Transformation…It’s a fascinating thing, whether we are watching tadpoles and caterpillars or seeds and plants. What an amazing miracle that God can do such wonderful things…and that He can transform our lives, as well! In this lesson, we will take a look at one character in the Bible whose life was radically changed. Through Paul’s conversion and work, we see … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Being modern-day Christians, kids today may take for granted how radical it once was for non-Jews to get attention or hear the gospel. But we still at times might consider some things off-limits or “taboo,” or we think some types of people to be better than others. In this story, we see how God transformed Peter’s heart to realize how … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Jesus Walks Through the Walls… No Doubt About it! Tell all About it! He’s alive! So now what?? Once the eggs have been found, chocolate consumed, and bonnets put away, it may seem that Easter loses its thrill. But the empty tomb is only the beginning of the story, and there are important lessons to be gained from events immediately … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Worship is an integral component of the Christian faith…but why? Does God need our words of affirmation? Does He somehow require gratitude and praise? Throughout the Bible we are commanded to praise the Lord and give Him thanks. We are to tell others of His wondrous works. But this is not because God somehow craves our joyousness. Rather, worship is … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Kids love story time…and fortunately, God loves it, too, if we gauge by the many parables Jesus told throughout His ministry (more than forty of them!). Usually, these lessons were given to explain difficult principles or communicate messages of faith. Often, not everyone understood what Christ was describing…but just as those who often scoffed turned away, Jesus showed through … More Children’s Ministry Resources
We teach it and say it all the time…so much so that it can become only a trite closing to our daily prayer rituals. “In Jesus’s name…” “For thine is the kingdom and the glory forever and ever…” However we precede it, the word “Amen” is an important component of our blessings and communication with God. But what does it … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Our children are bombarded with cultural messages. From friends at school, the media, and messages all around, they gather information that insists they dress, eat, or act a certain way to “fit in.” They feel pressure to do certain things and see people focusing so much on temporal matters, and then hear a twenty-minute Sunday school chat on fixing their … More Children’s Ministry Resources
“Read me a story!” This child-driven request can be for adults an invitation to perform, music to the ears, or merely a bedtime stall tactic…but it is natural and wonderful for kids to enjoy listening to tales. In this age of instant satisfaction entertainment and screen-swiping technology, there is something to be said for a return to good “old-fashioned” literature. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
There are many ways that we might use (and/or abuse) the term “love” in today’s culture…we say we love God, sure…but we also love our families, or our favorite sports teams, or pizza! As we prepare for Easter and begin the Lenten season, we think about how much God loves us and we love Him. This lesson reminds us how … More Children’s Ministry Resources
For children, it sometimes seems that life meaning and purpose are a long way off, and that only adulthood brings significance. But God promises that all of us have a special job to do. He has planned out our lives before we were even born! Prophets are not always widely studied in basic Sunday school classes, but looking at these … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The Trinity can be a difficult concept for anyone to grasp, but it is especially tough for youngsters who tend to be quite literal-minded. The transfiguration of Jesus offers a glimpse of the Trinity, as well as a wild display of God’s glory and confirmation of who Christ is. Needless to say, nothing is simple about this event, but we … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Childlike Maturity… Cultivating an Attitude of Genuine Enthusiasm “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17) What, exactly, might this mean? Why would … More Children’s Ministry Resources
There are many ways to consider how the church operates as a team of believers…the Bible makes it clear that every person has special gifts and abilities. We can use those unique elements to come together and do amazing things. But we have to use each other to make it happen. As adults we may be used to this message, … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Even (and sometimes especially) in the church, students are often at a loss to understand or explain some of the basic essentials of Christianity. Sometimes kids grow so used to a routine of “doing church” that they forget why it is important to participate in a church body or go through the motions we are accustomed to doing. It … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What did God do for us and why is it important? Why do we need Jesus, anyway? Sometimes we take for granted what it means that we are God’s children and have been redeemed. This lesson emphasizes the importance of a Messiah and reminds us that God used prophets to tell everyone what was coming. It also reminds us that … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The Bible is full of fantastic miracles. These are performed by Jesus, by His disciples and followers, and by God Himself. Sometimes, in our constant reading and telling of them, we can take miracles for granted and neglect their ultimate meaning and place in things. Youngsters hearing about miracles might wonder why we don’t see these unearthly feats accomplished today. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
A preschool student in our group recently asked what he didn’t realize was a potentially profound question… “Do angels wear clothes?” He was probably inquiring with regard to drawing a picture, and I didn’t want to ignore his curiosity. My response was that when angels are sent to earth, they have clothes to talk to people; but when they are … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I am a runner. I shamelessly display my “26.2” bumper stickers and Road Runners club key fob, and I rarely have all ten toenails intact. Running is in some ways rather an odd passion: it requires vast discipline and sacrifice, yet yields minimal immediate visible results (minus the black toenails). In spite of that, there is such joy and satisfaction … More Children’s Ministry Resources
For simple reasons of human error and re-print malfunction, our church bulletin this week read “First Sunday of Advent,” accidentally listing service details for the beginning of the Lenten season rather than Christmas. It was an understandable and laughable mistake, but started me thinking a bit, too…when glancing at liturgical seasons, we consider Lent a time to pause and reflect … More Children’s Ministry Resources
By this point in the season, the decorations are probably hung and the excitement is building. We find ourselves in the second week of Advent, continuing to celebrate and planning and preparing for upcoming celebration. This week, the wreath candle is the candle of preparation (or peace), or the Bethlehem candle. In honor of this, it is a great time … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The department stores have been displaying Christmas goodies since the day after Halloween, but at last the church calendar has officially caught up, and the season of Advent is upon us. Whether you eagerly anticipate opening illustrated doors to find chocolate, attend weekly church services, or are looking for new ways to celebrate, it is a joyous and festive time … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It is no secret that kids tend to have a short-sighted view of things — easily impatient and frustrated when results do not immediately appear. We encourage verbal gratitude at Thanksgiving time and for gifts, but do not always extend that attitude to daily life. Young and older children (and even adults!) can often use an extra little reminder to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
If you need to dig out of a rut using the same types of Sunday School lessons and formatting class identically, do something a bit differently and have fun in the process! There is a lot that can be learned from the great outdoors, and the principles of God’s creation are worthwhile even if you cannot access a trailhead or … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Sin can be a tricky concept for kids to truly understand or wrap their heads around, and sometimes we take forgiveness for granted. But when it comes time to let things go and get along with others, sometimes we are reluctant. This lesson highlights the importance of relying on God to cover our lives with grace, and also emphasizes the … More Children’s Ministry Resources