Dig in at Home

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Please contact Jess Pinkerton via jess@emmanueluca.org.au or 0438168706 for assistance.

These Sunday School and Dig in at Home materials provide great discussion starters and talking points for you to be able to start and continue faith and life conversations at home, linked with and based on the bible reading and material we use in worship each week.

All of the material is designed so that it can be used by anyone at home or at church, to easily lead children of all ages, engage them in bible discovery, and further their faith and discipleship journey.

The material on the page is designed to be used as a snapshot for engaging in Faith practices at Home. It uses the [FAITH5](https://faithink.com/about-faith5) practices of SHARE, READ, TALK, PRAY and BLESS as simple ways to connect and discuss faith and life. An additional PDF document is linked to each weekly page and provides more information and activities.

The first page of the document is what we use at Sunday School and helps us get to know each other through:

- Welcoming and setting boundaries for the session,

- Sharing highs, lows, and buffalos,

- Talking about the video that we saw in worship,

- Exploring the theme through a game or activity using our senses and bodies,

- Engaging in some Bible Discovery,

- And we always end in praying for and with each other and blessing the children as they leave.

The second and subsequent pages contain additional material and activities that can be used in Sunday School and at Home:

- The Leaders/Helpers/Parents Dig in section gives background and contextual information for leaders and parents to help them think about the material themselves before leading it.

- The Core Bible Discovery is the main lesson and is written to be lead in a large or small group at Sunday School or at Home.

- There is often a Pray activity that further extends on the core Bible lesson, and

- Family Together Time gives an idea that can be done at home together as a family to link the Sunday learning with activity and follow up during the week.

- The Deeper Bible extends on the core material and is particularly helpful for leading a discussion to further discuss the theme. It is designed specifically for older children (grade 5+) but can be used for any age.

- All printed materials that might be required are included and can be easily printed at home. Any additional materials for the activities are fairly standard things that most families will have access to at home, and are clearly listed in the relevant sections.

We often use parts of the material in our All-age worship services. I highly recommend you have a look and make time to Dig in at Home with your family whether you worship with us on Sunday or not.

If you have any questions about the material or engaging in Faith at Home with your family, I’d love to connect with you.

Jess

SHARE

- Your highs, lows & buffalos (buffalos being something weird or funny or strange that has happened lately)

- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you ever experienced transformation?

READ

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Girls Brigade Vision

GIRLS’ LIVES TRANSFORMED; GOD’S WORLD ENRICHED

The Girls' Brigade Crest

The Girls' Brigade crest is a registered trademark of Girls' Brigade England & Wales. However, all Girls' Brigade companies around the world have the right to use it.

In the centre is a Cross, the symbol of Christ and his Church. Below the cross is a Lamp, which represents the light of the Girls' Brigade shining upon the World. Above it is a Crown, of Christ as King. Behind it all, is a Torch, the flame of Christ's living spirit.

The badge incorporates symbols from the three original organizations and is, therefore, in itself a symbol of union, as well as faith and allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Girls Brigade which formed in Ireland in 1893, brought in the Cross. The Girls' Guildry which formed in 1900 in Scotland, brought in the Lamp. Lastly, the Girls' Life Brigade, which formed in 1902 in England, brought in the Crown. They amalgamated in 1965. A competition was held to design the crest for the amalgamated organisation, it was won by Constance Fasham.

TALK

- What stands out for you in this bible passage?

- What does this passage tell us about God?

- What does this passage tell us about people?

- What is challenging in this passage?

Read the passage and the Girls Brigade vision again.

- How do you relate the Bible reading and the Girls' Brigade vision?

The GB crest helps us understand what it is that transforms lives.

- What are the parts of the crest? (see images and puzzle attached)

- How do these parts relate to transformed lives?

- What do you think God is saying to you? What can you do about it?

PRAY

- Pray for and with each other.

- Pray about your highs, lows, and buffalos.

Oh God, who prepared the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Make our hearts and minds ready, we beseech you, for the indwelling presence of your son Christ our Lord. Grant that the Officers and members of the Girls Brigade may be True and just in all their dealings, modest and Gentle in all their Word's and always loving and kind. Bless all others who Work for the extension of Christ's kingdom in the lives of young people, so that finally we may all come to the blessed home through Christ our Lord. Amen

A prayer from the Girl’s Brigade in Zambia

BLESS

- Bless each other saying, “May God Bless you this week”.

