Scripture Union Ireland have launched a new web series called Nua! It focuses on some of the big questions in life, which are explored through episodic vlogs.

Some of the questions they talk about include…

1. How did we get here? The origins of human life
2. Is Jesus a factual or fictional character?
3. Investigating alternative theories for Jesus’ empty tomb

These videos are great for teenagers – we loved watching them!

To find out more info and watch the Nua film series, click here: https://nuafilmseries.org/episode-guide

This beautifully illustrated story, targeted for kids, talks about coronavirus and helps them process what’s been happening in life around them.

To access a free pdf version of Matilda and Theo, click here: https://www.childhood.org.au/app/uploads/2020/04/MatildaTheoLR.pdf

The University of Queensland, in partnership with Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, have launched a new podcast titled ‘Parenting in a Pandemic’.

Each episode, Professor Matthew Sanders talks about real, actionable advice to help you steer your household through these uncharted waters.

You can access the podcast by clicking here: https://pfsc.psychology.uq.edu.au/parentinginapandemic

People often ask me why I love camping so much.

Camps are super fun, they create amazing memories and allow people to build incredible friendships.

Going deeper, at the centre of every camping journey is your personal experience – and my experiences with camps growing up inspired a love for them as an adult.

I remember going on my first Beach Mission as an assistant leader when I was 15. We started each day with worship and a devotion together before going to the beach to show God’s love through various community programs. Spending this week with a strong Christian community of leaders showed me what it is to be a Christian.

After that camp, I became more engaged with church and started reading my bible to keep growing. It was my experience on SU Beach Missions as a teen that led me on a lifelong journey of faith. This is why I’m so passionate about camps.

Camps give young people the opportunity to get a glimpse of God’s Kingdom. Camps are not an everyday experience.

Research from McCrindle and The Christian Venues Association shows Christian camps have significant positive impacts on faith formation*.

As camp leaders and church congregations, it’s important for us to understand the flow of a camp – there are three main stages…

1. The lead-up
As campers get ready to go on camp, they can go through many emotions – ranging from excitement to anxiety. It’s important that parents and camp leaders are aware of these emotions – and able to set realistic expectations for the child so that they are not caught off guard when they arrive on camp.

2. Not an ‘everyday’ experience
Camps can start off relatively similar to the ‘everyday’ we know, but when they get rolling and the camp’s community starts to grow, many campers experience God’s love – something they might not feel in the everyday.

3. Heading back to the ‘everyday’
When camp is over, leaders, parents and churches can support their young people by helping to welcome them back into the ‘everyday’. Life after camp can be a bit dull – so youth groups and social activities are a great way of helping young campers transition back.

Overall, the sense of community that develops over the course of a camp, and the time spent learning and growing in faith is transformational. My experience on Beach Missions at age 15 changed the course of my life, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.

—

Due to COVID-19, our normal SU Camps were not able to run in the Easter Holidays. For the Winter Camps Season we have moved to an online model – which we are so excited about!

We believe that having online camps will create an online community that will allow our kids to still have a peak experience – you can find out more at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sucamps/

*https://www.christianvenues.org.au/impact/

About the author…

Jane has been involved with SU Camps and Community Outreaches for 15 years. She has experience as working as a chaplain and has a background in nursing. Jane currently works as the Camp Specialist for SU QLD, overseeing the camps and missions across Queensland.

Scripture Union New Zealand have released Engage App – a new way to get into daily bible reading!

New audio Bible readings, along with discussion questions you can follow with on-screen, are released every day. A young Kiwi reads the scripture to you, and at the end of each reading they ask you a few thoughtful questions and they finish with a prayer. You can listen as a group or by yourself, and can link to a Facebook page to share your thoughts about the questions. Click here to view the Engage App Facebook Page

The app is available on all mobile platforms – to get it click here: https://www.sunz.org.nz/youth/engage-app/

We love this pdf the Australian Childhood Foundation has put together to help kids understand coronavirus.

Check out this excerpt…

Coronavirus is a new kind of cold. It’s so small that we can’t see it with our eyes. It’s quite sneaky and rude because it is traveling around from person to person without being invited. Coronavirus can go from a person who has it, to another person who hasn’t had it, if they spend time close together.

If you’d like to download the full pdf, click here: https://www.childhood.org.au/app/uploads/2020/03/Talking-to-Children-COVID-19-Social-Story.pdf

The Queensland Department of Education has released some guidelines for children as they return to school next week.

