Could you hold a silence for the silenced?
A Silence for the Silenced is a prayer event for hidden Christians.
Christians around the world are being silenced.
They are not free to express their beliefs, even, sometimes to pray or worship together. This is true for Christians in many countries, but nowhere more so than in Afghanistan.
It uses the idea of silence to reflect the way in which Christians in Afghanistan – and in so many places around the world – have had their voices taken away from them.
About A Silence for the Silenced
The event consist of three sections:
Part 1: ‘Losing Our Voice’
An introduction to the situation for secret Christians, with a focus on Christians in Afghanistan.
Part 2: Stations of Silence
A time of silent prayer using prayer stations. Each station has an ordinary object such as a suitcase, a school textbook, some nails. These are all easily obtainable household objects. They are symbolic of something that is happening to Christians around the world. Each station is accompanied by four cards containing a Bible verse, a story, a challenge to ‘imagine’, and ways to pray.
Part 3: ‘Using our voice’
A time to conclude our prayers, reflect on what we have experienced, and explore how we can use our voices and abilities to do more.
What do I need?
All the information – including the cards for the stations – can be found in the free downloadable resource.
When can I do this?
- At any time. Use it as part of your regular church prayer meeting or as a special time of prayer for secret Christians around the world.
- During Ramadan. Holding A Silence for the Silenced prayer event would be a good way of remembering all the Christians for whom Ramadan is a time of extra pressure and anxiety.
- At Easter. The vigil would be a powerful element of a Good Friday or Holy Saturday meditation.
However you choose to use it, we hope that this time of prayer will be a powerful and inspirational time of connection with these courageous Christians.
Videos used during the event
A five-part teaching resource for children’s church and Sunday school
God’s Big Family is a set of five engaging, interactive, fun session outlines for children’s church or Sunday school. It’s based around the idea that each one of us is child of God, and that therefore we are all brothers and sisters.
Aimed at children aged 7-11, the sessions will introduce the children to their church family in Iran, Colombia, North Korea, Nigeria, and Eritrea.
Each session outline includes two games, a short teaching outline with questions and a video, a craft, a prayer and a take-home resource.
God’s Big Family is a great resource for Sunday School workers, children and family workers, and could even be adapted for all-age services.
- Five ready-to-use session outlines for Sunday school or children’s church
- Each session has games, discussion questions, prayer activities, crafts and videos to watch
WHAT WILL I NEED TO RUN THE SESSIONS?
You will need:
The free session guide.
This contains all the the information you need to run the sessions.
Download your free session guide .
Open Doors Resources for each child
You will need to order copies of the following resources. These are free but please allow plenty of time for delivery.
- A Secret Smuggler booklet for each child
- A Prayer Passport and map for each child, (and an extra Children’s World Watch List map to use with the group during the sessions).
Videos for streaming
Each session features a video. You can find links to all the videos can be found under each session below.
Craft and colouring resources
Links to all the downloadable resources can be found below.
GOD’S BIG FAMILY – SESSION BY SESSION
1: God’s Big Family
Resources to Order before the session
Videos used during the session
2: Our Church Family in Iran
Resources to Order before the session
Videos used during the session
3: Our Church Family in North Korea
Videos used during the session
Downloadable resources for the session
4: Our Church Family in Nigeria
Videos used during the session
Craft Activity
Downloadable resources for the session
5: Our Church Family in Eritrea
Videos used during the session
Downloadable resources for the session
Back to resources for children and families
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A free, ready-to-use holiday club outline for 7-11 year olds.
Is your church planning a children’s holiday club this year? Why not inspire the children with the story of Brother Andrew, and the courage and boldness of our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church.
The Smuggler’s Suitcase is a free, ready-to-use holiday club outline for 7-11 year olds.
Over the course of five days, the children will ‘travel’ around the world, learning about different countries, and finding out about the adventures of brave persecuted Christians from Iran, North Korea, the countries of Central Asia, and China.
The week begins by introducing Brother Andrew, the founder of Open Doors. Then, each day, he will send a letter and an item in his suitcase to the group, introducing the country for the day and telling a story of someone from that country.
The Smuggler’s Suitcase is a great way to introduce children – both Christians and those who are not from a church background – to the issue of Christian persecution in an appropriate and even fun way.
- Free, ready-to-use holiday club outline for 7-11 year olds.
- Meet brave persecuted Christians from Iran, North Korea, Central Asia, and China.
- Five 2.5 hour session plans with games, activities, crafts, teaching points and much more – everything you need for an exciting, engaging, inspiring holiday club
What’s in the resource?
- Complete ready-to-use session outlines and activity ideas for five 2.5 hour holiday club sessions
- Family-friendly stories from persecuted Christians around the world
- Full leaders ‘scripts’ to help you run the sessions
- Ideas for games, activities, songs and even snacks!
- Detailed lists of all additional materials you need to run the sessions
Who is it for?
The material is most suitable for 7-11 year olds. It has been specifically designed to be suitable for both Christian children and children who may not be from a church background. For children who are already following Jesus, we hope these stories and activities will encourage them in their faith. For children who don’t know Jesus yet, these materials will help them think about why people would be willing to take such big risks for Jesus, and maybe even inspire them to follow Him themselves.
How many children do we need?
Ideally, you need a group of at least 12 children, split into teams of six to eight children with one or two leaders for each team.
What’s the format?
Each day’s activities are designed to last for approximately 2.5 hours. But all timings can be adjusted to suit your group.
What else will we need?
Naturally, you will need to provide materials for craft session, games, etc. But The Smuggler’s Suitcase resource has detailed lists for everything you need.
Also, at the end of the week we suggest giving a copy of Secret Smuggler to each child. You can order free copies in advance of your club.
Download your free Smuggler’s Suitcase today
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Scary soldiers, death-defying dares, bold prayers, true love, and miracles. It’s all there in Secret Smuggler!
Free Secret Smuggler booklet
This 24-page booklet tells the exciting story of Brother Andrew and includes items to spot as you read through as well as suggestions to help children pray, write and raise funds. Packed with fun, charming illustrations, it’s perfect for children, and is great for use at church or at home.
Secret Smuggler Video
Watch the video of the book.
Secret Smuggler teaching materials
Secret Smuggler is one of the resources featured in God’s Big Family – a set of six engaging, interactive, fun session outlines for children’s church, Sunday school or even all-age services. Along with a session focussing on the story of Brother Andrew, God’s Big Family will also introduce children to their church family in Iran, Colombia, North Korea, Nigeria, and Eritrea.
