Choosing a Resource
(CofE Northern Region Children’s Work Advisers October 2005)
It is useful to ask yourself the following questions when choosing a resource for use in children's ministry.
How does the resource suit your aims?
How does it relate to the education programme of your whole church?
Does its theological approach reflect the approach of your church?
Does it enable the children to engage with God?
Does it give the children space to think and does it spark ideas rather than giving all the answers?
Does it make connections with where the children are at?
How does the resource suit the children?
Does it have a variety of learning styles?
Does it cover the age span of your group?
Are there approaches which will suit boys as well as girls?
Is it culturally and socially relevant to your children?
Does it suit their attendance pattern?
What do the children themselves think of it?
How does the resource suit the leaders?
Are the leaders enthusiastic, inspired, moved, spiritually fed by it?
How does it match the capabilities and teaching styles of the leaders?
(Does it play to their strengths whilst also extending their skills by suggesting approaches with which they are not so confident?)
Does the amount of detail suit the needs of the leaders?
(Leaders who are confident in devising and developing activities may only want general suggestions for sessions; those less confident may want fully detailed plans).
Does the resource 'Do what it says on the tin’?
Do the activities actually work? Have you tried them, or do you know that they have been trialled?
Does the substance of the content match the presentation?
(Poor content can hide behind good presentation and vice versa)
Are you clear who the resource is designed for – leaders or children – and are you evaluating it accordingly?
Is the price right? Is it value for money in your situation?