"We Do Not Lose Heart" 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 Lesson

Cute baby holding onto fingers.

Knowing the promises of Jesus, we can face any situation without becoming discouraged. Use this lesson plan to teach children the important lessons from 2 Corinthians 4:13-18. The key passage is from 2 Corinthians 4:16: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is  being renewed day by day. (NASB) This lesson follows our  hassle-free format. … More Children’s Ministry Resources

How to Plan a Fall Festival

The temperature is dropping, pumpkins are appearing at grocery stores, and Walgreens flu shot commercials are airing—Fall is here! An event we hold at our church every October is Fall Festival. Planning meetings are starting up and we are beginning to line up the details for this event. Here are a few tips if you are thinking about having a … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Paper Airplane Object Lesson

Use this simple & fun object lesson to teach kids about being made in the image of God. It could also serve as a children’s sermon or the framework for a full Bible lesson. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 NIV SAY: … More Children’s Ministry Resources

"Persecuted Not Abandoned" 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 Lesson

Bible and praying hands behind bars

In Christ, we can be “Persecuted but Not Abandoned” because our LORD walked through the same sufferings in his time on Earth. Use this lesson plan to teach children the important lessons from 2 Corinthians 4:8-12. The key passage in this study is from 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; … More Children’s Ministry Resources

How to Evaluate a Sunday School Curriculum

Choosing curriculum is a huge decision. There are so many options and there can be so many different facets to consider.  Publishers always put their best foot forward, but how do you know if their materials are best for your church?  Here are some important questions to ask as you evaluate curriculum. 1.  Do you know what you need?  Before … More Children’s Ministry Resources

How to Make Sure Parents Ignore Your Messages

“Can you hear me now?” was made famous by cell phone commercials, but do you often feel like asking that to the parents in your ministry?  It causes great frustration when we have important information to share and we feel that no one is hearing us. Sometimes, though, we cause our own problems.  The follow communication mistakes are certain to … More Children’s Ministry Resources

"Treasure in Jars of Clay" 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 Lesson

Three amphora clay pots with flowers growing inside.

The power of Christ inside believers is compared to “Treasures in Jars of Clay.” Use this lesson plan to teach children the important lessons from 2 Corinthians 4:1-7. The main idea for this lesson plan is drawn from 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Lesson: Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

Use this free lesson plan with your older elementary Sunday School class. This lesson continues the study of the Book of Daniel and covers his vision of a ram and goat.  Students will discover what God prophesied many years in advance came true exactly as He said they would.  He can be trusted with our futures because He is the … More Children’s Ministry Resources

"Glory of the New Covenant" 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 Lesson

St. Mark's Square in Venice

The scriptures point to the Resurrection of Jesus as the proof that all his promises will come true. Use this lesson plan to teach children the important lessons from 2 Corinthians 3:7-18. The main idea is found in 2 Corinthians 3:9: “If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Lesson: Daniel's Dream of Four Beasts

Use this free lesson plan with your older elementary Sunday School class. It’s build upon the passage in Daniel 7 where he has a disturbing dream.  Students will learn that they can trust God in difficult times because in the end God wins the battle over the enemy of this world Satan. Children need to know that as believers, we are … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Special Needs Ministry Checklist

Knowing where to begin is half the battle when starting any new ministry or program.  Use this list as a guideline when walking your church through a special needs inclusion initiative. This checklist was a handout provided in a workshop led by Amy Fenton Lee at the recent Children’s Ministry Expo in Lexington, KY.  Amy provides links to related articles … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Lesson: God Saves Daniel from a Den of Lions

This free lesson plan teaches is based on the story of Daniel in the Lion’s den. God can rescue from any terrible situation. This lesson also deals with the character of Daniel and his example of being trustworthy. God rewarded Daniel by delivering him when he was falsely accused.  Students will learn that a trustworthy life comes from walking faithfully with God … More Children’s Ministry Resources

How to Plan a Kids Ministry Camp

Every summer my church holds a Kids Camp for our elementary aged children.  This is one of the most fun events we have and I always look forward to those 3 days every year.  Here are a few suggestions in getting your own kids camp up and running. Decide length of time and ages: Our camp leaves on Sunday afternoon … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Jesus Gives Freedom from Sin (John 8:32) Lesson Plan

Boy praying in open field

This Bible lesson plan about freedom in Christ follows our new hassle-free format. The basic version makes it easy to teach with very little preparation or outside materials. We’ve also suggested more activities so you can expand the lesson to best fit your ministry setting. Lesson Title: Following Jesus & Freedom from Sin Bible Reference: John 8:31-32 Target Age Group: … More Children’s Ministry Resources

"Honor Your Father" Bible Lesson (Exodus 20:12)

Father and children playing

This lesson plan explains what it means when the Bible says, “honor your father.” It’s designed for children’s church or Sunday school and would be a perfect lesson to use on Father’s Day. The basic version of this lesson makes it easy to teach with very little preparation or outside materials. We’ve also suggested more activities so you can expand … More Children’s Ministry Resources

10 Steps for Starting a Youth Ministry

Youth group ministry start-up is such an exciting time–and totally overwhelming. Even seasoned youth workers may feel nervous about getting things organized in a cohesive manner. Not only should things need to be clear in your own mind but workers and attendees need to know which way your group is headed. You need step-by-step instructions to get your ministry started … More Children’s Ministry Resources

KidMin Leadership Book by Jim Wideman

There is a brand new resource that you need to order today, if you haven’t already. Children’s ministry pioneer, Jim Wideman, has released Kidmin Leadership.  This book is unique because it is filled with leadership lessons for children’s ministers written by children’s ministers, based on what was learned in two years of mentoring with Jim. I was privileged to be … More Children’s Ministry Resources

4 Ways to Make Families & Children Feel Welcomed

Whether a family is visiting or has been attending our church for a hundred years, my desire is that they feel welcomed in our ministry.  This can be a struggle as volunteers are so busy and are focused on other things on Sunday mornings. Here are a few easy things to implement to up your friendliness factor: 1.  Plant smiling … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Nine Special Needs Blogs for Kidmin

There are many opinions out there when it comes to the issue of ministering to children with special needs.  This is not my area of expertise.  However, it is an important issue that our children’s ministries must address.  Like most things, I agree with the perspectives of some of these blogs more than others, and I trust the authors of … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Volunteer Recruitment: Why "Easy" Is the Wrong Motivation

Recently, I was talking with someone about volunteer recruitment in kids ministry.  A well-meaning conversant suggested we should publicize the fact that volunteering in children’s ministry is “easy.” I totally understand the heart and sentiment behind the suggestion – that we need to help assuage the fear and trepidation that many people feel about volunteering in children’s ministry so that … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Church Sued Over VBS Game Injuries

I just heard about a West Virginia church is facing lawsuits over a poorly run VBS games. According to this report, a 9-year-old boy was seriously injured in their Vacation Bible School program. It sounds like individual church volunteers were named in the lawsuit too! I’m not familiar with the situation, but it’s a good caution to everyone planning VBS … More Children’s Ministry Resources

5 Ways Teaching School DID NOT Prepare Me for Kids Ministry

Previously, I wrote about several ways that being a school teacher prepared me for being a children’s minister.  There were also a few things that did not transition well. What follows are some ways that my previous job did not prepare me for ministry. These are a few surprises I quickly discovered. Click here to leave a comment. 1. Ministry takes over your life. I … More Children’s Ministry Resources