Issue 39 Welcome to the WAY2GO magazine for people who work with children in their
“ Ooh the Bible...
C O O L!
”
church and local community. We are including it as part of The Adventure so that you can see what else Scripture Union
I REMEMBER MY FIRST BIBLE. I was 8 and it came from my Aunt. I liked getting it. But after I’d looked at the families ministries. Pull it out pictures, I put it away. The problem was and pass it around or that the text was quite small and hard to read. And anyway I felt like I knew what was in it. I did give it the occasional outing reference. to church on Sunday but most of the time it stayed forgotten on my bookshelf. I found it boring.
does as well as get lots of good ideas for your children and
Contrast that with the attitude of a boy I met when I was visiting a SUPAkidz Club in Wellington. “Ooh, the Bible,” he said when he saw someone getting it out. “Cool.” Two children with two very different attitudes to the Bible. Wouldn’t it be great if all our children had the same attitude to the Bible as the boy in Hataitai – if they found the Bible exciting? How can we help our children feel like this? This edition of WAY2GO looks at some practical ideas to help children engage with the Bible so they come face to face with God in ways that will change their lives. Hilary Hague Team Leader, Children and Families Ministry
CHILDREN TALK ABOUT THE BIBLE Find out what some of the children we know think about the Bible. Watch online at
www.scriptureunion.org.nz
Maybe you could ask some of your children the same questions.
READING BIBLE READING THETHE BIBLE WITH CHILDREN WITH CHILDREN Reading Bible with children candoing be like doing a jigsaw Reading the Biblethe with children can be like a jigsaw puzzle. We can lots ofpieces puzzle puzzle. We can give themgive lotsthem of puzzle bypieces tellingby telling theBut stories. But the pieces are not it’s all about. them thethem stories. the pieces are not what it’s what all about. Unless wethem engage them in a way Unless we engage with the with Biblethe in aBible way that helpsthat helps willwith endaup with aof muddle them seethem God,see theyGod, will they end up muddle pieces.of pieces.
HERE ARE IDEAS SOME FOR IDEAS FOR OPENING THE BIBLE HERE ARE SOME OPENING THE BIBLE WITH CHILDREN TOTHEM HELPMEET THEMWITH MEETGOD WITH GOD WITH CHILDREN TO HELP Understanding Understanding
Curiosity Curiosity
We want children We want children Open ended questions Open ended questions what is in the Bible know what isknow in the Bible Relationship Relationship are to a great are a great way help way to help attitude of adults children to be fully of adults children to be fully involved in involved inThe attitude The Let’sunderstand help them understand Let’s help them is crucial toa developing discovering truth for themselves. is crucial to developing discovering the truth for the themselves. it and in the context in it and the context positive attitude to the Bib have no “correct” and attitude positive to the Bible in They have noThey “correct” answer and answer which it is set. which it is set. The about way we feel developtothe ability and Thechildren. children. way we feel they developthey the ability think and to think Bible will speak wonder about our God. Ask willthe the Bible speak loudly to our loudly t wonder about our amazing God.amazing Ask children. Let’s bring our B like this “What does this story Let’s children. bring our Bibles questions likequestions “What does story out andthe role model the w show us about God?” is and role model out way show us about God?” or “Why is or “Why it in the Bible?” we use them.we use them. it in the Bible?”
Reflection Reflection Let’s help children Let’s help children ownoflife as part of see their ownsee lifetheir as part
Make Make space space for God for God
Children needChildren need opportunitiesopportunities to respond toto respond God. Using the Bible in pra God. Bible in prayer andown draw their own Ask conclusions. Ask Using the and draw their conclusions. andan worship are an importan are important part like “Who likeworship me questions likequestions “Who else feels likeelse mefeelsand of this. God will us of say this. GodPray willthat use the Bible?” “What did God toPray that in the Bible?”inorthe “What didor God say to Bible to speak his living wo his living words them?”them Encourage hardto speak them?” Encourage in theirthem hard in theirBible intoAnd their lives. And the into their lives. then make space to let him let him andtowards guide them and guide them goodtowards good make space to do it. do it. understanding. understanding.
