Purpose

To create a 3D model of the burning bush that doesn’t burn up, helping children visualize the holy moment when God called Moses.

Setup

1. Cut the red, orange, and yellow tissue paper into squares (about 2x2 inches).
2. For younger children, you can pre-cut the top of the paper bags into strips.

Instructions

1. The Bush: Have the children open their brown paper bag so it stands up like a cylinder.
2. Tell them to cut straight down from the top of the bag to about halfway down, making strips all the way around the opening. These are the branches!
3. Have them grab the middle of the bag (right below where the cuts stop) and carefully twist it a few times. This creates the “trunk” of the bush, and makes the cut strips fan out like branches.
4. The Fire: Have the children crumple the tissue paper squares into little balls of “fire.”
5. Let them dip the tissue paper balls in glue and stick them all over the twisted paper bag branches.
6. When they are finished, they will have a 3D bush that looks like it is covered in bright flames!

Discussion While Crafting

• “When Moses saw the burning bush, what was so strange about it?” (It was on fire, but the leaves weren’t burning up!).
• “What did God tell Moses to do with his shoes?” (Take them off, because he was standing on holy ground).
• “Moses made a lot of excuses because he was afraid. But did God leave him alone, or did God promise to go with him?” (God promised to be with him and give him exactly what he needed).