I have been teaching Sunday School on and off for eleven years, and have tried out many different teaching materials. When I became responsible for teaching the 3 to 5 year old group in my church, found a lot of the material was too complicated, a lot of my time was being spent reading and trying to get to grips with the lesson and then it was not very practical for three year olds to actually cope with. Worst of all, it was too far removed from the ³good old’ basic bible story teaching that I had when I was their age. Having become a Christian at the age of five, I know how important these years can be, and being a graphic designer by profession, I decided to produce my own material.

The Mini-church lessons follow a very simple formula:

• We teach basic bible stories.
• They are geared for the youngest in the class not the oldest, with creative scope for the oldest to do more.
• They follow the same simple format.
• We major on a creative/craft activity (kids love making things!)
• The only real preparation needed, is cutting out shapes etc, or getting bits together the day before the lesson.
• The kids have hand out colouring sheets to either take home or use as part of the lesson (or instead of the craft if preferred.

I now run the Mini-Church age group at Kings Church, East bourne and have two daughters now aged 4 and 8. And life is still busy.....! I hope that Mini-Church helps to make your life as a teacher a bit easier and a bit more fun!

Julia Evetts