Faith in Kids

We all have  different and particular needs and expectations. In all likelihood we have someone autistic in our church, or know someone parenting a child with autism. It can feel like we can't help, or we don't know what to do.Feel reassured and confident, we have a three part mini-series exploring the world of autism to help you. This first episode is full of stories from Mark Arnold. We also hear from Sophie and her daughter Phoebe who is Autistic. Our brilliant guests help us explore, understand and feel reassured. There is the usual fun, so join Ed and Amy as they ask the hard questions that you've sent in.People:Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in Kids. He is the author of Meals with Jesus, the Wonder of Easter and The Adventure of Christmas.Amy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Mark Arnold (The Additional Needs Blogfather) - is the Additional Needs Ministry Director for Urban Saints’ pioneering additional needs ministry, including training, consultancy, conference speaking and resourcing. He is co-founder of the ‘Additional Needs Alliance’, a learning and support community of almost three thousand organisations, children’s & youth workers, parents and more who are passionate about inclusion and belonging in the UK and beyond. Mark is founder of ‘The Dads Fire Circle’, a place for dads and dad figures for children, young people and young adults with additional needs to gather, share and support each other. . Mark is the author of ‘How To Include Autistic Children And Young People In Church’. Mark is dad to James, a 20-year-old Autistic young man, who journeys with Epilepsy, Learning Difficulties and Anxiety.Sophie Killingley is a freelance artist specialising in lettering, cartooning and writing. She loves to letter/calligraphise  (made up word alert) on just about any surface with any pen. These amusing, satirical and uplifting offerings are added almost daily to her Instagram page. Her cartoons and illustrations are quirky offerings of satire, humour and heart from her perspectives on mental health, being an autism parent, and the niche madhouse which is Christian culture.Her work can be found here Sophie has designed a creative spiritual journal called Draw Near.Phoebe Killingley is Sophie's  amazing 15 year old daughter. She is autistic. But above all else she is a precious child of God, who trusts him to be leading her through life, just like the rest of us.Resources mentioned in the show:1000 gifts by Ann VoskampWelcome to Holland (a poem) by Emily Perl KingsleySupport the show

The book is here! Yes thats right, and we went live! TO THE WORLD! But its ok, you can still join the conversation!Ed is joined by Mary (Ed's Wife) and Carl (Ed's Editor) as they talk about how we can use 'Raising Confident Kids' in our homes with our kids. Mary questions Ed's stories, Carl gives us an insight into how long it takes Ed to send in an email, and you asked some questions! Which were answered!Catch up on the Live event now!People:Carl Laferton - is Editorial Director at The Good Book Company and is a member of Grace Church Worcester Park, London. He is the best-selling author of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross and God's Big Promises Bible Storybook, and also serves as series editor of the God's Word for You series. Before joining TGBC, he worked as a journalist and then as a teacher, and pastored a congregation in Hull. Carl is married to Lizzie, and they have two children.Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in Kids. He is the author of Meals with Jesus, the Wonder of Easter and The Adventure of Christmas.Mary Drew - is Ed's Wife!Get the book here:Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing WorldSupport the show

This is the one were we're brave and talk about our bodies and Sex! Eeek!Thankfully we can be easily put to rest as we have Patricia Weerakoon, a Christian Sexologist, helping us think through what we say, how we say it, and when to say it.Laugh at Ed and Amy's awkwardness and be encouraged by this episode, Parents really are the first resort on all things for their kids!People:Patricia Weerakoon - is a sexologist, academic author and speaker focusing on healthy sexuality and relationships. After a 22-year career as an academic at the University of Sydney, she retired. Since retirement she has followed her passion to educate people of all ages on good holistic sexual health by speaking and writing in the area from a Christ focussed Biblical framework. Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in Kids. He is the author of Meals with Jesus, the Wonder of Easter and The Adventure of Christmas.Amy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Resources:You and me by the book (for 4-7 year olds)Birds and Bees by the book  (for 7-10 year olds)Growing up by the book (for 10-14 year olds)Teen sex by the book (for 15-18 year olds)Talking sex by the book (for Parents)Support the show

The special guest is... Ed Drew! He's written a book. It's out!Hear the Editor's guide to writing a book, Amy's top tips for the little people in your head and Ed's desire to avoid being the guru with the radical hot take. This episode is all about helping parents to help their children know 'who they are' before 'how they should behave.'People:Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in Kids. He is the author of Meals with Jesus, the Wonder of Easter and The Adventure of Christmas.Amy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Support the show

