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  • ‘Words of peace’ session plan

    Words of Peace Christmas session outline

    Make sure you get your hands on our new 45-minute Christmas-themed session plan with games, video, Bible discussion and inspiring stories from young Christians facing persecution for their faith in Jesus.

    Help your group see how young Christians around the world are seeking peace this Christmas and encourage them to send their own words of peace to raise brave faith in them and in teenagers facing persecution.

    Download the session now using the form on this page!

    • Download the Words of Peace session outline now...

    • Fill out your details below to get an instant download of our free 'Words of Peace' Christmas session outline, perfect for use with youth or small groups.

      You can also use this form to sign up for regular email or postal mailings from us - we will only do this if you opt in, otherwise, we won't contact you, except to send you a link to the session via email. If you have any issues submitting the form, just email us at youth@opendoorsuk.org and we'll get back to you asap

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  • NANO

    Open Doors Youth NANO are a series of themed simple session outlines that focus on incredible stories from persecuted Christians. Whilst the sessions all highlight the context of persecution, you can use the material to work through key discipleship themes.

    We passionately believe the persecuted church has much to teach us about what being a Christian looks like – our persecuted family aren’t just victims, but courageous and passionate followers of Jesus who can inspire and challenge us to a braver faith. And that’s why we’ve put these ideas together.

    Free themed session outlines

    We’ve created NANO as way to show that the real stories from persecuted Christians can inspire all kinds of areas of our faith as we grow as Christians. We shouldn’t just hear from our global church family one Sunday a year or when the theme of persecution arises in the news. Persecuted Christians have so much to teach us about prayer, forgiveness, passion, worship, giving, distraction, hope, perseverance, God’s plan for us and much, much more. And the lessons they can bring to us just seem all the more authentic and valuable because of the context of threat, violence and intimidation that they live with.

    Just sign up to check out the sessions and see for yourself. We’re releasing sessions regularly (every 2-3 months). Most will have videos, all will have interactive activities, Bible material and prayer times, plus all have been written to work both online or in person (depending on lockdown restrictions). The outlines aren’t exhaustive – they can be used as a script for a session or you can take the elements you think that will work for you and adapt the rest.. you’ll know what will work best in your group.

    The current sessions

    Prayer series – featuring Pete Grieg video explainers
    To launch Nano we’ve created a series on prayer. These four short sessions look at what prayer is (and how to do it authentically), answered prayer, unanswered prayer and how to persevere in prayer.

    Forgiveness session
    A simple session featuring an incredible video story from teenager Jeovani whose life was radically changed after an attack on his church several years ago. Includes game ideas, Bible reflection and questions along with suggested prayer points too.

    Truth or Lie session
    A session outline focussing on truth and lies, looking specifically at the way Christians in India are being excluded, threatened and attacked because of the lies being told about them. This session has some real concrete actions to take that will help your group make an active difference to the situations facing Christians in India.

    Identity session
    A simple session focussing on a video story from Manga in Nigeria whose dad was killed in an attack by Boko Haram. Manga was left with serious scars after the attack, but instead of letting those who gave him the scars define his identity, he chose to see the scars as a sign of how God saved his life. It’s a powerful story that we’ve combined with some Bible passages, discussion points and a reflective prayer activity too.

    Cred session
    How much importance do we place on what others think of us? We all want to have a good reputation, to have decent cred, but do we forget to prioritise the fact that it’s God’s love for us that matters most. This session uses the incredible story of teenager Soy in Laos to inspire us to let how God sees us come first. Featuring Soy’s video story plus Bible, prayer, game and discussion ideas.

    Change session
    How do we react when faced with change and uncertainty. Learn from young Christians in China whose youth camp was raided unexpectedly by police.

    Brother Andrew: A disciple of Jesus Christ
    A simple session that explores the inspiring life of Brother Andrew, encouraging us to say ‘yes’ to God and to be braver in our journey with Jesus.

    Get some or all of the sessions using the form below – all are simple downloads, so you’ll get them immediately. Woo.

    Get your free NANO resources

  • God with us: Christmas themed youth session

    God with us: Christmas themed youth session outline…

    We know Christmas is a manic time – there’s always lots going on, and it’s sometimes hard to find time to plan a decent session or small group because of all the parties, cakes and treats! But, don’t panic, we’re here to help with a little pre Christmas gift for all you busy youth workers!

    We’re created a simple Christmas session outline that you can use with only a bit of planning and prep (of course, you can use the session as you want and put in as much or as little of your own content and effort as you see fit). The session includes some teaching on the Christmas story, discussion points, stories from courageous Christians, a video, interactive prayer activities and some fundraising ideas too.

