Issue 46
Children’s ministry leaders are all about the story – God’s story. We are the story keepers and it is our role to make the story live by helping our children find their own place in God’s story and live it out in their lives in ways that are meaningful and transformational. But while it is true that the story of God’s love for us has remained constant throughout the history of our world, it is also true that each generation need to find ways to communicate his story in ways that are relevant for the times in which they live. This generation has been deeply impacted by technology. It has shaped the way in which relationships are formed and maintained in our culture and it has many implications for the church and how we carry out the work of faith formation. We need to think carefully about what it means for the way we work with children but at the same time we also need to remember that technology is only the tool – God’s story is the focus and sharing his story will always need to be interactive and relational. We asked the SUNZ Children and Families staff how they liked to use technology with children and this issue of the WAY2GO magazine has some of the ideas they came up with. Work out how you can use their ideas to encourage your children to engage with God and with the Bible. And if you’re not too sure what to do, find someone in your church to help you – that can be a great way to draw others into children’s ministry. Welcom e to the WAY2G magazin O e. It’s full of ideas people w for ho work with child in their c ren hurches and loca commun l ities. Pull it out and pass it a round.
TECHNOLOGY May 2014
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Technology idea Raewyn’s latest favourite is SUPERBOOK. It’s a free download with a Bible as part of it. The Bible has an audio function so children can listen to it – that makes it great for listening in the car, and hyperlinks throughout the text of the Bible allow readers to click into relevant activities within the rest of the SUPERBOOK. It also has Bible profiles, games, photos, video clips, and a question and answer section. I have it on my new Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet and I’m still exploring it!
Andrew says Google! It’s a good place to search for things to use in the ministry, but there is so much more to it. You can use forms to survey parents or take online registrations for an event - the forms will automatically put the information into a spreadsheet, or you can use a private calendar for your team and a public calendar so that parents know when things are happening. And don’t forget YouTube and Photos – for sharing photos and videos of your events privately. This is only the start of what you can use and it’s all free!
He is risen Annette
Everywhere you look people are holding up smartphones or tablets to capture moments. Children too! They know how to work these devices and they know how to take photos. Annette suggests we capture that by reading a Psalm with the children, then sending them out to photograph something that shows an important part for them or something God is saying to them through it. It’s a great way to help children process and reflect and you will be amazed at the diversity of images and the creativity this experience generates. 14 sunz.org.nz
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– a photo capturing the joy
Nigel recommends Bible Gateway. He has found it a particularly useful tool for comparing what different versions of the Bible say on the same passage. And when he prepares talks, memory verses and PowerPoint slides it is easy to cut and paste Bible passages without having to type them up from scratch. It also lets readers find and compare passages based on keywords, phrases, or the reference. Check it out on www.biblegateway.com
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Hilary has always been a fan of the Beginner’s Bible and their website is an excellent place for young children to play safe, free online games with their parents. Children can check out their favourite Bible characters, test their memories, practice colouring, and challenge themselves. It’s a good way to have fun and learn at the same time. Try them out at www.thebeginnersbible. com
capturing the joy of the resurrection taken by a 10 year old.
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Paul Sparking children’s imagination is vital in helping them journey into a Bible story and Paul thinks that movie making is a great way to do that. All you need is a digital camera and that’s easy because most hand held communication devices now have high quality cameras. Add some characters - Lego figures or puppets are great, and an appropriate backdrop. Point the camera, move the figures and add in some dialogue to make your movie. Download onto a computer or just play it back on the recording device to let the children enjoy their creation. Making a movie has never been easier and what a fun and engaging way for children to retell and creatively explore a Bible story. Adventure_May_2014.indd 15
Psalm 78:1-4 Take some time and reflect on what these words from Psalm 78:1-4 might mean for you.
My people, listen to my teaching. Pay attention to what I say. I will open my mouth and tell stories. I will speak about things that were hidden. They happened a long time ago. We have heard about them and we know them. Our people who lived before us have told us about them. We won’t hide them from our children. We will tell them to those who live after us. We will tell them about what the Lord has done that is worthy of praise. We will talk about his power and the wonderful things he has done. New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1996, 1998 by Biblica
in this issue Most of the pictures m our of WAY2GO are fro Camp. z Southland SUPAkid t SUPAkidz Find out more abou Camps and Clubs at www.sunz.org.nz
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The church is changing and forming a new kind of culture - and children’s ministry must follow suit. This is a unique resource that explores children’s ministry in light of true spiritual formation and discipleship. We have a free copy to give away. Ring us and mention WAY2GO. If you’re the third person to ring, you can have it! If you miss out you can buy it for $29.99 and it is well worth owning. Check it out along with our other resources at www.sunz.org.nz or freephone us on 0508 423 836. Our WAY2GO conferences are over for 2014 but SUNZ is still training churches across New Zealand! If you would like us to come and train you, contact us at way2go@sunz.org.nz You might like to think about one of these options:
WAY2GO FOCUSED
Children’s ministry training especially designed to focus on you and your church. We will come and run a training programme for your children’s ministry leaders in your church at a time that suits you. There will be inspirational teaching and we will explore lots of practical ideas together. You choose the workshops and provide the venue and morning tea and we will do the rest!
YOU’RE LOSING
US
growing kids and young peo ple with faith
Research shows half our church membership will probably leave in the next 15 years. We can come to you and lead a three hour workshop looking at how to turn this around and do faith formation well with your children and young people. This workshop is for children and youth workers, but it is also for pastors, senior leadership and parents as well because this is a worrying problem and it will take all of us working together to fix it.
sunz He rama tãu kupu ki õku wae
Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to discover and follow Jesus, grow as leaders, and influence the world. Contact us and let us know how we can help you.
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Scripture Union in New Zealand – PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 way2go@sunz.org.nz – 0508 423 836 – www.sunz.org.nz
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