Ministry-To-Children.com » Kristin Charles

The K-W-L Chart: A Great Bible Teaching Tool

Kristin Charles — Sat, 19 May 2012 03:04:41 +0000

If you’re looking for a different teaching approach on a Sunday morning, The K-W-L Chart just may be the way to go. The K-W-L Chart is a traditional teaching strategy that is effective in determining a student’s current knowledge, generating an interest in subject matter, and recalling valuable lessons learned. It can be utilized to teach any type of Biblical content.

The K-W-L Chart is a visual tool that can be easily drawn up on a blackboard, white board, or a poster for later reference purposes. It is a simple chart made up of three columns. On the left, a column is designated as “K” for KNOW. The middle column is “W” for WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN. On the right, a column is designated as “L” for WHAT YOU LEARNED.

Before a lesson is presented, students brainstorm what they KNOW about a subject or Biblical account. This is a good preliminary assessment tool of your students’ basic knowledge of the subject. All of these facts would be compiled into the first column under “K,” WHAT WE KNOW. For example, if you are studying the life of Esther, the students might say:

She was a queen
She helped save people
She starred in a Veggie Tales movie
She is a book in the Old Testament
She was brave
There was someone named Haman involved with her life.

Following the brainstorming session, students ask questions about the topic or account. These questions will be written under the “W” column and include “WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO LEARN.” This column, in particular, generates interest in the subject because students are inherently inquisitive. In addition, it gives them a framework for the lesson and allows them to be active listeners, engaged in finding their own answers.

If we follow along with our example, student questions may include:

How did Esther save her people? Was what she did dangerous?
Was she really in a beauty pageant?
Who is Haman after all?
What does this have to do with our lives today?

At this point, the teacher would teach the bulk of the lesson. He or she could use any manner of teaching and may choose to read an account out loud, utilize reading circles, act it out, perform a readers’ theatre, use puppets, watch a movie or clip, etc.

Once the lesson is presented, the “L” component of the chart is composed and students brainstorm “WHAT WE LEARNED.” This is a great way to reinforce concepts taught and provides for meaningful discussion. It may be helpful to write down the answers in very brief statements next to the corresponding questions. Answers, in this case, may include:

The Jewish people were going to be killed. Esther foiled the plan by bravely going before the King.
Yes, she was in a beauty contest. The King had to find a replacement Queen and she was selected.
Haman was the Prime Minister of Persia. He wanted all of the Jews to be killed.
Sometimes we have to speak up for what we believe in; having faith in Jesus takes courage; our age doesn’t matter – God uses anyone who is willing and humble to accomplish His will.

And there you have it! The K-W-L Chart, which can be easily adapted for any Bible lesson. Let us know if you have incorporated this particular teaching strategy into your ministries and how.

10 Gifts that Kids Can Make for Mother’s Day

Kristin Charles — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:00:17 +0000

Nothing says, “I love you” like a personal handmade gift from a child. Whether it is a scribbled note, an abstract painting, or simple words of affirmation, kids delight in having something to give. Depending on which gift you choose for your students to make, these gifts can be either treasured keepsakes or ultra practical.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, here are some gift ideas that kids can make. These gifts are simple, take little time to prepare, and are budget conscious. They are perfect for a children’s ministry setting. Most kids will make their gift for their mom, but be conscious and sensitive to those children without moms in the picture. Give other options like grandma, aunt, teacher, stepmom, etc.

Have fun creating, encouraging, and blessing the special women in your children’s lives. For more ideas, check out our idea board on Pinterest.

10 Mother’s Day Gifts Kids Can Make

1. A Unique Flower Pot: Recycle a can, a tissue box, a plastic bottle, or whatever you have on hand. Have the children decoupage scrapbook paper, newspaper, magazine scraps, tissue paper pieces, or fabric scraps to the pot. Plant a flower inside or attach a seed packet with a fancy ribbon or twine.

2. A Framed Hand Print: Obtain a hand print from each child. Frame the hand print in a dollar store frame. If budget conscious, construct a frame from cardboard and have the children paint it, decoupage it, or decorate it with buttons or spray painted puzzle pieces, or ribbons. You could also make your own simple mat for the print for parents to frame on their own. For an alternate activity, have the students create flowers or flower bouquets out of their fingerprints in bright-colored ink and draw simple green stems and leaves.

3. A Jar with Ready Made Dessert Mix: Have an assembly line ready to go with ingredients from a favorite cookie, brownie, hot cocoa or chai, or other dessert mix. Help the children to add the correct amount of ingredients and attach the recipe to the jar. For an added touch, have the students personalize an inexpensive wooden spoon with a sharpie and attach that too.

4. A Decorated Journal: Any simple notebook can be made into a gorgeous decorated journal. Have the students decoupage the journal with assorted paper or fabric supplies. If the notebook is a spiral one, have them tie on small pieces of assorted ribbon to the spiral to jazz it up. Have older students personalize the journal with a note in the front.

5. Homemade Beauty Products: All moms need a chance to sit back and relax! What better way to make them feel pampered than to be given a natural beauty product. Have the students create a sugar scrub, bubble bath, homemade soap, face mask, or bath salts. Recycle small jars for the products if budget conscious. (Art teachers generally have an endless supply of such things!)

6. Framed Photo of Their Child: Have someone familiar with photography take a unique picture of the child. The child can be holding up a cute sign that says something like, “You make me smile!” The child can do the sign language sign for, “I Love You!” Or, the child can be holding flowers out as if giving them away. Have the pictures printed and framed. (See above suggestions for frames.)

7. A Coupon Booklet: Either have older students create their own simple booklet of five coupons or print out coupon templates for younger children to color. The coupons can be redeemable for a breakfast in bed, a clean room, a big hug, time spent together, simple chores, “a prayer for you”, etc.

8. An Interview: If you have the capability, make an audio or video recording of the child asking them specific, guided questions about their mom. If not, write out these questions and answers and frame them. You could ask about special things they do together, what they love most about their mom, how their mom makes them laugh, their favorite time together, their favorite meal that mom makes, etc. Make sure to prepare the students first and have them brainstorm before the interview.

9. Homemade Cards: Simple white card stock can be sized, cut, and folded to create a small package of handmade cards. Have the students decorate just the top of the cards with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. On the back, write “Created with Love by” and have the student sign their name or initials. Give each mom a pack of three to five cards, with envelopes, and tie them together to make a finished product.

10. Munch Mix: Moms seem to be on the go often! Create a munch mix for them to eat on the run. Have the students create a personalized mix for their mom, including: M&M’s, salted, chocolate, or yogurt pretzels, a variety of nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, sesame sticks, Cheez Its, graham snacks, Chex cereal, etc. Enclose in a plastic bag with a bow, a small brown paper bag, or clear jars or containers.

What are some of your favorite ideas for kids to make their moms? Share your ideas in the comment section below.

11 Tips for Serving a Small Country Church

Kristin Charles — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:23:38 +0000

If your students are die-hard John Deere advocates, then you might serve in a small country church. If you have a homegrown cow in your freezer, then you might serve in a small country church. If your students come to church in boots and buckles and have guns and know how to use them, then you might serve in a small country church. If your newborn son is heralded as the “County’s Own Dairy Baby”, then yes. You are serving in a small country church!

Ten years ago, I stepped into the doors of a whole new world with a steeple, high on a lush green hill. I was newly married and hailing from the city; just outside of Seoul, South Korea to be exact. I was accustomed to taxis, busses, subways, and my own two feet to navigate through the city. Of course, Korea was a culture shock at first, but I had prepared for that. Little did I know, moving to the country would be more of one.

In those first few months, I learned that you can make your own pickles and jam. (Never in my life did I know that people did this.) I learned that you don’t say you’re a vegetarian around cattle farmers. I learned that people sew with a sewing machine. I learned about 4-H and dairy princesses and cowboys.

I have also learned that a people’s economic level does not determine generosity. I have learned that there is a seasoned faith that comes with living off of the land and trusting God to provide in ways that we cannot. I have learned wisdom from the aged and look forward to getting those grey hairs myself.

This small country church is no longer foreign to me. It is home. However, it is uniquely home. A country church children’s ministry is going to look completely different from ministries in the suburbs or the city. If you are ministering in this unique environment, I pray that the following characteristics and considerations will be beneficial to you.

Unique Characteristics of a Small Country Church:

A close-knit community; everyone knows everybody else
Often very traditional and conservative
Multiple family generations are represented
Little to no budget allocated for ministries
Fewer programs (and similar advantages)
Fewer volunteers
Little diversity
Likely has deep roots in the community
Church members are a hard-working and generous people
Wary about change

11 Tips for Serving in this Setting:

Take Charge: If a ministry does not exist – and it needs to – you may be the one to start it.
Be Aware: Sin is prevalent as much in the country as it is in the city. Take security measures and precautions accordingly to protect each child in your ministry.
Effect Change Slowly: Work with the church and not against it. We have a whole article with ideas for dealing with stubborn people.
Draw on Unique Church Family Dynamics: Have a farmer tell and demonstrate the parable of the soils. Offer cooking, sewing, woodworking, and outdoors classes for kids. Provide opportunities for homeschoolers to get together such as field trips, workshops, and co-ops.
Teach on Location: Use unique settings for lessons such as a field, barn, stream, hiking trail, hill, forest, camp, etc. Connect the location to scripture.
Don’t Assume Anything: Many children in this setting have been raised in the church. They know the language and the Bible trivia. However, some of them do not have relationships with Christ. Continue to teach salvation and discipleship.
Incorporate Multi-Generational Ministry: Use retired teachers to work in children’s ministry. Enlist the elderly in a vibrant prayer ministry. Start a pen pal ministry for children and shut-ins. Make cookies, cards, or crafts for the young or old. Go caroling at any time of the year.
Get Creative with the Budget (or Lack Thereof): Use free lesson plans, do supply drives, recycle, talk to larger churches about using their curriculum when they are finished, and ask local businesses for donations.
Set a Healthy Pace: Most likely, small country church ministry leaders are volunteers and have full-time jobs elsewhere. Establish priorities, find balance, and don’t go this alone!
Encourage Diversity: Through books, media presentations, day trips, child sponsorship relationships, or mission trips, teach your students how to relate to others of varying cultures and backgrounds.
Make Sundays Count: Many children and their families are not able to attend mid-week services due to long distance drives and the price of gas. Capitalize on the time that they are there!

If you have served in a small country church, we would love to hear your feedback. What considerations have you made that have been helpful to your ministry? Thank you for sharing!

Lesson: Take Heart! Jesus Has Overcome the World

Kristin Charles — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:50:22 +0000

This lesson can be utilized at any time of the year because children repeatedly need to hear that God is near. It was created because my own children had seen visual representations of Jesus rising from the dead and had made assumptions that He was now gone. In their young minds, when He was lifted up, He was present in Heaven, but not on this earth; He was present with God, but not with us.

This Bible lesson challenges that misconception; encouraging children to “take heart,” knowing that God has overcome any trouble on this earth and is very present with us.

This Bible lesson was been prepared for elementary age students, but can be adapted to meet the needs of your ministry. Leave a comment below with your suggestions or new ideas for making it even better.

Learning Goal: Students will be given tools to overcome difficult situations; with the foundational knowledge that Christ has already overcome death through His resurrection. Therefore, they are not overcoming alone.

Central Bible Passage: John 16:33
Scripture: Various verses in the Old and New Testaments
Target Age Group: 1^st – 5^th grade
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: 60 minutes

Supply List: Bibles, newspapers to serve as a background for a bulletin board or object lesson (taped or pinned up), red marker, memory verse on display, puzzle piece hearts (directions below), black markers or black crayons (one for each team), tape or pushpins to hang the hearts up on the newsprint, various recylable items for a sculpture such as cardboard, bottles, cans, newspapers, books, jars, etc, rope and duct tape or a hot glue gun to adhere sculptures, “troubled” balloons blown up with individual words (or two word phrases) of the memory verse inside (on the outside of the balloon are common problems written with a sharpie: death, sickness, divorce, war, sin, bullying, feeling alone, fighting, etc.)

Directions for Puzzle Piece Hearts: Take large sheets of red poster board, tape them together, and cut out a huge heart. Then cut out 10 pieces of the heart, like puzzle pieces. On the back of each, include a scripture verse (listed below).

Optional: Browse our free Jesus coloring pages for an easy printable activity for kids. Carlos has made several sheets about Jesus overcoming sin.

Bible Lesson Introduction:

If applicable, briefly review previous lessons about the death and resurrection of Christ. Ask the children what they love most about the account.

We’ve talked a lot about the death and resurrection of Jesus lately; how He died on the cross for our sins and rose again to new life. Today, Jesus is with God in Heaven and He is fully alive. But He is not gone. He is as close to us as the beating of our hearts. Even though we cannot see Him any longer, He is still present with us. He has not left us alone.

When people know they’re going to die, their last words are very important. What they say matters. What we hear from them matters. Today, let’s hear some of Jesus’ last words. They are cool. They are scary. They are incredible.

In John 16, Jesus is hanging out with His disciples. He knows He is going to die. He also knows His disciples are going to freak out! Because of this, He warns them about the future, He tells them where, when and why He is going, and He makes sure that they know that they are not alone. His disciples don’t understand then, but they will one day soon.

In verse 33, Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Learning Activity #1: We’ve Got Trouble

No one has to think very hard to come up with a list of troubles, right? Trouble is all around us. Jesus said that it would be. He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” There are stories of troubles written all over newspapers and troubles in all of our lives. What kind of troubles are in our world? Let’s write down as many of them as we can in one minute. If we take any longer than that, we might be in trouble! All of us will be crying and running to hide under our beds!

Have pages of the newspaper hung up as a display (as the background to a bulletin board or wall mural.) In a red marker, write down the one minute student brainstorming session. When you write the troubles, write them close together in the center of the board. When the students complete the puzzle, it will create a heart that will cover all of the trouble completely. This will serve as a visual object lesson.

Troubles could include: darkness of sin, death, tears, fears, failing, heartache, disease, pain, bullying, natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, hunger, broken relationships, war, abuse, being separated from someone you love, shame, fighting, weakness, etc.

Learning Activity #2: Take Heart Puzzle

So before anyone runs away from all of these troubles, let’s hear what God has to say. He says that there will be trouble, but He also says, “Take heart!” Take heart means to be confident or courageous in a difficult situation. It means don’t freak out! Be brave! You’ve got this! Go get em! You can do this! But there’s more to it…. because Jesus says, “Take heart (because) I have overcome the world.”

You see… we don’t have to be brave alone. We aren’t fighting troubles alone. We can be courageous and tough because Jesus showed us how to be. He chose to die on that cross for our sins. He rose again three days later to prove that He can overcome ANYTHING!!!! Overcome means to win over something. If you can overcome death, you can overcome anything!!!! And we can too, with Christ.

Let’s read our memory verse together:

Memory Verse: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” – John 16:33

Separate students into groups and distribute the ten puzzle pieces and a black marker or crayon to each team. If your class size is small, give multiple pieces to each team. In teams, the students will look up the references on the back of the pieces, read them, and write on the other side: I can overcome with ____________. Once each team has completed their hearts, have one person from each team selected to figure out the puzzle. Once the puzzle is completed, hang up the completed puzzle over the “trouble brainstorming session,” as a visual reminder to “Take Heart” – Christ has overcome.

As we can see, God can and will overcome troubles in our lives. Do you remember what overcome means? It means to win over something. God, because of the cross, has won over our troubles. That certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t have any more. It does mean that God will help us to get through them. What I want you to remember from today is how to ”Take Heart.” Let’s learn from each other and see how we do that. Refer to the hearts posted on the board and review each of them, making additions or clarifications as necessary. .

Scripture References:

1 John 5:4
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
I CAN OVERCOME WITH FAITH.

Joshua 1:3-9
I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you … No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Obey this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
I CAN OVERCOME WITH HIS PRESENCE, HIS WORD, and OBEDIENCE.

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
I CAN OVERCOME WITH GOD and HIS WORD.

Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
I CAN OVERCOME WITH HIS HAND and HELP.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
I CAN OVERCOME WITH HIS POWER, LOVE, and SELF DISCIPLINE.

Hebrews 13:5-6
For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
I CAN OVERCOME WITH GOD BEING NEAR (HIS PRESENCE).

Matthew 9:2:
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
I CAN OVERCOME WITH HIS FORGIVENESS.

John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I CAN OVERCOME WITH HIS PEACE.

2 Corinthians 4:7:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
I CAN OVERCOME WITH HIS POWER.

ROMANS 8:37:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
I CAN OVERCOME WITH HIS LOVE.

Learning Activity #3: Take Heart Art

If we were to compare the bad stuff in our lives - the trouble - to something, I think we would probably compare the troubles to trash. Trash is disgusting. It gets worse the longer you keep it around. But God wants us to learn in the trouble something about Himself. He may want us to go to Him with our troubles by praying. He may want to show us His goodness in the trouble – maybe we would never know who Jesus was without the trouble. He may want us to feel the love of His people through the trouble. We really don’t know why troubles come into our lives, but we know that God is good. Because God is good, He can bring good out of the worst troubles.

Let’s work together today to create a sculpture reminding us that Jesus has overcome. Let’s take trash and recycle it to make something good out of it. Depending on teacher preference, this activity could be done individually, as a small class, or in teams of three to five. Please note that this particular activity takes longer than anticipated. Students could work for one entire class on their sculptures! Some suggestions of sculptures would be a cross, a heart, flowers, medals or a trophy, hands holding hands, etc.

Learning Activity #4: Take This, Trouble! Jesus Has Overcome! (A Memory Verse Game)

Review the memory verse before playing the game. Make sure that it is displayed for students to reference during the game.

Today we have talked about overcoming our trouble. Let’s play a game that says, “Take this Trouble!” On the outside of each of these balloons is a problem. That problem or trouble will need to be taken care of – POPPED! You will have to read the trouble and then demolish it to find the good inside – God’s word. Once each balloon is popped, work together as a team to put the memory verse together. Let’s see how quickly you can do it! I’ll be timing you. Any questions? Ready, set, go!!!! Let’s win over our troubles!!!!

Distribute “troubled” balloons around the room. Have individual words from the memory verse hidden inside (If you go with one word in each balloon, it ends up being 30 balloons – that’s a lot of hot air!!!!; you may want to put two word phrases in each one or get some help with the prepwork.). Students will need to read the outside of the balloon, pop it, find and read the word, and work together to build the entire verse. Depending on the size of your class, you could do two competing teams (each team’s balloon color would be different). Have the two teams race to see which can build the verse the fastest. Just make sure your facility allows for the noise factor on this game!

Suggested Music: Take Heart Bible Memory Song from Seeds Family Worship (Video or Music Only)

Additional Resources: Hillsong United’s “Take Heart” song.

Sports Related Lesson Ideas for the “Big Game”

Kristin Charles — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:17:17 +0000

Still looking for a children’s message that relates with the upcoming big game? Try one of the following ideas and you’ll be sure to have kids remember this lesson for a long time! These can work with the Olympics, Super Bowl, The World Series or March Madness. Basically anytime kids have the “Big Game” on their mind.

“Everyday Heroes” Children’s Message: ”Everyday Heroes” is an easy, low prep children’s message. Select five respected members of the church (pastor, teacher, elder, etc.) and coerce them to put on either a helmet or a jersey prior to your lesson. You could also have them carry a football (or if they are really adventurous, don football pads!)

With your students, briefly discuss famous sports heroes: show photographs, discuss their quick stats, their throwing arm, how many games they won, the price of their autograph, etc. Talk about how many athletes are famous on the field. But off the field, they are not famous at all. In fact, many have so many problems that their lives and their families are destroyed by sin.

Explain that God talks about what heroes look like in the Bible. And guess what? They don’t look strong or tall or big or muscular. Tell the story of Samuel anointing David in 1 Samuel 16. (I personally love the account in The Jesus Storybook Bible entitled “The Teeny, Weeny True King”). Reference 1 Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’”

Ask the students to name characteristics of a true hero, in God’s eyes. Get them started with qualities like a follower of Christ, someone who is gentle and speaks with kindness, someone who helps/serves others, etc. Tell the students that you have invited some everyday heroes to be a part of our lesson today. Invite the members of the congregation to come up. Explain that these people are heroes in God’s eyes every day because they quietly and humbly seek Him first. (In fact, most of them probably are going to be embarrassed by such hoopla!) Introduce them like a sports commentator would and have the children (and congregation) applaud them.

Tell the children that these people are the real heroes that we need to model our lives after. They may never win a Super Bowl ring or win a National Championship. They may never have people applaud them for their work. They may never be asked to autograph anything and they may never be interviewed for anything heroic. But God does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. And we should too!

Additional Sports Related Lesson Plan Ideas:

The Impossible Game: Use this object lesson to explain that no one can perfectly keep God’s rules. We need Jesus perfect obedience in our place.

Tough Talk: Tough talk is a fun way to practice memory verses or sing simple songs (especially for Pre-K thru 2^nd) Have the students use gruff, tough, coach talk to review God’s word or to sing some of their favorite songs with a new twist.

Team Huddle: Use this as your prayer time. Have the students form a circle like a huddle, get on their knees (optional), and pray accordingly. Popcorn prayer works best for younger children especially. Have children fill in the blank with one word. The teacher would say, “God, we are thankful for ___________” and students would fill in the blank. “God, we love that you are ___________.” Or “God, we need prayer for _________ today.”

Player Warm Ups: Lead your class in team warm ups, including running in place, jumping jacks, or simple stretches. (Just be cautious about the stretching – girls may not be dressed for such activity.) Create an obstacle course in a wide opened space in your facility. Use cones or chairs to run around. Jump over jump ropes on the ground or pieces of tape on the floor. Throw a touchdown pass into a hula hoop held by an adult or a target on the wall. This is a great activity to use as an attention getter at the beginning of the lesson or as an after lesson game.

Sports Commercials: This activity works best with older elementary students. After a lesson, separate students into teams, give them 5-10 minutes, and have them tell the Bible lesson and/or what they learned in the form of a commercial.

Ball Shaped Snacks: Consider using a small football/basketball shaped cutter to cut cheese slices into pieces for crackers. Cut up oranges for a healthy snack. For dessert options, make brownies, cookies, or rice crispy treats into the shape of sports balls and decorate with simple piped frosting.

Tips for Teaching to Toddlers

Kristin Charles — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:49:19 +0000

When you think of toddlers what comes to mind? Is it their tantrums? Could it be their innocent mischief – like when they unraveled all of the toilet paper rolls they could find? Is it their fascination with simple joys – big belly giggles, wide opened wonder, and squeals over common life?

It would appear that teaching to toddlers would be a no-brainer, right? I mean, we’re talking children from between 12 months and 36 months of age. They’ve graduated from the baby stage, so how hard could it be? It only takes one hour to find out.

Upon closer inspection (on the job training!), teachers may find toddlers to be busy, fiercely independent, unable to communicate articulately, emotional, curious, active, and messy. One toddler is usually exhausting, never mind a room of them! So how does one keep a toddler aged child happy and safe and engaged and learning?

Here are some tips for teaching to one of the most unique developmental brackets of childhood:

1. Create or Adapt the Environment

A safe, age-appropriate classroom that encourages exploration and learning is the foundation from which to begin. Toddler environments should include: a central group area, a quiet cozy “safe corner” with board books, a gross motor area with mats and wide open spaces for ride on toys and push toys, a block area with large blocks and trucks, a dramatic play center including pretend play items and mirrors, and a sensory station with a rotating sensory table (filled with containers, measuring cups, and rice, pasta, scarves, water, sand, instruments, etc.). Use pictures in each center to facilitate learning. Ensure that all of the toys are age-appropriate (and not choking hazards) and swap out toys on a regular basis. In a perfect setting, younger toddlers (12-24 months) should be separated from older toddlers (24-36 months) because there is such a wide variance of developmental abilities between the two.

In addition, consider the layout of the furniture to include organizational cubbies or bins and hooks for individual storage, low child sized tables and chairs, a diaper changing station, gliders for rocking, snack and drink storage, and an art supply and display area. As always, check with state guidelines to ensure that your church classroom is meeting the minimum guidelines for toddler spaces. Ensure that your toddler room meets the designated ratio of adults to children. Have an immediate way to contact the parent in case of emergency. Ensure that you have up to date records on each child in your care. Also, have a regular plan (checklist) for cleaning the facility, equipment, and toys to ensure that the environment is sanitary.

2. Provide Age-Appropriate Lesson Plans

When writing lesson plans for toddlers, find a classroom routine that works for you and stick with it. Toddlers thrive on routines! Incorporate a considerable amount of “free play” into your lesson. Remember that children learn through play, so begin and end your time spent together with it. Stick to a simple lesson such as “God Made Me” or “Jesus Loves” or “Right and Wrong.” Include elements of your lesson around the room in each center, if applicable. Be present during free play, observing students and engaging them in learning, asking questions, and problem solving.

In your planning, include songs and finger plays, simple books with little text and rich images, common everyday pictures as visuals, simple adapted games (Ring Around the Rosy, Red Light Green Light, Head Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Hide and Seek with items, etc.), movements to music, creative role-playing and imaginative play (for the older toddlers), and art exploration.

3. Interact with Toddlers at Their Level

Speak with a toddler at their eye level. Be clear and concise in your language and directions. Help them to verbalize what they are doing, as if you are narrating a scene or commentating for a sporting event. Be prepared with a tantrum response plan. Toddlers crave a sense of independence, so give them occasional choices, but limit them to two. (Would you like green or red paint?) Empower older toddlers by giving them small helping roles. (Pass out the napkins.) Help toddlers feel secure with your kindness, presence, consistency, and prayer.

When speaking to a group of toddlers, be on stage! Be as expressive as an actor or actress. Move around and allow them to do the same – a lot! Teach using a variety of methods to appeal to their senses and unique learning modes. Vary the sound of your own voice. Dress up, be silly, laugh a lot, and love! Have fun with your toddlers! Allow them to teach you how to be a child again.

4. Get to Know their Caregivers

Caregivers already have a measure of trust in you, otherwise they would not be willing to leave their child in your care. However, make connections with them. Ask questions and listen carefully. Provide them with ways that they can help in the classroom, so they feel connected. Create a simple take home handout for them, summarizing the lesson and giving them opportunities to extend the learning at home. Specifically write in what their child did in class that day. Observe developmental changes in the child and communicate your excitement and observations. (When did Alex learn to walk? I love how Sophia is using her words to communicate! Adam and Ben were playing side by side today in the block center.) Encourage the parent at every opportunity. Be available and humble. Allow them ways to express feedback. Make it a point to individually pray for each toddler and parent in your ministry.

Clearly, this list is not all encompassing! What are some of your favorite tips and techniques for working with toddlers?

Top 10 Love Bible Verses for Valentine’s Day

Kristin Charles — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:59:27 +0000

In the next few days leading up to Valentine’s Day, love will be marketed in advertisements and store displays. Love will be equated with chocolate and cards and flowers and romance.

And yes, love can be demonstrated in these ways. But as followers of Christ, we know that love is so much more! Communicating that kind of love to our children in our homes, neighborhoods, and ministries is essential.

Compiled here is a toolbox of scripture references that define love. Use these verses for personal reflection, lesson plans, games, as memory verses, creative gifts for your students, in visual displays, and in cards that you write. God gave us no better definition of love than in His son Jesus. Let’s communicate His perfect love at this time of year – and all the year through!

1. John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

2. 1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

3. 1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

4. 1 John 4:7-12
Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

5. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8; 13
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

6. John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

7. Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

8. Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

9. Ephesians 3:18-20
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

10. Ephesians 5:1
Follow God’s example; therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

What are your favorite scripture references that define love? Leave a comment below to share your favorites.

Preschool Lesson about “Sin and Saving Love”

Kristin Charles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:34:41 +0000

Use this free preschool Bible lesson to teach some basic concepts about sin and the saving love of God. We’ve included several learning activities and object lessons to help make these concepts concrete for younger children. You could easily adapt this Psalm 51 Bible lesson for any age children. Please modify this material for the needs of your class and leave a comment below with your suggestions for other readers.

Objectives: To help preschool students comprehend the extent of sin; to identify sin, its consequences, and an initial reaction to it. To identify God as the only One who can cleanse us from our sins. To enable students to look at snow and be reminded of God’s gift to them in salvation.

Supplies: chocolate pudding, “sin signs” (small signs made out of red construction paper to look like a stop sign – write the words sin, transgression, evil, and iniquity on them – one for each child; attach signs to popsicle sticks with tape), construction paper with the word SIN on it, shaving cream, glue, dixie cups, popsicle sticks, glitter, music for the game.

Optional: “Forgive our Sins” coloring page or “Covered by Christ” coloring sheets

Welcome: Create interest in the lesson by welcoming the students into the room with chocolate pudding (or something of the sort) all over your hands. Leave marks on various (easy to clean surfaces.) Exaggerate the issue.

Say: Ugh! Look how dirty my hands are! They are filthy! I’m getting this chocolate pudding everywhere! What should I do about my dirty hands?

When students suggest washing, pretend like you hadn’t thought of the solution before. Wash your hands and pretend to be relieved. Make a parallel between unclean hands and an unclean heart.

Bible Lesson: Psalm 51:1-9

Say: Wow! My hands sure were dirty before. Ew… they reminded me of awful, stinking, messy sin. Can anyone tell me what sin is? Allow for responses.

Sin is when we do what is wrong in God’s eyes. It can be something that we do, think, feel, or say. Sin is when you lie to your mom. Sin is when you argue with your brother. Sin is when you yell or cry or complain to get what you want. Sin is when you do something when no one is looking.

Sin makes God’s heart sad. Sin hurts other people. Sin leaves a mess behind it (point to the chocolate marks.) Sin hurts us. The Bible says that the punishment for sin is death. That means, if you sin, you die. That is serious!

Sometimes, God uses other words for sin like iniquity and transgression and evil. They all mean the same thing. The Bible has a lot to say about sin. Wait till you hear how much! I am going to pass out what we’ll call “sin signs” to everyone. Each sign has a word on it that means sin. I want you to listen carefully for your word, as I read the Bible. When you hear it, lift your sin sign up high for all to see! Let’s listen to hear what God says about sin.

Distribute “sin signs.” These are stop signs with the words sin, iniquity, transgression, or evil written on them.

Read Psalm 51:1-9. Emphasize the words sin, iniquity, transgression, or evil. Encourage them to hold their sin signs high. Paraphrase if needed, so that students comprehend the passage.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Lesson Discussion

Did you hear how many times sin was mentioned in just a few verses? It was a lot! Did anyone hear what we should do about our sin? Allow for responses. Wash it away! That’s right!

Just a moment ago, I washed the pudding off of my hands. That made my hands clean. Hooray! But how can we wash our hearts – our dirty, messy, stinky, yucky sinful hearts? I can’t get water and soap to my heart. Does anyone know how we can wash our hearts?

We actually can’t do it ourselves. Jesus is the only one who can wash our hearts and make us clean. When He died on the cross, He died for our sins. Remember how we said that the punishment for sin is death? If we sin, we will die, but we don’t have to. He chose to die instead. To save us and to clean us! His love is a saving love.

When we understand what Jesus did and accept his forgiveness for our sins, our hearts get washed. We get clean. But just like in the verses we read, we have to ask for that. We have to say, “Wash me, Jesus.” And when He does, guess what? Our hearts will be cleaned and we will be whiter than snow! Let’s make an art project today to help us remember what we learned.

Art Project: ”Snow Art”

Prepare Ahead: Have the word SIN written on a piece of dark construction paper. On the back of it, either write or glue a print out of Psalm 51:7b: “Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.”

Distribute these pieces of construction paper, along with a Dixie cup of glue, shaving cream, and a popsicle stick to each child. Have the students stir the mixture and create a snow scene to cover the word SIN. Use an example to demonstrate. Once finished, have students sprinkle glitter on their projects. Emphasize how God makes our black sin whiter than snow. His love takes away our sins. His love makes us beautiful like freshly fallen snow.

Game: “Freeze!”

The object of this game is for students to get up and moving and to identify a healthy reaction to sin – getting away from it as quickly as possible. This game, in and of itself, is a great object lesson and a ton of fun!

Play this game in a wide open area. Have teachers and helpers dispersed around the room, with the children. Adults should be holding the “Sin Signs,” used earlier in the lesson. (Only 4-5 are necessary.) Play music for students to move around and act silly. Pause it without warning and have everyone freeze. (We use the “Freeze” song from a Kids in Motion CD by Greg and Steve; this song has “built in” pauses.) As soon as the music gets paused, one adult should hold up his/her sign quickly. When the children see it, they should turn and run away as quickly as they can! When the music starts back up, continue to move around and mingle until the next pause and repeat with a different adult holding up sign. (The adults should coordinate an order to go in prior to the game.)

When the game is over, discuss briefly with the students. You may want to give brief case scenarios to help them understand a proper response to sin. (When you see a friend getting bullied, run away and tell an adult. When you see something on TV that you know is wrong, turn it off. When you want to take something that is not yours, do not do it! Run away from the temptation.)

Songs: Teach the songs: “Create in Me a Clean Heart” (an extension of Psalm 51:10-12) or the Hymn “Whiter Than Snow”

Cross-Cultural Kids Ministry: 10 Lessons from the Field

Kristin Charles — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:08:49 +0000

In my first article on cross cultural kids ministry, I included ways to prepare you and your team for serving. This post will address things to consider while you are on the field.

You’ve packed your bags and you’ve no doubt had a journey to get where you are. Maybe airplane turbulence has got you wondering how you’ll step on the plane for the return flight or maybe you have driven over potholes at lightening speeds with a quirky taxi driver. Now it’s go time!

You have landed in an environment much unlike your own. So the question is, how can you best relate to children of a different cultural background than yourself? How can you clearly communicate the universal message of the gospel without getting in the way? Included here are suggestions as to what to do now that you’re in place to serve.

1. Welcome with Warmth and Communicate Joy: Immediately get on the children’s level and look in their eyes. Extend a hand for a high-five or handshake. Smile, let loose, and be silly. Exaggerate movements to act out a funny scenario. Laugh. Perform an outlandish feat like a cart-wheel.

2. Ask Questions: If a translator is present, ask the children simple questions about their favorite sport, food, color, or school class. Ask about their personal life with open-ended questions, like, “Tell me about your home, church, school, or family.” Come equipped with basic sentences in their language, in the event that a translator is not present with you at the time. A basic phrase such as, “You like ________?” or, “You don’t like________?” can carry you far. Draw pictures or pantomime possible choices for answers.

3. Create Artwork Together: Use chalk, paint, crayons, ink pads, yarn, or any other medium that you have decided to bring. Sketch out the gospel message for the children to visualize. Create something that tells a story or is just simply beautiful. Consider creating a mural with the children, recycling trash into artwork, or teaching them a skill or craft that they can use to generate a small income after you have gone.

4. Play Together: Play a team sport together. Consider soccer first, as it is an all-time favorite and requires little equipment. We usually bring our own soccer balls to donate to the ministry. Goals can be marked off by tape or spray paint if no nets are available. Also consider playing with a parachute (also brought and donated) and playing a game of tag (with multiple variations). Games like rock/paper/scissors, hopscotch, and thumb wars can be played in pairs. In addition, have them teach you their games (either made up or cultural favorites). Play with the toys that they have created, whether it be a taped plastic bag ball, a soda bottle car, or a cloth doll. Recognize the creativity behind each of these toys!

5. Sing Together: Learn simple gospel songs in their language, especially active songs with movements included. Get kids up and involved with a high level of energy. Prior to going, ask your contact about specific kid favorites.

6. Be a Servant Leader: Work hard to serve God by serving the missionaries, the partnering organization, the ministry’s children, and their families. Recognize needs and be responsive to meeting them on a long-term basis. Treat everyone with the utmost respect and love. Do not pity others, but hold them in high regard because Christ would.

7. Take Care of Yourself: Take care of yourself so that you are in the best condition to serve. Watch what you eat and drink and be attentive to how much sleep you are getting at night. As best as you can, eat what is served you, as a way to honor your hosts. However, your digestive system may have issues with the unfamiliar food or the way that it is prepared. Sometimes, a regimen of acidophilus is helpful to prepare your stomach before and during the trip.

In addition, drink lots of water to prevent dehydration, but make sure that it is safe for drinking and brushing teeth. Ensure that you are getting enough sleep at night so that you are fully rested to serve and to prevent a weakened immune system. Wear sunscreen in warm weather climates and re-apply continuously. Be attentive to other safety concerns like dangerous swimming areas, traveling at night, protecting your passport, wallet, or camera, being alone, etc

8. Look Beyond their Surroundings: In many parts of the world, what you may see will bring you to tears. Cry later. Do not make your focus their physical surroundings, but pay attention to their spiritual condition. I have learned valuable lessons from the wealth of poverty-stricken, Christ filled homes, brimming with hospitality. Learn from these local Christ followers how to praise God, how to trust Him to provide, and how to live a life of gratitude. Remember that families will be proud of their meager homes and they have worked hard to maintain them. Be proud with them. Instead of looking at their surroundings, focus on loving the families and bestowing dignity in them, as Jesus would.

9. Go to Learn. God always has more to teach us than we could ever teach others. Learn from the Word and through every victory, defeat, and bump in the road. Learn from each encounter with another. Learn from the missionaries, the partnering organizations, and/or the nationals doing the work of God in that place. Be flexible and change your agenda accordingly.

10. Trust in God: Let Him do the work that He intended through you and your team. Things may not always go as you had planned. Trust in His plan, whatever that may be. Remember that God is not safe and there will always be risks in following Him. But, we can be assured that He is good. What else can be done to minister to kids on the mission field? What recommendations would you add to relate to children of a different cultural background than yourself?

What Can Tree Roots Teach about Ministry?

Kristin Charles — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:03:10 +0000

Scientists who study trees have determined that a tree’s roots grow outward to about three times the spread of its branches. Roots have a vast network underground that is largely unseen.

We never consider a tree’s roots unless a problem unearths itself.

Maybe hurricane force winds threaten the structure of a tree. Maybe erosion along a river exposes the roots to the elements and the tree looks like it’s just barely holding on. Or maybe some sort of disease or infestation attacks the roots, jeopardizing the entire health of the tree.

Tree roots develop, survive, and flourish where there is adequate oxygen and moisture. Essentially they need water and space to dive down deep in good soil. However, in compact soil, the roots grow close to the ground surface, increasing the vulnerability of the roots and therefore the tree.

So what does any of this have to do with children’s ministry? Everything.

I don’t know about you, but often times I forget that the saving work of my ministry is what happens before I leave the house. It’s in the quiet study of the Word of God, the stillness of prayer, and the heart of worship that brings action to words of praise.

Problems in our ministries will come. They may be hurricane force winds with children and their parents, our own staff and leadership, our church family, and maybe our own family. Or maybe the issues will look more like quiet erosion; unearthing our patience and withstanding.

Without ensuring that we have adequate breathing room, our roots will be shallow. Things may appear held together, but underneath the surface, our foundation is skewed. Without the Living Water drenching us and absorbing into our soul, our roots will be dry and irritable; our soil shallow. It is not unlike the familiar parable of the soils. Plants wither without good roots.

Jeremiah 17:7 also speaks to this very principle,

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him [and not himself]. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

However this finds you today, I hope that you know how valuable your ministry is. I hope that you know that lives are being changed by Christ in you, whether you can see it or not. I hope that you know that your work is worthwhile.

I also pray that as you have labored hard, you will take time out for yourself; for much-needed rest, encouragement, and soul care. Find some breathing room, drink the water of the Word, and send your roots down slowly and far. You have given much. Now the most valuable thing you can do is receive; from Him who has given you life to the full.