Ministry-To-Children.com » Christian Parenting

Printable Baby Dedication Certificate

Tony Kummer — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:40:55 +0000

Click above to download this certificate of baby dedication

I didn’t like buying baby dedication certificates and wanted a little more control over what information was required for the form. So put together this simplified keepsake to give parents after the ceremony with their child.

Download:

Easy to print PDF document (simple format for any church)
Microsoft Word Doc (for custom editing)

Just be sure to print these on certificate or heavy resume style stationary. You should print the document 2-sided and then fold into this bulletin format.

This is an important keepsake that families will cherish as their children grow in the Lord. I’ve also left space for the pastor to write his own short note or prayer under the Bible verse on the inside flap. This extra touch will mean even more in years to come.

Curious about how other churches handle the dedication of infants? Read our think-tank post where children’s ministry leaders share about how their church conducts this service.

Click on this preview to download the certificate as a PDF document

How to Get Kids to Behave in Church

Mimi Bullock — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:43:21 +0000

Every parent and teacher knows, if given a choice, kids would rather get up and play than sit still for long periods. However, some children have difficulty behaving even if attending a fast-paced, exciting children’s church. There are plenty of reasons why a kid would feel a compulsion to behave badly but a frazzled parent doesn’t have time to stop for counseling sessions in the middle of a service. If you are having difficulty getting kids to behave in church, there are a few things you can do to make the experience a little easier.

Share Your Expectations

Kids know church is special but it’s up to you to explain why. Talk to kids ahead of time about how to behave in church. You should explain to them what’s expected and how everyone else will behave. Have this discussion in advance of church but remind kids again on the way to church. Give your child a good meal before church so hunger pangs don’t encourage bad behavior. Avoid giving kids candy, like chocolate or sugary drinks that make little nervous systems fidgety before service.

Strategic Seating

I loved this idea as soon as I heard it and I can attest that it does work. When my oldest was small, long before I became involved in children’s church, I used the “seat game.” On the first visit to our new church, we sat on the back row. When we arrived at church, I told my son Jesse that if both he and I were both good, we would sit on the next row, just ahead of us, the following service. We sat on bench seven, then six and finally two. The seat game really worked for my son who loves a challenge. After a few weeks, we were almost on the front row. However, if this doesn’t work for your child, don’t be discouraged. A good seat on the back row will suffice until your child gets a little older.

Special Church Bags

Pack a special backpack just for church. Put small games and toys in the bag and don’t let kids play with it until you’ve arrived at church. Special bags make this time even more exciting for little ones. Please observe sanctuary rules about snacks and drinks. These are no-no’s for church except for infants.

Enforce Time Out

If you have to leave the sanctuary during church for a “timeout” don’t reward children with a visit to the nursery. Make your child sit quietly for timeout in an out of the way place, like the restroom where you can monitor him. Timeouts should be short though. The minute rule is best for enforcing timeouts. For example, one minute of seat time for a one-year old.

Encourage Worship

Show kids what church is all about by leading by example. Encourage worship by praising God with singing and clapping your hands, if appropriate. Smile frequently at your child to involve him in the service.

Sunday Best

Kids like dressing up, there’s no denying it. Donning new or special clothing makes Sunday School and church seem even more exciting. Set aside a few outfit for church and don’t allow the child to wear them any other time.

Kid-Friendly Churches

Attend kid-friendly churches. While all true churches love all the members of the congregation, some are more kid-friendly. Find a congregation that places an emphasis on family ministries or that have understanding, supportive members.

Read more about Mimi on her blog, Encouragement for Christians.

Simple Prayers for Children

Tony Kummer — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:43:20 +0000

Teaching children to pray often includes learning a few sample prayers by memory. This page lists a few that we recommend.

You should teach kids to pray using their own words, but these route prayers are powerful tools to help children build confidence in their talking with God.

When possible, I prefer biblical prayers. For longer prayers, practice them at bedtime for one week, then move to the next. After a few weeks, start from the beginning of the list or incorporate new prayers into the list.

Our Father Prayer (the Lord’s Prayer) Matthew 6

Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13 ESV

Simple Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May angels watch me through the night
and wake me with the morning light.

