How do we have good “heart hygiene”? These crafts recollect the importance of not only taking care of our physical bodies, but having the right heart intent as well. Children will consider the blessing and comfort of knowing that Jesus washes our inner sins away. A “Clean Up Box” provides a handy space for cleaning implements, as well as reminders … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Actions speak louder than words…and pure intentions speak louder than outer actions! Children are accustomed to following rules or going along with traditions, even if they often don’t quite understand the meaning behind them. However, it is important to recognize that in our Christian lives, heart intent matters. God cares about what’s inside of us, more than the details of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The Armor of God is a fun visual to talk about with students, but it is important to communicate what it truly means, as well. As frightening as it might sound, there are evil forces at work in the world around us. The good news is that we know God protects and provides for us, no matter what. This message … More Children’s Ministry Resources
How do we protect ourselves spiritually? What is God’s Armor, and how do we clothe ourselves with it? These crafts are just a few fun examples of how to make great visual reminders of the elements that make up the Armor of God. A paper plate serves as the base for a “shield” of faith; a headband makes a “helmet” … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Children can relate to the concept of admiring soldiers…whether the idea of armor comes from ancient Roman days, Medieval knights, or modern day military and police, donning a protective uniform is something kids appreciate. Wearing defensive gear offers a visual analogy to spiritual armor. It’s important to share with students that there is spiritual warfare going on around us. This … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This message aims to describe for children what wisdom means and where it comes from. Young people might think of wisdom as mere knowledge or “head smarts”, but true wisdom comes from the heart. Wisdom is something that we should desire because God wants us to have it and practice using it. The message uses practical objects and misconceptions to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What is wisdom? How do we get it and use it, and why is it important? Youngsters might imagine wisdom to be synonymous with intelligence, but it is helpful to explain that wisdom comes from the Lord, and that it involves decisions and discernment. These crafts highlight those principles. A “Decision Bag” allows children to create a re-usable tool for … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What is wisdom? How do we know what choices are best? Can we make ourselves wise? Young students may or may not have encountered such considerations in their lives, but they are worth discussion. Kids should understand what wisdom is and where it comes from. They can learn the importance of discernment, even at an early age. The story of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This message addresses a beautiful passage in Ephesians, which reminds us to “put on Christ” as we focus on living in ways that are kind and truthful, rather than lashing out in anger. The key principle of this message focuses on what it means to imitate Jesus. When we imitate something, we mimic or copy it, recognizing that we are … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What does it mean to imitate Jesus? How do we build others up with kindness and tenderheartedness? Is it a sin to be angry? This beautiful passage from Ephesians emphasizes the importance of genuine kindness. These crafts reiterate the significance of building each other up in love and controlling our reactions to emotion by focusing on Jesus. A “flipside of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
“Be kind”…we say it often, but what does it mean? How do we describe and encourage love and kindness in students, and how do we explain the importance of imitating Jesus, despite our troublesome human nature? It can be challenging to re-shape the naturally self-centered habits of children, but it’s important to provide them with God’s word as an example … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Have some bread! In this day of gluten-free, carb friendly diet consciousness, we might lose sight of how essential bread has been historically to life. It is a food staple that sees variations throughout time and culture, but which nourishes and strengthens us physically. Understanding that Jesus is our “bread” reminds us that He provides what we need for spiritual … More Children’s Ministry Resources
We see bread appear several times in the Bible…God gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness. Christ used loaves and fish to feed crowds. Most significantly, the savior gave His body for us on the cross, and calls us to remember that with the bread of Communion. What does it mean that Jesus calls Himself the bread of life? Just … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Despite modern concerns of gluten-free or keto-friendly diets, bread has historically been a nutrition staple, and continues to provide energy and life to those who eat it! Bread also serves as a simple and fun visual for this children’s message. Use whatever variety of bread might be relevant to your students (maybe even donuts!) to explain how important bread is. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Roots are critical to the growth and health of plants…they nourish plants and help them to grow. Roots and plants also help us as Christians to remember that our strength comes from the love of Jesus. Scripture tells us that we are to be rooted in Christ’s love, clinging to Him for strength and identity, and taking comfort in what … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This message uses a plant-based object lesson to communicate to students the importance of having a firm foundation in the love of Jesus. Being “rooted” in Christ means dwelling in Him and gathering strength and nourishment from Him, just as plants set forth roots and are nourished by soil. It can be challenging for youngsters to fully grasp the metaphor … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What is my purpose? Young children might not worry too much about a grand plan or purpose for their lives, but it’s still meaningful to communicate to them that God loves them and has chosen them for something important. We might not know much about the future, but we can be confident that God promises us amazing blessings, and that … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What does compassion mean? Who demonstrates compassion, and how can we show it to others? We hear a great deal about the miracles of Jesus, but don’t always pause to contemplate why He did so many amazing things. The Savior truly loves and cares about all people (including us!). He provided healing during His earthly ministry because He had compassion. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It’s important to help children understand and embrace what it means to have compassion. It often takes modeling and encouraging, but is essential to developing character and kindness. Students should first value and appreciate how much compassion Christ demonstrates towards us, and out of that appreciation, they should share that compassion with others. These two crafts aim to assist in … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The aim of this message is to illustrate for children what it means to have and share compassion with others. Youngsters often have a natural inclination towards self-serving attitudes, but they can easily be prompted to care about those in need, as well. This lesson explains through simple example what compassion is, and also describes how Jesus demonstrated genuine compassion … More Children’s Ministry Resources
We recognize the precious blessing that we are sons and daughters of God. He has chosen us and made us part of His family, which reminds us that we are heirs to His kingdom and deeply loved by Him! These are beautiful truths that children need to know and embrace. These crafts aim to help students recall who they are … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Young students might not yet be wrestling with the question of life purpose, but every child seeks to be known and loved. Whether or not they have strong relationships with family, it’s important for kids to know that they are chosen by God and adopted into His family. This message reminds students that God has a special plan and purpose … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Children might not have traumatic struggles and challenges to face in their lives (hopefully!), but they can certainly relate to the concept of weakness. There are a lot of things that are difficult or impossible for kids to do on their own, and they recognize that they need help from others to accomplish daily tasks. In the same way, we … More Children’s Ministry Resources
We recognize that life is full of challenges, and that we are not always capable of doing what we would like to do. The blessed message of this passage is that God’s strength shines through when we are weak! Highlighting 2 Corinthians 12, wherein Paul describes his struggle with an unrelieved challenge, these crafts remind children that our weaknesses can … More Children’s Ministry Resources