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THESE IDEAS TRYTRY THESE IDEAS
ss and s and a glassy child awgitla h 100s it with 100 Give every tennis child a table tennis Give every child a table ry child errinkle it le v e k v e e in e r e iv p G hem sp Giv them s t t t e ball, permanent felt and metal e L ball, permanent felt and metal L . . eam f ice-cream f ice-cr o ! pot scrubber. pot ! it it y scrubber. (These are available from y o (These are available from j o j n can e can en o they straw so they s bargain shops very cheaply). w bargain shops very cheaply). a r t ur our and and s is like o ream is like spoon a teaspoon e-c n Ask .them e-cream ic e ic f h Whento think f o W o s Ask them to think of athe person . s s of a person from Biblefrom whothe has Bible who has le s he Bib t he Bible the glain that thliekegla t t e k a h li t is g in laonade is e d g xpm a helped them learn something about God, Ele in n helped them learn something about God, and draw theirand draw their mo ethin meth threlile he du ves somo our lives so s and t lives atn o face on the ball with permanent felts. Help t o l face on the ball with permanent felts. Help them use a them use a l le cia the Bibg specia he Bible ing spe e add t weoeasdsdomethindoes someth glue gun to glue the pot scrubber on for hair. They can glue gun to glue the pot scrubber on for hair. They can God d pens – God ppens – hap arrange the hair by pulling it into different shapes. arrange the hair by pulling it into different shapes. . it. rough it through l that God t God cial thaAsk them to share cia e Ask them to share they have made what they learnt p who they havewho made and what theyand learnt s g inhg spe in h t h t e h e m g m o g u s Sohuarrelife throuyour life thro hare so about God from this person. Tell them that the Bible is full of about God from this person. Tell them that the Bible is full of e in y has done .in . has don ible g the Bible stories about people who can help us learn more about God. B stories about people who can help us learn more about God. e h t readin reading
CHECK OUT WHERE OUR CHILDREN’S CHECK OUT WHERE OUR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TRAINING WILL BE NEXT MINISTRY TRAINING WILL BE NEXT AND COME ALONG AND COME ALONG more on our website There areThere moreare details ondetails our website
www.scriptureunion.org.nz www.scriptureunion.org.nz phone or phone or 0508 4230508 836 423 836
WAY2GO FOCUSED This training is to free aspeople a gift to WAY2GO FOCUSED This training is free as a gift the of the people of 15 September Christchurch and theareas. surrounding areas. ChristchurchChristchurch 15 September Christchurch and the surrounding
WAY2GO FOCUSED WAY2GO FOCUSED Nelson 22 September Nelson 22 September
Explore how to strengthen with the Explore how to strengthen your ministry your with ministry the children your church and local community. children in your churchinand local community.
WAY2GO FOCUSED creative and innovative WAY2GO FOCUSED Learn creativeLearn and innovative ways to work ways with to work with Plymouth 3 November the children your church and local community. New PlymouthNew 3 November the children in your churchinand local community.
FAITH FOR ALL AGES FAITH FOR ALL AGES Auckland 3 November Auckland 3 November
Discover and how of intergenerational Discover the why, whatthe andwhy, howwhat of intergenerational activities, including intergenerational worship. activities, including intergenerational worship.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CERTIFICATE A special covering CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CERTIFICATE A special one-off eventone-off coveringevent all the topics all in the topics in Thames 10 November Thames 10 November
KEEP DATES THESEFREE DATES FREE FOR WAY2GO KEEP THESE FOR WAY2GO 2013 2013 Registrations open in November Registrations open in November
WELLINGTON Saturday WELLINGTON – Saturday –2nd March2nd March Saturday AUCKLANDAUCKLAND – Saturday –16th March16th March INVERCARGILL Saturday INVERCARGILL – Saturday –23rd March23rd March
EXCITING RESOURCES TO HELP KIDS DISCOVER GOD SNACK is a Christian band for kids who write original songs which are contemporary, interactive and relevant and can be used in schools, churches and outreach programmes. Visit
www.snackmusic.com.au
to see and hear more about Snack and to check out their music.
Encourage Bible Reading at Home • EXCITE FAMILIES. Let them know how to help their children grow spiritually. Run workshops, loan them books and put ideas in your newsletter. • ENCOURAGE FAMILIES to own a Bible - maybe the same Bible that you use in your group. Church people will often sponsor Bibles for children and then pray for the child that is given the Bible. • EQUIP FAMILIES to read their Bibles together. You can buy these and other similar books at our on-line book store www.scriptureunion.org.nz or ring us on freephone 0508 423 836.
SNAPSHOTS THROUGH THE YEAR $29.99 Each day children will discover more about God through a short Bible reading and a variety of other letters, drawing pictures, thinking and praying.
GOD’S AMAZING PLAN $7.95
This book has 20 weeks of Bible readings, fun activities, thought provoking questions and prayers for
the whole family together that tell the story of God’s love for us right from the beginning of the world, unti the end of time and beyond. We are giving it away to
TIDDLYWINKS pages with a story for every day and extra pages of fun things to do. Join twins Lucy and Liam as they explore the Bible.
Working with churches, Scripture Union aims to create opportunities for children and young people world. Scripture Union in New Zealand – PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 supakidz@scriptureunion.org.nz – 0508 423 836 – www.scriptureunion.org.nz