So, Why God?
£9.99 (Approx)
3.8Get the resource >
Overview
What does it say on the tin?
What questions do children ask about God? So, Why God? Takes genuine questions children have asked about God and Christianity and helps them find the answers through the Bible and through the testimony of their leaders. The first six sessions look closely at who God is and takes children through the story of Jesus on earth. The second six sessions look at hard issues Christians face. It is ideal for use as a children’s discipleship course.
So, why God?
is an exciting twelve session series aimed at 7-11 year olds who may not know much about Jesus. The course encourages children to find out about Jesus’ journey on earth and prompts them to ask questions about what issues Christians may face today. The material is aimed at meeting young people where they are, rather than assuming they are in a certain place. As an outreach series, So, why God? includes a fantastic range of activities and questions which can be adapted easily.
What do you get and how?
Leader’s guidance booklet: £9.99, includes leader notes and activities to photocopy and use.
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Who is it for?
7 – 11 year olds, boys and girls. Groups can be of all sizes. This resource is intended for children who do not know much about Jesus and perhaps have little exposure to church.
Review
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What is the overall quality of material presentation?
Glossy format, attractive animations, helpful sub-headings, consistent icons, sign posting to other resources.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Aims are clearly written in bold at the beginning of each session. The aims are simple and extremely appropriate for 7-11 year olds.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
Concise and comprehensive. The leader's notes offer everything from practical support for setting up to advice on how to communicate with children and what questions to ask during the session. Good session planning forms, activities to photocopy and links to other studies where relevant in the Eyelevel Clubs series.
Who could lead it?
So, why God? should be led by people who care for children and want them to know God. Leaders should be prepared to let children ask their own questions, even if this means changing the direction of the session. The leaders must be aware they may not know all the answers. As this is an outreach resource, a prior relationship with the children is not essential.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
Hand-outs, booklets and activities appropriate, relevant and attractive. Aid sessions well.
How good is any digital material?
N/A
How much prep will I have to do?
A fair bit but not considerable. Suggestions made of having people in place to pray for the sessions, more leaders may be needed to assist with crafts and to keep a ratio of children 8:1 adult. There is a choice of craft or booklet work in each session so this will need to be decided prior to the session too. NOTE: Adults must be CRB certified.
Is there website support? Links?
N/A
Is it dated?
No, this series will stay relevant for a long time.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
Children begin an activity as soon as they arrive to the session. There are lots of activities throughout the session which are relevant to the main question presented to the children. A huge amount of interaction is encouraged and required.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
Very well. Great mix of styles, good pace, flexibility for adaptation. Lots of practical work.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
Suitable for groups of all social backgrounds. Flexible. As an outreach series, it works well for a midweek club/ after school club. Use in church groups too, suggested to use over Lent.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
Sessions end with time to pray and reflect over what has been learnt/covered. As an outreach series, children are encouraged to apply the material to their own thoughts. Processing and considering information is key. Children can ask write questions at the end of the sessions to be answered in the next session. Children are offered an opportunity to accept Jesus as their friend at the end of session 4.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
Approx a quarter of the time, depending on session.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
Interactively and in a way which provokes children to ask more questions. Biblical material aims to directly answer the title question presented at the beginning of each session.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Relevantly. Directly. There and then, children respond to the session.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
Open in order to be accessible to all. Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version Bible suggested to enhance accessibility to Jesus further.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
Not a focus. This is primarily an outreach series. Covers basics of who Jesus is and why he came.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
Encourages children to consider if they want to follow Jesus. The material doesn't assume that the participants are already followers of Jesus or at a certain stage in their faith. It meets children on their level, and allows for questions and honesty.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
Depends on the starting point of each individual. Encouragement to engage with God.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
Focus is on learning about Jesus and Christianity so real life issues are not applied directly.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
Gently and openly. Allows children to be honest in their response to the good news of Jesus.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Encourages participants to join from all kinds of social backgrounds and is inclusive of children from all communities. Encourages local churches to offer prayer support.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Not a focus.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Not a focus.