You will need: building bricks.

• Divide the group into pairs, and give each pair two identical sets of bricks.
• Ask one partner to build a model with their bricks, then to describe it briefly to their partner. See if their partner can build the same model just from the short description.
• Then ask the first partner to build another model, and to talk their partner through building it, step by step.
• Is it easier to build from a simple description, or from a step-by-step guide?

Try

All in knots (C+YP 15 mins)

Follow some step-by-step instructions to learn a new skill

You will need: simple instructions for tying knots or knitting, or someone to teach you; rope or knitting equipment.

• When we are learning something new, it is always helpful to have someone to take you through it bit by bit. If you know someone who is good at tying knots, then invite them in to teach you. Otherwise, find a good guide on the Internet (see Further resources), and get the group trying to tie different knots using the instructions.
• Alternatively, try knitting. Find someone who could come and teach your group to knit squares, or nd a guide to finger knitting on the Internet (see Further resources). If your group can knit squares, you could find details of a charity that collects knitted squares to make blankets, or maybe make a blanket for your local hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit.

Read

The Magpie’s Nest (C 10 mins)

Think about the importance of listening to all the instructions

You will need: a copy of the story The Magpie’s Nest (see Further resources).

• Tell the story of The Magpie’s Nest.
• The other birds start off wanting to know how to build the best nests, but one by one they stop listening to Magpie’s instructions. As a consequence, none of them gets it quite right when they build their own nests.
• Ask: Have you ever ignored advice from someone? How easy do you find it to follow instructions?

Make

A faith tree (C+YP 15 mins)

Identify who has explained faith to us

You will need: copies of the tree template and pens.

• Can we see how we have grown in faith, step by step?
• Invite the youngsters to record who and what has enabled their personal faith developments, using the tree template.

Play

Tangled (C+YP 5 mins)

Follow instruction to get untangled

• This is a well-known game that involves listening to the instructions and going step by step. Get your group standing in a circle, and ask them to join hands with two different people across the circle.
• When they are tangled up, as a group work step by step to untangle themselves.

Pray

Be still (C+YP 5 mins)

Try some silent prayer time

You will need: a candle and matches.

• Peter’s vision came when he was in silent prayer. Often when we pray, particularly with youngsters, our focus is on what we say or do, but it is also good sometimes just to be still and be silent. For some youngsters, and in some traditions, this will be a more familiar activity than for others, but it is good to have a go!
• Light a candle as a focus. Invite the group to sit comfortably in a space, and encourage them to look at the candle flame. Ask them to concentrate on their breathing, counting to four as they breathe in and then out, shutting out any noise or distractions, until all they are thinking about is their breathing and the candle.
• When the youngsters are sitting still and quiet, encourage them to think about ways they might be able to change their behaviour to be more like Jesus, and to ask God to help them.
• Still, quiet prayer like this becomes easier the more you practise it; maybe a regular part of your group’s time together could be to spend a little time in prayer. Some more resources to help you guide stilling times are in the Further resources section, and there are plenty of ideas to be found on the Internet.