Description
Jesus loved to be with children, so we are thrilled to offer a new discipleship resource: The BIG Way of Love for Kids. It’s a set of playing cards and activities to help our kids to become the BIG, beloved children of God they were created to be.
Order sets of playing cards in the custom box (or print the free digital coloring sheets available at the website below). The cards (or sheets) guide children to explore Bible stories, listen, pray, learn, and practice. They can play alone and with friends, church teachers, or family. Jesus meets us everywhere where we go, so this resource is easy to take everywhere you go. Because we’re never too old or too young to walk the Way of Love with Jesus.
View the Spanish version here.
About The BIG Way of Love for Kids
The BIG Way of Love for Kids comes from the Way of Love, a rule of life with seven spiritual practices that help us all to look, live, and love more like Jesus.
Visit the resource hub to learn more:
- Download an Advent Calendar to use with your cards.
- Listen to the audio resources.
- Download the Grown-Ups Companion Guide.
- Print a deck of cards from home.
How to use The BIG Way of Love for Kids
The Grown-Ups Guide to the BIG Way of Love for Kids helps you to effectively companion kids engaging the deck of 75 playing cards and activities. Here are some important notes as you begin:
Who can use The BIG Way of Love for Kids?
- The card deck is designed to be child-centered and child-led.
- Early readers (ages 2-5) may benefit with extra help from someone older.
- More seasoned readers (ages 5-8) and experienced readers (ages 8-10) may engage in more independent, self-directed play.
- Use what works for you and your context, whether you are a parent, caregiver, Sunday School leader, godparent, or other guide in children’s lives.
- You can also listen to one of the accompanying bible story recordings in the car, before bedtime, or during children’s chapel.
What’s on the cards? View a sample here.
The cards are designed around reading levels. On the front of each card, you will find one or more white pinwheel symbols.
* = getting started (early readers, roughly ages 2-5)
** = next level (mid-level young readers, roughly ages 5-8)
*** = all the way (advanced young readers, roughly ages 8-10)
Each card in this deck relates to one of the practices of the Way of Love.
- TURN to Jesus
- LEARN about Jesus
- PRAY to God
- WORSHIP God
- BLESS people close to us
- GO out to people who are different
- REST in God’s grace
Children can pick any card they want, or they can focus on cards related to one of the seven practices (easy because every practice has its own color).
On each card, you’ll find the name and color for one of the seven practices, plus either a story from the Bible (SAY IT), a prayer (PRAY IT), or a game or activity to try out in real life (LIVE IT).
The printed cards are supplemented by seven audio recordings featuring paraphrased Bible stories related to each practice. The recordings are available here.
Encourage kids to be fearless with the cards. They may need a little help from you or a stronger reader by their side. That’s OK; the BIG Way of Love works for all kinds of young children and is designed to grow with them.
For more information about this resource, please contact bigwaykids@episcopalchurch.org
Read more from the creators: