When it comes to the story of the Centurion’s Faith, the phrases – ‘One shall tell another’, ‘relaying messages’, and ‘domino effect’ were high on my list of ideas to ponder. The effects of all those little messages meant that though the centurion didn’t meet Jesus face to face, his plea was heard and met. I couldn’t resist, therefore making some dominoes using the characters.

To make this craft, you will need the template printout, scissors, and some paper glue.

There is a 2-page printout if you want to make the full boxes, and a single page printout if you would like to wrap matchboxes or make the simplified tubes. Both work as dominoes.

For Full Boxes : More sturdy dominoes, but slower to make.

Cut out the box shapes.

Fold every fold, so the ink is on the outside. (Mountain folds)

Add glue to the tabs and construct.

For Tube Boxes : for quicker construction, easier cutting or using as wraps around matchboxes

Cut out and fold.

Add glue to the smallest section at the end and secure in a tube, alternatively glue around an existing box.

For BOTH:

Line up a domino run with the Centurion at one end, talk about possible orders. Encourage kids to team up to make the longest run possible.

These felt finger puppets are just adorable to play with and have so many uses. Get the older children to make their own and set up a stage to tell the story or use them as your story props, very young groups will also appreciate them for free play time.

Disclosure : This is an extra craft posted by request. I had struggled to source good craft felt in my location, so used a mixture of thicknesses and scraps.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, a pen capable of drawing on material, scissors, various colours of felt, craft glue and some hot glue or needle and thread.

Cut out your pattern pieces.

Lightly glue each piece onto the felt in the colour chosen, then cut out.

Remove the template piece when done cutting.

Once you have all the pieces for a character, you can start attaching them together.

The bodies are attached around the edges. For the centurion, that means folding the large piece in half.

To make the headpiece, you must sandwich the headpiece into the body as shown.

Tip – don’t want to give your kids hot glue or needles, pre-make the craft to this point.

Finish the helmet by cutting the plume into a fringe.

The other decorations, including the faces, can be added with paper glue.

Add on eyes and mouths with a pen.

The pattern contains a centurion, Jesus, a servant and a Jewish elder.

This paper craft of the Centurions servant being healed used a little flip to expand the scene. It shows how the centurion doesn’t leave the room and yet conveys his faith through messengers to Jesus – pictured through the window outside. It’s a perfect craft for groups who love colouring or those with really, really limited time. Not only that, but it’s also a lovely craft for younger groups to assemble, as it goes together like a 2-piece jigsaw.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, some paper glue, and a craft knife.

I’d strongly recommend preparing the slit either first or in advance for all but older groups. Use a craft knife to make a square bracket shape where the double lines are drawn.

Cut out both shapes.

Taking the larger piece, fold along the vertical lines. These are marked with small valley and mountain icons to show which direction they go. (Mountain = Ink on the outside)

Once folded, you’ll see how the middle section covers the picture.

Carefully glue the missing picture piece into position

If you need to add colour, now is the time to do so. Take special care to use the same colours for the centurion.
Tip : colour the image all folded first!

Talk with the youngsters about the various items and people, in and outside the centurions house. Start with the folded image and then have them open the image and describe what is happening.