These are suggestions only to help parents engage their children in services that use the Revised Common Lectionary. They can be used by parents or those who help out in small congregations that can not afford to pay Child and Families Ministry. Some congregations use all 4 readings in their services others only two. Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.
Read during the Bible readings,
Pray during the prayers,
Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.
Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on. Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
Remember you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
You might need to prepare these in advance, and place them in a special Church Bag ready to go for Sunday Morning.
The Lion Story Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-story-bible-sophie-piper-ruth-rivers/9780745964003.jhtml
The Beginners Bible for Toddlers https://www.word.com.au/The-Beginners-Bible-for-Toddlers/Kathryn-De-Vries/9781859857410
http://www.hazelmitchell.com/activity-pages DOWNLOAD and PRINT 2nd item on first row
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2018 Will get you 14 colouring in pages, that is 14 Sundays worth and I will refer to them over the coming weeks.
http://www.hazelmitchell.com/activity-pages DOWNLOAD and PRINT 2nd item on first row
Building Blocks
plain paper, paper plates or Journal
texta’s
handkerchief, or 15x15cm of material or 15cm strip of crepe streamer
FIRST READING: Samual 6:1-5, 12b-19
READ: The Lion Story Bible p.10 David’s city
and The Beginners Bible for Toddlers p. 49 helps explain what an ARK is in the context of this reading.
DO: encourage your child to dance or move to the Hymns today if your congregation is concentrating on this Reading. At least give them a small handkerchief or 15cm square of material, or a 15cm strip of crepe streamer, to wave in time to the beat.
MAKE: Build with blocks all the places we find God, Houses, churches, bus stops, stables, the list is endless i;m sure they’ll add to it.
Psalm 24
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2018
HAND PLAY: Entwine your fingers so they are hanging down.
Form the thumbs into a steeple
Say: Here is the Church
and Here is the steeple
Open the doors and let in the people.
SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 1: 3-14
READ/WATCH If you can not find Toby by Hazel Mitchell. Here is an excerpt on You tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TgIF-6Yo1o talk about how difficult it can be to fit in, but God loves us so much like the little boy in Toby he patiently helps us be a part of His family
suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-july-15-2018/
COLOURING-IN: http://www.hazelmitchell.com/activity-pages DOWNLOAD and PRINT 2nd item on first row
OR DRAW your own view of what it is like to be part of God’s family
PRAY: Thank you Lord
That you want me
to be a part of Your family
Amen
GOSPEL READING: MARK 6:14-29
READ: NO modern children’s book I checked had the story of John the Baptist’s Death.
Usually I would suggest a children’s story book or a video about promises, but for me, that just muddies this story. We tell the Easter story of Jesus death, so I suggest you retell this reading, very simply like this
Jesus’s cousin John, died, when an important, but weak man made a bad promise, that he kept even though he knew it was wrong. This made Jesus sad.
You could then read http://www.hazelmitchell.com/activity-pages DOWNLOAD and PRINT 2nd item on first rowor watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrhbrxcGEBM
DRAW: a picture of a Sad face, or make a sad face on a plate.
or make a black and white picture of something that makes you sad.
PRAY:
Help me to make promises that You approve of God, Amen
The Cross in My Backyard 