Preparation

Children’s Bibles

Ideally have one Bible for each child.

The Sunday Storytellers favorite is Group Publishing’s “Hands-On Bible.” It’s colorful and appealing on the outside and there are images and color on the inside. It has the heft of an adult Bible so feels grown-up, yet the language—the New Living Translation (NLT)—is straightforward and informal. Feel free to use other Bibles, of course, however note that the scripture cited in the curriculum will match the translation in the Hands-On Bible.

A Cozy Space

Think about your physical space… Your goal is to make it warm and welcoming for children! If you’re able to paint the walls—even just a single wall—a bright color can bring some vibrancy and personalize the space. Make sure the flooring is comfortable—a colorful area rug is an easy way to warm up a room and make it possible for children to sit on the floor, if that’s the plan.

Wall Decorations

• A Circle of the Church Year liturgical calendar, like the Godly Play Resources felt example pictured here, helps provide the context for the stories you choose. Asking the children to figure out where you are on the calendar makes for good formational conversation, and moving the arrow is something the kids really enjoy.
• You’ll also want to showcase children’s art. Pin or tack either end of a clothesline rope onto the wall, making a flat “u” shape. Use clothespins or binder clips to hang the art on the rope, changing up the display as needed throughout the year. To  keep track of the books you’ve read, make a color photocopy of the cover and add it to the clothesline or blue-tape it to the wall to remind the children of all the books they’ve experienced.

Seating

• Bean bag chairs are so fun and welcoming for children and they are a great way to keep everyone in their own space while reading aloud is happening.
• Low benches are a great option as well. If you have a larger group, you can have some children on the floor and others on the benches in a second ring around the storyteller.

Leaders

For a formal Sunday Storytellers program, consider three leadership roles: a “Coordinator” who can manage the logistics of getting this program resourced and maintain it in your church setting; a “Storyteller” who will take the lead in facilitating and reading the story aloud; and, a “Guide” who provides support to the Storyteller and rolls out the craft and snack.

Coordinator

This is the person who administers the program, typically a staff person. Here’s what the Coordinator does:

• Recruit storytellers and guides
• Train storytellers and guides
• Schedule storytellers and guides
• Create a cozy space where the children can gather comfortably
• Purchase or borrow the picture books
• Download the curriculum
• Make sure the paired book and curriculum get into a Storyteller’s hands in time for the volunteer to prepare
• Assemble materials for independent play as children are arriving (things like beading, coloring sheets, simple activities to keep kids busy while waiting to start)
• Make sure children’s Bibles are on-hand
• Gather materials for a craft
• Set-up a whiteboard/flip-chart pad and markers to capture any brainstorming
• Keep track of time during the session (do the kids need to return to the sanctuary at some point?)
• Monitor the session without being intrusive
• Assist with “crowd control” and any disciplinary issues
• Supply snacks

Storyteller

This is the person who will lead and facilitate the session, typically a volunteer. Many different volunteers can fill this role and work in rotation, serving once a month, for instance. Here’s what the Storyteller does:

• Prepare a few days in advance, practicing reading the story aloud and with pages turned out “librarian style” so the children can study the illustrations while the book is being read. [I recommend that the Storyteller NOT practice with their own children, if their children will be attending the session, so the book is fresh and new for them when it’s read aloud in a group setting.]
• Review the curriculum to get a sense of the big picture.
• Be a welcoming presence in the Sunday Storytellers classroom.
• Lead a name game or some other simple icebreaker so the children and adults in the room begin to feel connected.
• Read the story aloud.
• Ask wondering questions.
• Lead the Hands-on-Bible verse search.

Guide

This is the “second adult in the room,” the person who will support the Storyteller and help deliver specific parts of the curriculum. Again, this is typically a volunteer and many different volunteers can fill this role and work in rotation. Here’s what the Guide can do:

• Be a welcoming presence in the Sunday Storytellers classroom
• Make sure all goes as smoothly as possible for the storyteller during the session
• Sit next to children who are having a difficult time paying attention
• Redirect and/or temporarily step out with children who are unable to sit and listen
• Explain the craft or activity and help the children get started
• Assist with getting snack ready and distributed