Well-Watered Trees… Craft Ideas for Spiritual Growth and Health: What does it mean to be spiritually healthy? Being nourished in faith is like a well-watered plant, able to set roots down and grow up. When we encourage children to grow strong in faith, we remind them of the importance of positive habits like prayer, Scripture reading, and church attendance. The Bible often uses planting or tree metaphors to describe the life of faith, and these crafts emphasize those with fun tree themes. A “bag puppet tree” serves as a decorative reminder of faith life. A double-sided picture recalls the contrast in healthy and sick plants (and people!) And a “tree in a cup” focuses on the fruit of following God! “Branch out” and enjoy!
More Children’s Ministry Lesson Ideas:
- Watch the video of this children’s sermon and related Bible craft ideas
- Download our Jeremiah Bible coloring page and Psalm 1 Coloring Book
- Don’t miss our new list of short Bible verses for children and Bible Trivia Questions
- Compare our full-length Sunday School Bible Lesson on Trees by Living Water
Sunday School Craft: “Bag Puppet Tree”
You will need:
- Paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- String or pipe cleaners
- Markers or decorating materials
- Glue or tape
- Paper bag(s)
- Stickers (optional)
Procedure:
- Stuff a paper bag with tissue or newspaper.
- Twist the bag and secure with pipe cleaner, string, or rubber bands.
- Cut and twist pieces of the paper bag. Add extra bag pieces, if desired.
- Attach paper cut “leaves” onto the bag branches.
- Add stickers and “fruit pieces,” if desired.
- Add a verse or caption and display your fruit-bearing puppet-tree!
Bible Craft: “Double-sided tree portrait”
You will need:
- Paper or cardstock
- Pipe cleaners, ribbon, or string (optional)
- Branches or sticks (optional)
- Glue or tape
- Markers or crayons
Procedure:
1. Attach two papers together to shade different colors.
2. Decorate one side of the paper with leaves, green elements, and “healthy tree” pictures.
3. Decorate the other side of the paper (flipping upside down) with representations of dry or wilting plants.
4. Attach verses or captions. If desired, add a string or pipe cleaner to hang the drawing.
Children’s Ministry Craft: “Cup of Tree”
You will need:
- Paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- Decorative materials (markers, crayons, colored pencils)
- Paper towel tubes
- Paper plates
- Cup
- Tape or glue
Procedure:
1. Cut the paper plate in half. Decorate with markers and stickers, as a tree.
2. Staple the paper plate halves together, and attach to the paper towel tube.
3. Attach verses or captions.
4. Place the “tree” inside the cup.
5. Add paper or tissue paper in watery colors, to represent a “stream” in the cup. Enjoy and remember to stay “watered in the Word”!
Bible Verses or Captions to Consider… (Main Text: Psalm 1; Jeremiah 17:5-10)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.” -Jeremiah 17:7-8
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. -Psalm 1:3
Stay rooted in God’s word!
Bear fruit and stay close to the Lord!
Don’t be a desert shrub…plant yourself near God’s living water!
Be well-watered in the Word!