RESOURCE MATERIAL
for school assemblies, churches etc.
INTRODUCTION
The McDorwuffs are a fictional clan of small people who have a special relationship with God. They are rockherds, who tend the rocks and hills of the even farthest north. The stories explore situations to which people of all ages can relate.
The purpose of the books is to retell some of the familiar parables in a different and entertaining way. They aim to show something of the way in which God works in the world, intervening in an often unexpected manner but always showing an infinity of love and care.
Each story is self-contained and takes approximately fifteen minutes to read aloud.
Some of the suggested areas of discussion are more applicable to younger children, while others raise wider issues and could be used when working with older children and even adults. Suggestions are given for practical projects but there is scope for further imaginative, creative work around the themes expressed.
The Bible references are suggestions only. The stories contain many other elements which could be explored in discussion.
The simple prayers given are specifically related to each story. It would be good if children are encouraged to write and use their own.
Click below to see the resource material relating to the story in which you are interested:
Jamie and the Best Stone in the World
Theme
The story is about ownership and how, through pride and greed, desire can lead
to obsession. It is about friendship and the things that are of true
worth.
Suggested Bible readings
Matthew 13, v 45-46 'The Pearl of Great Price'
Possible areas for discussion
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Is it wrong to want possessions when so many people in the world have so little? |
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Some people are willing to pay vast sums of money in order to acquire art treasures which are then locked away. How should we use possessions - solely for the benefit of ourselves, or should we share them with others? Why should we share them if we have paid for them? |
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Many people have collections, sometimes of unusual things. Why do people like collecting and what sort of things do they collect? |
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Would it have been better if God had given Jamie a stern talking to, rather than letting him go off in search for the best stone in the world? Do we lean best through being told what to do or by our own experience? |
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Were Jamie's friends too forgiving? Would you have welcomed him back and helped clean his beach? |
Suggestions for practical work
Children to make their own collection of stones, or bring any collection of their own to the group/class and talk about it
Start a collection of something that could be used to raise money for charity
Examine the process whereby stones are cut and polished into gems
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us understand that everything
comes from you as a gift. Teach us not to be greedy, but to
share what we have with others. Our friends are more important than our
possessions and you are our greatest friend, someone we can talk to at any
time. Amen.
Angus and the Christmas Present
Theme
This story is about giving and
receiving. Angus wants to show his love for his friend by giving the best
present he can think of, irrespective of the cost to other people. But
this can prove to be a form of selfishness when set against God's immense love
which is freely and unselfishly given to everyone.
Suggested Bible readings
Matthew 2, v. 1-12
Psalm 8
Job 38, v 4-11
Genesis 1, 14-19
Possible areas of discussion
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This story could be especially applicable at Christmas, when God shows his love for us by giving us the tremendous present of himself in the form of a helpless baby. Why does God humble himself in this way? |
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How do our parents show their love for us, and how do we show our love for others - is it just by giving presents, or should we also give ourselves? What do we mean by 'giving ourselves'? |
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Is giving ever selfish? Can we buy love with presents? |
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A discussion could be had about the solar system, the endless cycle of sun, moon and stars, and the wonder that, in the midst of this immensity of space and time, there is a loving and caring God concerned for each and every one of us. |
Suggestions for practical work
Make the moon and stars as a mobile
Make Christmas presents for friends and relatives
Prayer
Lord God, you gave us the most precious gift
of all when you sent your son, Jesus, to be born in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Help
us to love each other as you love us. Amen.
Theme
This story is loosely based on the parable of
the Good Samaritan. The word 'Samaritan' has a very different meaning in
present-day society from that of Jesus' time. This story attempts to
re-create something of the original rejection and fear of Samaritans which was
felt by the Jews of that time. It has also tried to give a character to the man who 'fell
among thieves'.
