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 or Intergenerational 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 still 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
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE:
Sophia,
Wise God,
Teach me, (use your pointer finger to point around the room)
open my ears, (point to your ears)
help me tell all, (point to your tongue)
about You,
make me alive in You (one star jump)
Amen (one clap)
(you can then pray this prayer for others by saying that persons name instead of saying Me)
FIRST READING: PROVERBS 22:1-2,8-9,22-23
READ How to heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
a suggestion by STORYPATH follow the link to find out why.
DRAW or write what you see around you, don’t leave even the smallest item out.
PLAY: Find items to place on a tray,(the number really depends on the ages that will be playing,eg a 2 year old might have just 2 items, the build up – the idea is not to shame or embarrass someone but for them to realise how little we take in and to draw from this the idea that they need to be mindful of all of God’s people, rich and poor,happy and sad, etc) show them to those participating, then cover them up draw or recite how many items you can remeber. Items can be anything you have at home or at church, eg, toys, food, things with texture and shape, here are a few egs.
PSALM 125
READ: Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval
How does this Psalm make you feel, draw or write about it? Or point out which Emoji it makes you feel like.
I wonder what image appeals to you in the Psalm?
SECOND READING: James 2:1-10, (11-12),14-17.
READ
WATCH This is a loong video 10 minutes, way too long for the very young amongst you, let them come and go as it is played, or stop every 2 minutes and ask a question? Such as
- Why doesn’t Uncle Willie ask the can man where he lives (about 2 min mark)
- What does Mr Anthony give them? (about the 4 min mark)
- What job’s did they find for him to do? (about the 6 min mark)
- How does Uncle Willie make people feel welcome and help him feel safe? (about the 8 min mark)
- How many people did they feed?
- I wonder which part of the story you liked best?
- I wonder which part you can leave out and still tell the story?
- I wonder where you are in the story?
RESPOND to this story by drawing, writing, or creating in any way?
MAKE: Today is Father’s Day in Australia and New Zealand, make your Dad a card (fold an A4 card in half and draw a picture on the front to make a simple card. Don’t forget to write something nice and say who made the card, then add a good deed you will do for Dad, such as, let him watch a show he wants to on TV, mow the lawn or tend the plants, walk the dog, or anything else you can think of. What an amazing gift card, i’m sure he will love it.
For a more challenging card see this video. Don’t forget the good deed.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 7:24-37
WATCH This is Mark 7:24-30
for the full reading
READ: Meet Jesus in Mark, by Matthew Sleeman, Mark 7:24-8:26 read the first 2 paragraphs
PLAY: close your eyes, what can you hear?(you might like to play a cymbol, or maracca, tap two pens together, run your finger nails over some corregated cardboard, or use the tones on your phone, have them say or make the sound they hear)
QUESTIONS: I wonder what it would be like to hear for the first time?
I wonder if you could stay quiet?
I wonder who you would be in the two gospel stories?
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 