5 Ways To Show Pastor Appreciation Every Day

5 Ways to Show Pastor Appreciation

One of the essential components of a healthy children’s ministry is a good relationship with the pastor and or pastors of your church. Whether you serve as a Sunday School teacher, a children’s ministry director, or a nursery worker, it is imperative that servants in any capacity work together to support the leaders whom God has appointed for the local … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Integrating Sign Language into Children's Ministry

Throughout the course of our time spent together, she will say any number of words to me from “silly bird” to “milk” to “thank you” and “cold.”  She is just 16 months, so her verbal skills aren’t there yet, but her sign language communicates most everything she needs.  He was ten years old when he sat behind a desk in … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas in July: Ideas for Children's Ministry

With the blazing summer temperatures, it may be hard to envision celebrating Christmas at this time of year.  But the heart of the gospel is that God came down to be present with us each and every day.  Christmas in July gives us the opportunity to talk about God’s story all over again.  The unique timing of the celebration ensures … More Children’s Ministry Resources

10 Wacky Olympic Games for Kids Ministry

Still looking for a few summer games for your kids ministry?   Add these Olympic game variations to your Vacation Bible School, day camp, summer camp, or whatever else you have planned!  Get ready to compete, laugh, and encourage the children in your ministries.  Of course, adapt as necessary for the age, size, and ability of your group.  Just remember to … More Children’s Ministry Resources

An Olympic Story: The Gold Medal Life of Eric Liddell

Olympic athletes capture our attention and our hearts with the stories of their lives, their commitment and sacrifice, and their excellence in their field of play.  With the 2012 Summer Olympics quickly approaching, there is so much we can do to engage the children in our ministries! If you’re looking for a short devotional, a quick children’s sermon, or a … More Children’s Ministry Resources

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

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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources

10 Gifts that Kids Can Make for Mother's Day

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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources

11 Tips for Serving a Small Country Church

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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Super Bowl Children's Sermons

Sports Equipment

Use this children’s sermon in your church on Super Bowl weekend. 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.’ This sermon for … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Tips for Teaching to Toddlers

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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Valentine’s Day Bible Verses for Children

Valentine's Day Bible Verses for Children

Let’s make sure God’s Word has the final say about the true meaning of love. Here are our top 10 Bible Verses for Valentine’s Day. Children’s Bible Verses for Valentine’s Day 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. Download … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Preschool Lesson about "Sin and Saving Love"

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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources

What Can Tree Roots Teach about Ministry?

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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources

"Do Not Be Afraid" Preschooler Lesson about Halloween

Little girl making afraid face

Halloween can be a frightening season for small children, with its skeletons, ghosts, witches, monsters, and the like.  Even if a child is not exposed to Halloween celebrations at home, the stores are inundated with gory displays.  It is almost impossible to ignore. But Halloween (I don’t think) should be ignored.  It is the second highest grossing commercial holiday besides … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Preschool "Fall into Harvest" Teaching Games for Kids

Looking for a way to merge the fall season into your Sunday School lesson, Bible club, Christian classroom, or Awana meeting?  Here are three age-appropriate Bible game ideas for preschoolers.  They are sure to not only engage and entertain the youngest crowd, but also teach them an applicable Biblical truth.  Get ready to get out of your seats, laugh, encourage, … More Children’s Ministry Resources

10 Ways to Manage Behavior Problems in Sunday School

It’s happened to all of us.  We’re in the middle of an awesome lesson.  Most of the kids are tracking with us, except that one. That one is not only tuning out every word, but that one is hiding under the pew, flying a church bulletin airplane your way, or attempting to fit his entire foot in the offering envelope.  Ahhh…. That one. Let’s … More Children’s Ministry Resources

"Minute to Win It" Games for Kids

These simple game ideas add instant fun to any Sunday School class or Children’s Church lesson. Scroll down for a list of games or watch the demonstration video below. Video Examples: 50 Minute to Win It Games for Kids How to Play a Minute To Win It Game: Set a timer for one minute and complete the task. Whoever complete … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Ready, Set, Splash! 10 Water Games for Kids

With scorching temperatures this summer, cooling off with some fun water games might just be the fun you need at your next children’s event.  Here is an arsenal of popular water activities for kids to use at your next Vacation Bible School, Day Camp, church picnic, family day, or in your own backyard. All that is required for most of these are … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Preventing Heat Related Illnesses in Children

It is vital to be aware of heat related illnesses in children, especially if they are entrusted to our care for summer programming.  The entire staff should be briefed on prevention, identification, and treatment. Most likely, a child experiencing an illness of this nature has a hard time knowing what is going on.  They could be engaged in a lively … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Family Devotions with a Kid-Friendly Pirate Theme

I can’t say that I understand the fascination with pirates, but it exists!  Kids love pretending to be pirates!  They adore the ideas of ship travel, the anchor drop, a hook for a hand, buried loot, and treasure maps. You will love these devotions for kids based on that theme! If your little one has a fascination for playing the part … More Children’s Ministry Resources

18 Parachute Game Ideas for Kids

Maybe it’s the bright colors, endless possibilities for fun, or the friends surrounding it; whatever it is, just the sight of a parachute makes kids yelp, jump, and nosedive.  It’s funny really.  Their sheer delight cannot help but make anyone smile. A parachute is a simple equipment piece that is a perfect add to any children’s ministry environment.  Parachute prices … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Grace Based Parenting: A Summer Must Read

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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources