new to this

[MamaMaiasaura]

I feel new to this as i personally used to attend church regularly and fell away from the church many years ago. More recentlyu i found myself thinking about christianity more and now my ds who is 6 is expressing interest. He is not christened and thinks he might like to be. I have said that we should go to church regularly so that he has a better understanding, thought sunday school might be an option. HE has also asked for a childrens bible. I was quite taken aback by his interest but also very pleased that he thinks so deeply. As i said before I fell away from the chuch (used to be quite active in the choir). I hold a collection of spirirual believes and a mish mash almost of several religions, I feel fraudualant in thinking of attending church as I dont believe it all but i do believe in some iykwim.

Anyway, my questions are - what is a good bible for 6 year old? HOw do i find out about sunday school? Any tips?

Many thanks x

[nearlythree]

Lion do the best children's Bibles and also a really good range of prayer books and retellings of Bible stories. They have a website that shoudl come up if you do a google.

Re Sunday school, you need to look at local churches to see what they offer. We go to a Baptist church as they have the best Sunday club and are the most welcoming to families, but have had our dds baptised in the CofE. I've actually left the CofE myself but still think a mix of traditions is a good thing for a child's (or anyone's) spiritual developement. Having said that, I think what you do at home is more important than any church and it's great that your ds is able to talk to you about his spirituality. IMO a child's spiritual side really needs nurturing for their well-being, particularly in these days of SATS and peer pressure. - not necessarily as a Christian, although that is our way, but with an awareness of something 'other'. I have posted on another thread about things we do at home to try to foster our children's spiritual side - I can't do links but will find the name of it. Hang on.

[nearlythree]

It's on the 'Cathoilc to CofE - thoughts appreciated' thread. HTH!

[MamaMaiasaura]

That is a really nice reply - thank you. Was worried that might be frowned on as I do have a strict set of believes.

I have searched for local searches and nearest one is methodist - i dont understand the differences - ik was christened CofE and continued in CofE till i stopped attended - then considered druidism and buddhism and have held some of the believes of them.

I agree that spiritulism is important for children and tbh society in our country is causing me concern for my sons future.

I deffinately want somewhere with a sunday club as i think for his age he needs to be stimulated and he may not manage a service aimed for adults.

I am going ot look at your old thread now :)

[MaryBS]

Funnily enough, I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. A lapsed Catholic, no longer welcome in the Catholic church as I was divorced/remarried.

Now I'm back at church, in the Church of England, found a lovely church, very supportive. All my fears about not being accepted were groundless in this church with this vicar (although prior to that I was encouraged to go to an evangelical church by a friend, where I was told I was damned to hell for my sins, by a member of the church welcoming committee!)

My 6yo comes to church with me, and joins in the children's services. I feel really happy now, I've found my spiritual home.

[marthaplatypus]

You could try uk.alpha.org and look up your area for local alpha courses. I imagine that churches which run these courses are more likely to have activities for children too. Just a thought...

[MamaMaiasaura]

That is really re-assuring Mary - thanks. Martha - I had considered the alpha course before and am still unsure whether i am ready. I have lots of questions and dont find all of my answers in chritianity but i do find alot of them. does that make sense?

[marthaplatypus]

Absolutely. Perhaps give some churches a call and see whether they have Sunday schools. If you find one your son likes, you can always try their Alpha course if and when you are ready. Happy looking.

[nearlythree]

Awen, most denominations have websites, so if you do a google then you should get quite a few come up. As well as Methodism, you might like to look at the Quakers, URC and maybe the Unitarians. As someone a bit on the fringes of the church these days, I'm not a huge fan of Alpha, but if you feel drawn to it then give it a try - I know many people find it right for them.

If you are drawn to 'Green' spirituality, then Celtic Christianity is worth a look. Try the webistes of the Iona Community, and the Community of Aidan and hilda, and a really good book is 'The Book of Creation' by J. Philip Newell.

You say you find some answers in Christianity, and I know where you are coming from. I don't believe in a lot of the things people assume Christians do - I don't believe in the Virgin Birth, for example, and I'm unsure what I believe about the Resurrection. I don't believe in heaven and hell, but I do believe in an eternal relationship with God. What I am trying to say is, don't feel you have to tick every box or pigeon-hole yourself to this denomination or that to call yourself a Christian. God has given you a mind as well as a soul to use in getting to know him/her.

Saying a prayer for you.

[nearlythree]

Sorry, should point out that Quakers are unlikely to have a Sunday club - their worship is silent - although they do usually have creches. But you might find it a good place.

I have always found the Baptists really child-friendly (it's where I went as a child even though I was baptised CofE, just like our dds) but they don't baptise children. It depends how important this is to you but I'd check out their worship, too. As I said before, there's no need to limit yourself to one or another unless you want to.

[Donk]

Whether or not a particular Quaker meeting has a Children's meeting depends on whether or not it has any children attending!
Many areas will have a Quaker meeting with a Children's meeting, as well as some meetings without children - and although Meeting for Worship is silent (with 'ministry' from those who feel so moved), Children's meeting is in my experience a lively affair.......

