I once heard a children’s ministry leader say, “If you don’t put on a program for kids, they will put one on for you!” How true is that? After a few weeks in children’s ministry, I realized how true it was! For the best results, I had to have a good plan that included object lessons, games and very little … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I remember being in my parents’ Sunday School class growing up and they would have us “practice” using our Bibles. They said “practice”, but there was no practice about it. We were digging into our Bibles and using them. It was a great lesson in using our Bibles. We teach children to read their Bible and use their Bible as … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It is so important for us as Sunday School and Children’s Church teachers to keep track of our students. Letting children know that they have been missed tells them that they matter and that they mean something to you and your class. If we aren’t keeping attendance, then it’s difficult to know who is here each week and who has … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Discipline plans often need tweaking but sometimes it’s not clear what changes we need to make. You have an incentive program. You even feature the Kid of the Week in your newsletter. Still little Wendy can’t stop shouting out during teaching time and Jason wants another snack–now! Don’t despair; you aren’t alone. Reworking your discipline plan to cover these points … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I recently noticed something interesting and revealing. While I was chatting in the sanctuary after service, we were interrupted by a pair of notoriously rambunctious brothers who sprinted down a pew in a round of “tag.” The Sunday school superintendent with whom I was conversing (who does not hide her frustration with these boys) scolded them strongly, which did not … More Children’s Ministry Resources
by Bob Singleton, head worship guy at God’s Kids Worship® I worked for several years as music director for the top-rated children’s TV show on PBS (Barney™ & Friends). It might surprise you, but there is a lot of research that goes on for shows like that. While I was there, top experts in child development submitted papers and reported … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Back in December, I wrote a post called, What to Do When the Children You Teach Don’t Respect You. The post got quite a bit of comments and many of you had something to say about respect. Some of you had great experiences, no problems at all. Some of you no–not so much. Respect is a problem but we don’t … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Establishing a new children’s ministry? This is such an exciting time but it can also be overwhelming because there is so much to teach! Kids won’t learn all they need to strictly from osmosis—you’ve got to teach, reteach and teach again. But where to start? I asked myself this question recently and it got me to thinking. What would I … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Children’s ministry today seems so complicated, doesn’t it? When I began in children’s ministry in 1996, it was a bit simpler to teach. Kids weren’t as tech savvy and let’s face it–we didn’t have so many products to choose from. I’m not complaining, I love new ideas but the list of things you feel you should teach continues to grow. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Praise and worship has ended now comes the burning question. “Okay kids! Who can tell me what last week’s memory verse was?” You hear the sound of crickets. Don’t feel bad–it happens to us all but there are some creative ways to present scripture verses–some are so much fun that kids won’t even know they are memorizing them. Ready to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Anyone who has worked with education of any sort is well aware that teaching can truly be the most effective method of learning. When we have to communicate a point or enforce a lesson, it usually forces us to study it thoroughly ourselves. Teaching stories that are less familiar to us can be even more educational, as we study to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Love visual lessons but can’t find the right one? You don’t have to rely on others to present you with object lessons–you can do it yourself. That’s true even if you don’t have a teaching degree or any experience writing curriculum. I learned how to create an object lesson a children’s ministry conference well over a decade ago. We were … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Sunday School teachers (or any type of educator, for that matter) have quite a lot of competition these days…children are bombarded with all types of demands on attention. Between movies, video games, computers, and all the other “noise” that clutters our lives, it is no wonder that children might find a trite flannel graph less than thrilling. It is essential … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Teaching kids is kind of an art form, isn’t it? My hat is off to all the professional educators out there. You guys rock! However, the rest of us who don’t have educational backgrounds can find ourselves in a classroom that seems out of control. We want to serve God, the kids and the church but the kiddos haven’t gotten … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It used to be that separation anxiety was only a problem that nursery workers had to deal with; today, that has all changed. The world is a scary place (and getting scarier) and children aren’t oblivious to that fact. As parents, we’re so tied in with our kids now with cell phones, tablets and apps (and understandably) that in some … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Teaching kids about the love of God is a privilege and a joy but what happens when your group includes a negative child? Everyone has a down day occasionally but this little one sees the glass half empty all the time. If it’s snack time, he bemoans the cookie and cracker selection. During the teaching time, he interrupts to infuse … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What must parents think when they pop into kids’ church or Sunday School and find Junior sitting solo in time out? From experience, I can give you an idea. “What now?” and “Not here too…” I have been working in kids’ ministry for almost two decades and I totally get how “wonderful” the time out chair can be. It’s probably … More Children’s Ministry Resources
In this age of electronic games and cell phones, it may seem like puzzles are old hat but I can assure they are not. It’s hard to make eye contact and initiate conversations when kids are texting. If you’re looking for ways to bridge the gap and build relationships with your kids, consider stocking up on puzzles. I can’t tell … More Children’s Ministry Resources
As you may have read, I do love teaching about the Golden Rule. I’m old enough to remember when we actually recited the words of Jesus in the classroom. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) Imagine a world where everyone embraced … More Children’s Ministry Resources
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) That’s a verse we live by, isn’t it? I take my responsibility to train up kids seriously but getting kids to love the Bible can be a challenge. Of course, once they dive off into God’s word, … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Transitions in Children’s Church – and at home **This post was written by Dr. Barbara Sorrels. Any teacher or caregiver in an early childhood environment is familiar with the potential challenges that transitions present throughout the day It is often at the point of a transition that children display challenging behaviors. Why are transitions difficult for children and what can … More Children’s Ministry Resources
No one is more creative than an imaginative child! As kids ministry leaders, we celebrate their inherent creativity! However, this God-given talent for “seeing and saying” with the heart can be distorted into flat out sinning. Kids don’t have a monopoly on lying but if we can intervene, we can help these little storytellers recapture their imaginations and their tongues. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
During my sixteen year tenure in children’s ministry I have met many angry, defiant children. I won’t get into the details of all these situations—that’s confidential, but I am sure you have also met the angry child. He comes through with his arms folded across his chest, refuses to respond to his name and keeps his lip in a perpetual … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Tristan had a bad week at school. He kicked a teacher (he says accidentally), talked back to his mother and refused to pay attention in class. Tristan had a very bad week. What was Mom’s solution? Keep her child at home rather than send him to church. So what do you think? Should parents use church attendance as punishment? Here’s … More Children’s Ministry Resources