Psalm 4:8 Bedtime Prayer

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

“God is Great” Simple Mealtime Prayer

God is great, God is good,
let us thank Him for our food,
by His hands, we are fed,
give us Lord our daily bread. Amen

Psalm 23 Prayer: The Lord is My Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 54 Bedtime Prayer

Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.
(Psalm 54:4-5 ESV)

Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild (from Wesley’s Hymn)

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.
(see the other 5 stanzas)

Podcast #14 The Legacy Path with Brian Haynes

Tony Kummer — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:24:05 +0000

Pastor Brian Haynes created the "Legacy Milestones" strategy for family ministry.

In this fast moving interview, I talk with Brain Haynes about his new Christian parenting book titled The Legacy Path. Among other topics, I asked how these principles can help the non-traditional and broken families our churches need to reach with the Gospel.

Update ~ Brian also responded specifically to one of my questions on his blog.

Directions: To listen to this audio recording, simply click the play button below or download the MP3 audio file.

You can learn more about Brian on his personal blog or the Legacy Milestones website. The book is available on Amazon. This podcast was part of a collaborative book tour featuring the following ministry blogs. Check out their posts for more Q&A with Brian.

Brandon Baker posted a video chat with Brian on his blog.
Jonathan Cliff asks a great question about kids who reject the faith of their parents.
Karl Bastian asks why parents feel so inadequate to disciple their own children.
Sam Luce asks who needs to be the main champion of it the milestone strategy.
Henry Zonio asks how this book will work with non-traditional families.
Dan Scott asks how parents can begin to engage a church that doesn’t celebrate milestones.

Grace Based Parenting: A Summer Must Read

Kristin Charles — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:32:34 +0000

Preview this book on Amazon.com

I really hope that I’m not alone when I say that parenting is the hardest thing that I have ever done. I say that in honesty and humility. I am ashamed to say that I have misrepresented a loving God to my children with impatience, fatigue, fear, control, or manipulation at times. This is not how God parents me.

God parents me with grace. God parents me with love. God parents me with freedom.

Grace Based Parenting, by Dr. Tim Kimmel, explores these foundational truths. Using God’s parenting style as a guide and His word as our directive, Grace Based Parenting allows us to see our children as God sees them. They are flawed and forgiven, as are we.

Dr. Tim Kimmel states that every child has the following inner needs: to be secure in love, to have a significant purpose, and to have a strong hope in Christ. These particular needs are met through the four following freedoms:

The freedom to be different
The freedom to be vulnerable
The freedom to be candid
The freedom to make mistakes

After reading this book, I had to confess that I often take these freedoms away from my own children. I balk at my son wearing a batting helmet into the grocery store and I cringe when my daughter covers herself in mud and worms for the fun of it. I need to allow my children to be the individuals that God designed them to be, even if that looks like daily helmets and too many loads of laundry.

Besides allowing for the quirks, I also learned that I need to allow for their weaknesses. As a girl raised with a strong New England work ethic, I grew up learning that weaknesses were not acceptable. You try harder, you work harder, or you do things smarter. Granted, hard work is its own reward and we need to teach our children the value of it. However, we also need to teach them the value of weakness.

Dr. Kimmel writes, “Sometimes God deliberately puts things in our children’s lives that make them feel extremely fragile – and He doesn’t take them away.” Much like Paul’s thorn in his flesh, our children will grow up with an area of vulnerability. It is our responsibility to respond to that weakness with grace. In fact, grace will make all of the difference in the world. It will either allow them to identify with the weakness and be condemned by it. Or, it will allow them to identify with Christ and know that His power is made perfect in that very vulnerability.

I would highly recommend Grace Based Parenting to any parent, grandparent, children and youth ministry worker, teacher, whomever. It is one of the best books I have ever read on championing children. It is not a book of impossible lists, formulas, and/or do’s and don’ts; nor is it a book that licenses sin. It is a book that challenges the way you see the children in your homes, communities, and churches. It challenges you to see them through the lens of Christ, who parents us with grace; that we might partner with Him to do the same.

If you’re looking for a book to read in that long car ride or at the pool this summer, this might just be the one! What other books on parenting would you recommend? We would love to hear your comments, thoughts, and suggestions.

For more Dr. Tim Kimmel, visit his website or follow on Twitter.

