Ideas to use
You will find on these pages a wealth of ideas for children's and all-age work. You can either use the search box above, or you can add some of the keywords on the left to find the right ideas for you.
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Palm Sunday: the horse and the donkey
Here is a possible re-telling of the events of Palm Sunday that comes at it from the point of view of two animals. Their differing perspectives capture the unexpected reversal of where real power lies that this day in part has come to symbolise.
View ideaLent: story of Jesus' temptations
The 40-day period of Lent is often linked to Jesus' experience in the desert following his baptism and before he began his preaching ministry (Mark 1:12-13). The story of the temptations (Matthew 4:1-11), and the idea of fasting for a long period, are both parts of the Lenten tradition. Here is an idea for an assembly to tell this story.
View ideaThe Cross and the Crib: a class assembly presentation for Christmas
An outline for a presentation for Christmas that links the events of Bethlehem to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
View ideaBarnabas - the Encouraging Apostle
11th June is St Barnabas Day - a saint dear to the heart of the the Barnabas Schools' Team! His real name was Joseph and he came from Cyprus. He was given the nickname Barnabas, which means 'son of encouragement' for good reasons. He made a generous gift to the first Christians in Jerusalem and later he persuaded them to accept St. Paul into their number after his dramatic conversion. He also travelled with Paul both to Cyprus and later to the area we now call Turkey in order to tell others about the story of Jesus.
View ideaJanani Lawum from Uganda: 17 February
On February 17th each year the people of Uganda remember their famous Archbishop, Janani Lawum, who was murdered in 1977 because he stood up to the injustices of the country’s dictator Idi Amin. This is a story of someone whose Christian faith led him to act courageously and take risks on behalf of others who were suffering.
View ideaRespect - a whole school assembly outline
One of a series of Core Values assemblies with Bible stories
View ideaChristmas 1: The angel visits Mary
This is the first of a series of ideas that you could use for lessons in the four weeks before Christmas.
View ideaChristmas 2: Mary and Joseph's journey
This is the second of a series of ideas that you could use for lessons in the four weeks before Christmas.
View ideaChristmas 3: Jesus is born
This is the third of a series of ideas that you could use for lessons in the four weeks before Christmas.
View ideaChristmas 4: The shepherds see Jesus
This is the fourth of a series of ideas that you could use for lessons in the four weeks before Christmas.
View ideaJesus - Light of the World
Jesus calls himself the light of the world. Christians believe that this is the light that enters into the deep darkness of Easter and emerges triumphant, enabling his followers to become the children of light. From the little light in the hay in the Bethlehem stable, through the dazzling light on the Mount of Transfiguration, to the light of the resurrection morning, Jesus reflected the light of heaven on earth. This is the theme of this outline with activities linked to aspects of the life of Jesus: his birth, his healings, his transfiguration and his death and resurrection.
View ideaNew Beginnings with the widow of Nain
Ideas for an assembly or the classroom on the story of the raising of the widow's son by Jesus
View ideaNew Beginnings with Lazarus
Ideas for an assembly or the classroom on the story of the raising of Lazarus by Jesus
View ideaNew Beginnings with Jesus at Easter
Ideas for an assembly or the classroom on the story of Good Friday and Easter
View ideaA family break-up
The story of Abram, Sarai and Hagar - a troubled triangle of relationships.
View ideaA parent - child break-up
The story of how, as a young boy, Jesus was lost in Jerusalem and then found in the temple.
View ideaJoshua and the spies
A Bible story and linked activities to support the summer term topic of 'changes' for the SEAL curriculum.
View ideaThe Power of the Book - William Tyndale
An idea for telling the story of William Tyndale's translation of the Bible, as a story circle
View ideaThe life of William Tyndale - a five-minute story to act out with a class
An idea for telling the story of William Tyndale's translation of the Bible, as a story circle
View ideaDedication - what a load of differences!
Here's a storytelling way of presenting the call of the disciples that involves the whole class or the whole school in collective worship. The fact that Jesus chose each one of them with all their differences is so important and becomes the model of the new family that Christians know as the kingdom of God.
View ideaDependence - supporting each other
This classroom activity uses a mixture of games, simple drama and a variety of storytelling suggestions to unpack the story of Jesus healing a man who was paralysed, demonstrating how important teamwork is in sport as well as in the Christian life.
View ideaDetermination - not giving up
This idea picks up on the theme of determination through the story of blind Bartimaeus.
View ideaDependence - Peter's escape from prison
This idea uses drama and storytelling to unpack the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison with the help of prayer from his friends.
View ideaDiscipline - keeping on track
The following idea explores the rules for the journey or race of faith using the Christian's special book (The Bible).
View ideaDecoration - finishing the race
This idea explores the race of faith and the 'finishing line' using the parable of the Great Feast.
View ideaReflective story on the Christian life with a sports theme
This idea unpacks the five stages of the faith journey using the stages of a sporting even as a comparison.
View ideaRespect - what does it really mean?
This idea picks up on the theme of respect and links it to sporting values using drama and storytelling.
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