Leader’s guide · 12 weeks
Leader’s guide: Amy Carmichael (For Children)
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This guide helps you lead twelve weekly sessions on Amy Carmichael (For Children), the true story of a strong-willed girl from a village by the sea in Ireland who went to South India, never came home, and made a safe and loving family at Dohnavur for hundreds of children, beginning with one little girl who walked through the dark to find her. It is written for children aged 6 to 12, and works just as well for a Sunday school class, a homeschool group or a family around the table.
Each session takes about thirty minutes. Welcome the children and say the memory verse together (3 minutes). Read the week’s chapter aloud (5–7 minutes). Talk together using the chapter’s three questions (5–10 minutes). Do the activity (10 minutes). Close by praying the chapter’s short prayer, or one of your own (2 minutes).
To prepare, read the chapter yourself beforehand so nothing takes you by surprise, and have paper and crayons or pencils ready. A few chapters tell of children who could not live with their parents, of girls given away to live at temples, and of people Amy loved who died, so read those parts calmly and simply, use only the book’s own gentle words, never press anyone to share their own family story in front of the group, and keep coming back to the book’s steady message that every child matters to God. Amy loved India, wore its clothes and spoke Tamil, so speak of Indian people, Hindu families and Indian culture with warmth and respect; there is no need for costumes or accents, and the Indian friends in the story are Amy’s heroes and family, not a backdrop.
Week 1 — Brown Eyes
Amy Carmichael is born on 16 December 1867 in Millisle, a village by the sea in the north of Ireland, the eldest of seven in a praying family, and grows up lively, strong-willed and full of adventures. As a small girl she asks God to turn her brown eyes blue and finds them still brown in the morning, and learns that God had heard her and said no; long afterwards, in India, her brown eyes did not stand out. The big idea: God made each of us on purpose, just as we are, and when he says no he is still listening and can be trusted.
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — from Psalm 139
Memory verse
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
Psalm 139:14
Talk together
Where was Amy Carmichael born?
In Millisle, a little village by the sea in the north of Ireland, on 16 December 1867. She was the eldest of seven children.
What did Amy pray for when she was small, and what happened?
She asked God to make her brown eyes blue. In the morning they were still brown, and she learned that God had heard her and said no.
Have you ever prayed for something and the answer was no?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God made us just as we are, and that when he says no he is still listening and can be trusted.
Activity
Just the Way God Made Me
You will need: Paper and crayons
- Give each child a sheet of paper and have them draw a picture of their own face, with the right colour eyes and hair.
- Around the picture, have them draw three things they love to do, as Amy loved the sea and the boats.
- Help them write across the top, “God made me on purpose.”
- Hold up the pictures together and say the memory verse, pointing to yourselves on “wonderfully made.”
Pray
Dear God, thank you for making me just the way I am. Help me to trust you, even when your answer to my prayer is no. Amen.
Week 2 — A Comet and a Children’s Meeting
At about twelve Amy is sent to a boarding school in Harrogate in England, where she does not always like the rules and is very nearly sent home for leading the girls out of bed to look for a comet. At fifteen, at a children’s mission, she understands that God’s love is for her too and puts her trust in Jesus for herself; soon after, her father’s business is in trouble and the family moves to Belfast. The big idea: God loved us before we knew it and draws us gently with kindness, and children can truly know and love Jesus; the comet story is a welcome moment to smile.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; with kindness I have drawn you.” — from Jeremiah 31
Memory verse
Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
Talk together
What did Amy do when the girls were not allowed to stay up to see the comet?
The story goes that she got a group of girls to slip out of bed and watch for it at night, and she was very nearly sent home for it.
What happened to Amy at the children’s mission when she was fifteen?
She understood that God’s love was for her too, and she put her trust in Jesus for herself.
Do you think children can know and love Jesus? Why?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God loves us before we know it and draws us gently, and that we do not have to be grown up to trust him.
Activity
Come a Little Closer
You will need: Nothing
- Have the children stand in a line along the far wall while you stand at the other end of the room.
- Call out kind invitations one at a time, such as “Come one step closer if you like stars,” “if you have a brother or sister,” “if you have ever laughed today.”
- Keep going until every child has reached you, making sure the last calls include everyone, such as “if God loves you.”
- When all are gathered, say the memory verse together and remind them that God draws us gently, with kindness, not by pushing.