While details may vary between schools, they’ve asked everyone to please follow the protocols so we can keep our schools and communities safe.

For more up-to-date information about the return to school on Monday 25 May 2020, please visit https://qed.qld.gov.au/…/frequently-asked-questions-for-par…

Last week, the ABC aired an episode of Q+A entitled ‘Young and Free?’, focusing on concerns that young Australians have about life after COVID-19.

Guest panelists wrestled with questions directly from young people about education, employment, the environment, isolation, and mental health.

Strong concerns were expressed about what the coming weeks, months and years might hold for them. One young person, looking right at the camera, asked, “What are we supposed to do next, like literally, next…?”

It’s such a strange and worrying time for our young people.

I watched and wondered what the answers to such complex problems could be and where such solutions might come from? Panelists offered up various options and likely sources for solutions – governments, businesses, local communities. All reasonable suggestions given the concerns.

I thought to myself, “What hope do these young people have? Where are they going to get their help?”

Then another question popped into my head – one from the Bible…

“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

The danger of a verse like this is that it can be read in a glib way, citing “God” as the one-size-fits-all answer to life’s many complex and serious questions. “Where will our jobs come from?” God. “Can we make our economy environmentally sustainable?” God. “What can I do about my crippling anxiety?” God.

I don’t want to treat young people’s concerns or take God’s name in vain in such a flippant way.

But, the beauty of a verse like this is the deep truth that lies within it. The kind of truth that doesn’t necessarily solve life’s complex and serious problems, but offers a way of moving and being in the world while we live through them.

Australian young people are not highly religious beings. Many who grow up in Christian contexts drift out of those in their teenage years and move on to attempts at stitching together a way of moving and being in the world they hope might get them through. These are strange and worrying times. They’d be wanting something pretty robust to meet the challenge, but I fear it’s an impossible task.

There isn’t a lot of research out there about what helps Australian young people discover that God, the maker of heaven and earth, might be where their help could come from. What we do know is that strong families, good friends and a connected church community are good influences in this space.*

So, as families let’s pray for our governments, businesses and local communities and encourage them as they seek solutions to the problems that trouble our young people.

Let’s play a role in helping to build a more hopeful world.

Let’s be there with our young people as they ask their questions and wrestle with their concerns. Let’s listen, encourage, understand and offer small daily supports.

In these ways, we can at least encourage them to lift their eyes to see where their help might come from.

About the author…

Steve has over 30 years experience in school, community and church-based youth work. He is currently working as the Training & Development Manager at SU QLD, overseeing teams that deliver training and produce resources for SU QLD staff and volunteers. He holds post-graduate qualifications in Social Work, Politics & Government, and Christian Studies.

*Hughes, P. & Reid, S. (2019). How Australian Young People Understand and Experience God and influences on their Thinking: A Review of Secondary Research and Literature Study. Converge Oceania.

Compassion Australia have partnered with Colin Buchanan to produce Kids’ Talks – a new video series featuring short talks, Bible readings, prayers and of course, music!

Click here to access these great songs and materials! https://bit.ly/2zgaYNr

We found this podcast episode from Healthed Australia really interesting!

In it, host Dr harry Nespolon (GP and RACGP President) along with guest Professor Kesley Hegarty (Chair in Family Violence Prevention, University of Melbourne and The Royal Women’s Hospital), discuss the impact of lock-down and isolation on domestic violence in Australia.

They talk about…

• Police reports are up, yet calls to helplines are down – why?
• The impact on children who witness domestic violence
• Role of the GP in this situation

To have a listen, click here: https://omny.fm/shows/healthed-australia/going-viral-domestic-violence-during-lock-down

It could be a break from school, a rainy day, a sick day, or just a general period of doldrums.

Kids often experience frustration when they feel that they’ve run out of exciting activities or tasks, especially in modern times of continual entertainment and over-stimulation.

We want to keep children engaged and occupied, but we don’t need them to be constantly glued to a screen.

Click here to access 30 creative ideas to get kids physically, spiritually, compassionately or academically active: https://ministry-to-children.com/fun-biblical-boredom-busters-activities/

In 2012 my life took a significant turn – I became a grandparent.

‘Pa’ was born and, as with any new birth, finding my identity and role is a continuing quest.

With each successive grandchild (now totaling 5) this journey continues to evolve with some aspects gaining clearer focus.

