Children aged 8 to 11 like to have fun! They like to be with their friends and are growing increasingly independent. Most still like the opportunity to play games and to be creative, but they will shy away from anything that feels too babyish. Their capacity to learn is enormous and most can read quite well. Feed their imaginations with Xstream and allow them space to ask the questions about the things that younger children take for granted. Xstream encourages 8 to 11s to live their daily lives for God.
Order Xstream
To order Xstream, visit the Light shop or call our Mail Order department on 0845 07 06 006. Xstream and the other products in the Light range are also available from your local Christian retailer.
Looking for web resources?
If you were looking for the free accompanying web resources to enhance your Xstream session, please visit the Web Resources / Downloads page.
Coming up in Xstream
July - Judges rule God’s people
Our 8 to 11s are familiar with the concept of a leader, and may well have been following a sports or music star themselves. The story of Deborah and Barak in Session 1, gives them an opportunity to think about what makes a good leader. They are challenged to see that God equips some people to be leaders, and to think about who they might lead.
Many of the children in your group will have experienced a feeling of worthlessness, whether at school when an older child has picked on them, at home when they haven’t felt listened to, or even at church. In Sessions 2 and 3, Gideon provides a great example of someone who considered himself small and weak, but who was used by God.
Children in this age group understand the odds of Gideon’s army of 300 beating the Midianites, and can appreciate that the battle was only won with God’s intervention. This story will encourage them that, with God, they can do anything, even win seemingly impossible victories. This is something real for our 8 to 11s to hold onto in difficult home, family or school situations.
In Session 4, the children will hear how Samson used his strength unwisely. Let them see that mental as well as physical strength can be considered here. Encourage them to ask God to help them use the gifts he has given them wisely.