Pray
Dear God, thank you that you have loved me with an everlasting love. Help me to trust Jesus for myself, right now, while I am young. Amen.
Week 3 — The Old Woman’s Bundle
In Belfast Amy’s father dies when she is seventeen, she begins to suffer attacks of nerve pain that will trouble her all her life, and she helps her mother with the house and the younger children. One Sunday she and two brothers help a poor old woman carry her heavy bundle in front of all the smart churchgoers, and at a fountain Paul’s words about building with gold or with hay and stubble come into her mind so strongly that she settles something with God. The big idea: being admired burns up like straw, but love that bends down to help someone lasts like gold; mention her father’s death simply and move on.
“Each one’s work will be shown for what it is, whether it is gold or silver, or wood or straw.” — from 1 Corinthians 3
Memory verse
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
Talk together
What did Amy and her brothers do on the way home from church?
They helped a poor old woman who was struggling with a heavy bundle, taking her arms and carrying her load, even though people were watching.
What words came into Amy’s mind at the fountain?
Paul’s words about building with “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble.” They made her think about what would last.
How could you help someone this week, even if it felt a bit embarrassing?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that kindness done for God is like gold. It matters to him even when nobody else notices.
Activity
Gold or Straw?
You will need: Nothing
- Teach two signals: stand tall with arms up and say “Gold!”, or crouch low and say “Straw!”
- Read out things people might do, such as “Helping someone carry a heavy bag,” “Showing off a new toy,” “Playing with someone who is on their own,” “Being kind only when people are watching.”
- Let the children answer with the signals, and talk briefly about any they are unsure of.
- Finish by asking for one “gold” thing each child could do this week, and say the memory verse together.
Pray
Dear God, help me not to worry about what other people think of me. Help me to be kind to people who need help, and to build my life with gold. Amen.
Week 4 — A Hall Called the Welcome
Amy notices the “shawlies,” girls from the Belfast linen mills who were too poor to buy hats and felt out of place in church, and starts a Sunday class for them even though some church members are not pleased. When there are too many girls for the room she prays for a hall rather than asking anyone for money; the story goes that a lady named Kate Mitchell gives all five hundred pounds, a mill owner gives land, and the hall is called the Welcome, and a church still meets there today. The big idea: God’s family has room for everyone, and we can help people who are left out feel welcome.
“Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor.” — from Luke 14
Memory verse
Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.
Romans 15:7
Talk together
Who were the “shawlies”?
Girls who worked in the Belfast linen mills. They were too poor to buy hats, so they wrapped shawls around their heads.
How did the shawlies get a hall of their own?
Amy prayed and did not ask anyone for money. The story goes that a lady named Kate Mitchell gave the five hundred pounds, and a mill owner gave the land. The hall was called the Welcome.
Is there someone who often gets left out, whom you could welcome?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God’s family has room for everyone, and we can help people feel welcome.
Activity
Room in the Welcome
You will need: One large sheet of paper and crayons
- Draw a big hall on the large sheet of paper and write “The Welcome” over the door.
- Invite each child to draw a person inside the hall, and to make every person look different.
- As they draw, ask the group what helps a new person feel welcome, like a smile, saying their name, or saving them a seat.
- Put the finished hall where everyone can see it and say the memory verse together.
Pray
Dear Jesus, thank you that there is room for everyone in your family. Help me to notice people who feel left out, and to make them welcome. Amen.
Week 5 — The Dear Old Man
Amy moves to Manchester to help mill workers but soon wears herself out, and Robert Wilson, a kind old Quaker widower who helped start the Keswick Convention, invites her to his home at Broughton Grange, where he treats her like a daughter and she calls him “the Dear Old Man.” On 13 January 1892 Jesus’ command “Go ye into all the world” comes to her as if spoken to her alone; her mother gladly gives her to God, and in the end the Dear Old Man says yes too. The big idea: God gives lonely and tired people a family, and he can use us to be a friend to someone who is alone.
“God setteth the solitary in families.” — from Psalm 68
Memory verse
He said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 16:15
Talk together
Who was “the Dear Old Man”?
Robert Wilson, a kind old Quaker who took Amy into his home at Broughton Grange when she was ill, and treated her like a daughter.
What happened on 13 January 1892?
Jesus’ words “Go ye into all the world” came to Amy as if they were meant for her alone, and she was sure God was calling her to go and tell people about him.
