Henny Penny Bible Activities

Using family story time to discuss the Bible is a perfect way to connect a child's Christian identity with things outside the church.

The story of " Henny Penny" has become a cultural staple in the Western world. The narrative's ill-fated fowl protagonist -- more commonly referred to as "Chicken Little" -- is known for embarking on a journey to inform the king that the sky has begun to fall. Riddled both with humor and strong moral lessons, the story of Henny Penny functions perfectly as an aid to children's Bible activities, teaching young people how to apply simple biblical precepts to the world around them.

Avoid Actions Based On Fear

Jesus Christ's "walking on the water" originally inspired fear in his disciples because they mistook his form for that of a ghost.

Discuss Henny Penny's decision to act blindly out of fear instead of taking time to think or simply consulting with God. Next, pass out small sheets of paper containing Bible verses or stories about fear or comfort from fear, such as Psalm 23 or Isiah 41:3. Discuss how this knowledge may have aided Henny Penny in her moment of panic. Last, choose a child to portray each character in the story. Give the remaining children a remote, with which they can "pause" the story when they see Henny Penny making a mistake. After the children have chosen the appropriate moment to pause the story, encourage them to use the Bible verses and moral lessons they have learned to persuade Henny Penny to act in a different way.

Don't Always Follow the Leader

Divide the children into pairs. Show them a small box containing two $5 bills. Tell them you will hide the box, and whichever pair finds it first will get to keep the money inside. Next, place an eye mask or loosely-tied blindfold over each child's face. Explain that one member of the group will stand still and call out directions -- left, right, backward, forward -- while the other member attempts to find the box. Count down 30 seconds on a watch while all of the groups simultaneously attempt to find the box, which will be somewhere in plain sight. Afterward, regroup and discuss why the search was a fruitless endeavor. Question them on what the Bible says about the blind leading the blind, Matthew 15:14. Last, ask them what Jesus would have done if he were one of Henny Penny's friends, and how this applies to their lives in the real world.

Satan, the Great Deceiver

The most infamous tale of Satan's trickery takes place in the garden of Eden, when he persuades Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Discuss how Foxy Loxy is able to use trickery to coerce the other animals into his den. Next, divide the children into two large groups. Provide each group with small sheets of paper. Inform them that they will have 3 minutes to write down as many biblical examples of Satan's using trickery as they can recall. Start the clock, and when their time is up, tally the examples from each group and present the winners with a small token of their success, such as a bookmark or gel pen. Next, discuss all of the examples given by each of the children's groups. Provide examples of other Bible verses, such as 2 Corinthians 11:3 and James 4:7, that discuss Satan's trickery and how to combat it. Bring the discussion to a close by asking the children to consider how continually leaning on God may strengthen their lives, and how his help will aid them in their battle against Satan, the great deceiver.

Critical Thinking and Faith

Discuss how, in the story of Henny Penny, each character's lack of critical thinking allows him to be taken advantage of by the Fox, and how critical thinking is necessary to life as a Christian. Next, divide the children into two groups. Give each group a set of note cards with "facts" written on them. Some of the "facts" are true, and some are not. Each group will have two minutes to sort the carts into two piles: one true and one false. Afterward, discuss how their critical thinking came into play when completing this activity. Share Bible verses in which God promulgates knowledge and the pursuit of truth; e.g., James 1:5, Colossians 2:3. Apply these verses to the tale of Henny Penny.

References

• University of Pittsburgh: "The End of the World -- The Sky Is Falling"; D. L. Ashliman; 2010
• BeliefNet: How to Face Fear
• Scripture Menu: Entree -- Verses about Satan
• BibleGateway: Matthew 14:22-33; New International Version; 2011
• Heaven's Inspiration: "Scriptures on God's Wisdom

Resources

• ChristianFaith: Dealing with Fear
• Orthodox Research Institute: "Satan, the Great Deceiver"; Timothy Evangelinidis; 1999