children’s prayer workshop: leader guideimages.acswebnetworks.com/1/1399/leaderguide.pdf ·...

Children’s Prayer Workshop: Leader Guide Christ Church Episcopal November 13, 2010

Rebecca Guzman

Children’s Prayer Workshop Christ Church Episcopal Nov. 13, 2010 Leader Guide

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Children’s Prayer Workshop

Christ Church Episcopal November 13, 2010

Table of Contents

• Objective…………………………………………………. 3 • Process…………………………………………………….. 3 • Basic Schedule and Layout………………………… 3 • Follow‐Up…………………………………………………. 3 • Curriculum for Younger Children

o Welcome/Intro……………………………… 4 o Drawing Prayer…………………………….. 5 o Music as Prayer……………………………. 6 o Centering Prayer………………………….. 7 o Labyrinth Walking………………………… 8 o Counting Prayer……………………………. 9 o Dancing/Rhythm Prayer……………….. 10 o Closing…………………………………………. 11

• Curriculum for Older Children o Welcome/Intro……………………………… 12 o Labyrinth Walking…………………………. 13 o Music as Prayer……………………………. 14 o Centering Prayer………………………….. 15 o Drawing Prayer……………………………… 16 o Casting Prayer………………………………. 17 o Walking Prayer……………………………… 18 o Closing………………………………………….. 19

• Bibliography…………………………………………….. 20


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Children’s Prayer Workshop Christ Church Episcopal November 13, 2010

Objective: The objective of the morning is twofold:

1. To teach children six different ways to pray: Labyrinth walking, music, centering, drawing, counting (younger) or throwing (older), and dancing (younger) or walking (older).

2. To provide space for them to pray. The larger purpose, of course, is for children to discover new ways to pray that help to connect them to God and to use these types of prayer in their daily life.

Process: With that in mind, there will be two simultaneous opportunities for children throughout the morning: learning and prayer. Basically, we’ll be teaching about two types of prayer per hour in two different rooms (younger kids in one and older kids in the other). In the rest of the rooms upstairs, there will be supplies, space, and quiet for kids to pray. Children will be given a schedule and will be allowed to choose whether to participate in the education time or to take that time to pray in another room. Additionally, while there are no specific times in the curriculum for reflection, you may do this at any point that feels natural.

Basic Schedule and Layout: Time Teaching Rooms: Open rooms for Prayer 9:00‐9:20 Welcome/Intro *All of these will be open all morning* 9:20‐9:40 Drawing (Younger), Labyrinth (Older) 9:40‐10:00 Music 10:00‐10:15 Break/Snack

Labyrinth: We have a canvas labyrinth that we will leave spread out in one room with an instrumental CD in the background.

10:15‐10:35 Centering 10:35‐10:55 Labyrinth (Younger), Drawing (Older) 10:55‐11:10 Break/Snack

Music: A few taize songs on repeat plus some posterboard with the lyrics displayed and floor cushions to sit on.

11:10‐11:30 Counting (younger), Casting (older) Drawing: Markers, crayons, and paper. Instrumental music in the background.

11:30‐11:50 Dancing/Rhythm (younger), Walking (older)

11:50‐12:00 Closing

Open: We will set our children’s chapel altroom and have electric candles to light as board on which to write prayers.

Follow‐Up Each child will receive a booklet for the morning, which s/he will be encouraged to take home and share with parents. Older children may be asked to help teach a later series for families about types of prayer. Room Configuration Please feel free to move the furniture in the room around however you see fit for each session.


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Curriculum for Younger Children

Welcome/Intro Time Activity Supplies As Children Arrive Welcome/Nametags Nametags

Markers 9:05 Introduction Game None 9:10 Partner Questions None 9:15 Overview of the Day Schedules/Booklets 9:19 Prayer None Introduction Game:

1. Everyone says their name and does a fun/funny action. 2. See who can name everyone and do the action when finished.

Partner Questions: 1. Have kids get in pairs. 2. Ask them a series of questions. For each question, one person gets to answer for 30

seconds, and the other person just has to listen. a. What is your favorite thing to eat and why? b. Tell your partner about your family, including pets. c. Describe your favorite thing to do. d. Tell your partner what you think prayer is.

3. Talk for a minute about what prayer is and how it’s like the activity we just did—someone listening to you and you listening to someone without being interrupted.

Overview of the Day 1. Hand out booklets and point out the schedule for the day on page 3. 2. Have kids sign the letter on page 2. 3. Give a basic explanation of how the day will go. Explain to kids that they will be allowed

to choose whether to stay in their class or go to one of the prayer stations about every 20 minutes. They will be asked not to interrupt a session (no coming and going, they have to pick one).