Lets talk about those sporty kids. How do we balance sports and church? What about modelling Christ-likeness? How do we parent sporty kids, when there isn't a sporty bone in our body?Join Ed, Amy as they chat with Ian Lancaster (Lancs) from Christians in sports about how we can support our kids and help them navigate the world of sport. Ed and Amy spill the beans in parenting blunders, and Lancs helps them, and us, with some practical tips.Resources highlighted in this podcast:To receive a copy of the free booklet for parents from Christians in Sport go here.Christians in Sports’ resourcesListen to this podcast with Gaynor, a Mum of top-level teenagers, talking about how she has navigated the issue of Church and the clash with sport on Sundays.Listen to this podcast with Sally, a Mum with four children, all of whom have been on Elite sport pathways.Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing World by (our own) Ed DrewPeople:Ian Lancaster - Ian was on the books of Carlisle United FC as a young professional and is now a football coach at grassroots level. He is a parent of three sporty children. Part of Ian’s role within Christians in Sport over the years has been to help establish their work with young people who compete in a sports club or team or are on an elite performance pathway.Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in Kids. He is the author of Meals with Jesus, the Wonder of Easter and The Adventure of Christmas.Amy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Support the show

Hope you like fish! Peter and the disciples end up with waaaay more than they bargained for – and Peter has another one of this funny turns. This miraculous catch is the ninth sign of seven, which doesn’t make any sense, but then again, John’s gospel is all about Jesus’s abundance! And brace yourself for fun facts about fishing indoors on ice with a fire, catfish noodling and trout tickling.Here’s a picture of that fragment of John’s gospel from Jam on John.Music: Have You Seen the Sign? By Michael J Tinker from Michael and the Topsy Turvy KingdomSketch by James Cary.  Performed by Rob and Nat Holman.Support the show

It's Easter! And the best sign of the seven is the, er, eighth! Jesus raised Lazarus, but what happens when Jesus is crucified? You probably know this one...In this episode, we focus on the reaction of Thomas in John 20:24-31.But also, what have you touched? And how many pyramids were built? And how tall were they, in football pitches? And what happened in 1311 in Lincoln that became a world beater? Plus more from Jam's massive brain in Jam on John.Sketch by James Cary. Performed by Nat and Rob Holman.Music from Michael J Tinker The Rock Went A Rolling Find out more about Michael's brilliant catalogue here.Support the show

Does parenting ever feel like a never ending to-do list? Do you ever feel overwhelmed as a parent? Parent, you're not alone! Christ comes to our aid as he gives us His Spirit and the Church to aid us in raising kids to have changed hearts for Jesus. Join Ed, Amy, and Anna as they share their disaster stories, and Gods grace in action as we see we are 'works in progress'.Resources highlighted in this podcast:‘I’m not finished yet’ bonus sessionParenting for Faith Key ToolsParenting Children for a Life of Faith Omnibus Edition (includes section on growing confidence and purpose in children)Being God’s Child: A Parent’s Guide or pre-order option available at Blackwells Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing World by (our own) Ed DrewPeople:Anna Hawken - is the Parenting for Faith Ministry Team Lead at BRF. She hosts their podcast, presents their babies and toddlers course and is the author of 'Being God's Child: A Parent's Guide', which comes out in July. She lives in Milton Keynes with her husband Matt and their three under-eights. She cheats at life by living next door to her parents, who volunteer for rainy school runs and provide missing ingredients for dinner!Ed Drew - is the Director of Faith in Kids. He is the author of Meals with Jesus, the Wonder of Easter and The Adventure of Christmas.Amy Smith - is a writer for Faith in Kids.Support the show

What did a farmer find in the ground that turned out to be one of the discoveries of the century? So big, it can’t be measured in football pitches! Today, Zoe turns up in John’s Gospel and, more importantly, Jesus turns tears into joy. But there are definitely tears as we look at Jesus’s seventh sign, featuring his friend Lazarus. Read all about it in John 11.Music: Home in Heaven by Slugs and BugsSketch written by James CarySketch and readings performed by Nat and Rob Holman.Support the show

Jam explains that he just doesn’t understand camping, and Ed confesses to being baffled by how people can play music. Fun facts on dogs, dolphins and owls, and a sketch in which a funny thing happens on the way to the Pool of Siloam. Jesus does his SIXTH sign in John 9:1-7, turning on the lights for a man born blind.Sketch by James Cary, performed by Rob and Nat Holman.Song: Have You Seen the Sign? by Michael J Tinker from Michael and the Topsy Turvy KingdomQuestionsU5s What did Jesus do so that the blind man could see. Super strange!5-7 How long had the man been blind?8-11 After hearing this story… What do you want to thank God for?11+ Is there someone you want to pray for, who can’t see the truth?Support the show