G’day, it’s nearly time for Aussie kids to start a new school year and for Kid’s Churches to start their new year of ministry, too.  But before that, I’ve always liked to kick the year off with an Australia Day program the Sunday before Australia Day is celebrated on the 26^th of January. 

Australia Day is a national holiday where Aussies celebrate all things Australian.  The National Australia Day Council promotes the meaning of Australia Day and being Australian by organising community events, everything from BBQs to fireworks.  Families get together in backyards, parks and beaches and there are usually games of all kinds, from footy and cricket to thong-throwing competitions.  So, it’s too good an opportunity not to have fun in your Kid’s Church where kids can bring their friends and have a wonderful time whilst still receiving relevant teaching.   

The Green and the Gold

I’ve written a brand new Australia Day Bible Lesson titled, ‘The Green and the Gold’.  The green and the gold refer to Australia’s national colours connected to its environment. 

Gold represents Australia’s beaches, mineral wealth, grain harvests and the fleece of Australian wool.  Green represents the forests, eucalyptus trees and pastures of the Australian landscape.   Green and gold are also the colours of Australia’s national floral emblem, the Golden Wattle.  That’s why Australian athletes dress in a green and gold uniform when they compete internationally.  It was the image of an Aussie athlete that prompted me to link Australia Day with the Scripture in 2 Timothy 2:1-7 where the Apostle Paul tells Timothy he must be strong and persevere like a soldier, like an athlete and like a farmer.  All occupations Aussies are known to be outstanding in!

The lesson begins by offering two warm-up activities, a Golden Wattle Room Mural to paint or a Golden Wattle room garland to make.  The jumbled words of the Memory Verse must be earned by teams taking part in a water relay race.  At game time, there is a Great Australian Relay Event with events like a thong toss, egg and spoon race and fly swat challenge.  The craft is a Cockatoo Can pencil holder. 

None of the fun detracts from the meaningful ministry to the children: that they must grow to be dedicated, disciplined and diligent Christians who understand their reward is in Heaven and worth any suffering or hardship endured here on earth.

Download the free lesson, The Green and the Gold here:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Green-and-the-Gold.pdf

God’s Aussie Creations

I also rewrote a lesson for Pre-schoolers, ‘God’s Aussie Creations’.  It’s a simple lesson about Creation and explores in particular the unusual animals God created that are native to Australia.  It begins with a Parrot Feather Collage activity as an introduction to the lesson on Creation.  You’ll need a picture book to combine with flashcards (or PowerPoint) using the copyright-free photographs provided.  The lesson is followed with games to play.  From Kangaroo Tag to Snakes Tail.  The lesson finishes with the children icing and decorating Milk Arrowroot biscuits to turn them into Koala Cookies!

You can download the free lesson, God’s Aussie Creations here: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gods-Aussie-Creations.pdf

In the Cooee Kid’s Ministry Australia Day Archives

There are also previous year’s lessons I’ve written for Australia Day that you can download:  

Australia Day Spectacular:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Australia-Day-Spectacular.pdf

This lesson suggests a story time using the ‘Spindles’ books written by Barry Chant.  You can find them here:https://koorong.com/product/the-spindles-adventures-7-book-pack–barry_9780000485625

Boomerang! A Creation story that highlights God’s faithfulness with the Memory Verse taken from Isaiah 55:11.  Download here: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Boomerang-Gods-Word-Does-Not-Return-Void.pdf

God’s Meeting Place.  A story about the Tabernacle, the Temple and us introduced by two campers.  Find the Memory Verse by yabbying for it!  Make a damper for morning tea.  Play a game of Smelly Onions and there are suggestions for crafts, too.

Download the free lesson, God’s Meeting Place here:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Gods-Meeting-Place.pdf

There are so many free resources for you to create a bonza Australia Day celebration in your Kid’s Church, I pray you will have a truly blessed time!

(For overseas followers, ‘Bonza’ is Aussie for excellent, attractive, pleasing, remarkable or wonderful!)