WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?
For anyone looking for ideas to help share God’s word with everyone including the youngest.
Whether you are preparing traditional worship or an all age service.
OR you are a parent wanting something for your children to use either in face to face or broadcast services, as you parent from the pews or couch
Or during family devotion times.
I use easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings with children. Instead of sifting through many websites, facebook , pinterest, instagram, and blog posts; this is a one stop shop where I have done the sifting for you to find theologically and developmentally appropriate material for your congregation or family.
Though you will find simple ways into the text here THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THOUGH THAT YOU CAN DO IS SHARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAITH. I firmly believe that it is in the relationship, that the Faith formation of the next generation truely starts. You will notice that there are very few prompts or questions on this page. This is to allow your child to do the thinking and to work out what is important to them from the texts. Sometimes they may give you an insight or even ask a question? There are no wrong insights or crazy questions, and you are enough, enough to listen, enough to work it out together, ENOUGH to share your love of GOD with your child.
Here is a great presentation on children’s spirituality, but most importantly from the 40 minute mark on, it speaks about the imporantance of teaching through story and explains the process I recommend you use with children.
SEASON: AFTER PENTECOST
We are now in the longest liturgical season, the season after Pentecost. This season takes up half or the year, and it’s liturgical colour is green. There are no major celebrations during this season, and some refer to it as Ordinary Time. For me it is a time to celebrate everyday joys, to see God in the ordinary, in the everyday, and to hear the everyday stories of Jesus.
GETTING READY
If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space/alter/focal spot, to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday.
You can do this by setting up a candle, and add the things that remind YOU of God, a cross, a word, a special object, even something from one of the readings.
If able to worship in the Church buildings pack a special backpack, as well as filling it with your Covid Safe equipment, add the books or materials required to help your young ones relate to today’s readings.
For adults and older students you might like to take a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. Write a precis of the message (traditional or sensory word), draw or write a response in and keep a record of emotions. You could use a template like this free download
LET’S BEGIN
WELCOME:
SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome
THE LORD”S PRAYER:
You might like to start with the Lord’s Prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place if following along in a service. Here are 4 options
2 with ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
A more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
Or for a more Intergenerational approach try Number 1 on the Table Settings album by Liturgical Folks
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Draw a house, then pray for everyone in that home, even visitors. It can be a real house or you can make one up and pray generally for all people. EG. I pray God, that people may feel safe and comfortable as do in this lounge room.
FIRST READING: 1 KINGS 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43.
READ: The Early Reader’s Bible p.191
OR Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward
a Storypath suggestion see why
PLAY: Build a house, with blocks or whatever you have? Make sure you celebrate when you have finished it? How will you celebrate? (you might use streamers, or have cake, or sing, or you might just clap)
PRAY: Write your own Prayer, you can use Solomon’s Temple prayer in today’s reading as a template or write your own.
Younger children may prefer to offer a prayer, ie sit still holding their hands in a prayer position, putting toy animals or rocks or blocks in a bowl etc.
PSALM 84
READ SNUGGLE TIME PSALMS BY Glenys Nellist
OR Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval
PLAY: Use blocks to build a house to the Lord. How will it make you feel?
SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-20
SING The Armour of God, track 11 on God Rock’s by Colin Buchanan
Here are some things we put on to protect ourselves, can you think of any others?
You can turn this into a game by printing off these pictures twice, cutting up one sheet and placing the same phot over the same picture on the sheet that hasn’t been cut up. I made a board you could use for this here. print twice and cut one up
GOSPEL READING: JOHN 6:56-69
PLAY: CHOOSE: Choose between 2 books, 2 toys, 2 pieces of fruit, 2 coloured pencils, etc.
PRAY:
God,
Some of my friends don’t believe in you,
sometimes I don’t know if I do,
It’s good to know that others
have struggled
Help me, to choose YOU
Amen
SENDING HYMN Tell the World by Hillsong Kids Learn the actions here
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowedge this page if you find it useful.Thank you.
I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Cross in My Backyard 