For each passage, there is a collectable card alongside high-quality character images and a colouring page. All other graphics are extra’s!
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This passage is sometimes avoided in kids ministry circles because it seems Jesus’ actions are derogatory, he appears to insult the woman and those who do not come from the Jewish nation. It’s certainly a discussion older children may want to have as to why Jesus chooses to use this soft insult. But this passage contains a much bigger challenge for churches today, the challenge to include the outsider, to allow God’s abundance to spill over the edges of the table we set.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Jesus and his friends had left the crowds behind and gone for a walk somewhere different. Jesus hadn’t done any miracles in this gentile area, so the people didn’t know him — or that’s what the disciples thought.
They hadn’t been walking for long when a woman rushed towards them.“Lord” she called, breathing heavily as she ran, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me”
The disciples looked uncomfortable. This local woman wasn’t one of the chosen people, she wasn’t an Israelite. Why was she bothering Jesus?
“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me, My daughter is suffering terribly.” Now she was alongside them, but Jesus still didn’t say anything. He was watching the disciples.
“Jesus, send her away” called one of the disciples, “Yes, do send her away” said another. “She won’t stop, we don’t want this woman crying out at us all day” Jesus stopped walking and turned around.
“I was sent for the lost of Israel” said Jesus, but before he could say another word, the woman had pushed through the people and knelt at his feet. “Lord help me” she begged.
Jesus looked around him, he was going to teach his disciples something very important, and he wanted to make sure they were listening.
“Is it not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs?” said Jesus. None of the disciples had a chance to answer because the woman at the feet of Jesus answered first.
“Yes Lord it is” she said as loudly as she could manage. The whole gathering grew quiet. She wasn’t insulted, she was fighting for her daughter the only way she knew. Jesus smiled and nodded, “go on” he whispered.
“Even the dogs get the crumbs from under the table”, said the woman, her voice now shaky. Jesus reached down to help the woman up, “You have great faith” Jesus said, “Go home, your daughter is well.”
Jesus looked at his friends. Did they realise what the woman had shown them? Did they realise how God’s love was bigger than just one people? That’s God’s love for the world was so huge it would overflow just like the crumbs would fall from the table.
Today’s heroes is the Canaanite Woman because she shows us the gift of Abundance
This passage can feel a little abstract as it relies on symbolism, so the activities suggested here stick pretty solidly with exploring bread. For the older kids we can spread out to the ideas of symbolism and the confusion of the crowd. There are some printable ideas here as well to try to give you variety without moving away on a tangent.
Print this sheet of dominoes and play a round. It’s a small set, so double up if you have extra kids. Grab the printout by clicking on the picture. The PDF is accessible by clicking on the picture.
Crumbs
All Ages
Any size group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Jesus’ teaching was full of really obvious hints about his future, but the disciples didn’t see it. Set up a treasure to find crumbs (words) that make up the phrase – I am the bread of life (6 words)
I give, you ask
All Ages
Small group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
This is an association word game that you take turns playing. The first person says “I give you…” followed by an object, the next one replies “I ask for…” followed by a slightly different object. The objects must be linked but not the same, you also can’t repeat an object. Play in pairs or a large circle. Example : I give you bread, I ask for butter, I give you jam, I ask for fruit, I give you salad, I ask for meat…
Bread buddies
All Ages
Any size group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
Bread is remarkable and can be used to sculpt shapes out of, cut with cookie cutters and stuck together. Use a few slices of bread to make a bread character.
Whispers
Under 7’s
Any size group
No Setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
(A classic game sometimes known as Chinese whispers) The crowd in the story went off on a tangent by discussing and arguing among themselves rather than listening to what Jesus was really saying. This classic game of passing along whispered messages from one person to another illustrated that perfectly. Sit in a circle near enough the other players so you can lean in a whisper the chosen message and the rest of the group won’t hear.
This bread of life craft uses the classic split-pin wheel to reveal the message. It’s a super simple craft and great for younger groups or groups who like to colour.
This bread of life craft is all about piecing together the parts and while the final product may look simple, it’s easy to get it muddled. You can make it more sturdy by backing it onto thicker card, though it works with just paper too.
