10 Big Bible Stories 3
Big Ministries has chosen ten different Bible stories and presented each in three different ways. The idea behind it is to help churches to share Bible stories with all ages, in all settings. This book covers five Old Testament and five New Testament stories, with some of the big stories and big names of Bible times getting attention.
So how does it work? The first method is the ‘Big One’. This tells the story as a sketch with actors, narrators, props and dressing up. The second method is the ‘Solo One’ which is designed for one person to tell the story with different approaches to audience participation. The third method is a more intimate, hands-on style, designed for use with smaller groups. Each method gives different approaches throughout the different stories, giving plenty of variety to storytelling and ensuring you’re not stuck on the same ideas all the time.
This book is good value for money and will become a great addition to your resources!
Andrew Hurd is the children’s ministries leader at The Salvation Army in Gloucester
Messy Church Celebrations
Messy Church (MC) is made up of several different components such as the meal, the crafts and the celebration. This book takes a focused look at the 20 minute ‘celebration’ aspect of MC, and provides useful reflections on its purpose, Biblical backing, length, and even asks the provoking question: ‘Is it or should it be thought of as a service?’
It also provides some helpful insights on length, structure, and content of the celebrations, as well as how to communicate effectively and creatively in order to encourage MC attendees get the most out of each part of the time together, including the celebrations. This book would suit those who already run MC and are asking some deeper questions about intentional input, but also a great starting point for those just starting out. The book is long enough to offer depth, but not too long to overwhelm - some thoughts are reiterated or may be found in other Messy publications, but they are worth being reminded of.
Helena Kittle is the youth and children’s network leader and strategic developer for Youth With A Mission England
Hanging on every word
On a first flick through, this appears to be a resource like many others I’ve seen before – simple ideas for conversation starters that happen to be in the form of short stories for telling aloud. It is, however, only on reading Mark Griffiths’ wonderfully excitable introduction that the real meaning of the book becomes clear.
The idea is that the stories in the book are not read to the children, but are told extemporaneously, with the storyteller communicating the meaning of the story with everything they have at their disposal.
It did strike me that Griffiths is asking an awful lot of the user of the book – he is calling for hard work and skills that not every children’s worker can find. However, the stories that are told in the book are written perfectly for the telling. They are not Bible stories, but offer messages fit for a variety of settings, all of which contain the kernel of an idea for the children to find. I’m a big fan of this book – the stories have proven highly effective, whether being told to a single child or 300.
Jon Piper is a children’s leader in Petersfield
