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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 Ascension and Pentecost

You can find a focus on these festivals in many of our books. Check out:

book

Ideas exploring God's great love

We've added two new outlines this month, both of which focus on Jesus stories that the first Christians might well have used after Easter to remind themselves and others of God's great love:

  • Jesus and the leper: To whichever of the stories of Jesus you turn, it seems that you encounter the whole gospel! The account of how he dared to touch the man with a skin disease and brought healing as well as inclusion surely sums up what is meant by God's grace. This is a simple way to tell that story.
  • Exploring forgiveness: Being told we should always be ready to forgive those who hurt us is all very well but it's just not that simple! This is at the heart of the very practical question that Peter put to Jesus once, as recorded in Matthew 18:21-35. The parable Jesus then tells about the unforgiving servant is a focus for this idea.
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New ideas to celebrate Holy Week and Easter

Check out these two new ideas:

  • Celebrate Holy Week - This storytelling idea focuses on the parable Jesus told about the 'rejected stone'.

  • Celebrate the Last Supper - This simple outline focuses on the moment when Jesus chose to become the household slave and wash the disciples' feet, giving them an example of how they should love and care for others.
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Get ready for Easter

Lent is approaching fast. Perhaps you are planning a new series with your group or maybe you are looking for material for some spring all-age services. Traditionally, 'getting ready for Easter' takes six weeks - and many Christians use this time to 'journey with Jesus' towards the cross and resurrection. Barnabas in Churches has lots of tried-and-tested material to help you do just that, so take a look at:

Idea

Setting out on a new journey

Our new idea this month is a bit different.

Taking as its starting point the story of The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, this outline explores how you might unpack the journey of faith with a group via a series of simple activity stations, perhaps over one or more sessions, on a special activity morning or as an all-age event.

There are Bible story links of course and activity suggestions to keep everybody worshiping and learning with and from each other.

Read the journey

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Starting again...

... is always a challenge, whether at work, in school, with daily routines, or for your weekly or monthly programmes through church. There are of course great stories in the Bible that can help you and your groups meet this challenge. See, for example:

Joshua 1 -The succession: This story from Joshua 1 is a springboard to start your group talking about change and new beginnings.

Read now

Or explore Jesus' words about being the first and the last, as you embark on the New Year together, in:

I am the first and the last

I am with you always

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Let's Get Together

Let's Get Together

This is an exciting mix of creative ideas designed to encourage the whole church family to relax and have fun together in a variety of situations. The resource includes themed starter activities, Bible-based storytelling, action-packed drama, punchy puppetry, instant crafts, team games, reflective prayers and take-home Bible challenges.

Find out more

Read a sample

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For your all-age carol service

Three new ideas this month open up windows on how Christmas is celebrated around the world. This material is ideal to use as part of a special feature in an all-age carol service, or as the focus for a Christmas assembly in a school, or as a weekly session in a global Christmas project for your Sunday group or in the classroom during Advent.

A Filipino Christmas

A Ugandan Christmas

A Peruvian Christma

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Find out more | Past issues

Have you visited?

Visit BRF Online

BRF Online Shop - packed with resources for your ministry

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Visit the Bible Reading Notes website

Bible Reading Notes - to help you read your Bible regularly

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Visit the Messy Church website

Messy Church - the growing network of all-age church

Visit now

Visit the Faith in Homes website

Faith in Homes - nurture your children’s faith in the family

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Visit the Barnabas in Schools website

Barnabas in Schools - for teachers & schools workers

Visit now

Visit the Local Church Local School website

Local Church Local School - nurturing positive relationships

Visit site

Have you read?

Find out more about Parachute Fun for Everyone

Support Barnabas

All that we do is only made possible through the generosity of the individuals, churches and charitable trusts that support our work.

We are dependent each year on the financial support of those that share the vision for these pioneering ministries. Your support for our ministry is therefore vital.

Thank you.

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Meet the Team

Jane Butcher

Jane Butcher is based in Birmingham. She oversees the Barnabas Schools Team, leads teacher training across the UK and heads up BRF's Faith in Homes ministry.

More about Jane


Martyn Payne

Martyn Payne is based in London and is responsible for updating the Barnabas in Churches website.

More about Martyn


Chris HudsonChris 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.

More about Chris