Still buzzing from a great day at the Growing Young Disciples conference in central London. I especially enjoyed running a workshop on Making Crafts Work for those who run childrens' groups and Sunday Schools. Here's a few key points that I became more convinced of during my preparation:
Crafts have to work practicallyThe need to be:
There are 2 things that everyone engaged in biblical pastoral care needs:
The first is a Bible. No surprises there. It’s God’s living and active word (Hebrews 4:12) that transforms us by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). It’s pretty hard to be biblical without a Bible and any pastoral care that ignores the Bible runs a high risk of being little more than well-meant common wisdom.
The second is less well known. It is my contention and humble assertion that anyone involved in pastoral work needs a hippo. Not necessarily a real one - that could be cumbersome - but a small, unobtrusive toy or model hippo has value beyond measure.
Just in case the significance of a hippo isn’t immediately obvious, please allow me to explain.... continue reading
English people want Christianity taught in schools; and Christianity isn’t being taught well in schools, according to recently-published research.
58% of those asked said it is important for children to know about the history of Christianity. 56% want them to be taught about major Christian festivals; 51% about how Christianity distinguishes right from wrong. And the academic leading the project, Dr Nigel Fancourt of Oxford University, said lessons often lacked “intellectual development” and were not always “challenging and vibrant”.
So far, so encouraging. But dig a little deeper, and it’s not quite what it seems.... continue reading
Recently seen on the front of a Bible. And we thought it worth passing on ...
If you want to:
...Please keep me firmly and permanently closed.
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
Proverbs 2 v 1-11
December 1st is nearly here. Soon children around the world will be eagerly looking forward to opening a door each day and discovering something exciting. For some, the excitement will come from a small and swiftly gobbled piece of chocolate. For others, that excitement will be focused on Jesus as they work through a calendar that helps bring the real meaning of Christmas to life.
If you haven't bought a calendar for your children - or if you've been meaning to buy one for friends' children but haven't quite got round to it yet - and you'd like to help them engage with God's word this season, why not grab a bargain this weekend? Usual price: ÂŁ4.99 - now just ÂŁ3.49. Just use the code calendar at the checkout.
The internet has boundless potential to surprise. Each week we stumble across bizarre, thought-provoking or just plain weird sites. My favourite find of the last few days (courtesy of an evangelistic talk given at my church pub quiz) is The Death Clock. Now, it’s probably fair to say that this is not a site to visit if you are already feeling melancholy! But how it works is this … you type in your age, gender and a couple of indicative health facts and the death clock calculator guestimates the date of your death. Then (and this is most intriguing bit) it calculates how many seconds you have left to live, starts a clock and you can quite literally see your life ticking away …... continue reading
Church of England votes no to women bishops
In its search for 'relevance', the Anglican Church is losing relevance
Pakistan Rimsha blasphemy case dropped
The Brick Bible: Turning Jesus Stories into Lego Scenes
Imprisoned Christian Pastor in Iran 'Likely to Die' If Plight Is Ignored
China's Communism Opening Up To Christianity?
Primary school teachers 'could face sack' for refusing to promote gay marriage
Disclaimer: The Good Book Company is not responsible for the content of external sites and does not necessarily agree with the content of articles listed.
A very happy Thanksgiving Day to all our US friends.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100: 4-5
