“Let ME do it!!!” How many times do we find kids making such demands? Youngsters developing independence are eager to take control and do things themselves, which is often a positive effort. However, sometimes the over-zealous self-sufficient aims can end in disaster, and often we wind up jumping in to rescue the child who suddenly realizes they needed help after … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I’ve been teaching kids’ church classes for a long time. I started when I was in Jr. High, I helped my parents in the Sunday School class that they taught. I am now 40 years old and am still teaching kids classes. I’ve taught 2 year olds all the way through High Schoolers. I’ve been through it all. I’ve done … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This is part of a new series we’re calling, “Hello, My Name Is… A Series on the Names of God.” Look for the next installments to come throughout February. You can find the latest when you follow Tara’s author archive. We’ll add links to the whole Bible study once it’s complete. Lesson Two: Elohim/The Word Main Idea: God is the … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Lesson Title: Elijah Helps a Widow Bible Reference: 1 Kings 17:7-24 Target Age Group: Preschool Learning Context: Children’s Church Target Time Frame: 1 ½ hour Gospel Connection: One thing that Christians can always be sure of is that God will take care of them. The Bible teaches that not a flower or bird escapes God’s notice. God is in control … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What do we want children to feel when they think about God? What attributes do we emphasize and what impressions are left when we teach students? Often, we tend to air on the side of caution. Nervous about portraying our Heavenly Father as a judgmental punisher, we sometimes wind up “dumbing God down” and highlighting His softer and friendlier elements. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Seek Thee is a family devotional designed to connect God’s creation to the Bible. This devotional would be perfect for summer and/ or a camping trip. It focuses on one verse and helps the kids put it into action. Activity One: As a family wake up early enough to watch the sunrise. The kids would find it fun to sit … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Scripture: Psalm 145:9, 86:5, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Romans 12:2 Bible Lesson Title: God is Good Target Age Group: Toddlers, age 18-24 months Original Teaching Context: Toddler Sunday School (these are also great for parents who desire to bring the knowledge/wonder of God to their children during daily playtime). Main Idea: God is good; he loves to bless his children! Supplies: Bible … More Children’s Ministry Resources
One of the most common questions I hear from new teachers (or those considering serving in children’s ministry) is about classroom management and discipline. How do I keep them all under control? What are the rules? What do I do when someone disobeys? What does discipline look like in the classroom? These are all great questions and should all be … More Children’s Ministry Resources
OK If you have ever shopped for a car or a home (or hey, even a new jacket), more likely than not you have come up with a list of properties to look for. Safety, cost value, reliability, comfort, appearance…these might all be factors. Decisions or characterizations, whether with regards to big or small items, usually involve identifying and weighing various … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The story of Nabal and his wife, Abigail, takes us to a situation that children are very familiar with: sharing. David’s army lived peaceably beside Nabal and even helped protect his sheep. However, everything went sour whenever David asked Nabal to share some food with his army. Nabal had the resources to help David but he didn’t want to. David’s … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What child does not love breaking and smashing things? This lesson takes advantage of that interest while emphasizing that, unfortunately, humans are irreparably broken creatures that only God can fix. The activities here take advantage of one of God’s simple yet remarkable treasures, as we look to eggs for inspiring Biblical truths. Lesson focus: Although every human is sinful and … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This is lesson 24 of 33 in a series of lessons called “Praise God Through the Psalms.” “Praise God Through the Psalms” – Psalm 66 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 … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This kid’s Bible lesson was created to teach children how, God, made everything in the world. The lesson is about the events that take place in Genesis One and Two. The ideal use of this material would be for Sunday School or Children’s Church. For more lesson ideas, don’t miss our longer series on the days of creation. We also … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Sometimes the simplest things can make the best illustrations. Object lessons are so powerful because they leave a lasting impression and make sense to kids. If you are hunting for your next exciting and unique lesson, consider adding a little baking lesson to the mix. As always, specifics are quite flexible, and the suggestions here are merely that—possibilities. But the … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Title: Stewardship Series: God’s Call to Give Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Supplies: Pencils, paper, yellow circles of construction paper Lesson Opening: What is Stewardship? Ask: Has anyone ever heard the word “Steward” before? What do you think it means? (A steward is someone who takes care of another person’s property.) Ask: What does it mean to … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Water games are always fun when it comes to VBS recreation, so here’s a list of exciting and amusing games ideal for keeping the kids cool each day. Basket-Head Balloon Toss Materials: Two circular laundry baskets, water balloons, timer Instructions: Divide the kids into two teams and pick someone from each team to hold a laundry basket on top of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Maybe “funday” isn’t an actual word but it should be! How else can you describe the following three spring fun days? I do love a theme–themes get people excited about attending church and that’s not just the kiddos. Looking for some exciting spring funday Sunday themes? Maybe these ideas will get you started. The Cat in the Hat Schools aren’t … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Being modern-day Christians, kids today may take for granted how radical it once was for non-Jews to get attention or hear the gospel. But we still at times might consider some things off-limits or “taboo,” or we think some types of people to be better than others. In this story, we see how God transformed Peter’s heart to realize how … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Title: The Armor of God Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Main Point: God gives us armor to help us fight against Satan. Supplies: Pictures of football player, soldier, firefighter, and scuba diver, belt, helmet, sword, large boots, breastplate, shield (or pictures of each), truth and lie cards, armor of God coloring pages Lesson Opening Hold up a … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Title: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Scripture: John 12:12-50 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Main Point: Jesus is our Savior King Supplies: Marker board, markers, 2 blindfolds Lesson Opening: Hangman Play a round of hangman on the marker board using the main point for today’s lesson “Jesus is our Savior King.” Once the kids guess the phrase explain that today we’ll hear … More Children’s Ministry Resources
There are many ways to consider how the church operates as a team of believers…the Bible makes it clear that every person has special gifts and abilities. We can use those unique elements to come together and do amazing things. But we have to use each other to make it happen. As adults we may be used to this message, … More Children’s Ministry Resources
What did God do for us and why is it important? Why do we need Jesus, anyway? Sometimes we take for granted what it means that we are God’s children and have been redeemed. This lesson emphasizes the importance of a Messiah and reminds us that God used prophets to tell everyone what was coming. It also reminds us that … More Children’s Ministry Resources
This is lesson 14 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 24 we have a clear picture of … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Title: Jericho Falls Scripture: Joshua 3-6 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Main Point: God’s power brings victory Supplies: 24 stones or blocks Lesson Opening Ask: Who is the strongest person you know? What is that person able to do that other people can’t? Where do you think that person got their strength? Say: In our story today we’ll hear about … More Children’s Ministry Resources