Lexi Shipp is a passionate writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. With a Bachelors in Religion and Masters in Human Services Counseling, both specified in Christian Ministry, Lexi loves serving alongside her husband doing Next Gen Ministry. Working with middle and high school girls for years, she has a heart for connecting all generations of women and championing the next generation for the cause of Christ – starting within her own home as a mom. Lexi serves as a regular LifeWay Girls blogger and the Communications Team Lead for the SBC of Virginia’s Women’s Ministry. To read more of Lexi’s writings or to book her as a speaker, connect with her on Instagram @alexisleeshipp.
In this series, we are discussing ways to Biblically engage kids throughout the summer. In our last post, we discussed the ocean. Today, we will be studying butterflies!
The key verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
Find a book or pull up the following images online:
1. A butterfly egg
2. A caterpillar
3. A chrysalis
4. A butterfly
Talk about the process of metamorphosis on a level that the child can understand. (This may be incredibly simplified for younger toddlers and preschoolers)
Open your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 5:17. Have the child repeat after you. Say the verse multiple times! (I added hand motions to help my children memorize the verse.)
Show the image of the caterpillar and explain sin (give examples – I.e. hitting a sibling, disobedience, lying, etc.) We are like this caterpillar when we are making bad choices and have sin in our heart….
BUT….
(Show picture of chrysalis) When we choose to give our lives to Jesus, He rescues us – we are forgiven and the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us to help us make better choices. We are now a new creation!
(Show picture of butterfly)
Just like the caterpillar completely transforms and changes into a new creature, we are completely changed and transformed when we give our lives to Jesus!
Project Option 1 • Planting Flowers for Butterfly Observation:
- Grab a packet of seeds from the store. Usually, you can find a packet of seeds for around $2. Our family has found that Zinnia seeds are very hardy. They sprout quickly, are strong and resistant, and all sorts of wildlife LOVE them!
- If possible, plant the flowers near a window so that you are able to observe at all times of the day. This will help avoid being outside in the heat during the hottest times of the afternoon, but also, it will allow you to watch for butterflies without scaring them off.
Project Option 2 • Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly:
Supply List:
Pipe cleaner
Empty toilet paper roll
Paint, crayons, or markers
Glue
Google eyes
Sheet of construction paper
Scissors
Step 1: Have child color or paint the empty toilet paper roll. This is the body of the butterfly.
Step 2: Cut the pipe cleaner in half. Twist around your finger to create a curl. Glue both pipe cleaner pieces on the same end (inside) of the toilet paper roll to create antennas
Step 3: For the wings, fold a piece of construction paper in half and cut along the folded side in the shape of wings. Glue wings onto the decorated toilet paper roll
Step 4: Draw eyes or place google eyes with glue.
