We can no longer assume that children will encounter Christianity in their everyday lives. In fact, it’s estimated that around eight million children in Britain in this generation will never encounter the gospel. Scripture Union’s desire is to make sure that doesn’t happen, so that all children and young people will have an opportunity to hear about and respond to Jesus.
Sunday 19: Focus for today and throughout the week
Scripture Union’s vision is to see every church better equipped to make disciples of children and young people. A big part of this vision is to enable churches to work with children who have no church connections, and may never have encountered Jesus.
Monday 20
An important tool to reach children who have no church connection is the holiday Bible club. Scripture Union’s Showstoppers resource for 2009 focuses on music, movement, drama, art and photography, and is based on five familiar Must Know Bible stories. Ruth Wills is the author and Alex Taylor the editor.
Tuesday 21
GIVE THANKS for the back-room publishing team who supported the production of
Showstoppers. The resource could not have reached publication successfully without desk editors, production negotiators, and church groups who tested the material.
Wednesday 22
Every year, we reckon that around 150,000 children take part in a holiday club run with
Scripture Union materials. At least half have no previous church background and the challenge for churches is to maintain contact with them throughout the year. Target Challenge, this year's Scripture Union’s follow-up midweek club programme, uses target sports to give leaders a framework to maintain these relationships.
Thursday 23
Every child goes to school – so that’s where we’ll meet them. Scripture Union volunteers,
Associates and staff help students run lunchtime groups, resource after-school clubs, and encourage the influence of Christian teachers – all helping to build the relationships with those who have no church connections.
Friday 24
Around half the churches in Britain have a formal children’s work, which leaves the other half who don’t. Let’s focus today on praying for God’s inspiration among his people to work with children, to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord (Psalm 78: 4).
Saturday 25: International focus
Switzerland: GIVE THANKS for the children, young people and adults who attended
Scripture Union’s 20 summer camps, and are now continuing their journey with the Lord. SU workers have begun prayerfully planning their 2009 programme.