The Christmas season seems like it is just getting busier and busier. Our calendars get filled up with school events, family events, church events, and friend events. We make cookies, decorate the house, go look at Christmas lights, and sing Christmas carols. I love doing all of these things and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. As I am … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Why do we give and receive gifts at Christmas? How can we glorify God through Christmas presents? In this lesson, “Christmas Presents and Jesus,” children will learn that it’s more important to give than to receive because God gave us the best gift of all: Jesus! Children will also identify spiritual gifts that can be given in exchange or alongside physical … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Mandy came up with a take on a “nesting doll” nativity craft idea. The pages could be used as puzzle pieces or as a progression to discuss Christmas with little ones. Click on the preview image above to download the PDF There are four sheets included in the printable PDF file: Joseph, Mary, Wise Men, Emmanuel – Baby Jesus. This multi-part … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This free Bible lesson is based on Luke 21:25-36 when Jesus warns His followers to be prepared for His second coming. It is designed for children’s church or Sunday School. Please modify as best fits your ministry.If your church follows the Revised Common Lectionary, this teaching plan would correspond to Year C – 1st Sunday of Advent, Gospel Reading – Luke 21:25-36. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I have had to make a very difficult decision this season. I have decided not to have a Christmas Program for our children this year. I can’t tell you how difficult of a choice that it was for me to make. I even had a new play written and ready to go. I was so excited to put it together … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Why do we decorate Christmas trees to celebrate Jesus’ birth? And where did they come from and what do they represent? In “Christmas Trees and Jesus,” children will learn the history of the Christmas tree and why we use them as part of our Christmas celebrations. Because Christmas is all about Jesus, decorating a tree presents the opportunity to extend … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I wanted to make my “12 Symbols of Christmas” book, into a play. So here it is. The scene is as follows: A mom is decorating her home with her children. As they add different items to their home, they discuss the meaning behind each item and how they all lead to Jesus. >> Click here to download the print-friendly … More Children’s Ministry Resources
We hope your children will enjoy this nativity scene coloring page this Christmas. It has Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in the manger. The words from Isaiah 60:1 read, “Arise Shine for your light has come.” Click on the image below to download in printable PDF format, we’ve also uploaded a JPEG version for any readers who like to directly … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I was going around trying to find a book that I can use with my kindergartener. He is learning to read and struggles still. I needed something that was good for us to go through together, while staying true to the Christmas story. Since I couldn’t find anything, I thought I would just make one. Click here to download It … More Children’s Ministry Resources
During Advent, it is easy to grow busy and caught up in the excitement of the Christmas season and celebration of Christ’s birth. In this day and age, though, there seems to emerge a great deal of “tip-toe” behavior. People in public often avoid explicitly saying “Merry Christmas” and opt for the more generic and “safe” greeting of “Happy Holidays.” … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Drag out that extra strand of Christmas lights — it’s an object lesson! While there are tons of teaching opportunities for presenting the Nativity story there are other topics you can teach too . One of those is the subject of church unity. Kids and teens can help encourage unity and solidarity in the church if they know how important … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Using a nativity scene for Christmas lesson is a no-brainer but if you want to present a new twist on your teaching, I’ve got some ideas to share with you. By presenting your teaching in this visual, interactive manner, you will engage kids in a way that will keep them interested in learning more about the Bible. Even if your … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Christmas bows make great party tools, especially if you have an abundance in a variety of colors. For these fast-paced games, you will need a couple of big bags of unused bows. From balancing games to straight up Christmas races, these party games will keep the fun going during game time or free time. Inexpensive an colorful, Christmas bows really … More Children’s Ministry Resources
From the small church program to the larger spectacles like a Christmas pageant, chances are you will attract a lot of attention during the holidays, as evidenced by the increase in attendance. It’s nice to see the pews full and the seats taken, isn’t it? Did you know that Christmas attendance doesn’t have to be a fluke? You really can … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Want to bring some excitement to your holiday curriculum? You can’t go wrong with this Christmas object lesson. The idea is to teach kids that God’s gift—His son, Jesus. He is truly the gift that keeps giving. By presenting the “gift in a gift” you will demonstrate how people who love Jesus can share him with everyone. He is the … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Purchase an inexpensive Christmas star ornament and test it to make sure it works properly. It should light up and be seen easily by the class. With this decoration, you have a Christmas object lesson that will help tell the story of the Christmas story from Matthew 2:1-2. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
There are many characters in the story of the first Christmas, but some get a lot more attention than others. Sure, we focus easily on Mary and Joseph and we celebrate the angels and the manger baby…but God was orchestrating a grand scheme of coordinated actions and motivations. Introduce (or get to know better) some of the “extras” in the … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It’s Christmas time and we are all looking for fun activities to do in our classrooms. This free Christmas I-Spy game is a great one to use during class or even during a Christmas party. You can use this activity in a variety of ways. First of all, you could print out a copy of the picture for each child … More Children’s Ministry Resources
So I’m sitting here, it’s after Thanksgiving, and our Christmas decorations are up. Lights are sparkling, ornaments are hanging, and bells are ringing. It’s the happiest time of the year, right? I always have good intentions. I want to make this year the best year ever. I sit at my desk and plan, plan, plan. I love to plan. Give … More Children’s Ministry Resources
With all the festive wrapping paper, bows, bags and boxes, it is easy to forget that Christmas is not about the gifts we receive from a store. The best gift is the gift from God—His precious son, Jesus Christ. For children, this important message can get lost among the electronics, board games and baby dolls. Let’s keep it in front … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This time of year it is a tradition to send Christmas greetings with Christmas cards. Some cards feature family photos, play music or tell a funny story. Whichever Christmas card your family chooses to send the message is clear — the card is a way to express your holiday greetings. Grab a few of your favorite Christmas cards and bring … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Looking for a way to teach children about the intangible gifts of God, like peace, love, gentleness and kindness? This Christmas object lesson—the stocking stuffer makes it easy. Remind kids how precious and important the fruits of the Spirit, that they should want these gifts more than anything they get in their stocking or under the tree! Wrap up nine … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Here is a great Christmas time activity to have your class take part in. This could be an individual or class project. Simply pass out the worksheet to the children in your class. Have them fill in a blessing for each letter in the word “Christmas”. For example: C=Christ, H=heaven, R=rain, etc. Click here to download and print. For an … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Sometimes the children in our ministry are timid when it comes to talking to adults. This activity is a great way to get them to know some adults in the congregation in a quick and safe way. Click here to download and print Give each of the children in your ministry a copy of this interview (there are 2 per … More Children’s Ministry Resources