If it weren’t for Boys VS Girls contests, we wouldn’t have any fundraisers in our church. Well we would have a few but these are the most fun. Our kids love the competition and it’s easy to get grown ups and teens involved in the contests too. They love it the only thing is, the prizes can get pretty boring. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Plastic tablecloths are the most unappreciated tool in ministry. Every week, hundreds (if not thousands) of these handy items hit the shopping carts of busy children’s pastors, destined for a brief life in a Sunday School or classroom. This is something easy for any Vacation Bible School crew. What would we do without them? They’re cheap, easy to toss and easy … More Children’s Ministry Resources
“A person’s a person, no matter how small…” God made them all, the tiny and tall! There is no reason why Sunday School adventures cannot incorporate other classic children’s stories as well as Bible verses. This lesson explores some admirable qualities of a beloved Dr. Seuss character, celebrating Biblical values with whimsical rhyme. Seuss’s works are often more than just … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This free Bible lesson is based on John 20:1-18 when Mary Magdalene visits the tomb and Jesus rose from the dead. 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 B – Easter Sunday, Gospel Reading – John 20:1-18. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Sometimes everyone needs a bit of refreshment of the spirit, and for me that can often come from a good book. In fact, literature can provide amazing and wondrous insights and inspirations in so many ways. One significant power of stories is how they can shed new light on old lessons and principles. Jesus himself demonstrated this in His usage … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Popular culture can’t seem to get enough of monsters. From television shows about finding Bigfoot to creature features, our world is permeated with images of monsters. Kids sure don’t need these visual aids to believe in the “boogeyman,” their imaginations make it easy to believe something is under the bed or in the closet. (Incidentally, as a child I believed … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Think a good greeting program isn’t necessary for children’s church? Think again! When we don’t greet kids as they come in, we miss making a valuable connection for two reasons. First, the greeting is where you establish discipline. That’s so important to do right at the beginning of each session. Kids need to know someone is in charge. Second, we … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This free Bible lesson is based on Mark 1:29-39 when Jesus first begins to heal the sick. 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 B – 5th Sunday after the Epiphany, Gospel Reading – Mark 1:29-39. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Children’s pastors will never tell you this but they love a good hug. Hugs say “I appreciate you,” and “Whatever you’re going through, I care.” A good hug can even say, “I’ve got your back!” However, there are actually many ways to give a children’s pastor a hug. Some don’t involve physical body contact. Ready to show some love to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
There is a lot in today’s world that competes for attention and time with kids (and adults!). We are occupied (sometimes overly so) with practices, work, homework, lessons, meetings, scheduling… not to mention the essential and mandatory time needed for shopping, playing, and watching TV. With this in mind, it can be easy to grow wrapped up in our own … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Download this free coloring page when teaching about when Jesus was a child. We know from Luke 2:41-52 that Jesus and his family visited the temple when he was still just a child. Click on the image above to download this printable coloring sheet in PDF format, we’ve also uploaded a JPEG version if you would like to edit the … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Have you noticed this trend? Parents or grandparents drop off kids (sometimes way before service time) and then take off until church is over. They aren’t actually attending church themselves–just the children. Understand me, I’m not talking about the parent who has to go to work. I am referring to the disturbing new kids’ ministry challenge–the drop off kids. If … More Children’s Ministry Resources
January 6, 2019 begins the Epiphany season on the traditional church calendar. Here are some of our most popular posts to help you celebrate the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus. Lesson – Magi and Two Very Different Kings (Matthew 2:1-12) All age groups Lesson – The Magi Worship King Jesus (Matthew 2:1-23) Middle to Older Elementary Lesson – Jesus as … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Looking for a New Year’s object lesson? There’s so much emphasis on time during this time of year, take advantage of that and teach kids about the Master of Time. This object lesson is perfect for showing kids that God is the creator of time. Before you teach, you need a clock, watch, timer and a sundial if you can … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? That’s from the Bible—Ecclesiastes 8:7! What a great time to share an object lesson pertaining to God’s control of the future! All you need are a few calendars to illustrate how God is in control—one from the passing year and one for the next. Place … More Children’s Ministry Resources
If you ask kids what their favorite holiday is, New Year’s isn’t likely to make the top three but that’s no reason to skip over the world’s most popular “do over.” In the secular world, the “new year” is a time stamp that initiates a life change but like every day with Jesus, it is time to do better, to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Is your church holding a New Year’s eve event? If you answered yes, you have been challenged to provide some of the activities for the kiddos while parents wait for the clock to move. Been there–done that! Even if you aren’t facing the challenge of entertaining kids for a long period of time, you might find this kids’ church idea … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Right now, I am teaching my kindergartener to memorize the books of the Bible. Before we began, I wasn’t too sure if he would be able to do it, but I thought that I would give it a try. I have been pleasantly surprised! He is doing very well with it all and really seems to like learning such a … More Children’s Ministry Resources
With Halloween fast approaching, many churches and schools have their own take on how to celebrate (or avoid) the holiday. There are “harvest celebrations,” “Trunk-or-treats,” “Hallelujah instead…” Since we have been blessed with a spirit of joyous love, and not fear, it is only right that we allow celebration and fun at this time of year, but with a faithful … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Working in Christian ministry is unlike any other career choice. Working in a store, serving food or working at a desk job, rarely demands the level of service of ministry requires; children’s ministry insists that you leave little bits of your heart behind. (For the record, I’ve done all these jobs and proudly so!) Pastors give of themselves and often … More Children’s Ministry Resources
When I first began my work in children’s ministry nearly two decades ago, I had one mission: tell kids that Jesus loved them. Over the years, I have tried my best to stay true to that original mission but my secondary purpose is to help my kids know Jesus more. You see, eventually, they will need to know God themselves … More Children’s Ministry Resources
One thing I am known far and wide for is my messiness. In children’s church, it is anything goes really as long as no one gets hurt (or gets their feelings hurt) and it lifts up the name of Jesus. So far, I’ve been smacked in the face with a whipped cream pie, had a bucket of slime poured over … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It’s back to school and that means back to church for many ministries. If you had the summer off or part of the summer off and want to start back with a bang, you need to try these awesome welcome back events. Create some excitement in your ministry that will last for months. Attract new kids and families with welcome … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It’s back to school time! Time for kids to hunker down and learn–and not just at school but in bible class too. What a great time to present kids some important bible principles and lessons! Break out these object lessons for back to school and get kids excited about returning to the classroom. All you need are a few visual … More Children’s Ministry Resources