I’ll admit it. I put my hand up and confess. I find the endless ‘Alleluias’ irritating. I mean, they’re OK on Easter Day: ‘He is risen indeed, Alleluia!’ That’s fine. But if you say the daily office between Easter and Pentecost, every third word is Alleluia it seems, and I can’t wait to be rid … More Ascension – Luke 24, Acts 1, Eph 1
This is a fun trick to illustrate how we may think that we have chosen God, but in fact, he chose us, before the creation of the world. It’s great as an attention-grabber for a sermon, youth groups, All-Age Worship, Messy church or school assembly. Prepare this trick by writing a large 9 on a … More John 15:9-17, Eph 1:4 – ” I Chose You”
Reflecting Bookends. God seems quite fond of them. No, I don’t mean the novelty ones that look like the Hogwarts Express is tunnelling through your books (though who can know the Lord’s taste in interior décor?). I mean the rhetorical device. The Bible starts with a famous one: “In the beginning God created the heavens … More Revelation 22:12-21 – Bookends
John 15:9-17 ‘Chosen’
A mathemagic trick and script to illustrate ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you’.
Try it, you’ll be amazed! … More John 15:9-17 I Chose You
We are pardoned, we are justified, we are reconciled and so we can live in joyful response to our new status as daughters and sons of the living God. In the Lord, we are light. Let us live as children of light. … More Ephesians 5:8-14
This is a simple and very tactile way to think about how our past and our environment shape the person we are, yet in Christ we do not need to be defined by that. You will need: A long chenille stick for each person. Affiliate links: The flags will take you to supplies … More Activity – Life Sticks
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 illustrates that the inside is what counts. You could use it in an informal church service, a Sunday school or youth group or an RE lesson. You each need a heart shape, about 5cm (2″) wide that is black on one side and silver on the other. You could cut the heart from … More Activity – Bright Heart
I don’t want to be disrespectful, but really, Jesus, that was a bit of a stupid question. What do you want me to do for you? Seriously? The guy is blind. What would you have asked for? … More Mark 10:46-52
The Reflectionary 