GLOBALkids – Children’s Materials with a Heart for Mission
£15.00 (Approx)
4.6Get the resource >
Overview
What does it say on the tin?
WELCOME TO GLOBAL KIDS! Our aim is: to share the Good News of salvation with children, to help children discover what God is doing around the world through the work of OM, and to enthuse children about mission and empower them to get involved through prayer and in other practical ways.
If you’re a Sunday School Teacher, GLOBALkids is here to serve and resource your church. Using Bible based materials, we help children understand mission and excite them about sharing the Good News of God’s love from a young age.
As a ministry of OM UK, GLOBALkids has over 10 years’ experience of producing resources that take children on a journey. They will discover real-life examples of what God is doing through the work of OM worldwide.
What do you get?
Teacher’s notes pack for 8 sessions for children aged 7-11 years, and 8 sessions for children aged 5-7 years. Includes a resources CD, a letter explaining the OM vision and various information on their project links. Available from: https://www.globalkids.om.org/request.
Who is it for?
Children aged 5-11 years old. Small groups.
Review
-
What is the overall quality of material presentation?
Very good. Both the leader's notes and resources available on the DVD are clear, well presented, colourful and engaging.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Very clear. Listed at the beginning of the book, and ‘Teaching Objectives' are listed at the beginning of each session.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
Very accessible. Everything needed to run a session is included and explained. There is no need to improvise inbetween pieces of information.
Who could lead it?
Sunday school teachers, or any adult passionate about arranging sessions to teach children about Jesus. The instructions are clear enough for those with less experience.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
Very useful, relevant and appropriate to the separate age ranges this resource caters for i.e. 5-7 or 8-11 years. Resources range from weekly newspapers, to videos, quizzes and take home messages.
How good is any digital material?
Very good. The digital material is easy to follow, not too extensive for each session and easy to understand and navigate as the leader.
How much prep will I have to do?
Preparation can be done in the space of one evening. As there is such a wealth of ideas and range of approaches throughout each session the leader must be well versed. The leader will also need to look through the digital material and ensure they have resources for activities in the starter of each session.
Is there website support? Links?
Yes, but in the form of links to locate the Logos Hope Boat which is referenced throughout the resource.
-
How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
Extremely well. Children interact with one another as well as the leader in the form of group games, quizzes, songs and discussion.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
The resource does well to balance many different approaches to learning. It caters very well for different learning styles by having a range of delivery styles in every section of every session. Some of these include: getting children to do actions, singing songs, filling in quizzes, watching the weekly DVDs, asking children questions about the topic and making crafts.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
This resource is intended to be used as a Sunday school type material but could potentially be adapted to run a kids' holiday club given that it has clear themes, and a story to follow (the Logos Hope boat). Preparation would require an evening on the leader's part (3 hours) in order to ensure they are familiar with the material and have printed off all relevant resources from the CD. Leaders will also need to prepare for the craft or activity which accompanies the session. The session would require access to equipment to play the videos, and a space appropriate for the number of children. Sessions run for approximately 1 hour but can be adapted to run for more or less, depending on time allocations set by the leader.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
Very well indeed. During the ‘What in the world' section of each session, children are encouraged to discuss questions from the leader, and in some cases write or draw down their answers. They also play games, make crafts, complete activities and learn memory verses all relevant to the mission topics covered.
-
How much of the material is Bible-based?
The ‘Bible focus' section of each session is the most direct Bible based material where children are introduced to a Bible story, and the rest of the session then leads on in a way which is relevant to the verses mentioned.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
Biblical material is presented in different ways which can be mixed up depending on what works with the group. For example, it may be read out with children to join in with actions, singing, activities, role play and more. There are some responses attached to the stories too to help children engage with the passages.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
The resource manages to do this by including application questions relevant to the age group in the ‘Bible focus' section. For example, when hearing about ‘Jesus the Comforter' children focus on Mark 4: 35-41, they learn about Jesus calming the storm with a boat full of frightened disciples. They are then encouraged to think about when they are scared, what do they seek comfort in? They learn about the different character traits of Jesus, and then learn how these are relevant for their lives, and that ultimately God can provide all they need.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
This resource is an open resource, with non specific liturgical references. It has a very positive approach to prayer and mission.
-
How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
This is done well throughout the resource, especially as the focus is on people who dedicate their lives to Jesus. In particular, the session on ‘Jesus the Leader' reminds children that Jesus wants them to follow Him and become fishers of men as fishermen were called to be disciples too in Luke 5:1-11.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
This is done well as it encourages children to grow in their faith in a different way to many resources. They are made very aware of how people can live out their lives as Christians in the actions and attitudes of all aboard the Logos Hope boat. Children learn that it wasn't just in Jesus' day that people were living for Him and working for Him, but that it happens all over the world and in different ways today too.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
Children learn about God's vision by how Jesus lived. For example -Jesus helped people, how can we help people? Jesus came to rescue and save us, how do we accept salvation? Jesus comforted frightened disciples in a boat, and He is able to comfort us too. Children learn God's purposes by the example set by His son.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
Appropriately for the age ranges, it does not cover specific scenarios children may be having, but introduces concepts which children can apply to their lives. For example, that we need to trust Jesus when things seem as though they are all going wrong.
-
How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
This is done well throughout as there is a lot of content on discipleship, talking about Jesus and teaching that the instructions given in the Bible are just as relevant today. Most content on personal evangelism is indirect as it is appropriate to the age of children, and because the resource primarily wants them to develop their own faith solidly first.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Very well, as this resource has a huge focus on mission and discipleship. Community involvement is most directly addressed in the session on ‘Jesus the Servant'. Children learn that Jesus showed His disciples that they should serve others, and also showed them how to do it. It teaches all about how we must love one another and Jesus has loved us (John 13:34). Children are then given suggestions of how they can serve others: raise money for the Logos Hope, pray for ministry, decorating cakes and serving them to the congregation, making a poster about serving others and many more.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Very well, the DVD has several stories which uncover what the crew do on board the Logos Hope boat, as a part of that, it includes talking about the sorts of people they come across and help. For example, they learn that in some places the boat goes, children do not have even the most basic school materials like pencils and crayons. Children learn about issues all over the world, but there is a particular focus on those which are more relevant for the children, such as circumstances for their brothers and sisters across the globe.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Very well. The resource is based on the Logos Hope boat which travels around the world helping people, selling books abut Jesus and welcoming people to join in all that they are doing. Children learn the roles of all on board, why it is important and are encouraged to be excited about such a new (in most cases children will not have a comparative boat!), wonderful and different approach to Jesus and the Christian faith.