Sunday School Lessons and Ideas for St. Patrick's Day
- According to Irish legend, St. Patrick used the small three-leaved shamrock or clover leaf to explain about the Holy Trinity. You can do the same in your own Sunday school classroom. Have the children make three-leaf clover crafts, either cut out of construction paper, colored in on a template or molded out of clay. Explain that, while many think that a four-leaf clover is lucky, it is the three-leaf clover that is important, for it shows the three sides of God. Have them label each leaf with a person of the Trinity--Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- While most kids are familiar with the common non-Christian symbols used on St. Patrick's Day, it is a good idea to change many of the associations they have with Saint Patrick to the Christian symbols. Place four-leaf clovers, rainbows, leprechauns and pots of gold on the left-hand side of a large bulletin board. Have children make a drawing of what they associate with St. Patrick's day and place them there as well. On the other side, place a large map of Ireland with the sites of early churches, Celtic crosses and a picture of St. Patrick. Describe the life of St. Patrick and use the bulletin board to explain what the real holiday is about.
- One of the most well-known videos for teaching children about different stories in the bible is "Veggie Tales." Watch the Veggie Tales story of St. Patrick and ask the children questions afterward about the shamrock in the story, what people in Ireland believed at the time of St. Patrick and what difficulties the boy encountered in the story. Discuss how Patrick was sent by God to help the people of Ireland.
- Green milk and shamrock cookies are always a hit with kids. After teaching about the history concerning St. Patrick's life and teaching, have children decorate simple sugar cookies shaped like shamrocks. Have the children cover each shamrock with green icing and then cover them with sprinkles in either gold or silver. Have milk nearby and pour every child a glass. Give them green food coloring and have them add two to three drops, or none if they prefer, and stir the milk vigorously. Dip the cookies in the milk.
