Guides not Guards – a Lent course for 11-18s
£0.00 (Approx)
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Overview
What does it say on the tin?
Downloadable material for youth for Lent.
What do you get?
Downloadable sessions for Lent, 2 A4 pages per session:
Session 1: Incarnation, John 1:9-14
Session 2: Baptism, Matthew 3:13-17
Session 3: Temptation, Genesis 3:1-7, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, Hebrew 4:15
Session 4: Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1-8
Session 5: Passion and Resurrection, Matthew 16:21-28
Contact Canterbury diocese if the link here doesn’t work – in case they have changed it. It’s worth the effort!
Who is it for?
Youth 11-18s, small groups, Beginning, Growing.
Review
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What is the overall quality of material presentation?
Super-clear and easy to use
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Beautifully laid out A4 pages, with great icons and clear ‘Take home point’ for each session.
How accessible are the leader’s notes?
Good introductory page explaining how the four icons guide through each session clearly: Welcome, including an innovative opener activity with minimal prep; Word, video from simonscat.com (find the video you want from here if the extended link doesn’t work) with accompanying question, then Bible reading and more questions leading on from this; Worship, listening to a song or other creative activity which prompts time for being with God; Photo Challenge, each to take a photo that fits the topic.
Who could lead it?
Youth leader.
How helpful are the participants’ resources?
None in addition. Just leaders’ download.
How good is any digital material?
Simon the cat is a good choice for holding youth attention and giving them something to talk about. Lots of choices here in addition to those suggested.
How much prep will I have to do?
List of materials needed for each session is given. Nothing too onerous, except making sure that the IT equipment is working and ready to roll. Familiarisation with the material.
Is there website support? Links?
Other material available from CHYPS.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
The opener activities are creative and good; the questions have a good balance of objective and subjective. The Worship moment gives safe space for young people to interact with God for themselves. Then there should be lots of fun with the Photo challenge…
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
Mix of watching, playing, talking, interactive responses, quiet – a very good variety.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
Would work for a wide variety of young people, no matter their style. Easily adaptable to do more or less with each section.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
The discussions, games and photo challenge are all well grounded in the theme; the Worship provides a chance to relate privately to God.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
Each session is based on a short passage, or passages, from the Bible.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
A few sentences give the background to the biblical material – the focus is on both understanding some meanings, and applying it to our own lives.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Gentle but on point questions encourage all to work out what the biblical material means to them. Interactive responses increase this learning.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
Broad Anglican.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
Good range of topics for leading up to Easter. No punches pulled about the reality of following Jesus and what that might mean – but in accessible and appropriate ways, and without being prescriptive.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
Enough on each theme but not too much, and the mix of learning styles provided means that everyone should go home with something that has impacted them. Really great exploration of the topics from a brilliant variety of media.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
A good collection of a few of the high points of Jesus’ life and ministry, very well applied to the lives of teenagers. Encouragement to relate to God in real ways, about their real lives and what they face, and to trust in his powerful transforming love.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
An engaging and effective approach that will help young people to both connect with biblical material, and work out how it applies to them. There are tools and challenges aplenty, and things to think about and things to do.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
The resource is clear that the story of God can only continue with us, and that we are called to reflect Jesus to the world.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Overall encouragement to reflect what Jesus would do in their situations, in action and prayer.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Not a focus.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Not a focus.