Video “Circle of Blessing” Object Lesson

Tony Kummer — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:09:42 +0000

Doug Wolter posted a video on his blog demonstrating the “circle of blessing” concept. He was using this as part of a sermon on the 5th commandment. I love the way he brings the whole point back to the Gospel.

This is something you could teach in your children’s ministry, but the video would be helpful in teaching parents as well.

Supplies Needed:

Circle of about 3ft diameter. I used a piece of rope attached to the floor with masking tape. A large hula-hoop would also work.
Squirt-gun or plastic spray bottle. You could use a sports whistle to add optional emphasis.

Main Idea: The Bible promises protection for those who honor their parents. This concept can be demonstrated as a circle of blessing.

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:1-3 or Exodus 20:12

If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out our obey your parents Bible lesson that teaches this concept of the circle of blessing. You can print off several story scripts for acting out this object lesson.

Parent Life Magazine

Tony Kummer — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:56:47 +0000

Click above to learn more about this magazine

My friends at LifeWay have offered to giveaway some subscriptions to help promote their parenting magazine. Here are a few details about this magazine from their excellent Parent Life blog.

ParentLife brings a Christian worldview to today’s top parenting and cultural issues, covering topics related to health, development, education, discipline, and spiritual growth. Each issue of ParentLife gives practical ideas and insights to help parents meet the responsibilities and celebrate the joys of parenting. ParentLife is set apart from other secular parenting magazines in that it alone addresses the whole child: physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally … and spiritually.

This giveaway has now ended. If you are interested, download a PDF sample of this magazine from their website.

Christian Parenting Conference on DVD

Tony Kummer — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:53:35 +0000

Click here for more information about this DVD set from WTSbooks

For years, I’ve been recommending Age of Opportunity as an excellent and Gospel-focused book about Christian parenting.

Now that same author has a whole parenting conference on DVD called “Getting to the Heart of Parenting.” Each of the 10 sessions last for about 25 minutes.

That makes it an excellent tool for a small group, church seminary, or private study. The disks include printable discussion and leaders guides.

What’s even better? WTSbooks has this product on sale for an incredible price. It normally costs about $60, but you can get it now for only $15. At that price I’m going to flood our church with this resource. The sale only lasts one week.

I’ve been reviewing the set in my office this week. I have been inspired and challenged in my own parenting. Dr. Tripp makes the content come alive with personal stories and practical advice. I’m glad to recommend this material for anyone who wants to follow God’s plan for their family.

This giveaway has now ended. Thanks to all who participated. I’ve notified the winners by email.

To make this more fun, I’ll give you a chance to win 2 copies of this material. Simply watch the video below and leave a comment with your first impressions. You can say what you like or even disagree. If you want, just say how you would use these training videos with the parents in your church.

Friday 15 January 2011 I’ll use random.org to select 3 winners. Each will get 2 copies of the material (one for you and a second to share). I can only ship to US addresses on this one. Thanks for participating!

New Book Helps Fight the Perfect Parent Syndrome

Emily A Mullens — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 16:40:32 +0000

Preview "Spiritual Parenting" on Amazon.com

“It’s hard enough to train kids to behave, but good behavior isn’t what Jesus calls for in the Bible.” In Spiritual Parenting, author Michelle Anthony calls us as parents to “depend upon God for our children’s spirtual and moral development, urging us toward a heart posture of surrender and faithfulness. The end goal is a vibrant faith that is passed on from one generation to another.”

Spiritual Parenting is a transformational and refreshing how-to manual filled with Biblical truth and a God-centered mind-set to parenting. Dr. Anthony’s personal experiences and her unique wisdom make this a valuable resource for Christian parents struggling to bring children up in the world, but not of it.

Dr. Anthony begins her book with the story we all can relate to. The perfect parent syndrome, where people look at our kids in amazement and think, “Wow what a magnificent mother!” Very quickly we realize that this approach is both overwhelming and exhausting. This is when we must realize that God alone is divine and He alone changes hearts and therefore we need him to help us parent differently. It is not our job to merely control our children’s behavior, but to create a spiritual life for them. The “by product” of this spiritual life is good behavior. Anthony explains that this is done by creating space for the Holy Spirit to do His work.

Michelle Anthony, earned her Ed.D Educational Leadership at Southern Seminary

The author introduces us to spiritual parenting in the first chapter. Her compelling description leads right into the next chapter which explains how we get there. She completes this chapter with a quick checklist of the the 10 environments where spiritual parenting flourishes.

