In Sunday School at St. John’s we do Godly Play. Hmmmm – what is this?

Godly Play is an approach, based on Montessori principles, that engages children in learning the Bible stories and our faith traditions, rather than simply telling them. The leaders take on the role of a spiritual guide. Godly Play uses a story‑telling method incorporating beautifully handcrafted materials so that children see, hear, and have the opportunity to physically engage the stories. The children are then invited to ‘wonder’ about the story – the important parts, their favourite parts, the feelings and reactions of the people in the story, the children’s own feelings and reactions to the story.

Children will gain a great deal of information about the broad sweep of biblical history as well as an understanding of our faith traditions. They will also gain religious language that assists them in naming and making real their own experiences of God.

There are three types of Godly Play stories:

• Sacred stories ‑ focusing on the relationship between God and the people of God
• Parables ‑ including six parables of Jesus
• Liturgical action ‑ focusing oil the liturgy, traditions, and sacraments of the church