Barnabas in Churches

On 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.

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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

View all ideas

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The Big Surprise - ideas for December

Christmas was God's big surprise. Even though there had been tantalising clues throughout the Old Testament, no one really expected the miracle of 'God-with-us' in the form of a helpless baby. This surprise theme is picked up in three new ideas this month - ideal for those looking for some last minute inspiration for a final session with your group, a special seasonal event or the annual all-age nativity or carol service:

• Activities for the big surprise - Are you looking for a new angle on the Christmas story? This idea suggests several fun group activities to explore the birth of Jesus as God's amazing and unexpected gift to the world.
• The story of the big surprise - Will you be telling the Christmas story at an all-age service this December? This idea offers a simple way to involve everyone in the story as you tell it.
• Worship for the big surprise - Are you looking for a simple act of worship to use with a group at a special Christmas event? This idea offers an outline for a short time of reflection that focuses on the wonder of the Christmas miracle.

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