Liz Etherton discusses whether there is a need for Self-Esteem for youthm as Oprah suggests.
She highlights the need for youth to know who they are in Christ. I agree. This needs to start while they are still children.
Children need to know that they were made by God, God made their world God loves them unconditionally, And He wants them to be in a relationship (best friend) with Him! How do we do that ? That's another big question ...
Any thoughts ?
Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, The Bishop of Lichfield highlights the need for providing safe space for children here. I agree - I think most of public would agree too. But what if it stops there?
If it stops there - they'll not hear about how they can know
the God made them and this amazing world,
God is big enough and strong enough to handle anything that they have to face,
God wants them to be his best friend.
And they'll not be familiar with formative stories. like this report suggests.
So let's make safe spaces, but also pass on the opportunity of the priceless offer of a relationship with God.
Yes! you read that right - I had the opportunity to help out with Sanctum this week at a local school. It was really eye opening and amazing to see the young people respond to activities that led them to reflect on life's spiritual side.
Tim Abbot and Amy who work for CYO in Colchester headed it up. And you can read their write up for all 5 days here. They're in another school next week. Can't wait to hear what God might do there too.
If you had to guess - would you guess £300 million?
Youth so often get negative press. Here's a report that shows how much they are contributing. Imagine 33,000 workers not showing up - we'd really miss that.
I thank God for our young people they make a difference.
Teens contribute £300 million a year to society
I;m talking to myself as much as anybody else. How does God communicate to us - many ways but I think primarily and often the most clearly is through His word - so why am I so apt not to read it?
Carey fives us a challenge here - Could you do it ? 15 minutes a day for 2 years? O think reading it to yourself and asking the Holy Spirit to make it come alive for you in your life/circumstance is great.
If you have primary aged children why not involve them and they'll keep you on task.
Perhaps in a large group we might follow John Dyer's challenge of leaving the Bible at home so we can hear the word in our mind, yes, even using a little sanctified imagination.
The Guardian reported more schools closing now
Government is weighing up closing schools in the fall when an epidemic could come when the flu season begins.
I know in Toronto after the SARS scare some churches responded by developing Emergency Response Plans in case there is a similar crisis. (Anglicans in Toronto) What could churches do here ? What could Children and Youth Pastors/workers do ?
You don't need to look any further than Psalm 78. Wayne Stocks finds 8 good reasons there.
thanks to David Wakerly.
Doing thing together as a family is great. One of Clayton's and Courtney's favourite things always was and is having a family outing/event. Sometimes it's going to the beach, making blessing t-shirts for each other, just going out to eat together.
I've come across a couple of posts that have good ideas too. Try them out.
Grover's idea is here.
And another one here.
This is a good introduction to children's ministry - thanks to Henry Zonio
Children's Ministry Intro
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