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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Take Heart – Jesus Has Overcome the World (John 16:33) Sunday School Lesson
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 […]
Super Bowl Children’s Sermons
Still looking for a children’s message that relates with the upcoming big game? Try one of the following Super Bowl Children’s Sermons 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 […]
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 […]
Top Bible Verses for Valentine’s Day
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. Don’t miss another great collection of Bible Verses about Love from Compassion. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever […]
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 […]
Cross-Cultural Kids Ministry: 10 Lessons from the Field
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 […]
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 […]
“Do Not Be Afraid” Preschooler Lesson about Halloween
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 […]
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 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, […]
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 […]
“Minute to Win It” Games for Kids Church
Do you need an icebreaker of sorts for your next children’s event? Minute To Win It games are great ways to begin an event, engage a crowd of children, and ramp up excitement. All of the games are played with easily accessible household items, so they are easy to prepare and of no cost to […]
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 […]