The Bible and Prayer

To explore ways of handling Bible stories and encouraging prayer with children. Aim

Learning outcomes To explore ways of nurturing the innate spirituality of children To gain an understanding of how Bible stories can enrich prayer and faith development To experience a time of prayer and reflection To develop an awareness of the different styles of prayer that may be used, both in community worship activities and in personal communication with God. To introduce different ways of working with Bible stories creatively.

Opening thought One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ (Luke 11:1)

Children and spirituality What are the similarities between the quotations? What are the differences? Which did you like? With which do you disagree? What do these quotes tell us about children’s spirituality in general?

Does it make you feel uneasy because you think you ought to have all the right answers? Does it feel better to know that you are not expected to know everything? Do you feel comfortable with the idea that children can think things through with you? Do you think that you could learn anything from the children about the Bible stories you share with them? Exploring the Bible creatively

Using the Bible Praise Letters Questions A story about Jesus

Meditative Prayer Liturgical Prayer Active Prayer Shared Prayers Conversational Prayer Spontaneous or ‘Arrow’ Prayers. Prayer

How were you taught to pray? Has your preferred style of prayer changed over the years? Is there a difference between the way you pray privately and the way you pray in public? How do you encourage children to pray? Prayer

Reflection on learning What encouragements, concerns and challenges has this module raised for you? Is there something from this session that could also benefit the wider church community? Which aspects of this session might you talk about and check out with the children in your group?