Preparation: Gather different pails, baskets, clay pots, buckets, pitchers, etc., and/or photos of various modes of carrying water, and/or simple wells. Construct from a length of bendable wire and an empty spool a miniature windlass (the winding mechanism at the top of a well) and attach to the top of the offering "well." Wind a length of string around the windlass and attach the free end to a container, such as a small cup. It should be possible to lower the cup into the "well" to demonstrate how it works. Perhaps older children could be involved in the construction.

How far do you walk to get a drink of water? How much work is it to get water for a bath or shower? For many children, their first job every morning is to take a pail to the nearest spring or river, fill it up with water, and carry it home. They fill up the pail, lay a small branch or some leaves on top to keep the water from sloshing over, make a "doughnut" from a small strip of cloth, put the "doughnut" on their head, and set the pail on top of it. Then they might walk as much as half a mile to get back home. Girls usually do this, but boys can do it too. They start practicing with small pails or tin cans. Or they might use large gourds or clay pots instead of pails.

Two older boys might take a thick branch or rod, slide it through the handle of a pail of water, and put one end of the rod on each right shoulder. When they are grown they put the rod across one shoulder, hang a pail of water at each end, and carry it home. Women might do this too. That's a lot of work to bring home water that might not be fit to drink, especially if it came from a dirty river.

Sometimes, no rain falls for a long time and the rivers get very low. Springs may dry up altogether. That makes it especially important to have deep wells that will not go dry. Last week we talked about giving our offering money to Global Health Ministries to help people dig wells in or near their villages so that they can have clean water close to home all year round. (Display the photos of wells and demonstrate the windlass on the well.)

Memory Verse

"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink." -- Matthew 25:35

These are words from a story Jesus told to show how important it is to help others.

Offering

Have the children place their offering in the "well."

Prayer

Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus, and for the gift of the water we use every day. Help us to help others to get the water they need. Amen.

Song

See Appendix for suggestions.

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL)

The children might enjoy trying to carry a small container on their heads. Plastic ice cream pails work well. Instead of water, the pails can be filled with wadded newspaper to give them more weight and not cause a disaster when they spill. A bandana neck scarf or something similar can be used to form the "doughnut." If possible, have a three-foot rod on hand for carrying a pail between two persons.

Riddle: What takes two people to carry one of this item, but one person can carry two of the same?

Answer: A pail of water -- two boys can carry one pail on a rod, a man carries a pail on each end of a rod across his shoulders.

Session 2

Lesson Index

Session 4