Prayer 1. Invite a child to pray or say a prayer for your time together today.


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Drawing Prayer (Child Page 4) Time Activity Supplies 9:20 Read Pages 6‐8 of Praying in

Color: Kids’ Edition together. Talk about praying without words

Praying in Color: Kids’ Edition (enough copies for everyone)

9:25 Lead kids through praying in color using book.

Template Papers for non‐writers Books Markers Pens Paper Stapler

Reading the Book:

1. Pass out copies of the book to everyone (even kids who can’t yet read—they can look at the drawings).

2. Read pages 6‐8 together. Leading Kids Through Praying in Color:

1. Make sure everyone has room. 2. Hand out papers that they may use as a template if they can’t yet write. 3. Give everyone else some blank paper. 4. Make sure everyone has access to markers, etc. 5. Starting on Page 18 with option 2 (several deep breaths), lead kids through the

exercise. Depending on how many very young children you have, you may have to help them write in names. Also, they could use a symbol to represent God or someone else while they are praying.

6. When finished, help them find a place where they will remember it. Perhaps stapling the drawing into their booklet on page 5. is a good idea.


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Music as Prayer (Child ) Time Activity Supplies 9:40 Talk about Experiences with

Music None

9:45 Listen to snippets of different kinds of music, talk about reactions

CD Player CD with different types of music

9:52 Taize Experience CD Player Taize Music Song sheets or posters

Talk about Experiences with Music:

1. Ask kids when they hear music (in the car, at worship, etc.) 2. Ask them to talk about their favorite kind of music:

a. To listen to b. To sing

Listen to snippets of different kinds of music: 1. After each snippet, ask how the music makes them feel. 2. Read Isaiah 42:10‐12. 3. Talk about how music can connect us to God.

Taize Experience: 1. Teach everybody the words to the two Taize songs. 2. Have everyone find a comfortable place to sit. 3. Sing each song with the CD player lots of times. 4. Come back together and talk about how it felt.

*Break for Snack/Play a game or two 10:00‐10:15*


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Centering Prayer (Child ) Time Activity Supplies 10:15 Introduce Centering Prayer None 10:20 Invite kids to talk about being

quiet Markers Board/Newsprint

10:25 Invite kids to do Centering Prayer

Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children Candle Lighter or Matches

Introduce Centering Prayer

1. Give a little background on centering prayer: what it is, who does it, etc. Talk about being quiet.

1. Ask kids to list all the places in that they go that are noisy. Write them on the board. 2. Talk about what it feels like to be in a really, really noisy room. 3. Talk about what it feels like to be in a quiet room. 4. Talk about places that they feel peaceful.

Invite kids to do Centering Prayer: 1. Have everyone put the chairs in a circle. 2. Read the book all the way through without doing the centering prayer. 3. Then read only the steps again, making sure to pause for the six minutes and ending by

saying the Lord’s Prayer together.


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Labyrinth Walking (Child ) Time Activity Supplies 10:35 3 minutes to run the labyrinth

and get it out of their system! Labyrinth

10:38 Introduce Labyrinth Walking Labyrinth 10:43 Invite kids to walk the

Labyrinth Labyrinth Instrumental Music

Run the Labyrinth:

1. Because we have a Labyrinth on our campus, the kids are really familiar with it as a maze to be run. Give them a few minutes to get this running out of their system and then explain that we are going to learn what the Labyrinth REALLY is.

Introduce Labyrinth Walking 1. While we are walking to the center of the labyrinth, we think about our worries and

things that make us afraid, etc. We ask God during this time to help us let those things go because we know that God will take care of them.

2. When we get to the middle, we can sit or kneel down and talk to God for a while. 3. On the way back, we think about what we might have heard from God. 4. Point out rules on page 8.

Walking the Labyrinth 1. Give kids about 10 minutes to walk the Labyrinth. There is no right or wrong way as

long as we are quiet and do not disturb others.



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Counting Prayer (Child ) Time Activity Supplies 11:10 Making Daisy Chains Strips of Paper

Rolls of tape 11:28 Attach all the chains together

to be hung up later. Tape Extra Strips

Making Daisy Chains:

1. Chains for Intercession a. Have children write or draw things they are worried about on strips of paper and

decorate them—as many as they like! b. Have kids make their own daisy chain and pray for each thing as they tape the strips

together. 2. Chains for Thanksgiving

a. Do the same thing, but with things they are thankful for. Attaching the Chains:

1. Put all the chains together. Brainstorm places around the church that they could be hung, or allow kids to take home their part of the chain to use it to pray again.


