How to lead a Creative Response
One of the many aspects of being made in the image of God is that we are creative. Participating in a creative response is taking the time, after having heard the word of God, to use your unique gifts and talents to process what you have heard. It is a time to reflect and co-create with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful opportunity to make meaning of what was shared.
To empower creativity in all age groups, we encourage you to provide a variety of materials that allow for all age levels, all knowledge levels and all skill levels to be used. Providing a variety of choices means that everyone can express their creativity with a medium that they enjoy.
Try to include materials and tools that:
- encourage creativity, exploration and imagination
- can be manipulated and used in many ways
- appeal to those who like to construct and build
- allow for quiet journaling, creative writing and reflection
- are natural objects that are from the environment
- are recycled things for ‘upcycling’
- help the enquirer research some more
- let the readers continue reading
- offer a variety of media for drawing/painting
- are interesting collage bits and pieces
- are different sizes, e.g. papers and card stock. Have a large selection of papers available at all times. Include different thicknesses, shapes, colours and paper in rolls.
- are helpful for successful creating e.g. scissors that cut, PVA glue, glue sticks, hot glue gun, variety of sticky tapes, rulers, pencil sharpeners etc.
Beautiful and interesting materials help inspire creativity.
Creative response is about time, space and choice for a listener to respond in a way which is personal for them. Creative response helps the listener as they process what they have heard in the message, and allows them to express themselves as the spirit leads. Some wondering questions after the message can also help with the processing.
I wonder what part of the story you like the best?
I wonder where you are in the story, or which part of the story is about you?
During the creative response time people of all generations might like to work together. Sharing with others also helps us to process our thoughts.
GROW MINISTRIES IDEAS FOR TUBS
There are so many more ideas, let your imaginations match your context and team of volunteers.
Play dough – homemade or shop bought play dough in air tight containers (keep in fridge during summer and make new after a few sessions), clay, plasticine, include mats, rolling pins, cutters etc and a laminated recipe sheet in this one.
Drawing – look for some different things like pastels, whiteboards and markers, a sand tray and chalk boards. Include clip boards to lean on.
Building – Lego, wooden blocks, duplo, foam blocks and a flat surface or board to build on.
Recycled – thoroughly cleaned recycled cardboard boxes, lids, containers, egg cartons etc.
Natural – gumnuts, bark, pinecones, rocks, shells, sand, sticks, foliage (check it is safe for children).
Collage – pop sticks, sequins, feathers, papers, stickers, pegs, patty pans, straws etc.
Painting – brushes, rollers, poster paints, water colours, include mats to work on and water pots. (A great way to make homemade water colours and recycle at the same time – leave your dried out texta in a small jar of water for a week or so. The colour will come out and mix in the water. If the water dries out, leave the colour there and when ready add water and mix).
Sewing/knitting/crochet – needles, thimbles, thread, fabric, knitting needles and wool, crochet hooks. (This one is terrific when you have volunteers who are skilled in these areas).
Wire – different thickness wires, pliers.
If you have a room that can be permanently set up for storage – display the materials in an inviting and practical way. Include cleaning products so the children can care for this space as well. If you have a shared space then TUBS are an excellent option. Label them clearly and then you can swap them around each time as you choose.
Another great idea is to ask someone to ‘Sponsor a TUB’. There may be a family or an individual that could be responsible for maintaining and replenishing the materials in one of the tubs. It is an excellent way to help to the organiser and invites others to be involved.
Want to try leading a Creative Response? It’s a great option for kid’s club, Sunday School, worship or family time. Download a Creative Response fact sheet here.
Do you want to try leading and intergenerational Creative Response? We have a fact sheet ready for you to!
