MULTIMEDIA

Guardians of Ancora 

(Scripture Union)

The game is free to download and to play.

Targeted at 8-11 year olds the game will challenge children to restore the light to the World of Ancora found in the Bible stories, by immersing themselves in the story as they run, jump, solve puzzles and uncover the truth of the story. The game players are encouraged to reflect on those experiences in ways that supports their own personal faith formation. Playable on all the major Tablet computer platforms, the graphics and gameplay are focused on being as good as other games that children play at the moment. Find out more at www.guardiansofancora.com

The Scripture Union development team say:

At Easter thousands of children and parents saw the game up close at Spring Harvest, and the response excitement and enthusiasm. One mum told us “At last I have a game that I’d love him to play, and he wants to play it”, whilst another boy who owned up to being a bit of a gamer, playing Minecraft a lot said ”I cannot wait for this, and I’ll tell my friends about it as well”

The launch version is just a stage in the development of what we pray will be a game that covers the whole message of God’s salvation from Creation to Revelation. The vision is to connect hundreds of thousands maybe millions of children to the Bible stories through the playing of the game, and through that a relationship with Jesus. Already churches and leaders who have seen early test versions of the game at events throughout the world are thinking of ways they can use the game to develop their ministry and support them in evangelism.

Sue says: Download the game and play it yourself but, more importantly, get children to play it, ask them to tell you what they think and how you might use it in your church and encourage them to tell their friends about it, giving them a great way to share the Gospel message.

Bible for kids

(LifeChurch.tv)

The game is free to download and to play.

Targeted at 6-8 year olds, discover the Bible through interactive adventure and beautiful animations. With stories written by Bob Hartman.

Easy navigation, colourful illustrations, touch-activated animations, engaging content that brings the Bible to life, fun facts and activities designed to help children remember what they learn, special challenges that earn rewards..

What’s in the Bible? 

(Phil Vischer, Jellyfish Labs)

Fom the creator of the popular Veggietales characters, 13 DVDs (26 episodes of approximately 25-30 minutes) covering Genesis to Revelation. Using puppets, animation, songs and Phil himself, this series teaches about the Bible and its story – God’s great rescue plan. We may know the stories of Moses, Noah, David and Jesus, but how do they fit together to tell one big, redemptive story? Plus Why do we call it Christmas? DVD.

‘I’ve never been more excited about a children’s DVD series,’ says bestselling author Francis Chan. ‘I started out watching with my 4 and 5 year olds. Before long, my 10 and 14 year olds were intrigued, as well as my wife. I’m amazed that it kept the attention of all of us while teaching us all key biblical truths.’

For more information about the content of each DVD, the series in general and related resources go to whatsinthebible.co.uk

Sue says: Although aimed primarily at children, these DVDs will be enjoyed by, and have much to teach, young teens and adults too. They can be used in children’s groups, all age settings and by families at home. My only complaint is that Phil didn’t find an English friend to provide the voices for the English puppet characters!

Friends and Heroes 

Based in a fascinating and turbulent period of history, 69-71 AD, Friends and Heroes places Bible stories in a historical context. Using animation, Bible stories are set in living contexts amongst the people who kept them alive, passing them on ‘down the line’ to children. It demonstrates the reasons why these stories were preserved and the impact the stories and their preservation had on those who kept them alive. Cartoon-style 2D animation tells the adventure stories, mixing seamlessly to 3D animation for the Bible stories, two or three of which are interwoven in each episode. Macky and the gang will appeal to today’s children; they are very real characters and just like us they don’t always get things right! They face similar issues and dilemmas to those faced by youngsters today.

There are also resources to use in church, in schools and for home educators.

For more information about the individual DVDs and related resources go to www.friendsandheroes.com

Relive

4 packs on the topics of Easter, Christmas, Parables and Miracles. Each pack contains 6 short films (approximately 5-10 minutes) and extensive follow up resources for churches or schools. Each film introduces a Bible story through the eyes of one of the characters involved. These characters become the storyteller, reliving what happened and bringing the story to life in a highly entertaining, thoughtful and contemporary way. Additional Church Resources include lesson plans for children’s groups and teaching ideas to incorporate the films into kids clubs and all age services. Additional Schools Resources include RE lesson plans, collective worship ideas and background notes.

For more information and a DVD trailer go to www.reliveresources.co.uk

Sue says: these are well produced films with a gently humorous take on Easter, Christmas and the miracles of Jesus.

Parables

(Taylormation)

Two DVDs  with 6 short animated films presenting parables from the Bible in a fun, interesting and modern way. Aimed at 6-12 year olds, the DVD is suitable for children at home, within church children’s work and in school assemblies (working alongside Key Stage 1 & 2 and the SEAL themes). A free downloadable teaching pack helps make the most out of each film.

Parables Covered:

• The Parables of the Talents
• The Ten Virgins
• The Wise and Foolish Builders
• The Lost Sheep
• The Workers in the Vineyard
• The Hidden Treasure

Guardians of Ancora: the inside story

(Maggie Barfield & Terry Clutterham, 2015 conference)

Enter the amazing, fictional world of Ancora and discover the true, living world of the Bible. Showcasing the app and challenging you with the thinking about the Bible and our digitally-wired children that has gone into it.

Delegate rating 8/10