It's Bob here.

Remeber the article called [[ material title]] you downloaded from my website  in [[download_time]] ?. I hope it was helpful to you

I've been experimenting with a new style of evangelistic party which is working quite well for me.  Maybe it will give you some ideas for your next party.

The format starts off quite similar to what I've been doing for years:

1) A craft or other activity which people can start when they arrive.  I know only too well that if I tell my neighbours the party starts at 4 pm that some will not get their until 5 pm.  

Yesterday we celebrated Chinese New Year (a few days early) and the craft was to make lanterns.  That was good for both children and adults. When we hung them up we added riddles which those present attempted to solve.

2) A game that involves everyone -- adults and children.

Yesterday we had a relay of using chopsticks to move pingpong balls and marbles from one side of the yard to the other.; We divided into teams based on the first letter in our first name. This gets everyone together in advance of the next activity

3) A discovery time. This is the biggest change. Not a talk from the front, but people interacting with the Bible. We involve everyone, children and adults, in discovering  for themselves what the Bible says.

Yesterday we divided up the group (adults and children) based their birthday.  The groups were a bit uneven so I asked a few people to move.

I then gave them a sheet with a Bible passage and a few questions.  My instructions were simple: Ask one person to read the story. Another member will then attempt to tell the story in their own words.  The rest of the group will point out what they missed or added.

There is a lot of laughter as people attempt to retell the story and get stuck. The rest of the group then helps them out. Experience tells me  that those are the parts of the story the group will remember the longest.

Then a few simple questions like: 

• What does this passage tell you about people?
• What does this passage tell you about God?
• What is the main point of this passage?

4) Someone will then do a wrap up.  Maybe we will ask each group to