Someone once said that raising children was never going to be easy when it begins with something called ‘labour’. For this reason, every parent needs a support network to help with this responsibility.

Grandparents are vital team members of this support group.

It is clear to me that grandparenting is important to God, with countless references to the role played by the ancestors of the tribes and nation, so it should be important to us today.

In the flow of my life through work, church, home and community I have, and continue to fill many roles. So it is in my role as ‘Pa’ – let me describe just 5 of them…

1. Detective

I need to get to know and understand each of these precious gifts. Asking questions opens windows into their lives.

Check the internet for questions you can ask children. Here are a few to get you started:

• What do you like daydreaming about?
• What would you do if you made the rules at home?
• If you could give $100 to someone else, who would you choose?

2. Historian

I like Arthur Kornhaber’s words when he calls grandparents “living time machines that transport children to the past through firsthand accounts of family history.”

Tell the stories of their parents, laugh together about the funny photos, create a family tree.

3. Mentor

We are provided with unique opportunities to walk alongside them on their journey through life, encourage them on their way, acknowledging their developing gifts, believing in their dreams and nurturing their strengths.

Telling stories about God from the Bible and from my own life are gifts as they find and grow their own spiritual identity.

4. Entertainer

Playing endless games, reading stories, hosting sleepovers, meals together, special outings, creating memories, and so on.

I have become a magician – expending large amounts of energy for an hour and then ‘disappearing’ for 30 minutes!

5. Pray-er

There is no greater gift than praying for your grandchildren every day. Pray a blessing over them as you/they leave e.g. “May the Lord bless and protect you, show you mercy and kindness, be good to you and give you peace.” (based on Numbers 6:24-26).

Choose a life verse for each grandchild when they are born and pray that verse for them for their life

Text verses at times when they are needed. Ask them how you can pray for them.

Whatever your roles may be, remember that grandparenting is a journey of love—one that requires your flexibility, adaptability, patience, and commitment. We will fail – but let’s fail forward!

About the author…

Terry is married to Marg and they have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. His developing gifts are in UNO, LEGO, Monopoly, racing cars, fairies, dinosaurs and Zooper Doopers. Terry is also a specialist in ministry with families and children at Scripture Union Queensland, where he has worked for 36 years.

Even though the Queensland Museum has temporarily closed its doors, they’ve launched a ‘digital museum’ where visitors can still explore, engage and connect online.

With heaps of videos and activities this is a great resource you and your family can enjoy from home.

Click here to check out the Queensland Digital Museum network: https://athome.qm.qld.gov.au/

ParentTV is a well-known and well-respected organisation in the the parenting/advice space.

They have countless videos from experts across sectors including psychology, psychiatry, early childhood, behavioral science, speech pathology and many more.

Their content is aimed at providing confidence for parents by giving them access to reliable information and relevant advice for the situations they find themselves in.

They also have content for kids – specific to different age groups!

To access ParentTV’s child-focused videos, click here: https://parenttv.com/child-topics/

COVID-19 has brought rapid changes to our daily life, together with uncertainty and dramatic news headlines.

Some people may be feeling worried or depressed at the moment, especially if they already have some mental health problems.

There are many services that can help without the need to leave home. During this crisis, Australians can use Medicare to talk to health practitioners about mental health.

There are also other ways to get help on a phone, computer or tablet.

The guys at eMHprac have produced a fantastic fact sheet to collate some of the places you or someone you know can get support in the mental health space.

Click here to download the FREE FACT SHEET: https://www.emhprac.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Factsheet-1.pdf

Lionheart’s Disciples is a children’s discipleship program focused on introducing children to the core beliefs of the Christian faith.

It comes in the form of a workbook, which includes 40 studies around God’s character and the salvation story. The target age is 7-14 year-olds.

If you’re interested in this resource, find out more at: http://lionheartsdisciples.com/

Recently I shared a meal with a couple who had bought their young son a guinea pig. In itself, this is common practice. The motive for adopting this ‘family member’ stood out to me and spoke a lot about their thought-filled approach to parenting.

They explained that as Guinea pigs have short lives, this would create a space in which their child could learn about life and death in a gentle way.

Amidst everything we want to teach our children, we may give little thought to educating them about grief. Although loss is inevitable, it often takes us by surprise and finds us unprepared.

