Create simple visual aids with paper and cups to use as story figures. This simple teaching idea can be adapted to any story, age group or teaching situation.

The video above uses the example of Nadab and Abihu.

Materials:

1. Paper
2. Pencil/pen
3. Crayons, markers or coloured Pencils
4. Blue-tac or any kind of tape (masking tape, Scotch tape or cellotape)
5. Paper or plastic cups or some other item that the paper figures can be attached to.
6. Patterns for drawing (optional)
   • Patterns for Drawing Simple Bible Characters. Print on A4 size paper.
   • Patterns for Drawing Simple Bible Characters.  Print on letter size paper.

Preparation:

1. Choose a bible story and read the passage from the Bible.
2. With this in mind, make a list of characters and props needed to tell the story. It is best to keep the number of characters small.
3. Draw one simple character or prop on each piece of paper. You may prefer to use heavier paper such as index cards.
4. Attach each character to the side of an upturned paper or plastic cup using blue-tac or rolled up tape.

Instructions:

1. Move the characters around as you tell the story so that the characters act out the story like a play.

Adaptations:

1. Tell the story and then guide the children in making their own stand-up characters.
2. Let the children who arrive early help you make the characters you will be using to tell the story later in the group.
3. Make the characters as elaborate as you want. You may wish to add scenery like sand to walk on, trees and bushes, or houses. If you teach often then you might want to start your own collection. These are easy to file. Laminate the figures so they will last.
4. Instead of making the characters in the Bible story, you or the children could make characters that represent children in general or even the children themselves. After teaching the story, help the children apply the lesson by putting their characters in different scenarios. For example, the “children” could be playing on the playground when they see someone being a bully. What should they do?