The remainder of the book is dedicated to a detailed chapter for each environment. Each chapter gives us the examples and life experiences needed to put the experiences into play in our own parenting.

I love how quickly I could read through the book and begin implementing the strategies defined. I love how there was a chapter for each environment that I can refer to as needed. The layout of the book makes this a great resource that I can refer to as difficulties arise. I especially love the advice given to parents to pray for guidance and to listen to God as he speaks to you. What a great way to parent as we ourselves are the learners and the Holy Spirit is the teacher.

This, of course, would make a great small group study for parents especially with the chapter by chapter layout. But, It could also be used as a training tool for ministry leaders and their volunteers. After reading the first 2 chapters together, different volunteers could take a detailed chapter, read through it and share their thoughts on it.

I would love to give this book as a gift to parents at a baby dedication to help them begin their parenting journey on the right path. To raise the children God has gifted them, through Him and His Spirit. What more could a parent ask for then to have children who are transformationally living by conviction for Him.

Spiritual Parenting is available through David Cook publishers and can be found on Amazon.com. You can learn more about the book and it’s author on her official website and Facebook page. For a second opinion, check out these other blog reviews of this book: Wayne Stocks, Jared Kennedy, Anthony Prince

Bringing Up Girls, by Dr. James Dobson (Book Review)

Kristin Charles — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 13:15:39 +0000

"Bringing Up Girls" is available from Amazon.com

Enter into our home and you’ll see a play kitchen set with a birthday cake on the counter, waiting the daily baby doll birthday. You’ll trip over a stray Cinderella shoe and find a ballerina coloring page in-transit, ready to be mailed to Mimi. Pink is the only color in existence that we know of. We live in a five year old little girl’s world. Or rather, she lives in ours. What a beautiful place it is.

Sometimes when we talk before bed, there are inklings of another world; one less dreamy than her own. She is beginning to be aware of the darker side of life and its accompanying fears. As much as I want to shield her from pain that she may one day know, I would rather equip her with a foundation that will help her to exercise wisdom in the years to come. Those teenage years were volatile ones for me and the challenges have only intensified since then. It can’t hurt to begin taking a proactive stance now.

When Bringing Up Girls showed up on the shelves of our church library, I knew I had to check it out. We were heading on vacation, so there would be ample time to read it in the endless van ride. Dr. Dobson’s work is always highly touted in the Christian community and I was curious to hear what he had to say about raising the next generation of women. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

I feel really silly recommending a Dobson book to you. Like, of course, it would be recommended, right? It’s Dobson. Focus on the Family. Come on. But I’m going to go a step further. If there are girls in your home, in your ministry, or in your classroom, please consider investing the time to read this. It would be a valuable resource for parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers, counselors, you name it.

To be quite frank, the book is not the easiest read due to its length and honest assessment of challenges confronting girls today. I cringed over first person stories that support harrowing statistics. My stomach turned, but that’s just it. There are innumerable pressures assaulting this next generation. This is the reality and it is essential that we are aware. It is also imperative that we take the time to do something about it.

Dr. Dobson addresses multiple subjects in Bringing Up Girls: girls in peril, moral purity and manners, toxic consequences of popular culture, the differences between boys and girls, the responsibilities of parents, the re-emergence of the Princess movement and its benefits and trappings, the will of a child, behaviors that help and hinder a child’s development, physical and chemical changes affecting a child, and the dangers of invasive technology.

Though we have reason to be discouraged by the world that our daughters find at their doorsteps, we also have reason for hope. Dobson clearly and effectively states that hope in a chapter entitled “Good News about Girls.” He also provides practical advice and encouragement for helping girls navigate through each stage of their lives. In particular, I was challenged to protect our family dinner times together, break free from the constraints of technology to focus on relationship, and strengthen my prayer life for our daughter and all of the other girls in our ministry.

Suffice to say, I want to encourage you to pick up a copy. Make sure your own church has it on its shelves. Gift it for another. Please invest the time to read this book. Make the effort. Keep reading it through to its completion. And then, live your life to follow this promise, “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done…. So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.” Psalm 78:4, 6

You can purchase this book at Amazon.com