I am the Vine, You are the Branches...

 This sermon series, as a church we are memorizing John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

Stephen wrote a nice little song to help everyone memorize it. It really helps!

I had been listening to a podcast with Dr. Curt Thompson and he was talking about how before we think anything we have to have a physical encounter with it. Children learn this way all of the time, but sadly, as we grow, we stop thinking that we learn in these ways, and so we just.... stop. I was just thinking more of ways we can worship God physically in church. As I was searching for a craft for a children's lesson I got the idea for this one that our whole church could do together. 

I made a twisted "vine" and cut out "branches" for everyone to put their names on. The kids worked on coloring leaves and fruit to put on it afterwards. I know it is kind of cheesy, and so far, we have not even figured out how to hang it, but I thought it was cool to physically stick yourself "into" the vine. Knowing, from the vine is where full life is possible. Thank you Jesus.