As we navigate this season of COVID-19, I wonder if it might provide some opportunities to equip our kids in this area. Many of my chats in the schoolyard have been about loss and change – maybe some of what I’ve learned along the way will be helpful.

Grief is associated with most change and loss

Grief and death are not exclusively connected. Most loss and change brings a level of grief. COVID-19 has brought many changes to the lives our kids once knew. Missed sporting matches, camps, school events, time with friends and extended family, and celebrations are all losses. There may also be some bigger hurts – death of a loved one, loss of family income and deferred family goals and dreams. As people we form attachments to people, places, possibilities and objects; when those things are lost, we grieve. 

Grief needs to be witnessed by others

A grief therapist called William Worden claims we need to be ‘seen’ as we grieve. This is different from attempting to rescue our kids from pain and is the opposite of encouraging them with a dismissive ‘things could be worse’ kind of perspective. Let’s take the time to really see and hear the hearts of our children and teens. To explain how our bodies can signal emotions, as well as to model and teach a vocabulary for feelings. Using emojis and illustrations can be a good prompt for conversation and decrease the need for words.

Grief can challenge and shape our view of God 

Don’t expect to wrap the whole COVID-19 thing into one neat spiritual explanation for your children. Not only is this approach unhelpful, it also deprives our children of the chance to join us as we question what God is doing right now. Wondering, searching and doubting are all part of the journey. Share Bible stories of times when God’s people lost what they had and faced uncertainty; talk about the lessons they learned and the wisdom they gained. Take time to listen, discuss and record what you are learning together.

There can be celebration in the middle of grief

Don’t forget to create the opportunity for fun, celebration and joy. It’s healthy to alternate between being real about what has been lost and having some time away from the grief. Get ideas from your kids; be creative and play. This will send the empowering message that even a small child can choose to act in a way that provides relief from their sadness.

So before you rush out and buy a small rodent with a short lifespan – consider what COVID-19 might be for your family. I think it can help us to parent in a way that prepares our children to walk into changing times with a loving God.

About the author…

Andrea is a former secondary school teacher and counsellor. She has worked as a school chaplain for over 19 years and now also serves part-time on SU QLD’s Children and Youth Program Team, delivering training and professional development to chaplains and youth workers. Andrea and her husband are parents to three adult children and grandparents to two.

We’ve reached final day day of Scripture Union International’s daily devotional series “God’s word for times like these”

We hope you’ve enjoyed these devotionals as much as we have 🙂

1 Peter 5:10, Revelation 21:3-7

One day we will wake up to a different reality: no lockdown, no isolation, no social distancing and no masks. We hope that these simple things that bring us joy and happiness will be back in our lives again. We are praying that God will help us to overcome and, as Peter says, after we have suffered a little while, we will see how God will restore us and makes us strong, firm and steadfast. One day we will wake up to a completely new reality: no lockdown because of sin, no isolation from God, no distancing from each other, no masks. God says that he will move so close that he will wipe every tear from our eyes. Moreover, everything that used to cause tears will disappear. He will give us the water of life to drink without cost. He will renew and restore us as his children to live with him forever in the reality of his glory.

Click here to read the final devotional ‘One Day!’ online: https://scriptureunion.global/covid-19/bible-engagement/day-10/

Click here to download a pdf version: https://scriptureunion.global/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Gods-Word-Day-10-EN.pdf

As so many Queensland families are experiencing new challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis, you may be concerned about the physical and emotional wellbeing and safety of your children. It’s also very important to look after yourself as a parent. Triple P have some practical tips and strategies that will help, including…

• Top 10 tips for parenting during Covid-19 (2-page poster)
• Triple P Parenting Guide (PDF)
• Positive online parenting course (Triple P online)

To check out all these resources and more, click here: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/get-started/parenting-during-covid-19/

We’ve reached the second last day of Scripture Union International’s daily devotional series “God’s word for times like these”

Philippians 4:4-9

Fear has the power to paralyse us and send us cowering in dark places. Paul reminds us that the best weapon against fear is prayer, as prayer leads us to God. We serve a God who is all knowing and merciful, who will never turn a blind eye to our every day challenges. He is the God who understands our greatest fear and sent his divine Holy Spirit to comfort us. What are your fears as you gaze into the next few days? When we pray, God transforms our fears, making them insignificant as he enlarges our view of him. May you and I find great comfort in the words of Jesus when he said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34). Earlier on in this passage, He had asked a soul-searching question, “Can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?” (vs 27). When you and I choose not to worry, we are demonstrating our faith in God Almighty!

