We can use coloured ‘reins’ to help us visualise and mediate on places where we have, or don’t have, control. We are going to use the fingers of the hand to represent the areas of our lives that God has entrusted to our care. It is good to take responsibility for the things given to us, but it … More Activity – Who is in charge?
In the film ‘Johnny English’, the Archbishop of Canterbury has (somewhat inexplicably) the words ‘Jesus is coming, look busy’ tattooed upon his nether regions. This activity helps us to be aware of how we are living – ready for Jesus or not so much? You will need paper, pencil and a clock. Jesus said that we … More Activity – Time and Date
We are creatures both of time and eternity. This activity explores these two lives in a tactile way. You will need yarn of two different colours. Each person will need a short length (about 15-30cm / 6-12″) of one colour and a much longer length, several metres, of another. Wind the longer length into a small … More Activity – Life Lines
An Activity You will need a sheet of paper, coloured pens, a glue stick and a pair of scissors. Cut the paper in half longways, then cut each of those in half again to make 4 long strips and each of those in half again to make 8 long thin strips. Using the coloured pens, … More Activity – Immeasurably More
This activity is a well-known illustration of priorities, and has many applications. There is a set of pictures you can use as well. You will need a tray and a glass jar. To fill it find something large, like ping-pong or golf balls; something medium-sized, like dried beans or gravel or nuts; and something small, like … More Activity – First Things First
This is the text of a pair of essays submitted as part of my course at Spurgeon’s College for the module ‘Reading and Using the Bible’. The first part is an exegesis, the second part has application with children’s activities. The first part was formative (not for credit), the second part was my grade for … More Isaiah 1:21-31
We are going to illustrate what Jesus said are the greatest commandments. You will need a sheet of paper and a pencil, and some colouring pencils or highlighters. Draw three circles, one inside another, so that it looks like a target. You can cut round the largest circle if you like. In the outer circle write … More Activity – Priority Targets
This activity makes for some interesting mathematical fun as well as a a great take-home reminder of the mystery of the Trinity. The fact that I can’t quite get my head round it does not mean that it is not so. Works with maths. Works with God too. We’re going to make some joined-but-not-joined loops. They’re … More Activity – Trinity Rings
Here’s a very graphic illustration of one of Jesus’ favourite topsy-turvey sayings. And it involves chocolate – what more could one want? You will need prizes, some bigger and some smaller, such as a big bar of chocolate, some medium bars and some chocolate coins. Have people line up to get the chocolate, with the … More Activity – Last and First, with Chocolate!
You can adapt this activity for lots of occasions – Pentecost is obvious, but there’s Elijah’s soggy bonfire or Moses’ burning bush. You could make half reds, half blues for the pillars of fire and cloud. What about blues and greens for crossing the Jordan? You will need 9″ (24cm) paper plates scissors … More Activity – Fire Hats
The Reflectionary 