Going for growth downloads



[pic] Going for growth resource sheets

Many thanks to Ben Mizen from Portsmouth Diocese for compiling this list of resources available for children’s ministry. At the end I have included some others which have not yet been evaluated but which may be of interest.

MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

There are many different programmes available to buy for use in your group, either on a Sunday or midweek. They all offer a variety of styles and approaches to teaching the bible and faith.

When choosing your programme think carefully about the needs of your group, children and leaders. Ensure you have looked into what the programme offers and evaluated its strengths and weaknesses. Talk to others who use the material. Don’t be afraid to try new materials! Many of the publishers will send out a free sample pack to let you see the material and try it before you buy!

Visit these sites to find out more about materials which are available, the links will take you to the publishers’ websites:

Roots

Lectionary-based, weekly resources, children and young people, additional material on the website

Roots is a lectionary-based resource, offering a wealth of material to support weekly worship and learning of the whole Church community. It consists of two bi-monthly magazines for leaders – Roots Worship and Roots Children and Young People – supported by a website. The Roots Children and Young People magazine provides flexible ‘pick and mix’ material for leaders of the 3-14 age group from which they can select and adapt relevant material for the range of ages and time available. It contains background notes on the readings, specially-written versions of the passages which children will understand, ideas for linked craftwork and activities, prayers, and ways to connect the bible teaching with children’s lives.

Light .uk/light/

Dated, weekly material, a variety of age-groups, thematic, additional material available free on the LightLive website

Light is Scripture Union’s Bible based learning resources. The range includes Bubbles for under 5s, Splash! for 5 to 8s, Xstream for 8 to 11s, theGRID for 11 to 14s and Light Years for all age worship. Additional resources include CD-ROM, audio visual resources, a Bible Timeline and specially written songs and music for worship. Light is ideal for use with junior church on Sundays, in midweek Christian groups, at youth clubs, and with children’s prayer groups.

Seasons of the Spirit

Lectionary-based, weekly materials for age groups up to 18 & adult, available as a printed or on-line resource

Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, a lectionary-based resource is created by publishers and denominational partners in four countries. Seasons of the Spirit is unique. More than a curriculum – it’s a resource for your whole congregation. The vision is to provide God’s people with lectionary-based, ecumenical resources that empower all ages to be transformed in Christ as they: explore meaning and mystery in the Bible; celebrate in worship, sacraments, education, and service; engage in ministries of love, justice, and witness; and live in inclusive communities of faith, shaped and led by the Holy Spirit.

Children’s Ministry

Undated, thematic material for a variety of age groups

TotZone , MiniZone , KidZone and Y-Zone form the Children’s Ministry Teaching Programme, which is the Bible-centred, age-appropriate teaching programme that will help you disciple a new generation.

Godly Play .uk

Undated, Bible story and liturgical presentations shaped by the structure of worship

Godly Play presents biblical material and liturgical action through a structure of gathering, responding, celebrating and blessing. Based on Montessori principles, it offers children a sacred, safe space to explore scripture and come close to God.

Searchlights kevinmayhew.co.uk

Lectionary-based, 3 age groups available, 3 years worth of material

Searchlights is a range of Sunday group material from the publishers Kevin Mayhew. As with the Living Stones series from the same publisher (by Susan Sayers) there are age-group books for 3-5s, 6-10s & 11+, ands a ‘Complete Resource Book’ which contains all the material from the other books (except worksheets) along with suggestions for worship.

Searchlights follows the Common Worship Lectionary, and each week there are suggestions for activities, an idea for prayer, teaching material and a photocopiable worksheet. There are also suggestions for songs, and a separate CD set with the songs on can also be purchased.

Go Teach .uk

Go Teach publishes teachers’ guides with accompanying visual aids and children’s activity sheets in four age groups: 3s-4s (Beginners), 5s-7s (Primaries), 8s-11s (Juniors) and 12s-14s (Young Teens).They also publishes other undated visual aids and material to assist in teaching the Bible and organises an annual Scripture exam for 8s-14+ and for teachers.

Powersource kevinmayhew.co.uk

Undated, thematic material for a variety of age groups – only one year’s worth of material available

There are four distinct age groups with carefully tailored material for each.

Key elements of Powersource include Pastoral and Response Times underpin Christian growth. Pastoral Time is one of the Powersource ‘essentials’. Leaders are encouraged to spend time with children building pastoral relationships, as children need to be nurtured as well as taught. This is especially true if leaders are part of a rota, and thus only seeing the children periodically. Pastoral Time involves talking with the children, getting to know them – and letting them get to know the leader. Activities are suggested to help the process. Only two issues of Power Source were published and it was not continued to go into a second year of material, both Issue One and Issue Two are still readily available.

Other Materials: Please note that the following comments are taken from the publishers’ websites

Creative Ideas for Children’s Worship

Lectionary-based, outlines for an all-age Sunday group

A year's worth of activities and ideas complete with artwork and visual aids based on the Lectionary readings. The worship outlines include simple children's liturgies and a complete lesson or story plan that harmonizes with what the adults are doing in church on the same day. Each outline includes a variety of options which make them workable with small and large groups of children or single groups of mixed ages. Illustrated throughout, the text and artwork appears on the accompanying CD Rom in full colour for downloading and printing or copying.

Whole People of God online

Lectionary-based, on-line resource for a variety of age-groups, priced according to the size of your congregation

An ecumenical, lectionary-based resource, only available on line, which offers materials for a variety of age-groups and includes: weekly sessions, overview and planning notes, at home pamphlets, weekly Biblical backgrounds, additional worship resources and suggestions, music CD and book, full-colour posters

Welcome the Word

Roman Catholic, lectionary-based, one volume with 3 years worth of material

Welcome the Word contains celebrations of the Word for children for every Sunday of the Church's three-year cycle – an incredible 596 pages in all. Each Sunday is accompanied by notes to help leaders deepen their own understanding of the Gospels, with links made between the Sunday liturgy and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Every week is structured to include a resources section, an opening prayer or reflective activity, a Gospel reading, homily, intercessions and a community link to take the children back into Mass. Templates for take-home cards for the children are available on the accompanying CD-ROM.

Faith Map

Roman Catholic, Lectionary based, 3 volumes available

Three volumes covering every possible Sunday in the liturgical cycle, Faithmap is designed to be used, as a whole or in sections by anyone involved in children's liturgies, Sunday school, primary school assemblies or by parents at home. Contains stories, prayers and activities in a "ready-to-use format" and includes photocopiable worksheets and family sheets. Roman Catholic.

The Complete Children’s Liturgy

Lectionary-based, Roman Catholic, two volumes available

This is a child-centred liturgical programme which faithfully follows the Lectionary. The inspirational teaching ideas are the result of Katie Thompson’s long experience within her own parish, during which the material was tested and refined. Photocopiable worksheets accompany the liturgy and there are 165 in total. A second three-year volume is also available. Roman Catholic.

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