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Dancing/Rhythm Prayer (Child ) Time Activity Supplies 11:30 Introduce Dancing Prayer 11:35 Use rhythm instruments for a

prayer. Rhythm instruments

11:42 Use streamers to make up a dance as a prayer.

Streamers CD CD Player

Introduce Dancing Prayer:

1. Talk about who made our bodies. 2. Talk about what is good for our bodies. One of the things that is good for our bodies is

to move! So it makes sense that dancing would make God happy. 3. Read Psalm 30:11

Use Rhythm Instruments for a prayer: 1. They have some rhythm prayers in their booklets that you can use to pray and make

music! Use streamers to make up a dance as a prayer:

1. Distribute streamers. Let kids make up their own dance as they make music.


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Closing Time Activity Supplies 11:50 Debriefing Board/Newsprint

Markers 11:55 Anointing Oil

Paper Towels 11:58 Praying Debriefing:

1. Talk about our favorite ways to pray. 2. Talk about continuing these ways when we leave.

Anointing: 2. Anoint each child with oil. As you do so, say these words: 3. May The Lord bless you and keep you. 4. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. 5. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Close your session with prayer.

MAKE SURE KIDS SIGN PAGE 2 OF THEIR BOOKLETS & TAKE THEM HOME


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Curriculum for Older Children

Welcome/Intro Time Activity Supplies As Children Arrive Welcome/Nametags Nametags

Markers 9:05 Introduction Game Rag Balls 9:10 Partner Questions None 9:15 Overview of the Day Schedules/Booklets 9:19 Prayer None Introduction Game:

1. Go around the circle and everybody say their names. 2. Name Ball: Say the name of someone, then throw them the ball. Have that person say

another person’s name and throw them the ball. Continue until everyone has received the ball. The last person should throw the ball back to you. Do it again. Challenge the group to do it faster. Then start a second ball after the first. See how long you can go, etc.

Partner Questions: 1. Have kids get in pairs. 2. Ask them a series of questions. For each question, one person gets to answer for 30

seconds, and the other person just has to listen. a. What is your favorite thing to eat and why? b. Tell your partner about your family, including pets. c. Describe your favorite thing to do. d. Tell your partner what you think prayer is. e. Talk for a minute about what prayer is and how it’s like the activity we just did—

someone listening to you and you listening to someone without being interrupted.

Overview of the Day 1. Hand out booklets and point out the schedule for the day on page 3. 2. Have kids sign page 2. 3. Give a basic explanation of how the day will go. Explain to kids that they will be

allowed to choose whether to stay in their class or go to one of the prayer stations about every 20 minutes. They will be asked not to interrupt a session (no coming and going, they have to pick one).

Prayer 1. Invite a child to pray or say a prayer for your time together today.


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Labyrinth Walking (Child Page 4) Time Activity Supplies 9:20 Introduce Labyrinth Walking Labyrinth 9:25 Invite kids to walk the

Labyrinth None

Introduce Labyrinth Walking

1. While we are walking to the center of the labyrinth, we think about our worries and things that make us afraid, etc. We ask God during this time to help us let those things go because we know that God will take care of them.

2. When we get to the middle, we can sit or kneel down and talk to God for a while. 3. On the way back, we think about what we might have heard from God.

Walking the Labyrinth 1. Give kids about 15 minutes to walk the Labyrinth. There is no right or wrong way as

long as we are quiet and do not disturb others. Remind them that they can go to one of the other rooms if they finish early.


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Music as Prayer (Child Page 5) Time Activity Supplies 9:40 Talk about Experiences with

Music None

9:45 Listen to snippets of different kinds of music, talk about reactions

CD Player CD with different types of music

9:52 Taize Experience CD Player Taize Music

Talk about Experiences with Music:

1. Ask kids when they hear music (in the car, at worship, etc.) 2. Ask them to talk about their favorite kind of music:

a. To listen to b. To sing

Listen to snippets of different kinds of music: 1. After each snippet, ask how the music makes them feel. 2. Read Isaiah 42:10‐12. 3. Talk about how music can connect us to God.

Taize Experience: 1. Teach everybody the words to the two Taize songs. 2. Have everyone find a comfortable place to sit. 3. Sing each song with the CD player lots of times. 4. Come back together and talk about how it felt.



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Centering Prayer (Child Page 6) Time Activity Supplies 10:15 Introduce Centering Prayer None 10:20 Invite kids to talk about being

quiet None

10:25 Invite kids to do Centering Prayer

Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children

Introduce Centering Prayer: Give a little background on centering prayer: what it is, who does it, etc. Talk about being quiet.

1. Ask kids to list all the places in that they go that are noisy. Write them on the board. 2. Talk about what it feels like to be in a really, really noisy room. 3. Talk about what it feels like to be in a quiet room. 4. Talk about places that they feel peaceful.

Invite kids to do Centering Prayer: 1. Have everyone put the chairs in a circle. 2. Read the book all the way through without doing the centering prayer. 3. Then read only the steps again, making sure to pause for the six minutes and ending by

saying the Lord’s Prayer together.


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Drawing Prayer (Child Page 7) Time Activity Supplies 10:35 Read Pages 6‐8 of Praying in

Color: Kids’ Edition together. Talk about praying without words

Praying in Color: Kids’ Edition (enough copies for everyone)

10:40 Lead kids through praying in color using book

Books Markers Pens Paper

Reading the Book:

1. Pass out copies of the book 2. Read pages 6‐8 together.

Leading Kids Through Praying in Color: 1. Make sure everyone has room. 2. Give everyone blank paper. 3. Make sure everyone has access to markers, etc. 4. Starting on Page 18 with option 2 (several deep breaths), lead kids through the exercise.

Depending on how many very young children you have, you may have to help them write in names. Also, they could use a symbol to represent God or someone else while they are praying.

5. When finished, help them find a place where they will remember it. Perhaps stapling the drawing into their booklet on page 8 is a good idea.



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Casting Prayer (Child Page 9) Time Activity Supplies 11:10 Finding a rock outside 11:17 Writing our angers, worries,

fears on the rock. Permanent Markers

11:20 Spending time in prayer giving those things to God.

11:25 Casting the rocks as far as they’ll go into the woods.

Finding a Rock Outside:

1. Go outside. 2. Instruct kids to look for a fairly large rock with a flat enough surface to write on.

Writing on the Rock: 1. Have kids write some fears, angers, worries, etc. on the rock. One is enough.

Give those things to God: 1. Give the kids 5 minutes to find a quiet space and give those kids to God.

Casting 2. Walk to the edge of the woods. Make sure everyone is facing the same way. When

they are ready, invite kids to throw the rock as hard as they can away from them. They can use a running start if it helps.


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Walking Prayer (Child Page 10) Time Activity Supplies 11:30 Introduce Walking Prayer 11:33 Spend time in the

neighborhood next door walking and praying aloud for each household.

Booklets

Introduce Walking Prayer

1. There are many kinds of Prayer Walks. We’ll talk about devotional and intercessory. 2. You’ll need to read a couple of pages I’ve scanned and attached from William Tenny‐

Brittian to introduce this to the kids. Practice Walking Prayer

1. Walk around the neighborhood to the south of the church, which can be accessed through the parking lot. Let kids use samples from their booklet to pray a blessing on each house that you pass.


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Closing Time Activity Supplies 11:50 Debriefing 11:55 Anointing Oil

Paper Towels 11:58 Praying Debriefing:

1. Talk about our favorite ways to pray. 2. Talk about continuing these ways when we leave.

Anointing: 6. Anoint each child with oil. As you do so, say these words: 7. May The Lord bless you and keep you. 8. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. 9. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Close your session with prayer.

MAKE SURE KIDS SIGN PAGE 2 OF THEIR BOOKLETS & TAKE THEM HOME


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Children’s Prayer Workshop: Bibliography and Recommended Reading for Families

50 Ways to Pray: Practices from Many Traditions and Times, by Teresa A. Blythe. Abingdon, 2006. Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children, by Frank X. Jelenek. Paraclete Press, 2007. Prayers for Each and Every Day, by Sophie Piper. Paraclete Press, 2008. Prayer for People Who Can’t Sit Still, by William Tenny‐Brittian. Chalice Press, 2005. Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God, by Sybil MacBeth. Paraclete Press, 2007. Praying in Color: Kids’ Edition, by Sybil MacBeth. Paraclete Press, 2009. Praying with the Body: Bringing the Psalms to Life, by Roy DeLeon. Paraclete Press, 2009. This is What I Pray Today: The Divine Hours Prayers for Children, by Phllis Tickle. Dutton Children’s Books, 2007.

children’s prayer workshop: leader guideimages.acswebnetworks.com/1/1399/leaderguide.pdf ·...

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