Children

Programs & Resources

Fourteen Stories of Calling in the Bible
The fourteen calling stories from the Bible can be used in a variety of ways in children's programming, for example: 1) a multi-session unit in weekly classes, 2) a mini-course (e.g., four sessions), 3) a monthly session on calling, 4) a vacation Bible school program on calling, 5) a children and parent program, daylong retreat, and/or camp experience, and 6) a family at-home program.

Learning Activities to Support the Calling Stories
Here are ten online resource centers where you can find children's Bible learning activities. These websites have lots of free material. Search the sites for learning activities for the calling stories you have selected.

Adventure Bible (Zondervan): www.adventurebible.com
Catholic Mom: Catholic Mom
Children's Ministry Magazine (Group Publishing): Children's Ministry Website, Lesson Plans, Bible Activities
DLTK's Crafts for Kids: www.dltk-bible.com
Illustrated Children's Ministry: www.illustratedchildrensministry.com
Kid's Sunday School Place: www.kidssundayschool.com
Lesson Plans That Work - Revised Common Lectionary (Episcopal Digital Network): Lesson Plans That Work - Lectionary Sessions
Loyola Press Catholic Tradition Center: Catholic Basics, Catholic Living, Catholic Social Teaching, Church Leadership, Devotions, Jesus and the New Testament. Mass and Liturgy,
Ministry to Children - Practical Help with Telling Kids about Jesus: ministry-to-children.com
Religious Education Activities (The Religion Teacher): Religious Education Activities, Catholic Lesson Plans, Seasonal Activities

Stories of Calling in the Bible

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The fourteen calling stories can be used in a variety of ways in children's programming, for example: 1) a multi-session unit in weekly classes, 2) a mini-course (e.g., four sessions), 3) a monthly session on calling, 4) a vacation Bible school program on calling, 5) a children and parent program, daylong retreat, and/or camp experience, and 6) a family at-home program.

Content: 14 Calling Stories in the Bible

Abraham: Genesis 17:1-9
Moses: Exodus 3:1-17
Deborah: Judges 4:1-16
Ruth: 1:1-17
Samuel: 1Samuel 3:1-10
Elijah: 1Kings 19:1-16
Jeremiah: Jeremiah 1:4-10
Isaiah: Isaiah 6
Mary: Luke 1:26-38
Disciples of Jesus: John 1:35-51
Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10
Samaritan Woman at the Well: John 4:1-42
Paul: Acts 9:1-30
Timothy: 1Timothy 4:6-16

These stories seek to capture one or more of the ways that God calls us. Emphasize this through the learning experiences built around the calling stories.

Called by God in Multiple Ways (e.g., Mary—Acorn, Timothy—Pilgrimage, Paul – Surprising Discovery,
Called as We Are (e.g., Moses)
Called from People, Places, or Situation (e.g., Abraham)
Called for Service and Work (e.g., Paul)
Called through Each Other (e.g., Deborah)
Called in Suffering (e.g., Ruth and Naomi)
Called by the God Within (e.g., Elijah)

Methodology: Process for the Sessions

1. Share the Bible Story
Present the Bible story in one of two ways: 1) show the video and then read the story from a children’s Bible, or 2) read the story from a children’s Bible and then show the video.

2. Provide a Brief Commentary on the Story

3. Reflect on the Story
Use “I wonder…” statements to engage children in reflecting on the Bible story. Use these three questions and feel free to add your own:

I wonder what part of this story you liked best….
I wonder what ___(featured person in the story)____ thought about God’s call or invitation or promise or challenge to them….
I wonder how ___(featured person in the story)____ felt about their calling from God….

4. Examine the Story
Many of the calling stories follow a pattern. Examine the story to uncover the pattern in the person’s response to God’s calling/invitation/challenge. For example, the sixth chapter of Isaiah follows a biblical pattern:

The person has some experience of God. Isaiah has a dramatic vision of God in the Temple.
God gives the person a mission. God sends Isaiah to speak to the people.
The person may deny being worthy. Isaiah knows he has unclean (or sinful) lips.
God addresses the denial and reassures the person. God purifies Isaiah with fire and words of forgiveness.

5. Explore the Story
Provide a variety of ways for children to explore more deeply the story through a variety of mediums. Here are examples:

Art: illustrate the person’s response to God in the Bible story
Journal: write how you might have responded if you were the featured person in the story; what would you have said and done
Drama: create a dramatic re-enactment of the Bible story
News Report: create a news report as an “on-the-scene” TV reporter describing the events of the story for the TV audience
Write a Prayer: create a prayer, inspired by the Bible story, for all children today