First Things In response to feedback, I’ve moved this post to Fridays so that you have time to distribute it to your congregation if that’s what you do. Also, if you use the RCL, you’ll notice this is the wrong passage. I’m sorry. I got my weeks mixed up and looked at the start of … More Together Apart – Matt 14 – Five Loaves and Two Fish
Just recently, a reader asked for activities to help children think about the recent Australian bush fires. Here are some ideas, which equally apply to other times when hard things happen. Activity – Look for the Helpers Fred Rodgers has good advice for all of us when the problems of the world seem overwhelming: Look for … More Mourning with Those who Mourn – Psalm 27:1,4-9
What? What was that? A story? Can I listen too?
Narr: Of course you can. It’s a story that Jesus told, about two man who went to pray, one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Rod: A Who-isee and a What-alector?
Narr: Oh sorry. A Pharisee was someone who was very religious and was very careful to do everything right. The tax collector was a cheat who took more money than he was supposed to. … More Two Men Praying – Luke 18:9-14
God makes a new covenant with us – but will I sign up? Engaging Make a scroll and write the covenant (agreement) on it. Then decide if you want to sign it. It’s quite a challenge, but it’s up to you. You will need: A4 paper Water Teabags Ground cinnamon or nutmeg Hairdryer (optional) Marker … More New Covenant – Jeremiah 31:27-34
This is the text of a recent devotion I wrote for the United Reformed Church*. Click here to visit their site. * Please note that author’s opinion may not represent that of the United Reformed Church in general. It’s possible that some of them even like the stuff! Reflection Come with me to the land … More Marmite Nightmare! Romans 6:12-23
Engaging Today’s readings are all about getting it wrong, and that’s something we can all identify with. The point is to realise you’re going the wrong way and do something about it. Don’t keep going the wrong way. Here’s a fun way to illustrate this: You will need (for each team of two) A pair … More Wrong Way, Right Way
Book Offer Extended! Fancy a free book? And signed copy to boot? This is your chance. To celebrate my new book freshly published in Kindle and paperback (links in the sidebar), I’m extending the offer to give more people a chance to enter. Buy either the Kindle (Click here) or paperback (click here) version of my … More A Comfort and a Challenge – Psalm 139 & Jeremiah 18
Linked Activity – Cloud of Witnesses This is a fun way to think about the great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on in our race. You will need: Glue sticks Paper Scissors Pens (optional) Pictures of famous heroes of the faith, past and present What to Do: You will need a list of … More Cloud of Witnesses – Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Linked Activities Make your own star projector with a Pringles tube. Also, check out how to make your own umbrella planetarium in this previous post, or you can buy a ready-made one. You will need Pringles tube with a transparent lid Thick black paper or card Pencil White pen (optional) Scissors Drawing pin Constellation images (click … More Counting the Stars – Genesis 15:1-6, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Active Meditation Passing Through Things Temporal A prayer made famous by C. S. Lewis asks that God help us to ‘pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal’. Here is an active meditation that can help us to think about that. You will need Large paper, such as a flip-chart pad or … More Passing Through Things Eternal – Luke 12:13-21
The Reflectionary 