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 church body. Pastors in today’s society do not have an easy job, but I suppose they never
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 my fourth grade classroom in South Korea. Communication with him was a challenge due to his autism,
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 that it will be a memory maker for years to come. Here are some ideas to create
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 demonstrate everything first, use objects that you have on hand to cut costs, and the sillier the
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 Sunday School lesson, introduce your students to the incredible life story of Eric Liddell, the 1924 Gold
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,
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,
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
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
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 kids will remind the whole church that God sees what matters most. Children’s Sermons for Super Bowl
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.
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 this Valentine’s Day Bible Verse poster as a print-ready PDF. 1 John 3:1 See what great 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 comment below with your suggestions for other readers. Objectives: To help preschool students comprehend the extent of sin; to
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
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
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 Christmas and strongly integrated into American culture. The Halloween season is a perfect time to talk about
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, learn, and wiggle! Wiggle Those Bones: This game is a perfect way for preschoolers to burn some
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 be honest. You love that one. You want to reach that one. You just don’t always know what to
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 the task first is the winner! You might also enjoy learning 3 NEW ways to play Tic
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 water balloon games, giant sponges, containers, and access to a LOT of water. And of course a
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 game, they might feel confused as to how they are feeling, or they may feel uncomfortable talking
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 of a pirate, why not teach some Biblical truths while you’re at it? Here are some simple
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 range from $20 to $100, but you can always acquire a used one at a great price.
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
