Two Little Hands

Little hands can do kind things

by Janice Ross

Suitable for Reception / Key Stage 1

Aims

To consider that we can do kind things with our hands in the same way that Jesus did.

Preparation and materials

• You will need some hand cream.
• Have available an image of a joiner or carpenter at work and the means to show it during the assembly. Examples could include: https://tinyurl.com/jwjjak5v and https://tinyurl.com/bdcs4k6f
• The Bible story in the ‘Assembly’, Step 7, is from Luke 18.15-17.

Assembly

1. Rub hand cream into your hands as you enter the assembly, or apply it at the front of the room as the children settle.
   
   Explain that we need to take care of our hands. Sometimes, especially in winter, our hands can get chapped and sore with the cold weather. We look after them by rubbing in some cream to soften them.
   
   
2. Ask the children whether they have seen any of their family using hand cream at other times.
   
   Ask them who it was and why they were using it.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   
3. Identify that some tasks, such as doing the washing up, scrubbing floors, fishing and gardening, can make our hands dry and rough.
   
   
4. Point out that we do many things with our hands every day.
   
   Ask the children to offer some suggestions of what they do with their hands. They could either shout out ideas or show what they mean with actions. Examples might include waving, pointing, clapping, feeling, writing and eating.
   
   
5. Now make a fist and introduce the idea that we can also do things with our hands that are not gentle, and that hurt others.
   
   
6. Explain to the children that when Jesus was a boy, his father taught him how to be a carpenter.
   
   Show the image of a joiner or carpenter at work.
   
   Identify that this kind of work is hard on hands.
   
   
7. Explain that when Jesus grew up and began his work of caring for people, they noticed that his hands were kind and gentle.
   
   There was one time, after a busy day of teaching people about God, when the disciples noticed a crowd of women coming up the hillside carrying their babies. These parents knew that Jesus had been sent from God to show us his love. They wanted Jesus to take their babies in his arms and bless them. The disciples tried to stop the women because they knew that Jesus was tired. However, Jesus said, ‘Don’t stop them. Let the little children come to me.’
   
   
8. Explain that you want the children to listen to a poem about this special time. Ask them to see whether they can spot all the ways in which Jesus blessed people with his hands.
   
   Let’s see . . . 
   How would Jesus hold a baby?
   Very gently I would say.
   From the parent’s arms he’d lift them,
   Stand and rock them in this way.                  
   
   Let’s see . . .
   How would Jesus bless a baby?
   Very gently I would say.
   Put a hand upon its head,
   Look down tenderly as he prayed.
   
   Let’s see . . .
   How would Jesus play with children?
   Very gently I would say.
   Sit down on the ground beside them,
   Smile and join in with their play.
   
   Let’s see . . .
   How would Jesus talk with parents?
   Very gently I would say.
   ‘What a great job you are doing.
   Thank you for coming to see me today.’

Time for reflection

Ask the children to look at their hands and think about how they could use them for good.

Encourage them to think of at least one kind way in which they can use their hands to show care or kindness today. Challenge the children to put this into practice and then share this with you later in the day.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you care for each of us.
Thank you that you want to treat everyone with love and kindness.
Thank you that when Jesus was on Earth, he used his hands in kind and caring ways.
Help us to use our hands to show love and care to those around us.
Amen.