Would you love to be able to grow faith in your family this summer, but are feeling low on energy and ideas? What if I could give you one simple idea which would help? Read a book together. Yes, just one good book. How does this work? 1 Connection Research into passing on faith has … Read more
Title: The Inkwell Chronicles: The Ink of Elspet Author: J. D. Peabody Published by: Hodder Faith Price: RRP £11.99 Good for: Children age 6-12 years old, especially those who love adventures Best bit: Wonderful relationship between the children and their Dad, plus brilliant idea of ‘ink’ being the most precious thing in the world. Worst bit: Although there’s an ending, the story … Read more
Title: Pembrick’s Creaturepedia Author: Andrew Peterson Published by: Hodder Faith Price: £8.99 Good for: Anyone who’s enjoyed The Wingfeather Saga and who likes non-fiction books or sketches with lables! Best bit: That this is a book referred to in the Wingfeather Saga so it feels like you are holding a copy of a book which the characters had! I also love the … Read more
Title: Into his presence – an interactive prayer journal designed for teens, by teens Author: Joanne Gilchrist and Shell Perris Illustrator: Gail Hanks Published by: Fieldnote.co.uk Price: RRP £7.99 Good for: Anyone who wants space to journal but would also like some jumping off points Best bit: fabulous quality paper, nice design, really like the … Read more
Title: Creative ways to tell a Bible story Author: Martyn Payne Published by: BRF Price: RRP £9.99 Good for: Anyone wanting creative ideas to share bible stories, particularly with children Best bit: LOADS of ideas, but also really helpful advice on how to do it well from Martyn, who’s a master story teller Worst bit: I’d’ve … Read more
Title: Journalling the Psalms – a guide for prayer and reflection Author: Paula Gooder Cover illustrator: Jack Seymour Published by: Hodderfaith.com Price: RRP £14.99 (£11.35 on Amazon) Good for: anyone wanting to learn more about and reflect on the Psalms. The book is aimed at adults, but could be used by 12+ and families if … Read more
Title: How to include autistic children and young people in church – Creating a place of belonging and spiritual development for all Author: Mark Arnold Published by: Grove Youth series Price: £3.95 Good for: anyone involved in church, especially church and group leaders Best bit: Simple, quick to read with immediate take aways Worst bit: … Read more
Maybe it was because I grew up in a protestant, evangelical tradition that I always thought anything to do with the saints was kind of catholic and probably a bit wrong. A few years ago, I went on a Godly Play retreat in which we explored twelve saint’s stories. To be honest, I wasn’t keen … Read more
Build a story set for a Bible story using a construction toy e.g. Duplo, Lego, Jenga blocks). Plan the route the characters will take through the set. We built a set for the story of Ehud using Duplo and Lego combined. We then created characters for Ehud and the king, and played out the story … Read more
Title: Advent Journal for All ages Author: Nick and Becky Drake from Worship for Everyone Illustrator: Connie Buck Published by: Worship for everyone and Gas Street Church Price: £7.99 each, two for £15, or 3 for £20 Good for: Anyone wanting a quick but real way to connect with God during Advent, especially those who would like four themed songs … Read more
A really simple way to pray without using words is to build a Duplo house and give it a title such as: The House of Peace. Invite people to choose a Duplo person to represent someone they know who needs more peace / they’d like God bless with peace and put them inside the house. … Read more
Naomi Elliott is helping children play as a way of learning and growing in their faith. She’s passionate about open-ended play (where children are free to create their own rules and meaning) and using natural and easy-to-come-by items rather than expensive, bought items. In this post she shares about a Holy Week Box she’s created: I … Read more