Blessings come in many forms, and Jesus told us we will be blessed when we obey, serve, and follow his example. It’s important for kids to understand the biblical promises of rewards. However, it’s equally important for them to know that wrong motives will get in the way of God’s blessings. Jesus explains the criteria for receiving blessings in part 6 … More Children’s Ministry Resources
“Well, maybe you should write this homework assignment yourself!” The back-talking student retorts to a teacher’s request… “I’d like to see you run this work-out!” Says the athlete to coach (which probably earns extra laps). Kids crave validity. They want adults who demonstrate and lead by example, rather than simply lecturing. As teachers, mentors, and ministers, we are called to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Title: The Golden Calf Scripture: Exodus 32 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Main Point: Where sin is great, God’s grace is greater Supplies: Play-Doh, Grey and brown construction paper, scissors, markers, index cards with books of the Bible on them Lesson Opening Get the kids’ attention as you use the Play-Doh to fashion some type of animal. It doesn’t have … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The younger me adored bike riding. It’s an activity that I’ve gotten away from as I got older but some of my happiest childhood memories feature me on a bike. You remember the kid with the limp ponytail that cruised around on a pink bike with tattered plastic pom-pom handles? That was me! It wasn’t a good day unless I … More Children’s Ministry Resources
As teachers of any type will vehemently attest, family support is a HUGE and critical element in the upbringing of a child. True, to a certain extent kids will do whatever they will and not all elements can be controlled; however, parents and guardians make such a difference in how children develop and what they learn. The home environment shapes … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Fall is a beautiful season and this lesson focuses on the changes that happen during fall. This lesson teaches kids that God made each season and each season has a purpose. They will learn that God made the world for them so that farmers can grow food so that we won’t go hungry. Lesson Title: God Made the Seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Surprise or known fact, it is often the most simple and seemingly mundane things that make the best teachable moments for kids. Jesus demonstrated this principle in His ministry. From coins to fish to farming, Christ used parables to explain His points. By using objects that are familiar to kids, the basic and more complex elements of God’s word come … More Children’s Ministry Resources
When God looks at a person, He cares about who they are on the inside more than how they look. It seems like our world has this a little backward, judging people by their appearance. Through this lesson your class will learn that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Lesson Title: It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts (1 … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Beatitudes Lesson Seven: Blessed are the Pure in Heart Main idea: When we let Jesus purify our hearts, we can to come into God’s presence and spend all of forever with him. This is lesson 7 of 9 in this series. Use these links to find the whole series. ONE — TWO — THREE — FOUR — FIVE — SIX … More Children’s Ministry Resources
In this modern age of electronic emphasis and technological advance, we have grown somewhat dependent on our gadgets and appliances. Anyone who has had the misfortune of going without a phone or temporarily losing power can understand the frustrated feeling of detachment that comes with not being able to instantly access the usual contacts and keep up with friends. And … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Naaman was commander of the Army, wealthy, and talented soldier. He had everything going for him, except leprosy. While leprosy may have been a burden to Naaman, it brought him to Israel to the prophet Elisha who told him about the one true God. Naaman had a servant girl from Israel who told Naaman’s wife about Elisha. God could have … More Children’s Ministry Resources
In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul says “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (ESV) Let those words sink in for a minute. What does it mean to know nothing except Jesus Christ? Take just a minute to stop and take inventory of your thoughts for the last 60 seconds. If we’re honest, most … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Title: God Provides for the Israelites in the Desert Scripture: Exodus 16-17 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Main Point: God provides for us even when we grumble Supplies: Cut outs of hearts, crayons, bandanas or other small objects Lesson Opening: God Provides for Complainers Ask: What is something you’ve complained about in the last week? Ask: Does complaining ever really … More Children’s Ministry Resources
In a previous article, “How to Become More Creative,” I mentioned that you should work your creative muscles daily if you want to improve it. Believe me, I wasn’t born writing object lessons or designing kids’ crusades. It took time and lots of practice but it all began at a children’s ministry conference in my hometown. It was my first … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Imagine visiting another country and walking into a church service, already in progress and being conducted in a foreign language. You are unfamiliar with the style of worship and completely at a loss at what the words and songs being spoken might mean. Bewildered, you try to watch the actions of others around you to guess at the best methods … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It’s a little secret that every mother knows… No matter how much we love spending time with our kids, the grown-up world is always working to steal our joy. I am approaching the twenty-year mark in children’s ministry? Where did the time go? I have enjoyed every minute of it–I feel a little selfish for loving it so much. Working with kids … More Children’s Ministry Resources
We have a small church with a small Children’s Ministry. Because of this, we have decided in lieu of a VBS this year, we would have fun days for the kids, one day each in June, July, and August. This has really worked well and it takes less planning and preparation to get ready for each day. This month, we … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Who remembers the 90’s cartoon ‘Pinky & the Brain?’ I was in college when the show was airing, but I work with kids and therefore I am not too proud to admit to regularly watching cartoons. My favorite part of the show was a conversation that happened in every episode. PINKY – “Gee Brain, what do you want to do tonight?” BRAIN- “The … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This is lesson 6 of 33 in a series of lessons called ““Praise God Through the Psalms.” Lesson focus: Through the book of Psalms and the worship of the people of Israel, we get a glimpse into the character of God and how we should rightly respond to Him in worship. In Psalm 6 we see we see the anger and … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Discipling teenagers takes more than youth group lessons and lectures; there comes a time when they need to start putting their faith to action by actively serving God and others. However, it can be tempting to focus youth service efforts on the community before they have an accurate grasp of their role as a Christian servant, so it’s important for … More Children’s Ministry Resources
One thing I hear a lot from new children’s ministry volunteers is, “I’m not that creative.” I used to argue with people who said this. Like a responsible children’s ministry leader, I’d tell them what I believed, that God made us all creative beings, that creativity can be expressed in infinite ways. I even took some by the hand and … More Children’s Ministry Resources
In the Bible Jabez is only mentioned one time. All we know about him is that his name means sorrow, he prayed for God to bless him, and God answered his prayer. Prayer is an important part of the Christian life and this lesson strives to teach kids that when they pray God hears them, just like he heard Jabez. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This free Bible lesson is based on Mark 9:30-37 when Jesus talks about being first and last. 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 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Gospel Reading – Mark 9:30-37. Lesson – … More Children’s Ministry Resources
God made everything…that’s a basic and simple principle that most of us likely recognize and appreciate already. It is also a theme that students learn early on in Bible studies. However, sometimes we become complacent for these details and take for granted how unique and special each creature is…including and especially people! As God’s unique and wonderful creations, we have … More Children’s Ministry Resources