Click here to read the ninth devotional ‘Don’t Worry!’ online: https://scriptureunion.global/covid-19/bible-engagement/day-9/

Click here to download a pdf version: https://scriptureunion.global/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Day-9-EN.pdf

One of the difficulties many parents will be facing right now is coming up with ideas to keep children busy and engaged in learning if they are at home.

With the usual ways kids engaged – through libraries, sport, playgroups, shopping centres and other public places – now cut off, families will need to be innovative in the ways they interact with kids in the home.

We loved this article by Save the Children – which talks about how to understand and engage with your kids at home during the Covid-19 season.

Click here to read the full article: https://www.savethechildren.org.au/our-stories/surviving-and-enjoying-isolation-with-kids

We’ve reached Day 8 of Scripture Union International’s daily devotional series “God’s word for times like these”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We hear a lot about the fact that, just because we cannot see something, it does not mean it is not there. Take the coronavirus, for instance! It is invisible, yet it is alive and all around us. But today, Paul wants to turn our attention towards another invisible reality which is far greater than anything else, seen or unseen – and that is God’s eternal Kingdom, of which we are a part.

Click here to read the eighth devotional ‘Unseen, but real’ online: https://scriptureunion.global/covid-19/bible-engagement/day-8/

Click here to download a pdf version: https://scriptureunion.global/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Day-8-EN.pdf

We’ve reached Day 7 of Scripture Union International’s daily devotional series “God’s word for times like these”

Romans 12:9-13

In these days there is a lot of necessary activity – disinfecting, cleaning, isolating, cancelling, researching and so on. As God’s people, these words from Romans today remind us of a focus for our activity. While we need to do all we can to look after our own health, our eyes are not to shift from the needs of our brothers and sisters around us persevering, contributing, serving, rejoicing, praying and practising hospitality.

This is the absolute and overriding requirement of love.

Click here to read the seventh devotional ‘Practising hope-filled generosity’ online: https://scriptureunion.global/covid-19/bible-engagement/day-7/

Click here to download a pdf version: https://scriptureunion.global/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Gods-Word-Day-7-EN.pdf

I live on a bikeway next to a park. Once upon a time (3 months ago), foot and bike traffic was always very light past our home. Today we need our own set of traffic lights!

Interestingly, the majority of people walking and riding past are families rediscovering the joy of doing something physical together. There’s a lot of shiny new bikes!

As this season full of home restrictions was beginning to take place, leaders from six global movements met in South Africa. Through conversation around the opportunities of this challenging season, a partnering initiative was birthed to create the first faith-based fitness strategy for families at home. Family.fit was launched just 2 weeks later – an antidote for frustration and boredom.

Family.fit is a holistic fitness project designed for the whole family regardless of shape or size. It is suitable for all ages, abilities and cultures – and points people to the Bible. Each week a new Family.fit resource is released – jam packed with activities based around a theme and a big life question. Simple visual videos are provided to illustrate these concepts.

Family.fit is…

• available online and as a PDF version designed to fit on the screen of your phone
• FREE, no membership or sign up necessary
• available in 10 languages (and counting)
• flexible so as to be used in a house, apartment or local park
• for anyone and doesn’t assume you know much about fitness.

Week 5 is complete and a full schedule for 52 weeks has been planned.

Getting involved is easy – here’s what it involves…

As a family, do some physical exercise 3 days a week (though even once is helpful!). If you can do it more often, then do other types of exercise too – walking, jogging, riding, skating, or swimming. Each week is built around a theme that is explored through a 7 step process.

Anyone in the household can take the phone and lead a different step in the adventure.

1. Warmup
2. Talk
3. Move
4. Challenge
5. Explore
6. Pray
7. Play

So, why not download Week 1 today? Get fit and healthy, stay connected, grow in character and faith, have some fun together, and build some positivity into your family that will leave a legacy beyond this stressful season. (Don’t forget to share this resource on your social media).

Click here to visit the website and access Family fit plans! www.family.fit

About the author…

Terry trained and worked as a teacher in primary and secondary schools before joining the staff team of Scripture Union Queensland, where he has worked for 36 years as a specialist in ministry with families and children. For the last 12 years Terry has shared half of his time with the SU International staff team. Terry is married to Margaret and they have three adult children and five grandchildren.