5-11s

jigsaw-5-11

"If you want to shape a person's life - whether you are most concerned about his or her moral, spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional or economic development - it is during these crucial eight years [from 5 to 12 years old] that lifelong habits, values, beliefs and attitudes are formed." George Barna, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions.

We can’t give children a personal relationship with Jesus, but we can introduce them to Jesus, we can give them knowledge of the Bible and we can walk alongside them as they start out or progress on their journey of faith.

At the Children's Ministry Conference in January 2009 we asked delegates to share their top tips for working with 5-11s and also for reaching out to their community.

The top five tips for working with 5-11s were:

Build relationships – know about the children’s problems and issues – allow for social time.
Illustrate stories – pictures – crafts – props – dramas – have children acting.
Use puppets to introduce stories – ideas – application – songs.
Fun activities – science – crafts – quizzes – action songs.
Pray: use news time to discover prayer needs – draw feelings and needs – build a prayer wall – leaders pray for children.

Plus the top tips for reaching children in the community were:

Children and youth activities, eg Children’s clubs – Youth clubs – Bus ministry – football leagues – Holiday & seasonal clubs.
Breakfast and after-school clubs – food – homework help – sport – English teaching – crafts & activities.
Schools work, eg assemblies – school Governors – reading support – PTAs.

Read all the tips for working with 5-11s and for reaching communities.