Includes: Leader’s Guide Book and Children’s Workbook

Timescale:
September – January
February – July

Age Groups:
Sparks - Under 5s
Transformers - 5 to 7s
Generators - 8 to 10s
Reactors - 11+

Prices:
Leader’s Guide (incl. CD) Euro15.40 Children’s Workbook Euro3.06

The Powersource programme consists of undated modules of varying lengths. This is to enable you to plan a programme to suit your needs, based on your own church calendar, and it means that none of the material will be wasted through not being used. That said, you do of course have the option of using the material in the order in which it occurs.

SPARKS - Under 5s
Brief Description:
Recognising the special skills required in working with Under 5s, Spark’s Leader’s Guide is bursting with ideas. The guide is beautifully complemented by bright, lively, inspiring Take-home Sheets that provide a valuable link between Sunday School and parents as well as helping the children discover more about God. Special suggestions for the Under 2s.

Sparks, part of Powersource, an exciting new resource for helping children discover more about God and his love for them. Sparks groups follow their own syllabus, distinct from the older Powersource ages, in recognition of the specialist nature of working with children of this age. There will be occasional overlaps, but we feel that you will recognise the value of different themes and topics. Sparks is also the name of a character especially created for this age group. You will find him, amongst other places, on the Take-home Sheets. The sessions follow a consistent pattern and are always found laid out in this order.

The Session Ingredients are as follows:
Worship time: Each session normally starts with Worship time, but if your children have already had a time of singing and prayer before coming to Sparks then Worship time may come later in the session. Many of the key songs suggested are included on the CD provided.

Circle time: This is one of the Powersource ‘essentials’. Circle time involves talking with the children, getting to know them, and letting them get to know you as the leader. Activities are suggested to help the process.

Story time: Story time often begins with some kind of activity that will help the children prepare for the Bible story. A variety of teaching methods are suggested, and occasionally additional resources are printed.

Do it time: Art and craft are usual ingredients in a programme such as this, and various suggestions are given.

Prayer time: This is an opportunity for your children to respond to what they have been learning and experiencing together. It is a time to conclude the session.

TRANSFORMERS - 5 to 7s
Brief Description:
Lively minds deserve a lively environment in which to find out more about God, his love and how to follow him. That’s exactly what Transformers provides for the 5-7s. The Task Sheets are Bible-based fun and the fantastic artwork is a joy in itself - with a wide variety of puzzles and activities to reinforce the messages of each session.

Themes have been chosen as a balance of Old and New Testament studies, contemporary discipleship, the world-wide church and some church history. Avoiding ‘school’ language. They are ‘sessions’, not ‘lessons’. As with all such material, there is some preparation involved, and this is clearly indicated. The sessions follow a consistent pattern and are found laid out in this order.

The Session Ingredients are as follows:
Worship time: Each session normally starts with Worship time, but if your children have already had a time of singing and prayer then this can be adapted. Many of the key songs suggested are included on the CD provided.

Pastoral time: Pastoral time involves talking with the children, getting to know them, letting them get to know you as the leader. Activities are suggested to help the process.

Opening activity: Some kind of activity provides the link between Pastoral time and the theme for the day, though occasionally it may just be a bit of fun.

Presentation: This is an outline of the teaching. A variety of methods are suggested, and occasionally additional resources are printed.

Response: Sharing Christian truth is not meant to be a cerebral activity. Whilst Transformers are still growing emotionally and intellectually, they are still capable of spiritual response.

Memory verse: Included are simple Bible verses which the children could learn as part of the session.

Project time: Craft is a usual ingredient in a programme such as this, and you will find various suggestions (and photocopiable resources where necessary). This is often a group activity which will span the whole module.

Conclusion: Various suggestions are made as to how to conclude the session. It may involve prayer, a song, or simply looking at the week’s To Do aim.

Task Sheets: These are given to each child. They may contain further information relevant to the session, puzzles, etc., for completion as part of a session, or an aid for that week’s home challenge, the To Do aim.

GENERATORS - 8 to 10s
Brief Description:
As with all Powersource material, Generators sets out to inspire young people to find ways of putting their faith into action. Of course, it’s important to learn about events and people from the Bible, but relating their experiences to our own lives is a key element which really takes hold in this age group. Generators is for the 8 to 11 age group and the layout and content follows the same theme as Transformers and occasional overlaps with Sparks.

REACTORS 11+

Brief Description:
This age group’s material follows the Powersource pattern but has distinct emphasis on exploring fresh and dynamic ways of relating the Gospel to modern teenage life. The Task Sheet book is in magazine style and is very thought-provoking.