Missional Communities Team Resources

GENERAL RESOURCES

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

  • Bible: Bible stories don’t have to just be read out of the Bible. Each year our gospel resource prepared for SU missions and camps has some ideas, but there are even more ways of presenting the Bible.
  • Children and Families Ministry
  • Drama: Drama is an effective way of sharing the gospel with larger groups of people, connecting with all ages and stages of life.
  • Family Events: Events for the whole family are a great way of involving the whole family in your mission. Remember that children are part of families, and parents often appreciate participating in family activities. Think creatively about how you share the gospel with families. See HERE for some event ideas.
  • Games: Fun games are memorable, and are a significant way of building community and relationship with people.
  • Songs: Music and songs are one of the most effective memory aids, and like all aspects of an upfront program, with some preparation, it’s not hard to do them. Silly songs are great fun too, and are a good way of engaging with children.

TEENAGERS

  • Drop-In Centres: Drop-in centres are aimed at providing a safe place where people, primarily teens and young adults, can come and hang out. They are places where relationships and community can be built, and where you can have a more formal, ‘upfront’ presentation of the gospel, such as a team member talking upfront about what difference being a Christian makes. The space can include snacks, games, activities, bean bags, dance mats, pool table, table tennis table, foosball, a New Years’ Eve party, poker night, arm wrestle competition, chai tent, trivia night, talent quest, or a video games night, just to name a few options.
  • Program Activities and Ideas: In a Theos or SUFM teens context, activities can be community building an provide resources for the camp site. They can include anything from sport competitions to food, henna to movies, stump a Christian panels to sand sculpting competitions.
  • Music: Music is a large part of today’s culture and is often a comfortable way to express emotion among peers and strangers. Live music or a stage can be a focal point for the night. It can be an accessible way to present the gospel, either through the form of lyrics or by the artist sharing their story. Having program participants perform is also a way of empowering and encouraging them to be involved in the community and to share something of themselves also.
  • Connecting with Teens: A resource prepared by the SU Victoria schools team (under the ELEVATE framework) for relational and conversation starters with teenagers.
  • Henna: Henna can be an effective way of connecting with participants, being able to share stories through the Henna, and also talking together while it is being applied.

These resources are the intellectual property of the individual authors. Please respect this, and do not use this material outside of your SUFM or Theos context. if you wish to use this resource in other contexts, please email us at volunteersupport@suvic.org.au.