It’s important to help children understand and embrace what it means to have compassion. It often takes modeling and encouraging, but is essential to developing character and kindness. Students should first value and appreciate how much compassion Christ demonstrates towards us, and out of that appreciation, they should share that compassion with others. These two crafts aim to assist in efforts to understand compassion. A “blooming with compassion flower” offers an opportunity to consider ways to show others kindness. A “compassion kit” allows students to compile items that can be given to someone else our of concern and compassion.
Bible Verses and Craft Captions to Consider… (Main Text: Mark 6:30-56)
- When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. -Mark 6:34
- And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. -Mark 6:56
- You are loved! Enjoy some special tokens…
- I can show compassion by….
- Jesus demonstrated compassion…and so can I! Here’s how:
More Teaching Ideas:
- Watch the video of this children’s lesson and related Bible craft ideas
- Compare our full Jesus feeds 5000 Sunday School Lesson
- Compare another Sunday School lesson on Jesus feeding the 5000 from Matthew 14
- Get more teaching helps from the mission Bible class lesson on this story
- Download our free coloring page for the book of Mark
- Download our free Jesus feeds 5000 coloring page
Craft one: “Blooming with Compassion” Flower
You will need:
- Construction paper or card stock
- Paper plate
- Yarn, pipe cleaner, popsicle stick, or string
- Markers or crayons
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Other decorations (jewels, stickers, etc.)
Procedure:
- Cut out several pieces of paper or cardstock in petal shapes.
- Brainstorm ways of demonstrating compassion, and write them on the petals.
- Glue a circle or cupcake liner in the center of the plate, and attach the petals around it using glue or staples.
- Attach a popsicle stick “stem” to the bottom of the plate, or a pipe cleaner or string to the top to hang it on display.
Craft Two: “Kindness Kit”
You will need:
- Paper bags
- Stickers/decorations
- Markers/crayons
- String or ribbon (optional)
- Small treats and tokens (snacks, stickers, band-aids, socks, etc.)
- Construction paper/cardstock
- Scissors
- Captions/verses
Procedure:
1. Decorate the outside of the paper bag with stickers, designs, and messages.
2. Create a card or caption to go with the bag, describing the items inside and why they are there.
3. Collect “comforting” objects such as small treats, snacks, band-aids, or even socks. Place the items in the bag.
4. Attach extra verses to the bag and string or ribbon for additional decoration.
5. Give the care kit to someone in need or to someone who is going through a rough time. Share and spread the compassion!