Art Extra
A Good Ruler
Grades 5–6

A Word of Hope
Kids make bottle-cap magnets to express God's uplifting words of hope.

Spark Resources:
Spark Bible

Supplies:
•    Metal bottle caps (or plastic milk jug lids if bottle caps are unavailable)
•    Small flat magnets
•    Newspaper or other paper goods with type lettering
•    Scissors
•    Glue sticks
•    White glue
•    Water
•    Small cups
•    Paintbrushes
•    Plastic spoons
•    Whiteboard or chart paper and supplies
•    Drill (optional)
•    Drill bit (optional)
•    Cord or chain for necklaces (optional)

Set Up:
In small cups, mix 3 parts white glue to 1 part water. Check metal bottle caps to be sure they are not bent.

Instructions:
Hold up the Bible for the kids to see. The Bible is God's word for people today. Today's Bible story tells us about God's words of love, promise, and hope that lift us up when we feel down. God's word is a word of hope for us! What are some Bible words that give you hope? Allow all answers. List kids' ideas on the whiteboard or chart paper.

1. Show kids the bottle caps and invite them to glue a magnet to the top surface of one bottle cap.
2. Invite kids to look in the newspaper for words or letters that express some of their favorite faith words. Have kids cut letters and words out, making sure they are small enough to fit inside the well of a bottle cap.
3. Have kids use glue sticks to stick their letters or words inside the bottle caps.
4. Let kids use spoons to add a drop or two of the white glue mixture into the bottle caps, covering the words. Make sure the glue mixture settles evenly inside the cap.
5. When the glue mixture dries, it will be clear and kids will be able to read the words on these magnets.
•    Invite kids to make as many bottle cap magnets as time allows.

These magnets are great reminders of God's words of hope. Put them on your fridge at home, and tell your family that God's word of hope lifts us up!

If you have less time . . .
Print or copy small words or symbols for the kids to use in their bottle caps rather than having the kids locate and create their own from type resources.

If you have more time . . .
Help kids use a small drill and drill bit to put a hole in each bottle cap. Follow the same procedure for adding lettering or words inside the bottle caps, but when dry, clear the glue out of the hole and attach to a cord or chain to make a necklace.