“It’s hard enough to train kids to behave, but good behavior isn’t what Jesus calls for in the Bible.” In Spiritual Parenting, author Michelle Anthony calls us as parents to “depend upon God for our children’s spirtual and moral development, urging us toward a heart posture of surrender and faithfulness. The end goal is a vibrant faith that is passed … More Children’s Ministry Resources
At this time of year, we begin trying to find the perfect way to say “thank you” to all of the women who faithfully serve in children’s ministry all year long. I wanted something that was not a “teaching” book or a “training” book. I even wanted to steer clear of the typical teacher’s gift books. I wanted to find … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I love Christmas. I always have. I loved Christmas long before I ever loved the reason for it. Now that He is Lord and Savior of my life, I love Christmas in a whole new way. So, when I came home from work last Friday night and found a brand new children’s Christmas book in my mailbox, I was overjoyed. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Enter into our home and you’ll see a play kitchen set with a birthday cake on the counter, waiting the daily baby doll birthday. You’ll trip over a stray Cinderella shoe and find a ballerina coloring page in-transit, ready to be mailed to Mimi. Pink is the only color in existence that we know of. We live in a five … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I’ve made it my habit to read about topics outside my normal field of ministry. So, today I was working through a new book by Wayne Grudem titled, “Business for the Glory of God.” Dr. Grudem was one of my favorite authors in Seminary. I’ve spent hundreds of hours with his massive Systematic Theology. That book is still on my … More Children’s Ministry Resources
OK – That titles a little stronger than our usual book review. But keep reading and you’ll find out why I’m so impressed with this one. “Crash Course,” by Daniel Darling, promises “that it guides you to know what you believe and why you believe it, to make good choices, to find direction, to stay true in a world of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
As an avid lover of fairy tales and lover of the Greatest Story Ever told, this book jumped off the shelf at me. A beautifully written, exquisitely illustrated childrens book, “This Is No Fairy Tale” wonderously invites children to be a part of the happily ever after Jesus offers. Authored by Dale Tolmasoff and illustrated by Corbert Gauthier, the combination … More Children’s Ministry Resources
“If you’re a parent, you want your child to have a growing friendship with Jesus. And if you’re a Christian education leader, you want parents to be successful! But what do parents do? What do they say? Where do they start?” That’s where Passing the Baton steps in as a ten week church or parent devotional plan for leading your children to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Once in a while you come across a book that you just have to tell everyone about, and Grandpa’s Box is one of these books. Written by Starr Meade, it is styled as a devotional, but seems to be the perfect read aloud bedtime story. In the book, Grandpa capitalizes on his grandson’s love of military strategy to introduce to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
How does a legendary pastor hand over his ministry to someone else? What are the secrets that saved his church from self destruction during the transition? How can this story help your kids ministry now and in the future? Keep reading to find out. Transition Plan, by Bob Russell and Bryan Bucher, is a very short, very succinct story of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Stripped Clean, by Jeff Storm, is a devotional created for ages 13 and up. The back cover reads,” Take a guilt-free, life changing look at what you have… what it means… and discover how to tread lightly in the world as the steward Jesus calls you to be. Oh, yeah: and don’t get too attached to this book. As you … More Children’s Ministry Resources
As we begin to prepare for fall, and get everyone excited about the next year in ministry, I return to an old favorite — Simply Strategic Stuff. Simply Strategic Stuff, by Tim Stevens and Tony Morgan, and published by Group, claims to be “help for leaders drowning in the details of running a church”. These two men hail from Granger … More Children’s Ministry Resources
One of the members at my church recently asked me if I knew of any good books for young children who were asking questions about spiritual matters. There is a plethora of children’s bibles and curriculum geared towards older children, but it can be difficult to find foundational materials that invest in younger children. A series with which I have … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Back in 2008, we posted a review of a little book from Sojourn Kids called “Pastor Daddy.” That self-published effort has done so well that the book will be released again under the new title “Our Home is like a Little Church.” I’m excited about the book for several reasons: It puts the whole family ministry movement in a format … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Phil Vischer is back with new DVD series for Christian kids, but is this something your family should buy? Can these videos really teach kids about the Bible? Keep reading my review to find out more. Our regular readers will know that I’ve had mixed opinions about Veggie Tales. On one level I loved them for their kid-safe entertainment value. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Earlier this week, my friend Trevin Wax sent me a copy of his new book “Holy Subversion.” I’ve been a fan of this book since he started writing it a few years back. He even let read a draft when he was finishing up. Now that the book is finally out, I am glad to recommend it. Trevin shares some … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Here is a short video clip where I talk about the Prince’s Poison Cup by R.C. Sproul. This book has been around for several years, but was just released as a DVD storybook. This will make the excellent theological content of this story even more useful for ministry. You can also watch my clip about the Prince’s Poison Cup directly … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Here is my short video recommendation of a new book about Christian Adoption called “Adopted for Life.” The book was written by Russell Moore, a professor I knew in Seminary. He does a great job showing how the Gospel relates to adoption. In the process he makes a strong case for Christians getting more involved. I read this book while … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it I recently wrote a review of a book at Christian Book Notes that I believe everyone in the ministry from children to senior pastoral ministry must read. The book is entitled Already Gone by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer. It seeks to answer why churches are … More Children’s Ministry Resources
A shout-out to my favorite over sized book There are so many great tools for Bible Study, but here is one that I have found most useful. This one volume puts more Bible information in your hand than I actually learned in Bible College and Seminary. I use it almost every week and I’ve also bought copies for all my … More Children’s Ministry Resources
There are so many children’s picture books out today that tell the Christmas story. Here is a short collection of books that I would highly recommend. These stories are fun and engaging, plus they tell the true meaning of Christmas. Your kids will enjoy hearing them again and again! Don’t miss our look at the top children’s Bibles available in 2020. God … More Children’s Ministry Resources
One of the current buzzwords in churchlife today is the phrase, “family-integrated.” However, what looks to the casual observer as simply a “fad” is more than that: it is a theological, methodological, and philosophical conviction for those leaders in churches who are truly family-integrated. Family-Integrated Church, by J. Mark Fox, (Xulon, 2006) is one church’s story of how it transformed … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I have to admit. I want my little guy to grow up to have a heart that follows God’s own. I want him to dream big dreams, to fight sin with the sword of the Spirit, and to rescue the wayward with the One who came to save us from ourselves. I want him to be brave and strong and … More Children’s Ministry Resources
“Dear God, “I heard a cosmic story and wondered if it’s true. The Moon was stealing glory and this is what he’d do.” So begins a highly enjoyable and quite profound new children’s book from Crossway Books, cleverly titled Fool Moon Rising. Husband and wife team Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty wrote and illustrated this “rhyming, rollicking tale” about the … More Children’s Ministry Resources