Young Children and Worship

This is the seminal volume of what became the Godly Play movement.If you haven't yet explored Godly Play, I heartily recommend the method as such, and as set forth in Young Children in Worship. Godly Play allows children to experience Bible stories and other stories that carry faith messages, told with an archetypal spareness that allows each listener to absorb and reflect on the material in his or her own way. A teacher tells the story with the help of tactile materials, then helps children "wonder" about the stories. Children then may move to independent or shared "work" (art or reenactment of the story). The atmosphere is quiet, focused, and meditative. Tactile materials used in storytelling respect children's way of processing information. The method creates a space in which children may link faith-based language with their own perceptions of God, or fulfill deep emotional/spiritual needs. Godly Play is adaptable to different traditions and faiths by choosing among, or amending, the stories. We've found it to be deep and satisfying to all participants, young and old. Young Children and Worship will tell you everything you need to know to get a Godly Play program going. It includes patterns and specifications for creating storytelling materials as well as information on all aspects of the work and philosophical thought on the Godly play method. Most of the book consists of stories from the Old and New Testament, plus other lessons, such as The Light, or The Church Year, that present concepts of Christian faith. Teacher notes show the use of tactile materials and provide "wondering" questions. The obvious comparison is to co-author Jerome Berryman's outpouring of independent volumes on Godly Play. Berryman's many independent titles provide a few additional stories and expand on classroom management and facilities provision. He examines the effect of the work on children as well. However, Berryman's independent work may have exceeded its usefulness to practioners. Young Children and Worship is a do-it-yourself work that Berryman now seems to wish we didn't know about, preferring to sell us an endless series of new books and, from the Godly Play website, expensive materials. To be fair, Berryman's refinements and insight have grown as he practices. But decide your priorities before buying additional Godly Play materials. Young Children and Worship may be all you need.

I have this book and the newer Godly play books. Young Children and Worship has been more useful to my small team because it includes the patterns and instructions needed to make the presentation materials for each story. (The Godly Play books simply direct you to use a set, presumably purchased online from Godly Play Resources). We are on a budget and have been able to use inexpensive materials (candles, construction paper, felt, cardboard, etc.)to make many presentations as we work on making some wooden sets.

This is by far the most fruitful, simple, engaging, and theologically faithful tool for Christian education I have ever seen or used. I have personally constructed all of the elements patterned in Berryman and Stewart's book and after teaching with them for ten years have passed them on to my daughter, age 17, who is now teaching her first class. This book is "true riches" and well worth owning. I have 'used up' four copies and my daughter is using the fifth. Enjoy and grow!!!

We had seen a showcase of this program and got excited! This book is basically all the information you need to get started - it even has patterns and a list of materials that you need for the props. Our church implemented this and had almost 200 volunteers help in some manner to get the entire year's program set. What a blessing to have that many come together for a children's worship program. We are beginning our 4th year and we will be ordered their new book that came out in June! Every church needs this to prepare young children for the worship experience.

Young children under age 8 already 'know' God - they are spiritual beings who still live in awe of all creation and who have an innate reverence for the creator. This book shares a new approach to leading young children to a deeper relationship with the God they already know. The approach is NOT to TEACH them Bible stories, but rather to present those stories as the 'Word of God' in a form of weekly WORSHIP which has been modified to the young child's level. Instead of Sunday School teachers, you become 'Worship Leaders' of young children. The benefits of this worship are great - not only for the children, but for the worship leaders too as they learn from the children's insights into the worship lessons. The book is meant to be a 'teaching aid' for worship leaders who attend a formal 'Worship and Children' training session. The book is useful as a guide for each weekly worship lesson - it lays everything out very nicely. However, it would be more useful if a supplemental 'worship aid' were available which would provide the songs, music, and signing (modified form of American Sign Language)which are also part of the worship service.