HEN FEATHERS: Have a picture of a hen and some chicks. Use some craft feathers which should be available from the craft section at a local store. (They are very inexpensive at Wal-Mart.)  As the children come into classroom, have them glue feathers over the chicks. Discuss that we will be talking today about the mother hen and also Jesus, gathering the children under the shelter of the wing.

LOVE HEARTS Treasure Hunt:

Option 1: (for older children) - Red hearts hidden around the room or SS area with a Bible verse on each heart which relates to God's love and protection.  (I John 4:9; I John 4:18; I Corinthians 13:1-8; John 15:9; John 3:16; John 15:12). When a child finds a heart, he quickly returns to the teacher or helper and finds the verse in the Bible and reads it to the teacher. Then the child continues to find another heart and repeats the above process. All children continue to hunt for the "treasures" until all the hearts are found. Teacher can shorten the Bible verses if needed.

Option 2: (for younger children) - Red hearts can be hunted for by the children with words that talk about God's love (ie: protection; food; clothes; parents; teachers, pretty flowers, etc) and the child can find one and bring it to the teacher to read out loud or tack it on the bulletin board and then run to find another heart!

CATCH AND HUG Game: The children will scatter around the classroom. One person will represent Jesus and will try to "gather them in his arms" and protect them and care for them. Some of the children will stray and "Jesus" will try to HUG them as well. Group hugs will be fun at the end to remind us of Jesus' love for us!

WINGS "personalized" - Children or teacher can draw WINGS or use craft feathers at the top of construction paper. Children can write their own name under the wings to personalize God's special love and care for that child! Bible verses can be added from above list under "LOVE HEART TREASURE". Special happy face and heart stickers can be available to decorate the WINGS art!

BIBLE VERSE "Play acting": Have one child or the teacher/helper read the Bible verse while children are covered by a light small blanket to represent the hen's wings covering the chicks. Discuss how Jesus gathers his children under the shelter of His wings for for protection from enemies or from the elements.

HIPPOPOTAMUS CRAFT: Click Here for an easy paper bag puppet craft provided through the courtesy of Mary Rice Hopkins. We appreciate Mary's willingness to help us in our ministry and we highly recommend her children's music.  Visit the Mary Rice Hopkins & Company web site for lots of great music for children.  She even has a song called "Hip Hip Hooray" about a hippopotamus.  Listen!