Come and See: Family resources

A girl wearing a bike helmet stops to take a photo

One of the brilliant things about God is that we are invited to come to him any time, any way, any place – and you are invited to try this out in different ways this Lent. 

Jump to: The journey so far...

It's never too late to Come and See - register to recieve weekly emails during Lent or scroll down for top tips and information. You'll find each week's resources here as they become available.

Register for your free family resources here

You are invited to: 

  • Explore and journey together 
  • Have a go at creating space to be with God, yourself, and each other 
  • Wonder about God and notice and learn together. Please don’t worry – you are not expected to know all the answers to the questions that are asked!  
  • Give it a go in action or activity 

At its core, this resource has the six contemplative practices of stilling, noticing, dwelling, mending, filling and blessing. We will practise one each week, but you can use them whenever you’d like to. These practices are deeply rooted in ancient Christian traditions and spirituality and have recognised beneficial effects on wellbeing and good mental health.  

Be reassured that this resource is offered into the reality of life with children and young people, so sitting, silence and serenity are not the top expectation! You are offered ways to help more active children give it a go.  

Note that they are called practices for a reason! Keep giving them a go, noticing where and how they are particularly helpful to you and your family. 

Doing this with children  
 

It’s an adventure

It’s an adventure, exploration, journey - it’s not a set of facts to learn. It’s taking a little time and space to connect with ourselves, each other, God and the world around us. 

Don't be afraid of questions

It’s about noticing, wondering and questioning. Not all the questions will have factual answers you will know - that’s OK! Do not fear children’s questions. You could respond, “That’s a really good question. Tell me what you think.” or begin your response with “I wonder if…”, “I’m not sure but I notice...”  

You can check with children if their questions are for wondering or if they need to know. If they need to know and you don’t know an answer, enjoy the opportunity of working together to research an answer.  

It takes practice

The approach in this resource takes practice and needs patience. Keep it short and sweet. Encourage quiet times, but try not to get cross if there isn’t silence. Allow holding a toy, material or object. Show and then invite children to lead – it doesn’t matter how old they are! Allow yourself to be led by them, remembering this is a journey together.  

Choose your Bible version

Use the Bible version or translation that is most accessible to everyone present. We strongly encourage use of the full Bible text (we have used the International Children’s Bible). If you have a storybook Bible you’d prefer to use, that’s OK, but it is worth checking if it has all the story that you need! Is the Dwelling passage included in the book? Remember that in the rewriting important things are left out and sometimes emphasis is given to an aspect of the story that is not so helpful.  

Meet them where they're at

For a person of any age, finding the words to describe spiritual experiences and connections can be very difficult. Remember this is doubly so for children with less vocabulary to begin with. Try not to push them to describe or tell unless they really want to. Invite colouring, drawing, making, modelling (with Lego, wooden bricks, Playmobil, Minecraft or any other materials) alongside telling with words.  

Silence is OK!

Silence is an appropriate response. Even when you are curious, allow the child to know they can choose if and what they share. Assume they are wondering inside themselves. We are inviting ourselves and children to come close to the existential questions of life; these are big questions and need a lot (maybe even a lifetime) of reflection. Therefore, giving a verbal response quickly may not be possible for anyone! Keep coming back to it. 


The journey so far...

Each Sunday there's a video from one of the many amazing chaplains and youth workers in the diocese. See the first one now and scroll down to see the weekly resources.

 

 

Week-by-week resources will appear below throughout Lent.


Week 1: We love because God first loved us

Thank you for joining us on this Come and See for Families adventure - let's get started.


Week 3: To love with all our heart, soul, mind and strength

This week we are concentrating on “To love with all our heart, soul, mind and strength”. Known as the Greatest Commandment, this saying of Jesus calls us to live the love with everything we are.


Week 2: The more we know God, the more we love God

Sometimes we struggle, but as we grow in our experience of God’s love, we can be sure that it helps us in all things.


Week 4: To love our neighbour as ourselves: in kindness and loving service

This week we are exploring what it means to love our neighbour. Who even is our neighbour? How might we show God’s love through acts of kindness and blessing?


Week 5: Seeking justice and care for the environment

Caring for creation is one of the ways we can live out our love for God.


Week 6: To love our neighbour as ourselves in sharing faith and good news

This is the final week of Lent, leading us towards the ultimate love story, Jesus’ sad death and glorious rising. Our journey with the Space Makers practices brings us to blessing, bringing together the wonder of Jesus: the joy, hope and peace he brings us. We share what we receive so that others will know that greater and deeper love.

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