Issue 50
God was new to sixteen year old Nathaniel and the Bible was even newer. So when he was asked to paint the wall of the local dairy to stop people using it for graffiti, he decided to paint something he had been learning about – something God had been saying to him. He painted: Speak the truth even if your voice shakes. God spoke to Nathaniel and Nathaniel heard what he said and was challenged to live it out. This is the way God works. We can see it when we read the Bible. The Bible is full of stories of God interacting with people like Nathaniel and shaping them and developing them. This means that engaging with the Bible needs to be a process that is relational and life changing. We want to help people understand what it means to be part of God’s plan, which stretches from the beginning of time, through the Bible and down the years to us today. We want to encourage them to form a relationship with God and reflect on what he has to say to them about their lives and the joys and challenges and difficulties they are facing. We want to help them explore what it means to live out their part in God’s story – to speak God’s truth even when their voices shake. And this is particularly important for our children. This edition of WAY2GO looks at some practical ways we can help children engage with the Bible; ways that will encourage them to come face to face with God; ways that will change their lives, and the lives of the people around them.
Welcome
We’d like to encourage you to try them out. And if you have other ideas, put them on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you.
Hilary Hague
Team Leader, Children and Families Ministry.
to the WAY2GO magazine. It’s full of ideas for people who work with children in their churches and local communities. Pull it out and pass it around.
e fully ity – Curieoysour children tgo tbhe truth
Inspir coverin es. Use d in dis e lv o mselv v in them for the le ib to help r of B s e n h t io t in es we windows into the nature of God and ded qu and po open en the meaning they s humanity and our relationships to one a hem t t over r c o is p d d up another. They are stories that help us t and s hink an the tex he ability to t uestions repent, heal, learn, grow and stretch t q develop bout God. Ask y show us towards God’s love and wholeness… a r o r t e s is It (Scripture) helps us name our wond does th o you t a h W experience and points us to deeper hy d like “ e od?” “W ways in which we can experience about G story is in th Reflec is h t k God’s love and compassion for thin Encoura tion – ” ? humanity.”1 le g Bib see them e the children s God’s big elves as part Take a look at these key s reflect a tory. Help the principles and use them when nd draw Unde th conclusio you open the Bible with your Teach rstand ns. Ask q eir ow y “ i uest W o n h u o else fee rc g children. in the ls like m io Bible hildren wh – B ib le e in ? ” “What a handl a did God e it co nd help th t is t h e m sa ? ” e nfiden them “W m to h t Reassur hat shall I do n aroun ow to find t ly. Show e d h times, affi them in their ha under it. Make s eir way ure th stand and guid rm their contrib e in wh i y t e a n d ich it understa them towards g is set. the contex nding. t
Mark Yacconelli says “The stories of Scripture are
PAINT TOGETHER
Try one of these paint activities with your children. Read the Bible passage slowly, or put on some music, and ask your children to think about God while they paint. When they have finished, spend some time looking at the paintings. Ask your children to share what they were thinking about while they painted, then pray together.
Colour Painting • Get the largest zip lock bag you can find. • Choose 2 or 3 different colours of paint and put a spoonful of each inside the bag. • Fasten the top and tape the bag to the window to let the light shine through. • Move the paint round with your fingers.
on –
e childre n es as par to t of y. Help t h aw their em ow sk quest n ion like me in s like the did God say to hall I do n in their h ow?” a eir contr rd ibutions towards good
shipou-have with yhoeur n o i t a y dt Rel onship em an
lati le t th The re n will impac our own Bib t y e u r t o d u l b i o a ch Sacred l ab feel e e y f e u h o t Space way y ct the way ble out and M ake sp i e – ace for will aff Bring your B ou use it. c t i h y m . i s l y e d r a i r w e en to s ith God y ew th pend the wa odel th and to to him role m children see it to r . espond A l l o w e h h g q uiet tim childre . rou Let t nt es for our life eaks th the Bib o hear from God sp and shape y s is G l t e e in pr od. Use chang tude of adul ayer a and pr g nd wor ti ay tha The at to developin the ship t God w Bible t o l ill use o spea crucia ve attitude t t h k e h i into th is livin a posit children. eir live g word n s s i . Bible
1
Contemplative Youth ministry by Mark Yacconelli, Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2006.
Bubble Wrap Painting • Paint a picture on bubble wrap. • Press it onto a piece of paper to make a print.
Foam Painting • Put some shaving foam in a paper cup and add food colouring. Make several colours. • Take everyone outside. Give them paintbrushes and let them use the shaving foam to paint on windows. • Simply hose everything down when you have finished.
Transparent Paint • Mix together paint, PVA glue and dishwashing liquid to make a transparent mixture. • Paint it straight onto a window. (If you would rather not paint on your windows simply tape pieces of overhead transparency to the window first.) • The sun will shine through the paint and look like stained glass. • When the paint is dry simply peel it off.
Our children are the church of today but they are also the church of tomorrow. Discover how to inspire this generation to take God’s church forward into the future. Whether you are new to children’s ministry or an experienced leader interested in our Senior Leadership Track, this conference will have something for you.
INVERCARGILL 9 MAY 2015 WELLINGTON 23 MAY 2015 AUCKLAND 6 JUNE 2015 More information online www.sunz.org.nz
Children talk about the Bible. Find out what some of the children we know think about the Bible. Watch online at www.sunz.org.nz Maybe you could ask some of your children the same questions and find out what they think.
TOP TIPS
on Discovering the Bible with Children is full of practical advice and inspirational stories to help you open up the Bible with your children. We are giving it away to the first 2 people to ring us up on freephone 0508 423 836.and mention this magazine. If you miss out, you can buy it for $9.99.
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. Scripture Union in New Zealand – PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 way2go@sunz.org.nz – 0508 423 836 – www.sunz.org.nz