[Additional resources attached](https://emmanueluca.org.au/d/CuriXXtXIAXcbjwtkEEHe4d7h).

If you would like a 'creative pack' with these materials already prepared, please contact Helen (via 3355 2162 or office@emmanueluca.org.au) or Jess (via 0438 168 706 or jess@emmanueluca.org.au) to arrange a convenient time for collection.

SHARE

- Your highs, lows & buffalos (buffalos being something weird or funny or strange that has happened lately)

- What do you notice is different in the worship space today?

READ

- Acts 2:1-4

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit spread and moved among and within the people. But Pentecost is more than just an ancient story, it is about the ongoing life of the followers of Jesus. It is about us, here and now, and how through the Holy Spirit, we are filled, transformed, guided, and empowered to be the people of God, to share the joy and new life that it brings.

- What stands out for you in this passage?

- What do you think this passage teach us about God/People/Obedience/Discipleship?

- What do you think God is saying to you?

- What will you do about it? Who will you share it with?

TALK

- When have you experienced God’s Spirit or Power?

- Or, when was a time when you felt joy, had fun with friends or family, been excited by what’s going on, or felt brave about sharing?

- What would a party look like with God present?

- Who would you invite to the party? What would you do at the party?

DO

Pentecost is a day when we see the church being inspired by the Holy Spirit and we want to encourage and facilitate you to respond creatively. You can use the ideas below or engage your creative self and use these items and other items that you have in other ways.

Playdough

- Shape playdough flames above the heads of the disciples on the coloured mat.

- Use the playdough to make something.

- Imagine God is shaping and transforming as you shape the playdough into new creations.

Paper and colours

- Colour the flame, and as you fill the page with colour, imagine being filled with the Spirit.

- Sit with the blank paper and colours and listen to God and draw what he puts in your mind. What do you see/feel/imagine?

- Use the blank paper and word prompts to create a word cloud.

Candle or Sparkler (under adult supervision only)

- Light one candle or sparkler, use that one to light others and those to light others again. As the light increases imagine God spirit increasing and being spread throughout the world.

PRAY & BLESS

- Pray for and with each other. Pray about your highs, lows, and buffalos.

- Ask God to help you be filled with His spirit, transformed by its power, led by its boldness, and empowered to share the joy and new life that it brings.

- Bless each other saying, “May God Bless you this week”.

[Additional resources attached](https://emmanueluca.org.au/d/CuriXXtXIAXcbjwtkEEHe4d7h).

If you would like a 'creative pack' with these materials already prepared, please contact Helen (via 3355 2162 or office@emmanueluca.org.au) or Jess (via 0438 168 706 or jess@emmanueluca.org.au) to arrange a convenient time for collection.

Watch [Joy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-r7ogDaaEQ)

Talk

- What does it mean for you to choose Joy?

- How can you let God’s joy move you?

Challenge

- Sing and Dance along to the song, as you let God’s joy move in and through you.

Watch [Joy to the World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAUPz2RohU)

Talk

- What do you think it means to “let heaven and nature sing”?

Challenge

- On this, the first day of 2021, take some time to pray and ask God to help you remain focused and put time and energy into the things that bring you, your family and the world hope, peace, joy and love.

Watch [Joy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdAVKl-xLxA)

Talk

- What stood out to you most in this video? What things resonated with you?

- What do you think God might be saying to you? What will you do about it?

Challenge

- On this, the last day of 2020, take some time to reflect and pray about what has brought you hope, peace, joy and love this year.

Watch [The Mystery of the New Noisy Neighbour](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URMtYSvMJys)

Talk

- What part of this video did you like best?

- I wonder how you would have felt if you had visited baby Jesus with the shepherds or with the wise men?

Challenge

- Do your own detective work and learn more about this special baby... Read Luke 1: 26-38 and Luke 2:1-20.

Watch [The First Christmas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fl9laM4ViM)

Talk

- What did Chris, Joy and Gizmo learn about Christmas?

- What do you think it would be like to have been alive at the time of Jesus’ birth?

Challenge

- Go back and do or finish any of the challenges that you didn’t get to do or finish.

Watch [He Came](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u65m__-LLfs)

Talk

- What words stood out to you?

- What difference does Jesus coming to earth make?

Challenge

- Read the words as they come up in the video.

- Write down these and other words that you would use to describe Jesus.

- You could also make some "Jesus" bunting to hang in your home.