These are suggestions only to help parents/caregivers engage their children in services that use the Revised Common Lectionary. They can be used by parents/caregivers 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.
https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018 THIS IS A NEW SEASON, AMERICAN FALL OUR Spring . For $10 American dollars (about $Aus 16) you have 12 weeks of colouring sheets. Or you can combine with other parents or ask the Church to make the purchase for yourself and the families.
Download https://www.max7.org/en/resource/tengreatstories
Communal toys such as dolls house, cars, trains or farm sets
Sticky stars
Paper plate,
texta’s
red or pink ribbon or felt
things to make choices with such as spoon, fork, 2 coloured hair, tis, 2 toys, 2 cars etc
OLD TESTAMENT: Proverbs 1:20-33
WATCH/READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OtPJfhscys THROUGH YOUR EYES: MY CHILD’S GIFT TO ME by Ainsley Earhardt
as suggested http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-september-16-2018/
DO: Catch God Words, Ask your child to listen for a word or two depending on how old they are. For example “tell me when you hear GOD or Jesus, or Love” if they don’t remember just give them a gentle reminder. You might like to put a star sticker on the pew sheet each time a word is said. Don’t get competitive about this game.
PLAY: with communal toys such as a dolls house or cars or trains
PSALM 19:
LISTEN: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/when-you-lie-down-lullabies-scripture-songs/# no. 10 Acceptable
COLOURING -IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018
OR if you bought the Lent series https://www.illustratedchildrensministry.com/psalms/
SECOND READING: James 2:1-9
WATCH/READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42o8JuaEAZc Willow by Denise Brennan-Nelson
as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lecctionary-links-sunday-september-13-2015/
FIND: Little things can make a big difference, what can you find in your church that is small but makes difference. Can you draw them?
MAKE: make a face, use a paper plate, draw eyes, nose, ears hair, etc, then glue a piece of red or pink felt or ribbon to make a tongue, a tongue that can say little or a lot, nice or nasty things.
GOSPEL: Mark 8:27-38
READ: https://www.max7.org/en/resource/tengreatstoriesfrommark pp30-31 this may be available in other languages.
PLAY: a choice game, put two things out and get your child to chose only one. eg, spoon or fork, bible or hymn book, two different coloured hair clips, the rings on your finger, between two cars, etc.
PRAY:
I can choose you God (point your finger away from yourself)
You gave me a choice (point your finger upward)
Help me to make the right choice (point your finger at ourself)
Amen
Blessings
Wendy L
PS if you make any faces send pictures of them for us to be inspired by them.
The Cross in My Backyard 