GBOD | Sprouts

Sprouts: It May Be Simple, But It Ain't Easy
	Bishop Rueben Job has written a new book titled Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living. It doesn't take long to read, but it would take you a lifetime to live by the rules.
Doing and Being -- Contemplation and Action
	Covenant Discipleship teaches us that God created us not only for a relationship with God, but also to care for and about our neighbor. Finding the balance between "roots and fruits" is not easy. We each feel the pull of being and doing in a different way. Covenant Discipleship helps us find the balance we need.
Would Jesus Play "Grand Theft Auto"?
	After we have committed ourselves to being disciples of Jesus Christ, how do we live? How do we make specific decisions in our daily life?
Children Will Be Children
	Sprouts are children, and they will act like children. Regardless of how smart they are, how computer savvy, how well they can program your new cell phone, or how much they want to be like Jesus, they will still act like children.
Religious Habit or Spiritual Discipline?
	In The United Methodist Church, children can participate in the Lord's Supper. Some Christian educators make the point that even though children may not understand the Lord's Supper, they can experience God's love and acceptance in the shared practice of the congregation.
Sprouts: Growing Sprouts
	Because they care for and about children, women and mothers have a special affinity for acts of justice.
Sprouts: Questions of Accountability
	In Covenant Discipleship, how far does accountability extend? How do we help children live their covenants?
Sprouts: Acts of Justice
	Perhaps the most difficult part of discipleship is performing acts of justice. Acts of justice are the simple things we do in response to the causes of suffering or needs of our neighbors. The problems often seem overwhelming, and the complexity and size of these realities often overwhelm adults, let alone children. What can a child do to change the causes of human suffering?
Stewardship Nuggets for Families and Children

A Bit of This and That
	If you haven't explored the world of alternative giving, it is worth learning about and using as a justice project.
About That Need for Security and Trust
	Justice time should be a place that kids can ask the tough questions and get honest answers — even if the answer is, "I don't know" or "We just don't understand, but we trust in God's love and presence."
Sprouts Update (Winter 2005)

Acts of Justice: Information and Ideas from Bread for the World

Sprouts:Planning for Change

Kids Can Lead the Way: Trick or Treat for UNICEF

Reaching Out to Others Through Sprouts Challenges

(Spring 2004) Sprouts: Only God Knows What Seeds You Are Sowing

Let's Plant a Seed and Grow Some Sprouts

Children Live in the Gaps Too

Sprouts Justice Resources & More
	Edie Harris recommends books and websites about justice issues.
Lock-Ins Allow More Time for Learning and Sharing
	Lock-ins give our Sprouts more time to share and bond as a group.
Sprouts Leaders Need Care, Too
	Regardless of your level of knowledge and experience in Christian education, that may not be the most important reason for your success as a Sprouts leader. Because of the intimate, extended exposure that children in Sprouts groups have with their leaders, particularly the Covenant Time leader, a leader becomes more than just a leader or teacher; he or she is a mentor and role model, a key influence on a child's understanding of what it means to be Christian.
Children, Nature, & Christian Formation
	According to recent research, children ages 8-12 are particularly able to form an attachment to the physical world. Just as there are developmentally sensitive times when children might acquire language or other skills, there seems to be a particular time when they are sensitive to nature. This research reinforces the appropriateness of integrating works of faith (piety) and caring (mercy) for Sprouts children through nature.
Sprouts Speak Out
	In a recent article, Edie Harris called for comments from current or former Sprouts participants about what they think about Sprouts and how it has affected their spiritual journey.
Devotion Is Key to Sprouts
	Sprouts is a wonderful way to encourage your children on their road to a life of Christian discipleship.
How Does Our Garden Grow?
	Here's an example of how one "Sprout" has grown over the years.
Cultivating Sprouts: A Growing Guide for Planting & Nurturing Sprouts
	Bible study should never become the focus or main activity of Sprouts sessions; covenant sharing should always be the center of your time together. Yet there may be times when you decide that your group needs to do some serious thinking about Scripture or to learn how to encounter Scripture at a deeper level.
"Sprouting" a New Generation of Disciples
	In a world obsessed with self-gratification, Sprouts is a way to help children learn spiritual disciplines. . . . In a materialistic world, Sprouts teaches children about loving kindness (compassion) and doing justice.
Cultivating Sprouts: Children and Worship
	Sprouts is always a balancing act between actually doing covenant discipleship and making sure the children know and understand what worship and devotion are and how to do them.
Sprouts Ministry Grows with God's Grace
	From the Spring 2000 issue of Covenant Discipleship Quarterly.
How Should Parents and the Church Welcome Children to the Lord's Supper?

Children and Communion — Should We Change the Words?

Sprouts Confront Racism
	Racism and prejudice are a justice issues many children encounter every day. They are also sins that the church must regularly confront.