1. The Presentation
1.1. On the day
1.1.1. Wear something comfortable!
1.1.2. ~9:15 / 10:45
1.1.2.1. Make yourself known to service leader
1.1.2.2. Get a lapel microphone
1.1.2.3. check who will announce the kids song
1.1.2.4. Check slide on service powerpoint
1.1.2.5. Get any props in place
1.1.3. ~9:40 / 11:10
1.1.3.1. After the confession you will be called up by the service leader
1.1.3.2. Stand in the middle of the platform
1.1.3.3. Say hello and introduce yourself
1.1.3.4. Invite the kids up to the front
1.1.3.5. Deliver!
1.1.3.6. Pray
1.1.3.7. Hand over
1.1.3.7.1. Either
1.1.3.7.2. Or
1.2. Visuals
1.2.1. Some visuals are better than none
1.2.2. Slides are good
1.2.3. three dimensional visuals are even better (and easier for little ones to see)
1.3. Audience Participation
1.3.1. If you're asking questions
1.3.1.1. Use closed questions (e.g. "so whom should we obey?" / "Is it a good idea to follow Jesus?"), if at all, very sparingly
1.3.1.2. Watch out for the one 'right' answer in your mind for which you painfully search, eliminating all the other good ones on the way!
1.3.1.3. Don't keep asking the same people, however eager they may be.
1.3.2. Volunteers
1.3.2.1. Go for it! - kids love coming up
1.3.2.2. it doesn't have to be just kids
1.3.2.3. Make them visible to everyone else
1.3.2.4. Plan to make them audible (this is tricky - ask for a mic if necessary)
1.3.2.5. Give clear age appropriate instructions
1.3.2.6. Don't ask the impossible!
1.3.2.7. Keep it moving
1.3.2.8. Say thank you afterwards
1.4. Language
1.4.1. simple
1.4.2. repetitive
1.4.3. accessible (minimal church in-speak)
1.5. A few more random thoughts on what works
1.5.1. Everyone loves a story - the Bible is full of stories - use them
1.5.2. Music is good - if you've got it, use it
1.5.2.1. e.g.
1.5.2.1.1. use the words of song
1.5.2.1.2. make a rhyme to a popular tune
1.5.3. Make application specific but with multiple differentiated examples
1.5.3.1. (not vague and singular)
1.5.4. Humour is good
1.5.5. Humour is not obligatory
1.5.6. Flee the slightest patronisation!
1.5.7. Draw us in with "I wonder..."
1.5.7.1. e.g."I wonder how the disciples felt when they heard Jesus say that"
1.5.8. Repeat
1.5.9. Repeat again
1.5.10. If in doubt use the 4-part teaching schema
1.5.10.1. State (your point)
1.5.10.2. Restate (in other words)
1.5.10.3. Illustrate
1.5.10.4. Apply
1.5.11. Keep slides super simple
1.5.11.1. no more than 1 picture
1.5.11.2. minimal text
2. Here are some useful hints and guidelines for those who are asked to give a talk at an all-age service.
3. The Basics
3.1. Length
3.1.1. Prepare 3-4 minutes of material
3.1.1.1. this is very short
3.1.1.2. yes, I know you've prepared more
3.1.1.3. and I know the extra 2 minutes are brilliant too
3.1.1.4. But you need to cut them, sorry!
3.2. Audience
3.2.1. "All Age" means the whole church
3.2.1.1. not just the kids!
3.2.1.2. not just the adults!
3.2.1.3. The best all age spots have something for everbody
3.3. Aims
3.3.1. Inclusion
3.3.1.1. To teach the Bible to whoever is in church
3.3.2. Church as Family
3.3.2.1. For the church family to learn together
3.3.3. The Gospel in child-friendly terms
3.3.3.1. To communicate basic gospel ideas in plain speech
3.3.4. Christ-exalting
3.3.4.1. The Bible has plenty to say about how we should live, but it only makes sense in the light of Christ
3.3.4.2. So preach Jesus, not moralism!
4. The Preparation
4.1. subject
4.1.1. either
4.1.1.1. Choose a short passage or a single verse
4.1.1.1.1. you may want to chose a translation that makes it easy to understand
4.1.1.1.2. If the passage is longer, choose a single verse or phrase to project on the screen
4.1.1.1.3. send verse to cornhillers during the week / bring verse powerpoint on a memory stick on the day
4.1.2. or
4.1.2.1. you will be given a topic / verse
4.2. Prepare a summary sentence of what you want to teach
4.3. Script / No script?
4.3.1. You do not need a full script though many find it useful as a starting point, but you need to know exactly how you want to phrase things: choose your wording and stick to it.
4.3.2. as you get up be super clear on 3 things
4.3.2.1. What is my opening line?
4.3.2.2. What is my closing thought/question?
4.3.2.3. What is my key message?
4.4. Pray
4.4.1. you could use the church directory to pray for those who will hear