Sandy Swartzentruber
Resource Coordinator, Faith Formation Ministries
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Posted in: Faith Forming Easter Basket Ideas for Teens?
Hi Staci!
In addition to chocolate (obviously!), you could add a prayer journal, a fun pen, and a bookmark with an encouraging verse on it. I also love this graphic treatment of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1--you could create your own version of that using your computer rather than hand-done calligraphy. Making a 5x7 postcard-size version of that would be so cool, and you could purchase inexpensive frames for them if you like.....
Posted in: Faith Forming Easter Basket Ideas for Teens?
P.S. I just found a sticker version of Q&A 1 that would be a fun add to your basket!
Posted in: Bible Study Suggestion for Adult at Teen Level of Understanding?
Hi Kathy! One option to check out would be the Together curriculum from Friendship Ministries. It's designed for people with varying levels of cognitive challenges, and is totally online. I'm not certain how it would work without a facilitator, but perhaps someone at Friendship Ministries could help with that. Website is https://togethersmallgroups.org/. I'd also recommend taking a look at the free videos from The Bible Project (https://bibleproject.com/explore/)--they are fabulous, and your sister could definitely watch those on her own as a way to learn more about God's story!
Posted in: Bible Study Suggestion for Adult at Teen Level of Understanding?
Kathy, if leaving home is an option, she might really enjoy being part of a Friendship group if there is one near you. Here's the form to fill out to see if there's a local group: https://friendship.org/find-a-group/
Posted in: Sheep, Not Superheroes: How Sabbath Helps Us Right-Size
Thanks, Larry! Yes, sabbath can be a struggle, even though it's a great gift! It's our hope that the Faith Practices Project resources will be helpful as people enter into an exploration of how they might come to love and celebrate sabbath more fully. And thank you for your June Network post! I just ran across it and will add it to our sabbath resources--good stuff to ponder there.
Posted in: Resources to Talk Race and Racism With Children?
Hi Kelli! The picture book God's Very Good Idea from the fabulous Tales the Tell the Truth series is perfect for framing diversity as part of God's plan from the very beginning. I can't say enough about this series. The books are true to Scripture, they have literary merit, and the illustrations sparkle.
Posted in: Turn Down the Noise
Amen
Posted in: Retelling Bible Stories: Stop Motion LEGO Videos
This is wonderful, Melissa! I have chills! I'll bet your kids will always remember doing this.
Posted in: Retelling Bible Stories: Stop Motion LEGO Videos
Hahaha...hardly a star! I wrote EFF as part of my work for Faith Formation Ministries, and I'm so glad folks are finding it helpful! Thanks for your kind words.
Posted in: God's Mercies in a Pandemic
A few days ago the sky was filled with the biggest, brightest rainbow I'd ever seen, and it reminded me of God's love and care for us even as we go through these harrowing times.
Posted in: 5 Ways to Help Kids Worship
Now there's an idea, Hetty. It is so important that we treat children as equal worshipers. There are lots of great ideas for intergenerational worship in Faith Formation Ministries' Intergenerational Church Toolkit and on Teresa Cho's Still Waters site.
Posted in: Without Guile
Steve, thank you so much for this writing. What a beautiful way to start my day--by aspiring to live without guile.....