyurethane.  The polyurethane keeps the sand from falling off when touched.  You can paint over the shells, too.  If you do, they will have a wet glossy look.  Be careful to keep the polyurethane on the outside of the candle holder because it is flammable.  Allow to dry.  
6. Add a candle and light it.  Enjoy!

Unlike the first candles, I've definitely burned these.  I love the way the light glows through the sand.  I've had no troubles with burning them, but as with all candles burn them responsibly. They remind me of Stone Harbor, NJ.  Where I collected most of the shells.  

I tried to make these projects sound as easy as they were, but I'm a newbie at tutorials.  If you have any questions, please ask them below and I'll do my best to explain.  

The Sands of Time are Sinking

The words of this hymn are actually an excerpt from a much longer poem by Anne R. Cousin (it has 19 stanzas).  It was inspired by the letters and last words of Samuel Rutherford.  The hymnal I use does not include the second verse below, but I included it here.  There are some more modern versions of it.  While I love the old music, the new ones are pretty good too.

Here is the Indelible Grace's version. Click here for a pdf of the music.

Here is Matt Searle's version.  
Click here for Matt Searle's website that has a pdf of this song, Immanuel's Land.
Click here for Matt Searles' album Now and Not Yet.