Call His Name Jesus (Manger Coloring Page)

This simple coloring page shows the name Jesus, spelled out, sitting atop a manger. The Bible verse is from Matthew 1:21b, “And you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This sheet would be useful with any of our Christmas Sunday School lessons, especially if your class has many younger elementary or preschool … More Children’s Ministry Resources

What Kids Really Need from Parents at Christmas

It’s that time of year for the last minute Christmas scramble. Whether it’s those last few gifts to purchase, those sugar cookies to make, the presents that need wrapped, or the holiday cards that need mailed, the days before Christmas always seem to expend a lot of energy, stress, and money. I’m pretty certain that’s not what Christ intended. As … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas Story Told by Facebook Updates [video]

I love this creative way of re-telling the Christmas story. It uses different status updates from “Joseph” and “Mary” to highlight the experience of the characters who were really there. The company who produced this has it available for download on their website. Editors Note: Check out a similar video here with a little more humor. The video was uploaded … More Children’s Ministry Resources

You Decide: Best Christmas Hymn for Kids

I asked this question on our Facebook page and thought it might be a fun poll question here on our site. Use the poll below to settle this question once and for all. Click here to leave comments [polldaddy poll=4265548] Some more background to help you make your choice! Joy to the World was written by Issac Watts and first … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Where's the Line to See Jesus? [Video]

A few different friends have been sending me this video from YouTube. It’s a new Christmas song that has a lot of appeal. It tells the story of shopping one Christmas when a young boy asks, “Where’s the line to see Jesus?” That simple statement points out a profound truth about the holiday season. Jesus should be the real attraction. … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Children’s Church Christmas Party Games

A Christmas party provides a nice background for kids to socialize with one another. However, every seasoned ministry leader knows expecting kids to entertain themselves is a recipe for disaster. This is especially true if sugar is involved! Keep your children’s church Christmas party on the “straight and narrow” by breaking up social time with fun party games. Enjoy these … More Children’s Ministry Resources

You Decide: Should Santa Come to Church?

It’s an annual debate in congregations across the country. Now is your chance to officially ban  Santa from the church. Simply take the poll. You can also click here to leave a comment. [polldaddy poll=4257584] Editor’s Note: This is just for fun, Santa will not actually be excommunicated. Please play nice in the comment section.

Are You Missing the "Why" of Christmas?

At this time of year churches are focused on the angels, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and most importantly baby Jesus.  As we teach the children in our churches about the story of Jesus’ birth we cannot forget to teach them the “why” of Christmas.  Jesus did not just come to earth in the form of a … More Children’s Ministry Resources

"The Heart of Giving" Christmas Lesson with Poinsettias

Here is another lesson option for your children’s church or Sunday school leading up to Christmas. Much of this lesson plan is built around a popular storybook, but you could also teach the main points without the book simply using your Bible. You may find the Poinsettias craft & game useful as stand-alone Christmas activities. We welcome your feedback and … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas Activities for Children’s Church

At Christmas, you will see excited young visitors, many of which won’t be accustomed to sitting still for long periods. Prepare for the fidgety crowds and short attention spans with Christmas activities for kids’ church. Entertaining activities are a good way to supplement a lesson or build on a Bible truth. Peruse our list of Christmas activities to find the … More Children’s Ministry Resources

5 Preschool Christmas Games for Church

Preschoolers are crazy for Christmas and crazy for games!  Whether you are a Christian school teacher, a room mom desperate for last minute party ideas, or a Sunday School teacher, these preschool games will help you control the chaos that is inevitable after one too many a Christmas cookie.  In addition, there are simple suggestions for devotional ideas as well.  Have … More Children’s Ministry Resources

7 Christmas Gift Ideas for Ministry Volunteers

Christmas is the perfect time to shower your helpers with seasonal love. According to my own local polling, many volunteers feel unappreciated or forgotten during this time of year. Honor your team with some recognition and gifts for Christmas. Even the occasional volunteer should be recognized. Promote feelings of goodwill and thankfulness by surprising volunteers with Christmas keepsakes. Click here … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Sunday School Lesson: Back to Bethlehem

Here is another option for Sunday School this Advent Seasons. It’s a lesson plan intended to present the Christmas story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem and the Shepherd’s announcement of His birth. It was was first prepared for older elementary students and can be adapted for other ministry opportunities. Learning Goal: As students take an imaginary journey to the town of … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas Object Lessons for Children’s Church

If you didn’t know it was Christmas, you would if you visited kids’ church. Children are excited and ready for the big Christmas Day reveal. Between the heightened levels of excitement, sugary treats and Christmas parties it is no wonder kids don’t float near the ceiling! Teachers may find teaching children’s church challenging during these times. What a great time … More Children’s Ministry Resources

The Cold Hard Truth about Bethlehem We Often Forget

Just a few weeks ago, Black Friday kicked off the holiday shopping season. People camped in front of select stores in frigid temperatures. Others rose long before sunrise to join the teaming masses of consumers. There was a collective loss of sleep and health, and a drain on finances. Some even participated in all night shopping sprees for that special deal. … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas Tree Coloring Picture Activity

Here is another coloring activity sent to us by Carlos Bautista. He’s is a Bible College student in the Philippines who has become a frequent contributor to our website. This drawing is a simple black and white picture of a Christmas Tree. It could be used in any variety of craft projects. The second picture is the decorations he made … More Children’s Ministry Resources

4 Advent Lessons: Teaching through the Nativity

This idea is one to be spread over several weeks leading up to Christmas.  Each part could be expanded into a full lesson or simplified to be done each Sunday in addition to a planned lesson.  If you structure your children’s programming with a main session followed by age-segmented small groups, then perhaps this could serve as the main session … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas Coloring Pages: Jesus Brings Peace

Here is the fourth coloring page in our special Advent Coloring Book by Mandy Groce. Like all our materials, this is 100% free to use in your church, home, or school. Each will remind children that the real meaning of Christmas is Jesus. Directions: To download the printable PDF file, simply click on the preview of this coloring page to … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Advent Coloring Pages: Jesus Brings Joy

This coloring page is week three of our printable Advent coloring book. Each of these original illustrations were created by Mandy Groce to help children understand the meaning of Christmas is Jesus. Directions: Simply click the preview picture to the right to download this coloring page as a print-friendly PDF file. We’ve also made a higher resolution jpeg file available … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas Games for Sunday School

Christmas Game Ideas

In my experience, church attendance goes up around Christmas while Sunday School participation is sometimes weak. One way to combat that is make sure kids are excited about coming the following week. Why not have a special game time (maybe 10 minutes long) as an incentive for children to come? They might even bring some friends. This post will point … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Christmas Coloring Sheets: Jesus is our Way

This is the second sheeting in our printable Advent Coloring Book by Mandy Groce. Taken together, this project will give children a Biblical understanding of what Christmas is about. Directions: When you click the preview image to the right, it will open a printable PDF version of this coloring sheet. Alternately, you can download a high resolution jpeg file for … More Children’s Ministry Resources