    The session focuses on the theme of ‘God with us’ – a key part of the Christmas message. We’ve used the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph’s escape to Egypt after the visit of the wise men to introduce the experience of displacement and persecution facing Christians around the world. Then the session focuses in on Syria as a specific example of where our church family are facing threats, intimidation and violence.

    Download it by filling in the form opposite and sign up to stay in touch with us too!

    Happy Christmas!

  • Leader gatherings

    All events will feature a speaker from the Middle East

    We love youth leaders. In fact, if you are a youth leader, we’d love to get to know you a bit better and meet in person.

    We’re holding a bunch of leaders’ gatherings throughout March across the UK and Ireland – and we’d love you to come along. These events are for church and youth leaders to connect and engage more deeply with the persecuted church. It’s an opportunity to meet face-to-face with a leader from the persecuted church, to share with them and learn from them. Come and be inspired, enriched and strengthened in your faith.

    There will be some special youth leader times at these events, so book on (they are all free).

    England:

    Bedworth

    Location: Life Church,
    Bedworth
    Date: Tuesday 10 March
    Time: 11.00am – 3:30pm

    Leeds

    Location: South Parade Baptist Church,
    Leeds
    Date: Wednesday 11 March
    Time: 11.00am – 3.30pm

    Chester

    Location: Audacious Church,
    Chester
    Date: Thursday 12 March
    Time: 11.00am – 3.30pm

    Bridgend

    Location: Vine Christian Centre,
    Bridgend
    Date: Tuesday 17 March
    Time: 11.00am – 3.30pm

    Taunton

    Location: Creech St Michael Baptist Church,
    Taunton
    Date: Wednesday 18 March
    Time: 11.00am – 3.30pm

    London

    Location: Westminster Chapel,
    London
    Date: Thursday 19 March
    Time: 11.00am – 3.30pm

    Northern Ireland:

    Strabane

    Location: The Bridge Church, Strabane
    Date: Friday 13 March
    Time: 11:00am – 3.30pm

    Scotland:

    Stirlingshire

    Location: Gartmore House
    Date: Friday 5- Saturday 6 June
    Time: 10:30am – lunchtime on the 6 June

  • God with us: Christmas themed youth session outline…

    We know Christmas is a manic time – there’s always lots going on, and it’s sometimes hard to find time to plan a decent session or small group because of all the parties, cakes and treats! But, don’t panic, we’re here to help with a little pre Christmas gift for all you busy youth workers!

    We’re created a simple Christmas session outline that you can use with only a bit of planning and prep (of course, you can use the session as you want and put in as much or as little of your own content and effort as you see fit). The session includes some teaching on the Christmas story, discussion points, stories from courageous Christians, a video, interactive prayer activities and some fundraising ideas too.

    The session focuses on the theme of ‘God with us’ – a key part of the Christmas message. We’ve used the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph’s escape to Egypt after the visit of the wise men to introduce the experience of displacement and persecution facing Christians around the world. Then the session focuses in on Syria as a specific example of where our church family are facing threats, intimidation and violence.

    Download it by filling in the form opposite and sign up to stay in touch with us too!

    Happy Christmas!

  • Youth leader resources

    We love youth leaders, you’re all very special indeed, and here is a bunch of inspirational and challenging resources you can download, adapt and use with your youth group.

    We’d love to know what you think of these resources and find out what sort of things you’d find helpful for us to produce to engage better with your groups in the future so do get in touch. We’re also out and about visiting groups and churches quite a bit, so if you’d like to request a youth speaker at a youth event you organise, then do drop us a line.

    Prayer

    Prayer is the cornerstone of what we do at Open Doors. We’d love you to think about praying regularly for persecuted christians with your youth group.

    ‘Guts and Courage’ 2019 prayer resource (Order here… / Download here…)
    Word Watch List 2019 Map Youth Version (Order here… / Download here…)
    World Watch List 2019 Youth Session (Order here… / Download here…)
    Pete Greig Prayer video series…

    Hidden Word

    In places where the Bible is banned, followers of Jesus memorise it. Hidden Word is a new resource to inspire young people to learn Scripture. The pack comes in a buriable bag, and includes six weeks of devotions and challenges, a leader’s guide, a ‘Hidden Word’ New Testament and Psalms, memorisation aides and a wealth of ideas, activities, stories and prayers.

    The pack is available for a £14 minimum donation (including UK postage), with discounts for 5 copies or more. The price for each pack includes the cost of sending a Bible to a persecuted Christian.

