Are you doing your children’s ministry back to front?
Do you find your teaching material is starting at the wrong point for some of your children?
Do you have an increasing number of children coming from unchurched backgrounds into your organisations?
Do you need material that starts more in the world of the child and moves them to the Bible?
This resource is based on a series of books called “Eric says”, written by Dai Hankey and published by the Good Book Company www.thegoodbook.co.uk/ericsays.* The aim of the resource is to teach children something about God and to help them encounter Him, possibly for the first time. They start in the world of the child, in this case through an everyday commonplace situation that Eric finds himself in, and then slowly moves them towards God and how He can impact the situation.
The sessions are around the themes of saying thanks, sorry and please. They could be used as part of a Holiday Bible Club or a midweek group with children to help them encounter God and understand something of the part He wants to play in their lives.
Download the Introduction leaflet here.
* The Good Book Company are offering a 50% discount to those who purchase any combination of 10 or more copies in the series. Use the discount code ERIC50.
Eric Says Thanks
In saying thanks, Eric begins to have an increased awareness of who God is and a little of what He does. This session includes an introductory activity, a video of the story read by the author, Dai Hankey, and other activities which help to develop their understanding and lead them to the Bible.
To download this video go here. This video is copyright Good Book Company. Please do not share.
Download the Leaders Guide here.
Download the bookmark here.
Download the images here.
Eric Says Sorry
In saying sorry, Eric begins to understand how he is being given what he does not deserve, exploring something of the meaning of grace. This session includes an introductory activity, a video of the story read by the author, Dai Hankey, and some prayer resources to help children to develop their understanding of a relationship with God.
To download this video go here. This video is copyright Good Book Company. Please do not share.
Download the Leaders Guide here.
Download the bookmark here.
Download the images here.
Eric Says Please
In saying please, Eric learns that he can communicate with God through prayer, not simply in formal settings but as a natural rhythm of our day. This session includes an introductory activity, a video of the story read by the author, Dai Hankey, and gives the opportunity to share the Gospel with the children in your group.
To download this video go here. This video is copyright Good Book Company. Please do not share.
Download the Leaders Guide here.
Download the bookmark here.
Download the images here.
Dai Hankey videos
PCI had the opportunity to host Dai Hankey, author of the Eric says series of books, and ask him some questions about where the books started and the premise behind the teaching in the stories.
In the first video, we asked how the Eric books started. Where did the idea of this boy and his learning to say thanks originate? Click on play and hear Dai’s story of the start of Eric.
Dai Hankey Q&A on Eric Resource // 1 of 3 from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.
In the second video, we asked Dai to tell us how the Eric books speak truth into the lives of children? The Eric says series is valuable as a resource for starting in the experience of children and moving them then to an encounter with a truth about God. This has made them so valuable for explaining something of who God is to children who know nothing of him. The truths that the books teach about God are powerful and not watered down, but they are explained in language and with story that is accessible to children. Click play to hear Dai’s answer.
Dai Hankey Q&A on Eric Resource // 2 of 3 from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.
Introducing the Bible and God to children who do not have a Christian background can be difficult as the children’s Biblical knowledge base is greatly reduced compared to children who grow up in church. We need to look at how we do ministry differently because if we do not, the children are less likely to understand the truths about who God is. In this last video, we asked Dai what advice he would give to leaders sharing the truths about God with children from unchurched backgrounds. Click play to hear his answer.
Dai Hankey Q&A on Eric Resource // 3 of 3 from Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Vimeo.