Resources
Bad
Shepherds in rehearsal. Youth Bible training programmes
We found that the Bible study programmes for youth available from Christian
bookshops were too 'Southern', too 'middle-class', and really only
worked for teens from church backgrounds. So we made our own.
Project Joshua
This was a major Bible memorisation programme for 14s-18s which we ran
in 2002. To use it, hand out the layout sheets one at a time, and provide
a binder to keep them in. We used funky transparent purple binders,
and gave away gel pens. Hand out the memory cards as they come up.
Download layout.
Download memorisation cards.
Project Elijah
This follow-up to Project Joshua was about learning to pray. Follow the
same format as Project Joshua, except this time there are no cards
to give out.
Download layout.
Bible Study
Follow our small group Bible studies online.
Christmas Carols
Download the Stechford Carol
Book
The Bad Shepherds
The Bad Shepherds is a Christmas musical with
just five songs which can therefore be rehearsed and performed by a reasonably
committed youth group and Sunday School in about five weeks.
The main concept behind The Bad Shepherds is that — contrary to most modern nativity plays — shepherds in 1st century Israel were regarded as (and usually were) no better than thieves and ruffians. Starting from there, suddenly the Christmas story links much more closely with the themes of the rest of the Gospel (which can easily get lost round Christmas) — Christ coming into the world to save sinners.
We will put up sheet music for the songs fairly soon. We also choreographed some basic dance routines, but this is something you should do with your own group to suit their abilities.
Casting is very important — you need to cast some people with real comic timing as the shepherds (giving them opportunities they don't usually get) and as Doris. Joseph doesn't get any lines, but he and Mary really have to act if they are to bring off their part successfully. We shot the angel Gabriel on DV video and played it back through a projector. This requires more practice from Mary and the Shepherds, but it strong impact and also means that you can have a child as Gabriel who might freeze on their lines live.
Download the Script here.
Download the song lyrics here and here.
Download the songs here
Stechford Baptist has been a vibrant, creative community for many decades.
Recent projects include a new musical, written, rehearsed and presented by the church called The Bad Shepherds.
Feel free to browse and use the various resources collected on this page. Please do remember that they are copyright works — you may use them for free, but you may not sell them.
Stechford Baptist Church • Victoria Road • Stechford • Birmingham B33 8AH. Map. Stechford is in the Stechford and Yardley North Ward, and is close to Hodge Hill.