The Bible is full of parables and Jesus often used parables to teach his followers because storytelling is one of the best ways to impart important messages.
The Wesley Youth Centre, backed by the Wesley Methodist Church, is a place for children and youths to cultivate their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills. For the first quarter of this year, the OWL Reading volunteers at the centre developed an interesting lesson plan to teach God’s Word through parables. Five parables were used and given a unique spin in their latest OWL Reading Programme cycle, to make the lessons more interesting, engaging and relevant for the children.
From March to May 2024, the OWL members from 4 to 12 years old were introduced to parables through activities in the Cycle 1 programme that sparked interest, encouraged good thoughts and initiated good actions.
“We picked five parables because of the values that they espoused,” said Sabrina Yeo, who has been volunteering with the WYC for one and half years.
The Parables taught were:
· Parable of The Sower (Matthew 13:3-8) – teaches good thoughts produce good actions
· Parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35) – teaches identifying neighbours and show kindness to all
· Parable of The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-31) – teaches about showing grace to everyone regardless if they are nice or unkind
· Parable of The Bag of Gold (Matthew 25:14-29) – teaches about using one’s talents to help others
· Parable of the Forgiving King (Matthew 18:23-34) – teaches about forgiveness
The spark
Interactive storytelling styles often pique the readers’ or listeners’ interests and this was no exception at the OWL Reading Programme. Each session started with a one-to-one reading where an OWL child would choose a book of their choice with guided reading by one OWL volunteer. This is followed by a ‘spark interest’ activity to ‘hook’ the children’s interest which would normally be conducted through pictures, videos or simple objects related to the parable. One of the hottest spark interest topics was one that had OWL children identify who their neighbours were. Each response triggered a deeper thought which helped our OWL children to connect beyond just a next-door neighbour. Each ‘spark interest’ session prepared our OWL children for what was to be taught that day.
“I remember the parable about the Sower the most,” said Ian Lew, 10, who has been with the OWL programme for two years. “Because my teachers asked me to think about my ‘neighbours’.”
Next was the reading of the parable. Each parable was read twice, ending with the children role playing to reinforce the values of what each parable means. OWL volunteers supported our OWL children by directing the role plays e.g. by acting as a Samaritan, a robber, a farmer and even a king! A craft that connects the parable to the values would be taught to the OWL children for a deeper reinforcement of the parable taught that day. Each parable brought a sense of meaning that God’s word was used to reach out to the youth and children community in Jalan Berseh.
The gestures
It was an exciting sight to see many fresh faces in the OWL programme, especially among the 4- to 6-year-olds.
“Over here, we do not just teach theories. We also help our kids put them into action,” added Sabrina. “On one occasion, we had insufficient OWL volunteers to support the younger OWL children for one-to-one reading. We then roped in the older OWL children to guide the juniors. We used this opportunity to affirm the older OWL children when they not only impart knowledge but more importantly, they had shown kindness and grace in guiding their younger friends.” Touching and heartwarming gestures like these are common at OWL as volunteers at the programme often take whatever opportunities they have to help the kids practise kindness and graciousness.
The outcome: OWL’s Got Talent!
The reading of the five parables programme concluded with its very own talent programme on 18 May 2024. Each of the three groups had to act out a parable they selected. ‘OWL’s Got Talent!’ saw the presentations of three parables: the Parable of the Bag of Gold (using one’s gifts), Parable of the Sower (good thoughts reap good actions) and the Parable of the Good Samaritan (kindness). Despite having just one rehearsal, the kids’ acting prowess and enthusiasm shone brightly with their convincing expressions. A highlight of ‘OWL’s Got Talent!’ was its mini Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Group Performance award presentation. Most of all, the children had learnt the important values of team work, befriending and collaboration through their brainstorming, practice and props making sessions as they come together to work alongside their OWL mentors.
You are special
After the finale of ‘OWL’s Got Talent!’, OWL Reading volunteers celebrated the children’s birthdays for those born from January to June. A closing story “You are special’ by Max Lucado was read to all the children. Each OWL child was called and affirmed by their name and that they are special. Each OWL child was gifted with their own copy of this book. This best-selling story is about acceptance, understanding that one’s self worth is not based on how the world evaluates them; but from how God cherishes each child – just as they are.
The 3Bs by Wesley Christian Outreach and Social Concerns
Deana Chang, the Head of OWL Reading Programme, said it is a joy and blessing to be able to spark the OWL children’s curiosity in learning and understanding the value in each parable: “The kids can learn so much through engaging activities and role playing. We were also given teaching tips by the volunteers who crafted the teaching resources on how to engage the children better which helped to cultivate and nurture their interest.”
Doreen Soh, the Chairperson of WYC explained the Wesley Christian Outreach and Social Concerns’ (COSC) motto of Blessing, Befriending and Believing helps in outreaching to the youths and children in WYC: “These 3Bs have also created a two-way effect on the volunteers. The volunteers have been blessed by the relationships forged with the children in WYC through befriending programmes and in this context, OWL Reading. To be able to witness a seed planted in the hearts of the youths and children in WYC is the beginning of bringing believing closer.”
“Most of all, we want the children to know you are not who others say you are, you are who God says you are.”
Highlights from ‘OWL’s Got Talents!’:
Photos courtesy of WYC
About Wesley Youth Centre
Wesley Youth Centre (WYC) is a sub-ministry under Wesley Christian Outreach & Social Concerns (COSC). It has been operating at blocks 25 and 26 Jalan Berseh for over 15 years. WYC’s mission is ‘In Christian love, bless and befriend children and their families’. It aims to provide youth with experiences of friendship, a sense of belonging, leadership, and recognition. It has various programmes to develop children in their physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities. Currently, WYC serves 172 children and youths. For more enquiries on WYC, please contact Peter Wong at peterw@wesleymc.org.
If you are interested in sowing a seed in a young person’s life, we want to hear from you. It’s not about what you can do in our ministry, it’s what you can empower the young people to do. To find out more about volunteering opportunities, please visit https://wesleymc.org/ministries/outreach/christian-outreach-social-concerns
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