    See. Change.

    Around the world Christian women and girls are doubly vulnerable to persecution because of their faith AND their gender. Many suffer hidden, unseen persecution. We want to see Christian women and girls reach their potential, and that is what the See. Change. campaign is all about.

    Download a special See. Change. youth session outline and introduce your group to Leah from Nigeria, who Jesus over her freedom.

    Talks/Presentations and Notes

    We’ve created a few little presentations and talks with associated PowerPoints that you can download and use to give a talk on the persecuted church. Themes include ‘Guts and Courage’, ‘Pray With Them’ and ‘One Family’. Adapt and share as you see fit.

    Write a letter to a persecuted christian

    We know that persecuted christians need our encouragement and support. As well as praying for them we can also write directly to them, sharing Bible verses and thoughts of encouragement.

    Walk, bake, ride, run… With them

    Running, walking, baking, swimming, cycling… you can do just about anything to raise money for your persecuted family in Iraq and Syria by doing the things you love. Get tips, stories and all the help you need with our free fundraising pack. Download it today!

    One Family sessions and devotionals

    A group session and series of three reflections on the theme of family. Includes a standalone youth session resource with additional devotions for youth groups to take away!

    ‘One Family’ devotional resource (Order here… / Download here…)
    ‘One Family’ leader session (Download here…)

    Show. Tell. Change. Video session guide

    A free downloadable guide with four video based sessions including faces from Soul Survivor, Fusion and Summer Madness. Get your group thinking, discussing and praying about a radical relationship with God.

    Secret Screening: Free event pack

    Run an evening event with your group and focus prayer and discussion on the church in Syria. Hold a Secret Screening and base and evening of prayer and fundraising around our quality short film ‘The Cost’. Get a free downloadable pack, with resources to help you plan, advertise and run your Secret Screening below.

    Ten Steps with the persecuted Church resource

    A prayer, reflection and action resource inspired by the small steps taken by persecuted Christians around the world. Inspire your youth group to step up and step out in faith.

    ‘Ten Steps’ resource (Download here…)

    Blackout

    Blackout is a sponsored fast. It’s a challenge to spend the weekend in silence, either by not speaking and/or by staying clear of social networks. We hold a Blackout weekend each spring and hundreds of youth groups and people take part, raising money and prayer for persecuted christians.

    Secret Church

    Secret Church is a totally different way of doing church. Powerful, interactive, full of worship and faith, this is an experience that will help you to journey deeper into the world of the persecuted church. Find out more and run your own Secret Church service at the link below.

    The Cost

    The Cost is our little Open Doors Youth magazine. We mail it out around 3 times a year. You can view old editions at the link below and sign up to receive future mailings too.

    Videos

    We produce quite a few videos and films to tell the stories of brave, courageous and inspiring christians who know the true cost of following Jesus. Here’s some of our faves – please do share them with your groups and use to generate discussion and prayer.

    Joy (with Jasper Rutherford, Church Army/Summer Madness)
    Silence (with Gavin Calver, Evangelical Alliance)
    Worship (with Beth Croft, from Soul Survivor)
    My sister, Sarah (with Caleb Meakins, from Shift)
    Deborah’s story (with S.O, from Lamp Mode Recordings)
    Be bolder (with Miriam Swaffield, from Fusion)
    Silence (With Gav Calver from the Evangelical Alliance)
    The Cost, by the Rend Collective
    Hea Woo’s story / Radical Faith (North Korea focus)
    Fatima’s story / Risk Taking Christianity (quite harsh, you might not want to show to under 15s)
    Thankfulness / Helen Berhane (Eritrea focus)
    Worthy / Susan’s story (Uganda focus)
    Secret Church
    Blackout for Syria

    Stand Up: Youth leader sessions

    Here’s some simple session plans that you can download and use to run a youth group session themed around the issue of persecution.

    Stand up (part one)
    Stand up (part two)

    Audio files

    We occasionally put up a few talks on Sound Cloud that will inspire and challenge your faith with stories from the persecuted church. Have a look at the page below to listen in…

    Random things

    God’s Smuggler vintage comic about Brother Andrew

    Old Campaigns: It’s Time

    Our summer 2014 campaign saw over 1000 people ‘Wake Up and Pray’ with us. Although the campaign has now long finished, you can still download the reflection guide and adapt the sessions to use as youth group sessions.

    It’s Time ‘Wake up and pray’ guide
    It’s Time to Wake Up folding postcard

     

  • We support people who are beaten, tortured,
    imprisoned, falsely accused, and hated simply for following Jesus.