My husband and I love to spend time in the coastal town of Yamba at the mouth of the Clarence River on the North Coast of New South Wales.   It’s a beautiful holiday destination. Once you have parked your car, you can walk everywhere if you don’t mind a few hills.  We’d been raving about Yamba to our son for years.  As he loves the sea and anything nautical, we told him he’d love it.  So, when he suggested he and his wife join us, we were thrilled.  We showed the town off like we were locals, and together we explored places we’d not found before.  On the Sunday after we’d returned, my mum asked me what the best part of the holiday was.  I thought about it for a few seconds.  Was it the cruise up the river?  The meal at the restaurant?  The coastal hikes?  Then it occurred to me.  ‘Sharing it,’ I said. 

To share something is to use it or enjoy it with others.  As Christians, we share!

Sharing the Gospel

First and foremost, we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It’s the Good News that while we were dead in our trespasses and sin, Jesus the Son of God did what we couldn’t do.  He lived a righteous life that pleased God.  Despite this, He was crucified on a cross.  He died for the sins of the world.  He died in our place.  But God raised Jesus from the dead and now Jesus gives new life to all who call upon His name to be saved.  Nothing is more important than sharing the Gospel which is why people have been prepared to go to prison and even die for it.  Jesus said, ‘God into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’  (Mark 16:15-16)

Sharing Communion

We share Communion.  In Greek the word Communion is ‘koinonia’, which means participation, fellowship and sharing.  ‘And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’ (Luke 22:19-20) 

Sharing What We Have

Many organisations have been established to share food, water, medicine and education throughout history because their founders followed the example of Jesus Christ and the first-century Church.  ‘Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.’  (Acts 4:32-37) 

Sharing Requires Faith

The Apostle John wrote, ‘If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.’ (1 John 3:17-18) We know faith demands action because faith without works is dead.  (James 2:26) We share what we have because we have faith in God.  We confidently rely on Him with full trust because we know that He will fulfil all His promises.  (Philippians 4:19)

Sharing Resources

Cooee Kid’s Ministry would not exist but for family, friends and mentors who freely shared their knowledge, wisdom and experience with me over the years.  That’s why everything on the Cooee Kid’s Ministry website is free to download.  Jesus instructed His disciples, ‘As you go, proclaim this message:  ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received; freely give.’ (Matthew 10:7-8) 

Sharing What’s New

What are You Looking At?  A Bible lesson that teaches children what to do when they have looked at things shouldn’t have.  It includes the Bible story of David and Bathsheba, a game of I Spy and a craft idea using goggle eyes.

Visit:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/What-Are-You-Looking-At.pdf

Follow the Pattern:  Dotty the Dressmaker explains how she follows a pattern to make sure the dress she is sewing will be made the right way.  She tells children about Paul’s advice to Timothy, ‘What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.’  Play a ball game of Under and Over, and try some simple sewing at craft time. Visit: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Follow-the-Pattern.pdf

Battleship Game Soundtrack:  In a recent blog I told the story of how I came up with a room-sized game of Battleship to get children on their seats as quickly as possible.  You’ll find a free video to use on the Cooee Kid’s Ministry YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF5Oy53xGog

Wait on the Lord:  This lesson teaches children how to wait on the Lord.  It’s nothing like waiting for a bus or a train! It’s entwining yourself around Him, exchanging your weakness for His strength.  Joseph in prison is the Bible lesson used as an example.  A Memory Verse chant is used to teach the children Isaiah 40:31 and they can play a game of Protect the Prisoner. Visit: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Wait-on-the-Lord.pdf

Sharing is caring.  I’m sharing these resources with you because I care about you and the children God has given you to teach.  I pray they will help you to share Jesus because that’s the best sharing there is!