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W&W Story: The Writing on the Wall

The Writing on the Wall: God’s Power[i]
Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with:
·         Welcoming the children
·         Explain the space
·         Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know”

Story[ii]

Once there was a king named Belshazzar. He threw a party, at this palace. The people who he ruled over did not follow the 10 Best Ways to Live. Belshazzar’s father had taken items from God’s temple, in Jerusalem. Belshazzar decided that the gold and silver cups should be used, at his party. So all of the people there started to drink from the temple’s cups.

All of the sudden a hand appeared and started writing on the wall “Mene, Mene, Tekal, Parsin!” None of the king’s wise men or advisors knew what it meant. The king called in Daniel. He translated the words for the king. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom and finished it. Tekel: you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Parsin: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. All of this was because King Belshazzar did not honor God and follow the 10 best ways to live.

Wonder Questions:
·         I wonder what it would have been like to attend the king’s party?
·         I wonder what it would have been like to see a hand start writing on the wall?
·         I wonder what it would have been like to listen as Daniel translated the words?
·         I wonder how the people and king felt about the meaning of the words?
·         I wonder what the king thought about was going to happen?

Activity

Have the children find a chair around the table.
Explain to them that they are going to color their own walls.
Using the color change markers, have the children start coloring in their walls. (Before the children arrive, use the clear marker and write “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin” on the sheets.)
Talk with the children about what it was like to have their walls change colors?
Have the children clean up their supplies.
Gather the children back in the circle. Continue with Children’s Worship and Wonder format and light the Christ candle, read scripture, pray, and sing the goodbye song.

Scripture Reading: Daniel 5: 1-6


[i] From Bible Story Activities; volume 2 edited by Terry P. Rothermich, Christian Board of Publication St. Louis, Missouri, 1999.
[ii] Story and Wonder Questions by Kate West, 2005.
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