As GFS Leaders, how can we learn to take a theme and develop it into a wonderful learning experience for our branch/group? By working together we can develop ideas and create an exciting programme.

SOME GUIDELINES: Look at a theme (see ideas below) under the following headings and try and think in a new, fresh way about the topic.

TEACHING: What teaching from God’s Word reminds you of this topic?

EXPLORATION / DISCUSSION TIME: Is there a problem to solve or a topic for your girls to “debate”?

DECOR: How could you create an atmosphere for this programme?

CRAFT: Think of a craft that fits, or design a craft with an appropriate verse on it. Try to use different materials.

GAMES: Think of some games that are suitable or create some new games to complement the topic.

MUSIC: Slot in some songs–write a new song to a known tune

ACTIVITY SHEETS OR PUZZLES: Ideas? Find-a-word, crosswords, mazes, codes/ciphers, colouring sheets, etc

VIDEO: Is there an applicable video or teaching aid you could use?

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Branch leaders as a group should write their creative ideas on sheets of paper and then bring them all together on a large sheet for everyone to share their CREATIVE BRILLIANCE! From the list of ideas branch leaders can develop a programme based on a theme.

Here is a Creative Programming Worksheet

Some themes you could try this with are:

Lost & Found	Serving
Choices	Following
Surprise	Hands
Seasons	Belonging
Light	Animals
Passports	Treasure

Divide the children into two teams. Write a number on each child’s hand. Select the child from each who has a #1 to be goalie. Mark off a goalie “box.” The goalie may not move out of this area. Call the children who have the highest number to come to the center to start the game. The leader tosses a beach ball in the air. The object of Crazy Soccer is to bat the beach ball across the playing area to the goalie who must catch it to score a point. After the point is scored, both goalies become players. The children with #2 on their hands, now become goalies. The only rule is the ball may not be grabbed, only hit.

Use laundry baskets or large waste baskets as the “goal”. Divide into teams and play like regular basketball. Balloons must stay in the container for points to be scored. Minus 2 points for broken balloons. Be sure and have ample balloons blown up and ready to use, as many will be popped during play!

Divide the children into two teams, standing facing each other. All children put their hands behind their backs, palms up. The leader gives each team a tennis ball, by placing it at the feet of the first team member. At the signal, the first players pick up the ball and pass it behind their backs, hand to hand. If a ball drops, it may be retrieved. After each round, the first child moves to the end position.

There are a number of slightly different GFS Prayers that are prayed around world. Since 1981 this is the GFS Prayer that is prayed in Australia at GFS events and meetings.

GFS is a family. Thus we begin our prayer with the words

            “God, Our Father”

And then we ask for our Heavenly Father’s blessing on all the members of the GFS family. This includes all those who live in other towns, states and countries who are GFS members.

            “We thank you for your goodness and love to us and to all who belong to GFS.”

Next in our prayer we are reminded of our Motto to remember others and forget ourselves and only by doing this can we honestly pray to live as members of one family in Jesus Christ.

            “Help us to bear one another’s burdens as members of one family in Jesus Christ.”

The following section of our prayer helps us recall that our Lord died for us and it is only through God’s grace that we are forgiven. It makes us mindful too that the Holy Spirit is within us and helping us to overcome our faults and to give our best in every part of our daily lives.

            “May we grow in grace through your spirit who lives in us”

Finally, we pray that God is the Ruler and King of our hearts and lives, now and forever, so that we may know His joy and to share His joy with others.  We ask all this in the name of Jesus our Saviour.

            “and know in our lives the joy of your eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen”