Ministry-to-Children.com » Children’s Ministry Ideas

Sports Evangelism at Church: Does It Work?

Tony Kummer — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:41:15 +0000

Our church is wrapping up it’s fifth season of Upward Soccer. It’s become a fixture on our calendar and I can’t imagine not doing it. But like any outreach program, it needs annual evaluation.

We broke all the rules when we first launched our first season. I was still in my first year at the church and we were without a pastor. The congregation was reeling from rapid shifts in leadership and division generations. At that point we only had about 30 kids attending during our main worship service.

I pitched the program to the church on a Sunday night, then paused for questions. One timid older lady raised her hand, “So, we’re going to play soccer against other churches?”

I had a lot of explaining to do.

That first year we registered nearly 80 players. The second year it rose to 120. Then a year at 150 and another at 180. This year down to 130 because we moved the program from Fall to Summer.

All this raises the obvious question of fruit. Has this ministry met it’s goals? Does it reflect excellence? Have we added new families to the church? Have members been empowered to serve? Have we introduced children to Jesus?

The answers are not as clear as I wish.

Overall using Upward has made our soccer league a model of excellence in our community. Every year kids come to our program for a family and kid friendly approach to sports. They love the positive experience we provide. The training, materials, and support from Upward has made this possible – especially since I knew nothing about the sport five years ago.

Each year we’ve added at least one new family to our church, sometimes more. These are usually estranged church members from other congregations. Our sports outreach has helped us connect with them and move them back toward active discipleship.

I credit the program will bringing our church together in difficult times. Our younger parents coach the teams while the older group work concessions or maintain the fields. We followed the Upward prayer guide and had hundreds of people lifting up the program to God.

The kids who came to Jesus are a different story. The short devotions during practice just didn’t lead to many spiritual breakthroughs. Yes, there have been kids who built on what they knew and took steps of faith. But overall I can not point to any specific conversions on the Soccer field. That’s not to discount the real impact on some kids who first connected with our church through sports later came to Christ in other programs.

Moving forwards, Upward Soccer has been a positive and healthy activity for our church. While I wouldn’t recommend it strictly for evangelism, it was very helpful for outreach and making new connections with un-churched families.

What Do You Think?

How about you? Does your church run a sports outreach? I’d love to hear about your experience. Simply leave a comment below to respond.

The top and middle photo from this post are use with permission from Tim Brister’s photo stream on Flickr.

Encouragement & Recruiting DVD for Kids Ministry

Tony Kummer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:17:24 +0000

Bob Singleton from God’s Kids Worship sent me a review copy of their special encouragement resource DVD titled The Story in their Eyes.

The idea is to show this video at a teacher appreciation event or use it in recruiting volunteers for your children’s ministry. I could imagine some churches would show it directly to their congregation during a Sunday Morning Service.

The cool part about this resource is how each church can customize it. The DVD includes a standard version of the video, but also the files need to make a PowerPoint version using pictures from your own church. He’s also made a version of the video without lead vocals, so you can have a soloist perform the song.

Here is a link to watch the video for yourself, you can also order/learn more on their website.

Story In Their Eyes DVD Giveaway

This post is your chance to win a free copy of this DVD resource. Just leave a comment below sharing how you might use the video. I will randomly draw 2 winners on Tuesday 27 July 2010 from the comments. Be sure to use your real email or I won’t be able to contact you. Shipping is limited to the US on this giveaway.

Story In Their Eyes Lyrics

“The Story In Their Eyes” Composed & Produced by Bob Singleton. © 2006 Agnes Day Music, BMI. recording p 2006 Creative Ministries Project. CCLI SONG NO. 5061912.
Dedicated to Children’s Ministry volunteers and professionals all over the world

VS 1
In the eyes of every child
Behind their tears, behind their smile
Is a story of their life and times
More than what they heard in nursery rhymes
A story showing in their eyes
The story starts, and then it grows
It’s what they see, it’s what they know
If they see the love of Jesus clearly
Learn to hold on to Him dearly
You’ll see the love of God grow in their eyes.

Chorus
There’s a story in the eyes of every child
It’s their journey, every turn, and every smile
Will they see Jesus before their hearts grow cold
And hear the Truth before their souls grow old,
Will Jesus be the story in their eyes.

VS 2
They need to see; they need a guide
With open heart, arms open wide
Simple acts of love can deeply reach them
Simple words that deeply teach them
Opening a world of hope in their eyes
It’s all they ask; it isn’t much,
A little time, a gentle touch.
If we help to reach a child’s heart, then
We can have a tiny part in
Jesus in the story in their eyes.

Chorus
There’s a story in the eyes of every child
It’s their journey, every turn, and every smile
Help them see Jesus before their hearts grow cold
And hear the Truth before their souls grow old,
Help Jesus be the story in their eyes.
Bridge
Turn their eyes on Jesus
With everything you say
Turn their eyes on Jesus
With everything you do
Turn their eyes on Jesus
In every little way
Fill their souls, fill their lives
Fill their hearts, fill their eyes
With Jesus!

Chorus
There’s a story in the eyes of every child
It’s their journey, every turn, and every smile
Let them see Jesus before their hearts grow cold
And hear the Truth before their souls grow old,
Let Jesus be the story in their eyes
Let Jesus be the story in their eyes
Let them see Jesus,
Let them see Jesus.

Missions Education Idea: Paper Person on a Mission

Kristin Charles — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:45:47 +0000

Image from www.FlatStanley.com

Many elementary classrooms utilize a character by the name of Flat Stanley to support literacy. Flat Stanley is a paper figure that is folded up and mailed to a child in another part of the country and world. Once Flat Stanley is received, he is welcomed as a guest. Pages of a journal are completed and Flat Stanley returns to the original sender, sometimes with photographs, pins, or postcards of his travels.

This particular concept transfers especially well in a Children’s Ministry setting. You could do this as a kids church, or have each Sunday School class do their own. As a group, children create their own character, name it (Around the Map Jack, Encouraging Emily, Mavner the World Traveler, etc!), give it a personality, and send it to missionaries around the world. Upon receiving the character, the missionary photographs the character in their ministry setting and describes what they do. They would then send the character back with a letter that highlights unique foods, sights, a simple language lesson (hello, goodbye, thank you, Jesus, etc.), cultural specifics, and/or prayer requests. This activity serves a threefold purpose:

It provides a way for children to participate in world missions.
It encourages and supports missionaries (in particular, missionary kids).
It teaches children about different peoples, cultures, and places around the world.

Upon the character’s return, the children welcome him/her back with a celebration. The letter is read, photographs shared, and the missionaries prayed for. In addition, a “welcome back party” could include eating a simple food, playing a game, or making an art project native to the area.

In the church, a display can be created that includes a map highlighting the character’s journey. As photos, letters, and memorabilia are received, they can be posted on the map and tracked. This will provide a great visual that gives children an understanding of people and places around the world.

If you do happen to use this idea in your specific ministry setting, please leave a comment below. Also make sure to add any suggestions that you may have. Thank you and happy traveling!

Need More Ideas? Here area 10 ways to teach kids about missions. You can also find some really cool missionary stories online.

Back To School Ideas for Kids Church

Mimi Bullock — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:47:00 +0000

During the summer, some ministries turn into literal “ghost towns” with empty chairs and a table full of volunteer tags. Summertime church attendance can be a bummer. All that changes in the fall as kids return home from summer vacations or weeks with the other parent. Schools open soon and parents will be focused on schedules and school supplies. What an ideal time to be the kids’ minister! Gearing up for fall at kids’ church is key to keeping your ministry relevant, involved and serving your sheep, the kids. While a natural increase in your attendance will probably occur you can expand your opportunity to reach deeper into the community, and reach more kids with some creative ideas. Use these ideas to get your fall kids’ church and children’s Sunday School ready for the return of families.

Mom’s Day Out
School supply shopping can be taxing when you have to bring the kids along. Plan a night or series of nights for mom’s day out so she can shop kid-free. Roll out your favorite PG Christian or animated films and have a low-key movie night for kids. Provide drinks and some popcorn for snacking. Make your own movie tickets and hand them out at kids church and send them to absent summer families.

Welcome Back Packs
Buy inexpensive backpacks or tote and fill them up with goodies. Burn CDs with new kids’ church music or video of a recent, fun service. Add some hard candy, pencils, erasers and inexpensive Bible coloring books. Prepare enough for every child. Notify the kids by mail that in order to get their ‘welcome back packs’ they will need to attend on a specified date.

Redecorate!
Before kids show up at your facility, do some redecorating. Of course, do not blow your budget but small changes can bring a lot of attention too. New curtains, rugs or posters are simple things you can change. Make a larger impact by adding a mural or some new furniture.

Special Guests
Host a special guest for your in-house fall kick off. Search through your network to find a musical guest, a goofy clown or teacher to minister to your kids one service. Drum up interest by advertising the special guest for several services before the actual date. Create a schedule for your guest and send it to him in advance so he can get an idea of how your service operates and where his portion will be.

Gearing up for fall at kids’ church will create renewed excitement and energy in your church. When kids are excited about coming to church, the whole family gets involved.

Need More Outreach Ideas? Consider a Trunk or Treat Event this Fall, or read about making the most of your outreach follow-up.

Preschool Moms Ministry: Preschool Play Day

Amy Brown — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 03:32:37 +0000

When ministering to children we must keep in mind our ministry is also to their parents. We are to partner with parents in spiritually leading their children. Not only are we to teach our church’s children on Sunday mornings, but we are to support the parents in our church so they can biblically train up their children in the way they should go.

Many preschool moms spend much time in their homes with their children. A great way to reach out to these young mothers and partner with them is to organize Preschool Play Days. The summer is a perfect time to plan a few of these fun fellowship events!

For a Preschool Play Day, an activity is planned where the children can play with each other while the mothers are freed up to talk and encourage one another. Plan a play day on a chosen weekday to give moms and kids a chance to connect with one another on a day other than Sunday. These play days work best in the mornings, so the moms and kids can enjoy the activity and eat lunch together before everyone heads home for the children’s afternoon naps.

A way to spiritually partner with these preschool moms would be to create a written devotional which corresponds with the chosen activity. A copy of the devotional can be distributed to the moms to take home and teach their children later that day.

Here are some ideas to use which have been done at my church:

1. Visit the Local Zoo

Many young families in your church may already have a family pass to your city’s zoo. These passes often allow an extra guest to join them which can be used for moms who do not have a pass. Meet at the front gate and then have a pre-designated time and place in the zoo to gather for lunch later. A devotional for this day could focus on God the Creator or the story of Noah’s Ark.

2. Park Play

Every city has a park with a play structure. Choose a park in your city which has a playground appropriate for preschool children. Have the moms pack lunches to bring, so the children can play and then everyone can eat lunch together. This idea could be used multiple times throughout the summer at various parks. A devotional for this day could focus on kindness, putting others before yourself and how God is glorified when we play well with others at the park.

3. Water Fun

Plan a variety of water activities to do on the grounds of your church campus. You could set up a few small kiddie pools, some slip-n-slides, water balloon games and more. A devotional for this day could be focused on Jesus and the woman at the well from John 4.

4. Inflatables

Rent some inflatable bounce houses to have set up on the grounds of your church. These make for hours of fun for young kids! A devotional for this day could focus on how God made each of us in the image of Him and we are to take care of our bodies for it honors the Lord.

5. Gymnastics

Many gymnastics facilities will organize a structured playtime for large groups where the children get to try out the equipment and learn how to do basic tumbling. Call around to some local gyms or search the internet to compare prices and see what is offered in your area. A devotional for this day could be on the same topic as the one written for the inflatables day above.

When offering these events to families it is wise to keep the price low and free whenever possible. If this is a new idea for your church, start by planning just one event to see how well it is received by the preschool families in your congregation. Preschool Play Days are a highlight of the week for our preschool moms and kids. Give Preschool Play Days a try and you will find your preschool mothers and children will be blessed!

Gift Ideas for Kids Visiting Your Church

Mimi Bullock — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:22:37 +0000

What do you do when children do not want to leave their parents in the sanctuary? How long will a church guest stay if their child is afraid? Shy children or children unaccustomed to church may resist your pleas to attend children’s church. Besides being friendly and an innate ability to speak “kid,” not every child is going to come easily. Not to worry, the resourceful children’s pastor has it under control. Try this simple gift idea to help kids church visitors feel more comfortable.

Here is a perfect example of using a shepherd’s tools to wrangle in that one little sheep that refuses to walk through the gate. While it may be easier to minister to all your sheep while they are in one room, it is not always that easy. For this child or children, take your ministry to where they are. Carve out small slices of time to spend with them to do some relationship building and use a visitor’s pack. Here is what to put in a church visitor’s pack.

Container – Pick a colorful folder with pockets or try something unusual like a small pizza box. Search the aisles of your local dollar store to find paper containers in unusual shapes.

Crayons – Buy large boxes of crayons. Place three colors each in small plastic storage bags. These go inside the container.

Bookmarks – Tuck in a blank bookmark with a Bible theme. Kids can color in the bookmark.

CDs – Burn copies of a few songs from your kids worship service. This way the child will be familiar with the music you use when she does come to church.

DVDs – With your pastor’s permission, video tape a few fun portions of your children’s church worship service. Make copies of the video and place the video inside the box. Kids can check out children’s church at home.

Bulletin – Include a copy of the latest children’s church bulletin in the container.

Pastor’s Note – Write a simple handwritten note and include it in the box. Use plain white note cards.

Novelty Toy – Visit your local party store. Shop around for some religious themed novelty toys. An example would be a WWJD bracelet, a set of Bible stickers or a plastic top.

Stickers – Place bright stickers on the container.

Marker Pens – Write the child’s name on the front of the container. If you do not know yet the child’s name, then just draw a smiley face on the box.

Present the child with the box or folder. Spend a few minutes showing him all the goodies inside. Tell the child this box is a gift from you to him. If possible, check with the child after church to remind him to take the box home. Tell him you look forward to seeing him next week.

The following week add new copies of your bulletins to your folders as well as new notes and toys. After a few weeks, the child will be ready to attend children’s church feeling confident that you care and that you will look out for him.

Visitor packs also help the children’s pastor reach kids that come in late that he cannot get to. Instruct the ushers to give the packs to any kids you may have missed.
On the outside of the folder or container, add a sticker that includes your name, phone number and the church website address. This will help parents connect with you if they have questions.

Need More Ideas? Learn how to make a new kid feel welcomed at church or read about making unchurched families feel welcomed.

10 Way to Get Kids Excited About the Bible

Wayne Stocks — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:23:08 +0000

If you asked the people who know me best to describe me, I am not certain that “Passionate” would be at the top of the list. Heck, I’m not even sure it would make the list, but there are some things that I am passionate about. I am passionate about God. It took 30 years before he called me into his family, and I sometimes feel like I am working double time to make up for that, but I am passionate about my Lord and Savior. I am passionate about my wife. God has blessed me with a woman I don’t deserve who gets a whole lot less than she deserves in me. I am passionate about my kids. They are one of the most important things in my life, and would do almost anything for them. And, I am passionate about serving the kids in my local church. I am passionate about leading kids to Christ and helping them to follow him through developing a biblical worldview.

That, of course, means that I am also passionate about the Bible. Here’s an article I wrote a year-and-a-half ago on the importance of God’s Word. I love to read it. I get fired up about my Bible because it teaches me about my Lord. I love to tell people about it, and I love to teach kids from it. It hasn’t always been that way though. I remember a couple of times as a kid when I picked up the Bible and resolved to read it cover to cover. I got about half way through the “begats” of Matthew, and I was toast. I would ask myself how anyone could actually sit and read this stuff. It would be more exciting to watch grass grow! Now, I can’t get enough. For the last several years, I have read through my Bible multiple times each year, not because I have to – but because I get to.

Now that I am a parent and a worker in children’s ministry I am faced with a daunting task, how do I convey my excitement for and about the Bible, and all that it contains, to the children who I influence – both my own and those in our ministry. In this article I will look at 10 things you can do to help kids catch a sense of excitement and intrigue about their Bibles.

10 Way to Get Kids Excited About the Bible

1. Let them see your excitement.
Let’s face it, excitement is contagious. How else would explain the “Stadium Wave” phenomenon that still rears its ugly head at sporting events. People get caught up in the moment. They get caught up in the excitement. Children are no different. Let them see you reading your Bible and enjoying it. Make certain that they hear you talking about the exciting things you’ve found in the Bible. Let them sense your excitement at the things the Bible has taught you. When they ask questions, refer to the Bible for answers. Let them see your excitement about the Word of God, and they are likely to feed off of that.

2. Hold your Bible.
When you are teaching kids, make sure that you physically hold your Bible. Whether or not you refer to it during your teaching, the mere fact that you are holding it implies to the kids that the story you are telling them in from that book. If they are interested in the story you are telling (say, David & Goliath), they are more likely to seek out the Bible to see what other exciting stories might be in there.

3. Teach them how to use it.
Some kids avoid the Bible because it is just so daunting. Take the mystery out of it. Show them how it is organized. Teach them where it came from and how it is arranged. Show them how to look up a verse. Teach them how to use a concordance. Help them to memorize the names of the books of the Bible. Show them the maps at the back. All of this will turn the Bible from a frighteningly thick book into a useful tool in the hands of a child.

4. Explain where it comes from and what is.
The Bible is not just any ordinary book. It was given to us by God. Children need to understand that what they have in the Bible is a recounting of the history of the Creator’s interaction with his creation. Furthermore, they need to understand how they fit into that story.

5. Give them a place to start.
Some people, including children, never get started into their Bibles because they just don’t know where to start. Challenge them to start reading somewhere. Figure out what interests them and suggest they start there, or pick a specific book and have them start reading it in small segments. The book of John is a great place to start.

6. Show them how it can be useful to them.
It is more than just a bunch of cool stories. It is the very words of the God who created everything they can see. When kids are playing video games (at least my teenager is this way), they love books full of cheat codes that show them the hidden levels and how to win the game. The Bible is just that kind of cheat book for life. Apply the Bible to real life circumstances and trials in a child’s life, and show them how to apply biblical precepts to the situation.

7. Encourage them to memorize it.
The Bible tells us that we should write the Word of God on our hearts. Kids should start memorizing scripture as soon as possible. Start with some core fundamental verses like John 3:16 and work on those over and over until they start to know God’s Word. Kids are capable of memorizing scripture before they are even capable of reading it. Playing music based on scriptural passages is another great way to help them memorize Biblical passages.

8. Find out what excites them and show it to them in the Bible.
The Bible is a cool book, and we should let kids know that. What other children’s book has God raining fire and brimstone from the sky, action and adventure like the flood and soap operas like the story of Esther or Ruth? There is something in there for everyone. Find out what interests an individual child and encourage them to read that story.

9. Use it in your class regularly.
Jesus should be at the center of everything we do in children’s ministry, and the Bible is what tells us about him. Therefore, make sure that the Bible is central to what you are teaching. Don’t just tell kids that the story you are telling them is from the Bible, put it in the context of the larger biblical story and tell the story from the Bible. When you use a verse as part of your lesson, read it directly from your Bible, not just your notes. Let the kids see and hear that the Bible should be central, and a guiding force, in everything we do.

10. Pray
We should do everything we can to get kids excited about God’s Word, but our efforts pale in comparison to what God Almighty is capable of. Accordingly, prayer is critical is your efforts to teach kids about the Bible. Pray that God would grow a sense of excitement and wonder about his Word in the hearts of your children. Pray that he would give them a burning desire to study his Word, and pray that he would help them to write his Word on their hearts.

Need More Ideas? Then learn how to read the Bible aloud to children or try this fun way to make Bible stories come to life.

Summertime Ideas for Children’s Ministry

Mimi Bullock — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:37:15 +0000

Summertime ministry to children is touch and go. Outside of big events like VBS, regular weekly attendance can wane during the summer months in the children’s ministry. Kids go on family vacations, head to summer camps and focus on play rather than worship. Meanwhile, nervous children’s ministry leaders anxiously await the return of their children knowing that a few will not make it back. Kids make new friends and sometimes visit other churches. Sometimes get out the habit of attending church and find it difficult to come back. In return, we pray over kids and feel somewhat helpless until the summer hubbub ends.

This year, refuse to take a step back in your ministry. Summer should not put you on the defense. Take your ministry on the offense, metaphorically speaking, of course. Forget hanging back at the church while the summer passes you by. Get out where the kids are and spend your summer connecting rather than disconnecting from your group. Try these tips for summertime ministry to children.

Snack Visits – Collect the addresses of children before summer arrives. From the addresses, gather children together in neighborhood groups. Before school is out, announce to children you will be stopping by in summer for snack visits. Ask kids to tell you their favorite snacks and drinks. You might hand out a form for kids to fill out. Visit kids by neighborhood will school lets out. Call ahead of course and get parent’s permission to visit. Show up with snacks and some outdoor play with kids. Bring bubble wands and chalk for playtime. Keep visits short about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Visit each kid in your predetermined neighborhood. Visit the neighborhood weekly or biweekly according to your schedule. Collect prayer requests, pray for kids and have fun. You might assign different neighborhoods to different days of the week. Involve your staff in these trips, but stay involved yourself.

Go Virtual – Create an interactive email newsletter for kids. On the other hand, if you are technologically challenged as many of us are, just send an email. Include simple polls so kids will respond and interact with you. Vary questions from spiritual to silly. Some good questions are “What is your favorite Kool-Aid flavor?” or “Which is your favorite book of the Bible- Genesis or Matthew?” Make announcements in your newsletter advertising fun weekly themes in your children’s ministry. Include photographs of your kids or your family enjoying summer activities.

Facebook – Start a Facebook page. Give your page a fun name and invite kids and parents to join. Add pictures and post a kid-friendly spiritual message daily.

No matter how you do it, don’t let this important time slip by. Get out of the office and back into the children’s ministry field this summer. When summer is gone, you will have a spiritual harvest of excited kids who love Jesus!

Teaching Tips For Multi-Age Classrooms

Kristin Charles — Mon, 31 May 2010 03:24:41 +0000

Put a fifth grader in a classroom with a six year old and you’ve got Miley Cyrus meets Hello Kitty. Two very different worlds collide. The Miley fan is thinking of using her allowance to buy eye shadow, if her mom allows. The Hello Kitty fan has just fallen off her chair, thinking that she really wants to play dress-up. Maybe she’ll be a princess today, or maybe Minnie Mouse. But then again she has that new ballerina outfit…

There they are staring you in the face on a Sunday morning, both with that far-off look in their eyes. Your church is a small one, so children of varying age levels are typically grouped together like this. You’ve got a great lesson in hand. Now, how do you convey it? How did that one room schoolteacher do it all and still maintain her sanity?

Not to fear. It is possible, beneficial, and one of the best things about teaching in a small church setting. Here are some considerations to make while planning for and teaching to a multi-age classroom. (I’ve learned from mistakes, you see!)

1. Ensure that the lesson plan is interactive: Use varied instructional strategies: lots of visuals, movement, hands–on activities, videos, role playing, listening cues for Bible passages, picture books, music, etc.

2. Factor in attention spans: Studies indicate that a child’s attention span is generally one minute longer than their age. A six year old might be able to focus for seven minutes. Plan accordingly. Provide a teacher directed activity then a child-directed activity and repeat.

3. Provide structure they can count on: Younger children especially thrive on routines. Build them in to every lesson. Utilize activities such as an opening prayer, an ice breaker, a Bible lesson, game, art project, and prayer. Be consistent, but allow for creativity within the structure.

4. Utilize the older child in a leadership role: Allowing the older students to help builds responsibility, character, and maturity. Invite them to distribute supplies. Use their specific individual gifts to help teach. Have students read passages or picture books if they are confident readers. Have older students provide music accompaniment in worship or create artwork as a visual for your lesson. A young athlete might show pictures of playing a sport and discuss discipline (and be on top of the world doing so!) Whatever you do, ensure that each student has advanced warning so that they can be prepared and confident for their part of the lesson.

5. Set the tone: Model how to give encouragement, how to get along, how to work together. Emphasize what you expect out of each activity. If it’s a game, model what to do and what not to do. Be over the top and silly, yet know when to be firm. Give clear and simple directions. Let each child know what their individual role is.

6. Promote cooperation and teamwork: Group students differently, depending on each activity. Sometimes independent work is necessary. Other times, components of the lesson would be better off shared with a partner, a group of four, or two teams of ten. Mix age groupings to coincide with your desired outcome and match your learning assessments accordingly. Be flexible, creative, and know your students well!

What considerations have you used in working with multi-age classrooms? Please share your suggestions below. Thanks!

Why Not Have Fun with Your Kids Church Offering?

Wayne Stocks — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:57:25 +0000

God has blessed us richly in this life, and the natural reaction to that blessing should be a desire to give back. The Bible also tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. So, how do you convey that excitement about giving to children and encourage them to give themselves. Obviously, it begins with teaching them the biblical reasons and mandate for giving, but it also helps to inject a little bit a fun into the process. If the Bible tells us that God loves a cheerful giver, there is nothing wrong with injecting some fun and cheer into the actual giving process. By doing so, the children in our ministry get to develop the habit of doing something that God calls us to do, and enjoy the actual giving part at the same time.

With that in mind, our ministry recently ordered some miniature wishing wells from Spiral Wishing Wells to use during our offering time. The wishing wells are those things that you find in malls and at the zoo where you start a coin rolling down a shoot and it rolls around and around until it finally makes its way into the hole in the bottom of the wishing well. I know that every time we pass one, no matter what the cause, my kids empty their pockets and mine of any coins before we can move on. There is just something captivating about watching the coins go round and round. The miniature ones are affordable at only $20-$25 depending on how many you order. We ordered two.

If you attend a large church with a larger budget, the larger wishing wells are available as well, but the small ones work just fine for our purposes.

At the beginning of our offering time, we place the wishing wells at the front of the classroom on either side of the room. We explain why we take an offering every week and why giving is important. We explain what cause their offering goes to, and then we invite kids to come forward and give their offering while some music plays in the background.

The first week we brought out the wishing wells to use in offering, the kids were fascinated with them. They all wanted to rush forward to watch the coins drop into the wishing well, but we only let those kids who had brought offering come forward to use them. By doing so, we have created some additional excitement about giving and encouraged the kids to save their coins to drop in the wishing wells at church to support another child half way around the world.

In the interest of full disclosure, our website is not affiliated with the Spiral Wishing Wells company. That said, if they read this article, I think they should contact Tony to advertise on the site, because I think these wishing wells are an outstanding way for children’s ministries to encourage the habit of giving in the children they minister to.