Who could you be a friend to, if they are lonely?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God sets lonely people in families, and he can use us to care for them.
Activity
A Note for Someone Lonely
You will need: Paper and crayons or pencils
- Have each child fold a sheet of paper in half to make a card.
- Ask them to think quietly of someone who might feel lonely, such as a grandparent, a neighbour or a new child at school.
- On the front, have them draw something cheerful; inside, help them write “I am thinking of you” and sign their name.
- Pray together for lonely people, and encourage each child to give or post the card this week.
Pray
Dear God, thank you for my family and my friends. Please look after people who are lonely, and help me to listen when you call me. Amen.
Week 6 — Fur Gloves and a Winding Road
The doctors say Amy is not healthy enough for China, so the Keswick Convention sends her to Japan in 1893, where a young Japanese Christian woman puts her words into Japanese; when an old woman watches her fur gloves instead of listening, Amy decides to wear Japanese clothes so nothing gets in the way. Illness takes her to Ceylon, then the Dear Old Man’s stroke brings her home, but in October 1895 she sails for India, never to see her home country again. The big idea: Amy’s road wound this way and that, but God led her one step at a time, and we can trust him for the next step even when we cannot see the whole road.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and he will direct your paths.” — from Proverbs 3
Memory verse
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
Talk together
Why did Amy start wearing Japanese clothes?
On a visit to an old woman, she saw that the woman was looking at her fur gloves instead of listening, and she decided her foreign clothes should not get in the way.
Why did Amy leave Ceylon and go back to England?
News came that Robert Wilson, the Dear Old Man, had had a stroke, so she hurried home to look after him.
Is there something you are waiting to understand? How could you trust God with it?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God leads us one step at a time, even when the road winds and we cannot see where it goes.
Activity
One Step at a Time
You will need: One sheet of paper with “India” written on it, placed out of sight
- Before the session, write “India” on a sheet of paper and put it somewhere in the room the children cannot easily see.
- Line the children up behind you and explain that you will give only one instruction at a time, and they must trust you for the next.
- Lead them on a winding route with simple steps, such as “Three steps toward the door,” “Turn round,” “Tiptoe past the chairs.”
- End at the hidden sheet, read out “India!”, and say the memory verse together.
Pray
Dear God, when I do not understand what is happening, help me to trust you with all my heart. Please show me the next step. Amen.
Week 7 — The Starry Cluster
In India Amy learns Tamil, with Thomas Walker as her teacher and friend, then travels from village to village in the far south with a band of Indian Christian women called “the Starry Cluster,” led by her closest Indian friend, Ponnammal. Their bullock cart once rolls into a flooded pool and floats their books away, and they fish them out and go on “somewhat damp, but happy”; the work is slow, because for a Hindu family a child becoming a Christian was a very big step, but a girl named Arulai comes to live with Amy. The big idea: God asks us to be faithful, not famous or successful; speak respectfully of the Hindu families, for whom this was a real and painful choice.
“Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars for ever and ever.” — from Daniel 12
Memory verse
Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3
Talk together
Who travelled with Amy from village to village?
A small band of Indian Christian women, known by a Tamil name meaning “the Starry Cluster.” Its leading member was Ponnammal.
What happened when the bandy rolled into a pool?
The water floated their books out! They fished them out and went on, “somewhat damp, but happy.”
What is one little thing you could do faithfully every day?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God asks us to be faithful, not famous, and faithful people shine like stars.
Activity
Crash and Tumble Went the Bandy
You will need: Nothing
- Have the children sit in pairs, one behind the other, as if riding in a bullock cart with no springs.
- Tell the journey slowly while they act it: bumping over rough roads, leaning round corners, ducking under the mat roof, and singing as the band did.
- At “Crash and tumble went the bandy!”, have everyone tip gently sideways, then pretend to fish their floating books out of the water.
- Have them sit up and say together, “Somewhat damp, but happy!”, then talk about how the band kept going even when the work was slow.
Pray
Dear God, help me to be faithful in the little things you give me to do, every day, even when nobody notices. Amen.
Week 8 — “I Have Come to Stay”
In those days some little girls in South India were given away to live at temples, where they were not safe or cared for. In March 1901 a girl of about seven named Preena, who had once walked for three days to find her mother, walks alone to Pannaivilai to find the lady she had been told “steals children,” climbs onto Amy’s knee and says, “I have come to stay”; when the temple women come for her she cries, “I won’t! I won’t!”, and Amy and the Walkers keep her safe, paying fourpence halfpenny. The big idea: every single child matters to God, and he saw Preena when she was all alone. Leader note: use only the book’s own words about the temple; if asked, say simply that the grown-ups there did not look after the children properly and that brave Indian people later changed the law, do not explain further or act any of it out, and speak kindly of Preena’s mother, who cried.
“Your Father in heaven does not want even one of these little ones to be lost.” — from Matthew 18
Memory verse
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:14
Talk together
What did Preena say when she climbed onto Amy’s knee?
“I have come to stay.”
Why did Preena go looking for Amy?
The temple women tried to scare her by calling one of Amy’s friends “the child-stealing Ammal,” but Preena decided to go and find the lady who took children in, and walked to Pannaivilai alone.
How does it feel to know that you matter to God?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that every single child matters to God, and he sees each one, even when they are alone.
Activity
Every Name Matters
You will need: One large sheet of paper and crayons
- Draw a big heart on the large sheet of paper and write “Every child matters to God” across the top.
- Have each child write their own name inside the heart, helping younger ones as needed, and decorate around it.
- Read every name aloud, one by one, and after each have the group answer together, “God sees you!”
- Finish by praying together that God would keep children everywhere safe and give them people who will love them.
Pray
Dear God, thank you that every child matters to you, and that includes me. Please keep children everywhere safe, and help them find people who will love them. Amen.
Week 9 — Amma
In 1901 Amy, the Walkers, the band and Preena move to Dohnavur, at the foot of blue mountains, and it becomes a safe place for children; from about 1904 babies come too, some brought by mothers who could not keep them. The children call Amy “Amma,” which means mother in Tamil; Dohnavur is a family, not an orphanage, with Indian clothes, Indian food, Tamil names chosen with care and Indian Christian “accals” (elder sisters) caring for the children, and Preena, nicknamed the Elf, sings loudly while polishing the brass pots because “Satan doesn’t like hymns.” The big idea: Jesus carries his lambs close to his heart, and he gives us people to love and care for us. Some children live with grandparents, foster carers or adoptive families, so speak of “the people who look after you” and celebrate every kind of family.
“He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.” — from Isaiah 40
Memory verse
He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those who have their young.
Isaiah 40:11
Talk together
What does “Amma” mean, and who called Amy by that name?
It means “mother” in Tamil. The children of Dohnavur called her Amma.
Why did the Elf sing so loudly while she polished the brass pots?
Because, she said, “Satan doesn’t like hymns.” Singing helped her do a job she did not enjoy.
Who are the people who look after you, and how can you thank them?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that Jesus carries us like a shepherd carries his lambs, and he gives us people to love and care for us.
Activity
The Elf’s Singing Job
You will need: Nothing (the room’s own crayons, paper and chairs to tidy)
- Choose a simple song or chorus the children know well.
- Give everyone a small helping job, such as stacking paper, putting crayons away or straightening chairs.
- Have them do the jobs while singing the song as loudly and cheerfully as the Elf did.
- Sit down together and count blessings on your fingers, with each child naming one thing they are thankful for, especially the people who look after them.
Pray
Dear Jesus, thank you for carrying me close to your heart. Thank you for the people who look after me, and help me to love my family well. Amen.
Week 10 — Sad Years and a Baby Boy
Sad years come: the Dear Old Man dies in 1905, Thomas Walker in 1912, Amy’s mother in 1913, whom she had not seen since sailing, and her dear friend Ponnammal in 1915, after Amy had prayed for her to get better; Amy does not understand, but chooses to trust God, and Dohnavur never goes without what it needs. For six years she prays about taking in boys too, and in January 1918 a baby boy is brought, the first of many, and later Dohnavur builds a hospital for Hindu and Christian villagers alike. The big idea: when we have to wait, or do not understand why sad things happen, we can still trust Jesus, who said we will understand later. Name the deaths simply, be aware some children may have lost someone, and give the most time to the baby boy.
“You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.” — from John 13
Memory verse
Jesus answered him, you don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.
John 13:7
Talk together
Which people did Amy lose in the sad years?
Robert Wilson, the Dear Old Man, in 1905; Thomas Walker in 1912; her mother in 1913; and her dear friend Ponnammal in 1915.
How long did Amy pray before the first boy came to Dohnavur?
About six years. She began to pray about 1912, and a baby boy was brought in January 1918.
What is something you are waiting for, and how could you trust God while you wait?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that even when we do not understand, and even when we have to wait, God is still at work and we can trust him.
Activity
Wait for the Word
You will need: Nothing
- Have the children sit very still and explain that they may jump up only when you say the word “Now!”
- Use teasing words that sound close, such as “Not yet,” “Nearly,” “Know,” and “Snow,” and let anyone who jumps simply sit back down and try again.
- Play a few rounds, sometimes making them wait a long time before you say “Now!”
- Talk about how Amy waited six years for the first boy, then say the memory verse together and pray for anyone who is waiting for something.
Pray
Dear God, when I am sad, or when I have to wait, help me to trust you even when I do not understand. Amen.
Week 11 — A Room with a Window
By 1931 the Dohnavur family has grown to several hundred, and on 24 October Amy falls into an uncovered pit in the dim evening light, breaking her leg and hurting her ankle and back; despite prayers all over the world she is not healed, and for almost twenty years she lives mostly in one room, often in pain. Yet the room has a window onto a garden and a bird-bath, the children visit, and she writes daily notes to the people of Dohnavur and books such as Gold Cord, Rose from Brier and If; in 1939 her helper Arulai dies, and Amy keeps praying and writing. The big idea: God’s grace is enough, and he can do wonderful things through people who feel weak or stuck.
“My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — from 2 Corinthians 12
Memory verse
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Talk together
What happened to Amy on 24 October 1931?
She fell into an uncovered pit in a building in the dim evening light. She broke her leg, hurt her ankle and injured her back, and she never walked properly again.
What did Amy do in her room for almost twenty years?
She watched the birds at the bird-bath, saw the children, wrote little notes to the people of Dohnavur, and wrote books like Gold Cord, Rose from Brier and If.
When have you felt weak? How might God help you then?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God’s grace is enough for us, and he can do good things through us even when we feel weak.
Activity
A Note from My Window
You will need: Paper and crayons or pencils
- Have each child fold a sheet of paper in half like a window with two shutters.
- On the outside, have them draw window frames; on the inside, a garden with a bird-bath and birds coming to drink.
- Under the garden, help them write a short kind note, as Amy did, such as “God’s grace is enough for you,” with their name.
- Invite them to give the note to someone who is ill, tired or having a hard week.
Pray
Dear God, when I feel weak or ill or stuck, help me to remember that your grace is enough for me. Please use me just as I am. Amen.
Week 12 — One Word on a Bird-Bath
In 1947 India becomes independent, and after many years of work by brave Indian leaders such as Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, a new law says no more girls may be given to temples; Amy lives to see it. She dies at Dohnavur on 18 January 1951, aged eighty-three, after fifty-five years in India without once going home, cared for by her big Indian and British family, and is buried in God’s Garden under a bird-bath carved with one word, “Amma.” Dohnavur’s work goes on today, led by Indian Christians. The big idea: like a seed planted in the ground, a life given to Jesus bears much fruit, and it all began with one child who mattered; mention her death gently, and this is a good week to look back over the whole story.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it stays alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” — from John 12
Memory verse
Most assuredly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 12:24
Talk together
What one word is written on the bird-bath over Amy’s grave?
“Amma,” which means “mother.” It was the name the children of Dohnavur gave her.
Who worked for many years to make the law that stopped girls being given to temples?
Brave Indian leaders, like a doctor named Muthulakshmi Reddy. The law was made in 1947, and Amy lived to see it.
What is one thing you could give to Jesus, like Amy did?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that when we give our lives to Jesus, like a seed planted in the ground, he makes them grow and bear fruit.
Activity
From One Seed
You will need: One large sheet of paper and crayons
- Draw a small seed at the bottom of the large sheet, with a trunk and many branches growing up from it, and write “Amy” beside the seed.
- Ask the children to remember moments from the whole story, such as the brown eyes, the old woman’s bundle, the Welcome Hall, the bandy, Preena and the bird-bath.
- Have them take turns drawing a leaf or fruit on a branch for each moment and telling a little about it.
- Write “Amma” at the top of the tree and finish by saying the memory verse together.
Pray
Dear God, thank you for Amy Carmichael and all the children she loved. Thank you that every child matters to you. Help me to give my life to you, and to love others the way Amy did. Amen.