Barnabas in Churches
Resourcing work among children and families
‘And when you welcome one of these children because of me, you welcome me.’
Matthew 18:5 (CEV)
Welcome to the Barnabas in Churches website. We are passionate about bringing the Bible to life for children and families and so, on this site you will find ideas for your Sunday and midweek groups, material for all-age worship, links to our books, resources for training and information about our programmes and ministries.
What's new
Ideas for February
It is perhaps no accident that the Olympics almost always fall in a leap year - at the very least, this means an extra day's training to achieve another 'giant leap for mankind'. So, if you are planning an Olympic theme for your programme or services, don't forget our running the race material, to which this month we have added:
- The great feast - This idea explores Jesus' words about the first coming last and the last first through the parable of the Great Feast, and offers a creative way to tell the story.
And here is a new idea this month to use at the start of your Mothering Sunday service:
A call to worship on Mothering Sunday - This idea offers a selection of Bible verses and visuals with which to call everyone to worship at a Mothering Sunday service.
ideaStarting Your Messy Church
If you are wondering about starting a Messy Church, this book is for you. It's short, punchy and easily passed round a team to help get everyone on board. If you want to get the basics across quickly, this will give you a good idea of whether or not Messy Church is for you. It sets out all that you will need to consider, with questions you should be asking and how to avoid pitfalls that may crop up along the way. If you have a question the answer will be here!
Looking forward to Easter?
Do check out our books and resources for Lent and Easter, perhaps especially Family Fun for Easter by Jane Butcher.
In addition to printed books, a number of our Lent and Easter resources are available as downloads.
View all Lent and Easter titles
View all Lent and Easter downloads
bookOn your marks - new ideas for January
In the same way that we aimed last year to keep you regularly stocked up with useful ideas for celebrating the Bible, in 2012 we plan to build up a resource bank of Bible stories with a sporting theme. So to kick you off, under the keyword 'running the race', we have:
- Words for a Christian sporting year - This idea brings together 12 verses from the Bible with a sporting link - one for each month of 2012 along with questions to get everyone talking.
- Bible record breakers - This is a collection of some crazy, sporty Bible 'facts' - useful for displays and as ice-breakers.
Ideas to celebrate festivals and special days
But, of course, 2012 is not just all about sport (thankfully!). There are plenty of ideas on the website to resource you for the various special days and festivals ahead:
- A story for Candlemas - the visit of Mary and Joseph to the Temple with baby Jesus: Candlemas - Great Grandma Anna and you can hear the story being told here.
- An idea for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- And a series for Epiphany: The wise men; The baptism of Jesus; The wedding at Cana.
- And, looking ahead, a bunch of ideas for a Valentine's Day special: Lovely jubbly
Holiday Club resources
Now's a great time to start planning for your holiday club.
View all Holiday Club resources
Introducing REinspired
REinspired have recently produced a video that introduces their work. To find out more, visit their website or read about the book - The Story of REinspired.
videoReview of Side by Side with God in Everyday Life
From Magnet - Winter 2011
Using the Contemporary English Version of Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 as a basis, Yvonne Morris has constructed a model for use by all those called to nurture children within families and without. The 28 sessions are each bible based with a story plus verses to stimulate more chatting. She uses the word 'wonder' to bring the essence of the story to mind and to share. She encourages communication with God in asking what questions need to be asked and listening for answers. Just as the writer of Ecclesiastes faced up to all aspects of life, so here laughing, weeping, building, destroying, embracing are all included. Might be worth a visit for more ideas how to link the Bible stories with everyday activities.
Reviewed by Tania Brosnan
More about Side by Side with God in Everyday Life
review
Chris Hudson joined the Barnabas Children's Ministry Team in 2007. His particular interest lies in using music, storytelling and drama to help children explore the Bible. He is increasingly spending more time on teacher training, and oversees the Barnabas in Schools website.