Suggested Bible readings
Luke 10, v 25-37
Luke 18, v 9-14
Luke 12, v 13-21
Psalm 23
Possible areas for discussion
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We need other people and we need God. We are taught that we should be self-reliant. How far is this a good thing? |
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Did Robbie bring his troubles on himself because he did not heed the warnings? Did he deserve to be rescued? Don't we all sometimes think we know best and do things we have been told not to do? |
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How does God help us? He always answers our prayers but not necessarily in the way we expect. |
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Samaritans in Jesus' time were people to be hated and despised. Polar bears in this story were to be feared. Are we sometimes frightened of what is different or unknown? |
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Hamish and his
companions were so busy with their own affairs that they could not find the
time to investigate the noise they heard. How busy are we with our own
affairs? Do we find the time to help those in need? Can we blame
the McDorwuffs for running away? |
Suggestions for practical work
Talk about and encourage ways in which the children can be 'good neighbours'
Visit a wildlife park or zoo to see a real polar bear
Start a project to find out all about polar bears
Encourage children to speak or write about their own fears
Prayer
Lord, we are sometimes so busy with our own
lives that we don't see when others are in trouble and need help. Teach us
to become aware of the needs of others and make us good neighbours. Amen.
Lord, we cannot manage our lives on our own. We turn to you with our problems. Help us to know that you are our friend in times of trouble, our light in dark places, our strength against fear and our protector in times of danger. Amen.
Theme
This story attempts to look afresh at some of
the issues raised in the parable of the Prodigal Son, such as the desire for
change and adventure, the nature of friendship and where true happiness and
contentment lie.
Suggested Bible readings
Luke 15, v 11-32
Psalm 121
Genesis 12 v 1-4
Possible areas for discussion
| We all feel bored at times and wish for change. Discuss what motivated great explorers. |
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Will change by itself bring contentment and happiness? |
| Was Fergus right to go to the big city? Was Hamish right to let him go and give him money for the journey? |
| Why did Fergus get into such a mess? When he ran out of money why didn't his new friends help him? |
| When Fergus was welcomed home by the McDorwuffs, his brother Stuart felt he did not deserve it. Didn't Stuart have a point? |
Suggestions for practical work
Make a map or model of Fergus's travels
Interview one another, as if for a television news item, about the place you would most like to visit and why
Visit a centre which provides aid and shelter to homeless people
Prayer
Help us, Lord, to face whatever life brings
in a spirit of adventure, looking forward to every new challenge in the
knowledge that you are always by our side, watching over us, caring for us and
loving us. Help us to value our family and friends and appreciate their
importance in our lives. Amen.
Theme
This story is concerned with the issues of
war and peace, of territorial rights, migration and immigration, and the
assimilation of different customs and cultures. It raises questions
concerned with the ownership of the land - do we really 'own' the land on which
we live, or are we entrusted by God to act as stewards?
Suggested Bible readings
Isaiah 11 v 6-9
Exodus 3 v 7-12
Matthew 15 v 21-28
Revelation 21 v 22-27
Possible areas for discussion
| The McDorwuffs were frightened of newcomers, thinking that they would take their land, homes and jobs and introduce an alien culture. Talk about recent or historical situations that mirror this theme. |
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Discuss race relations, thinking about issues not only concerned with the colour of people's skin, but also people of different faith and culture. What exactly do we fear from those who are 'different' from us, and is this fear justified? |
| Just as each person is unique, should we not also welcome the differences between races as another manifestation of God's infinite diversity in his creation - or should we deplore the disharmony? |
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The McDorwuffs ask God for advice but appear not to heed it. Are we guilty of instructing God rather than listening to him? How should we listen to God? |
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Wars arise from a gradual process of small events. How, in this story, could the hatred and fear that developed have been prevented from escalating? |
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What part did God play in
uniting the shepherds and the McDorwuffs? |
Suggestions for practical work
Act out the confrontation and reconciliation between the McDorwuffs and the shepherds
Involve the children in a project forming practical ties with children overseas
Prayer
Lord, forgive us when we have been selfish,
when we have wanted to keep everything and share nothing. There is room on
this earth for all your creatures. Help us to live in love and harmony
with everyone. Amen.