[nearlythree]

Donk, are you a Quaker? I didn't know about the children's meeting, in the info I was sent it only mentions creches. I've been really drawn to Quakerism since leaving the CofE (not least because of the fact there are no bishops etc!) but have been too exhausted with this pregnancy to do anything about it. Our nearest town has a big Quaker presence and I'm hoping that the children will go to the Friends School at secondary level, if we can scrape the fees together.

[MamaMaiasaura]

thanks again for your support.. i relaly mean that :) I will do some investigation as to what there is locally. Have found a christian bookshop online which is near to me so will go shoping tomorrow. :)

[MamaMaiasaura]

also, sorry - ds wanted a prayer to say at bedtime. Thought lords prayer a bit long for him, so said the matthew mark luke and john bless the bed that i lay on. Thing is that is all i could remember. ALso thought of the 'as i lay me down to sleep i pray the lord my soul to keep' I didnt say the rest to him cos i thought it was a bit too sad to be saying.. sheesh i am silly. I ended up saying that he can say whatever he likes to god (just like he does to me) and that if it helps him to talk out load about things he needs help with then he can say those in his prayers.

Is there any simple prayers for 6 year olds.

[scienceteacher]

I would recommend that you visit your local evangelical Anglican church where you can get good bible based teaching, and they are likely to have a vibrant children's programme.

You don't have to worry that you don't buy into all of it. Christianity is a process and it can take a while before you are sure of your beliefs. Getting a good grounding in the scriptures will help you to separate out Christian truth from pagan and other spirituality.

As for a children's bible, just have a look in a bookshop. Even WHSmith has a reasonable collection. There is the Lion First Bible that your DS should be able to read on his own; Dorling Kindersley do an illustrated children's bible that is good. If you want to fast-forward through the bible yourself, I recommend the Lion Children's bible - it is very readable and will help you sort out which story fits where and who is related to who.

For prayer, Christian bookshops have books of children's prayers. However, you can make up your own prayers. You can ask your DS what he would like to pray about - what does want to thank God for, say sorry to God for, ask for God's help, and when his faith develops, to praise God. Then, all you need to do is close your eyes and help him say (for example), "Dear God, thank you for the weather, sorry for stepping on the cat's tail, and please make grandma feel better". As you both get used to talking to God, your prayers will get more detailed - it's a journey and you are only at the starting point.

[nearlythree]

Awen, you are dead right, we all can talk to God in whatever way we feel happy. Lion do the best children's prayer books, but mostly with dd1 she asks God to bless all those she loves; says thank you for the best bits of the day (sometimes with a bit of help!) and then we do a child's version of the Lord's Prayer which I made up!

[nearlythree]

By the way, I agree with scienceteacher that Christianity is a process. Most of the things I no longer believe, I used to accept absolutely. I know that my views will continue to change for the rest of my life. The Bible has so many layers, so many textures, and has gone through so many processes of changes in thought and tradition, and translations that may or may not be accurate. But whether you believe the Bible to be 100% true or not, you can't be a Christian without having it in your life. Just don't let it become your God instead.

[MamaMaiasaura]

Hi again :) went out and bought childrens bible today - let ds choose. Have already read alot of it to him (his choice) up to Moses getting the israelites out of egypt.

Re finding church - our local one which is methodist doesnt appear to have a kid focus - they have older childrens youth club an evening a week but ds is only 6. I think we will travel further a field as have been told about a baptist church with large congregation which is very family orientated with sunday school/club.

thanks for all you help and advice xx

[Notquitesotiredmum]

Hi Awen

Just wanted to say welcome on board! Hope that you find a really nice church, with lots of children friendly activities.

[PeachyClair]

Do remember there are options available other than Cof E or whatever the Anglican one is where you are. I constantly promise myself I will be going to the Qualker service here, because their tolerant way of life means more to me. I ahven't been though - bizarrely given the nature of the group, I convinced myself I will be intruding.

I also fell away from religion, the Tsunami and also the death of a six year old relation of mne from a preventable cause (MRSA) saw to that. Yet I feel increasingly aware of a spiritual need that isn't quite met by any religion I have yet found (I have just finished the first year of a world religion and philosophy degree).

I adore much of the philosophy of Buddhis, that matches my approach best, but it's not really practised the way buddha taght- IMO anyway! (Jusgemental? Moi? )

My children attend a religious school for purelygeographical reasons, and are quite fundamentalist in their beliefs. So I do feel the need to sort this out- It's just too easy to put off.

[Donk]

Yes Nearlythree - I'm a Quaker....... as I said in my original post, what provision for children there is in any given meeting will depend on two things

1. the number and ages of children they have attending meeting
   
2. the people running children's meeting
   
   There is likely to be a small 'children's work committee' (or something with a similar name) and they will have a 'convenor' sho co-ordinates things.
   I am convenor of the children's work committee at our meeting. Sadly we don't have very many children - although the meeting in the centre of Leeds has quite a few.
   
   Which Quaker school were you thinking of sending your children too (if you can afford it)?

[cornflakegirl]

if you do try the baptist church, you could ask them about getting your ds dedicated. it's kind of like baptism, but parents and godparents don't make any promises on behalf of the child. and there's no hair-washing :)

[Tommy]

Awen - re the night time prayers for small children. We say/sing the last verse of Away in a Manger which I think is really suitable as goodnight prayer.
(just in case you can't remember it )

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.