The Uniting Church of South Australia has a helpful web page of Advent and Christmas resources. Family Activities include – Family Prayer boxes , Advent promise Calendars, Starry Advent Calendar, Parent’s Page Christmas Alter Nativity , Parent’s Page Christmas and Santa Christmas Craft – Night Sky Bethlehem, Christmas Tree Ornament, Nativity Finger Puppets, Jesus Cube [...]
As part of your Sunday School program or children’s group get the children to learn some Bible memory verses. For example: John 3:16, Revelation 3:20, John 14:6, Psalm 23:1, John 1:1, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6, Genesis 1:1 (perhaps use a simplified translation for younger children) Use these texts for your Snakes and Ladders as follows: [...]
Father’s Day for Jairus (This story was written to be presented as a monologue for Father’s Day) (based on>Matt. 5:21-43, Mark 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56) ‘How’s your father?’ I heard our neighbour Zac ask my daughter Rachel. I’d been feeling ill for a couple of days, but now at last I could eat again. ‘He’s on [...]
A Sunday School teacher spent fifteen minutes telling her class about the kings and queens of the Old Testament. “But there is a higher power. Does any one know what it is?” she asked. “Sure,” said one little boy “Aces”.
A child sat in his grandfather’s arms as both of them looked in a mirror. “Did God make us both?’ he asked. “Yes, of course.” “Well, He does a much better job now days. He’s had lot’s of practice! Now He doesn’t put wrinkles on faces.” God- improving? The fact is, that God has given [...]
Here are some comments from some little children aged seven or eight I have taught in Religious Education classes. “Why do all ventriloquists use the same voice for their dolls?” Q.What’s the last book in the Bible? A. “Revolution”. When teaching the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth I was asked… “Why don’t angels still appear [...]
One book which has helped me think more about the thoughts and feelings of children is a book by Ulrich Schaffer titled “For the Love of Children”-meditations on growing up with children. (Lion Publishing, Albatross Books, 1980). It appears that this book is no longer in print but secondhand copies are still available. His poems, [...]
Involving Children with the Bible 1.Extending the passage: Following a story, children are encouraged to think further. e.g .to pretend they were the guard at the tomb, and to write a letter to your mum, a week after the resurrection, e.g. make up some press questions that you may ask one of the disciples after [...]
I have recently been involved in a mission to a large school with children aged 5-12 years. As part of that mission week one of the Christian teachers devised a series of bookmarks (in PDF format) with Bible verses on to be given to children. These are available to be downloaded here. Bible Verse Bookmarks
I’ve just found a great website with Bible Stories in Powerpoint format for children. Check it out here.
My Grandson Jordan
Group Building Games 1. Boop – Form into hand-in-hand circles of 4-6 people. Toss a balloon into the centre of each group. The task is for the group to keep it off the ground without letting go hands. Try counting the number of hits before it drops and aiming for a high score. 2. Touch [...]
I have developed a Bible Verse Calendar which can be used over one month or several months. Included on the back of the calendar is an explanation of different ways in which it might be used and also a number of activities for one or more children. It is suggested you print the calendar on [...]
Bible Buzz- Bible Reading Activity for Children Make some enlargements of a Bible passage (e.g. the storm on Lake Galilee, Luke using a photocopier and paste onto large sheets of paper or cardboard. Read the verses dramatically or get the children involved in drawing or dramatising it. The children then use coloured pencils or crayons [...]
A great website with loads of GamesKidsPlay.net Well worth bookmarking for when you are in a hurry planning a program.
A little child in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed the offering plates. When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster piped up so that everyone could hear, “Don’t pay for me Daddy, I’m under five.”
Here’s an idea for your Sunday School class or children’s group to help build self esteem. Everyone expects a little attention or their birthday, so surprise students in your class by recognizing them on their half birthdays. Find out each child’s birthday, add six months and you’ll have each child’s half birthday. During your class [...]
“The babe, with a cry brief and dismal, Fell into the water baptismal; Ere they’d gathered its plight, It had sunk out of sight, For the depth of the font was abysmal.” Edward Gorey, The Listing Attic,1954 “The baby wakes up in the wee wee hours of the morning.” Robert Robbins, Reader’s Digest, 1949
Where God is Not – A story about Faith A boy named Eric was wandering home from the nearby Sunday School, and dawdling on the way. He scuffed his shoes into the grass he stopped to pick up a dandelion, and blew hard until all the seeds where gone. He stopped to watch a small [...]
Favourite Night ( An all-age activity for a family night or small group with children) 1. Ask the children (or families) to bring along their favourite item/toy/piece of clothing etc. for showing and talking about. 2. Have sheets of paper hung around the walls of the room/hall with different heading on each. eg. “Your Favourite [...]
10 Commandments Forkids Flipchart View more presentations from Robert Klein. If God had texted the 10 Commandments no1 b4 me. srsly. dnt wrshp pix/idols no omg’s no wrk on w/end (sat 4 now; sun l8r) pos ok – ur m&d r cool dnt kill ppl :-X only w/ m8 dnt steal dnt lie re: bf [...]
1. Table Tiggy Spread out round room. Leader asks a question. First child with their hand up is chosen. If an incorrect answer is given the child sits down. If correct the child takes a step (not leap) to try and touch another child (touch= out). The last one standing wins! 2. Round the World [...]
Easter Craft -Empty Tomb This is a food craft to help us remember the victory of Jesus rising from death. Using chocolate Easter Eggs, biscuits and toothpicks. Simple, a bit messy and lots of fun, the empty tomb reminds us of that victory Jesus had over death. Empty Tomb Craft Other Easter resources at Max7.org
Children’s Activity on the Resurrection. Click to enlarge
Why We Love Children An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him: “How do you expect to get into Heaven?” The boy thought it over and said: “Well, I’ll run in and out and in and out slamming the door until St Peter says: “For Heavens sake Dylan, come in [...]
I found the following website has helpful downloads relevant to teaching or leading a children’s group. There are also some questions for reflection and discussion with others in your children’s ministry team. Children’s Ministry Agency- Assemblies of God USA. http://4kids.ag.org/library/characteristics/index.cfm
I commend the great work that “China Heart” does amongst the poor, needy and orphans in China. The short term mission teams called “Mercy Teams” are a wonderful way to show God’s care and practical help to children who are struggling. Please check out the China Heart website : http://www.chinaheartint.org/ Also: http://www.amccsm.org/
Tony loved children. Tony was known around the neighbourhood for his tennis coaching and his help with the local scout group. One day Tony was working on his driveway laying some cement when the two young boys from down the street came by with their small bikes. Just as Tony yelled out at the small [...]
Scripture Union have made available a great training resource called “Children and the Gospel” written by Ron Buckland a seasoned Australian children’s worker, pastor, trainer and writer. This article and the references quoted are well worth a read.
You will need 52 players (or adapt according to numbers), two sets of cards with the letters of the alphabet, large enough to be seen in a large room. Every letter of the alphabet should be included in the list of words. (The word may be random or on a particular topic). Divide players into [...]