Theme
This story is based on the parables of the
lost sheep and the lost coin. Its aim is to show that nothing is small or
unimportant to God, and that each one of us is as precious to him as Kirstie's
stone was to her.
Suggested Bible readings
Luke 5, v 3-10
Possible areas for discussion
| Colin and Hamish thought Kirstie was making a fuss over nothing because her lost stone was small and unimportant. Were they right and Kirstie wrong? |
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What made Colin decide to help Kirstie? What is having a bad conscience? Where does it come from? |
| The small and unimportant stone was the one that brought Kirstie back on the right road, the road home. Is that true of things in our own lives? |
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Does God care for us in the same way that Kirstie cared for her stone? |
Suggestions for practical work
Discuss and write down the things that children think are unimportant. What about people - are there individuals or groups that children think are not worth bothering about? This could lead to:
A visit or project involving the elderly or the mentally or physically disabled with the aim of showing that everyone can make a contribution to each other and to society
Prayer
As each sheep is precious to the good
shepherd and each stone precious to Kirstie, so we thank you, Lord, that we are
all precious to you. Thank you for caring for each one of us. Teach
us to care for others. Amen.
ANDREW AND THE FISH THAT GOT AWAY
Theme
This story is about the selfishness of trying
to live in isolation from society - of neglecting the responsibilities one has
as part of the community, yet welcoming help in time of need.
Suggested Bible readings
Luke 6, v 46-49
Luke 10, 25-28
Jonah 2, 5-7
Possible areas for discussion
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Do we disregard others when pursuing our own interests? Do we always do the things we ought and help people in need? |
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When Morag talked to God, God did not speak to her directly, but Morag knew he was there and was comforted. How do we know that God is there and listens to us? |
| What lesson did Andrew learn from his experience? |
Suggestions for practical work
Encourage a project about fish, finding out about the habitat and habits of different varieties
Visit a nearby river, pond or stream, or possibly acquire an acquarium
Get children to write about or act out a situation where they behave selfishly, putting their own interests first
Prayer
Lord, we all put our own interests first from
time to time. Teach us to see how selfish this is and how hurtful it can
be to others. Amen.
Theme
This story is about leadership and authority
and the corrupting influence that power can bring. It is about the
relationship of the individual and society to God, about free-will and choice.
Suggested Bible readings
Luke 20, v 7-12
Luke 18, v 1-8
Isaiah 40, 21-25
Exodus 18, v 13-27
1 Samuel, v 1-9
Ecclesiastes 1, v 1-10
Exodus 19, v 17-25
Mark 2, 23-28
Possible areas for discussion
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Hamish is full of his own importance. He thinks he can do without God. Can we do without God? |
| From his first small step in not listening to God, Hamish followed a path which set himself up in opposition, first acting as a dictator to the McDorwuffs then ending up ostracized and alone. What lessons does that have for us? |
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What is leadership? What are the qualities of a good leader? |
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Did it surprise you that the McDorwuffs wanted Hamish to remain their Head of the Clan at the end of the story? Was their decision the right one? |
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Do we need laws and, if so, who should enforce them? |
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The McDorwuffs learned that you do not have to go to a special place to talk to God. It helped them to go to the top of the mountain, just as it helps us by going to church or another place of worship. But you can talk to God at any time and in any place. |
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There are many things we cannot
see but know that they exist, like electricity and radio waves. We
cannot see God but we know that he exists. What proof do we
have? |
Suggestions for practical work
Make a list of the school rules, get the children to suggest others and discuss them
Each class should choose a leader to represent them all. What influences their choice?
Visit a church, synagogue or mosque
Prayer
Lord God, we pray for those in positions of
authority over us. Help them to use their power wisely and with justice.
Help us, Lord, to know that we can talk to you at any time and in any place. Thank you for your unceasing care and love for us. Amen.