Ideas for Outdoor Church for Children
Outdoor church service or worship for children can make a strong impression and connection to the word of God. Tie an outdoor worship opportunity to the creation and Garden of Eden, a special season or holiday, vacation Bible school and camp or an outreach opportunity for offering worship and fellowship to friends and neighbors.
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Seasonal/Holiday Worship
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At Easter, plan an outdoor sunrise service especially for youth, allowing the dawning of the new day on Easter Sunday to reflect the message of Christ's resurrection. For teens, take the moment of a new dawn to reflect on and share with the group the ways in which each participant sees God's handiwork and rebirth at work in their lives. At Thanksgiving, lead kids on a nature walk, asking them to look for and collect items from the natural world for which they are thankful. Choose a sheltered spot to have a short lesson outdoors about thankfulness. At Christmas, plan a musical worship service, traveling door-to-door and sharing carols of the Nativity with friends and neighbors.
Youth Camp and Vacation Bible School
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If you're interested in sleep-away camp, connect with an organization, such as the Child Evangelism Fellowship which operates Camp Good News in a number of states. This camp is designed to combine a variety of outdoor activities with opportunities for Bible study and community worship. If you're interested in creating an outdoor camp experience at your home church, consider a vacation Bible school theme that provides fun and worship outdoors. Take a look at the Fishers of Kids' "Fun in the Son Kids' Crusade," an online, two-day vacation Bible school option that revolves around a visit to the Hawaiian Islands, a treasure hunt and is based on the "parables of hidden treasure and the pearl of great price" found in the book of Matthew.
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Nature and The Creation Story
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Choose an outdoor location for your service that is surrounded by the beauty of nature. Before you bring the children to the chosen spot, prepare it with simple benches or blankets on the ground. Make sure to orient the setup so that it faces a significant view or a simple, handmade altar. Bring the children single-file to the spot, asking them to walk in silence while noticing the wonders of creation that they see along the way. Once everyone is seated, lead a short lesson on the creation story, Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. Close the outdoor service with a few moments of silent prayer and meditation on the natural wonders created by God that surround you.
Backyard Outreach Barbeque
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This backyard worship opportunity is a time for kids to invite friends and neighbors over for food and fellowship. Plan a simple meal of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and encourage attendees to bring along a side dish or dessert. Provide time, as everyone arrives, for mingling, chatting and getting to know each other better. Offer a blessing before eating, encouraging the kids to hang around after the hot dogs to join in a short worship service. Offer some thoughts on a simple Bible verse about God's love, allowing the kids to ask questions and offer their personal experience. Close the outdoor get-together with a second helping of dessert and information about your church's worship offerings for young people.
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