Like most people I begin the New Year with a list of resolutions. However like many of you, I have learned over the years that most of my resolutions rarely leave the dream list. I have found that the best New Year’s resolutions are the ones that involve doing something for someone else. As a children’s pastor and servant, I … More Children’s Ministry Resources
If you’ve been blessed with a faithful team of volunteers, you’ve got a great advantage over many struggling ministries. You may have noticed that fall and winter are some of the busiest times in you kids ministry, not just for you but for volunteers too. While you’re planning fall events and a Christmas party, don’t neglect planning fall and winter … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Planning a Thanksgiving meal for bus riders when you have ample space, volunteers and time is a cinch. What if you don’t have those kinds of resources but still want to minister to the kids and families in your community this Thanksgiving? Have a Thanksgiving feast—bus ministry style! It takes a bit of planning but it’s a bus ministry promotion … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Got a few ping-pong balls handy? If so, you’ve got all you need for a few memorable Bible object lessons. This cool visual lesson is also great for new leaders and volunteers to try. Since ping-pong balls are so lightweight, you can get them to float easily in water and in the air. Pick up a pack of these balls … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Toys make great Bible object lessons because kids know how they work and how much fun they can be. What kid doesn’t own blocks? When you give kids an example of a biblical principle or verse, demonstrated with toys, like building blocks, you’ll grab and keep their attention. Also, building blocks object lessons are perfect for up and coming teachers … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The free Bible lesson is based on the events surrounding David being chosen as King for Israel. It was adapted for older elementary students and helps them discover that God’s power helps believers defeat their enemies. Please modify it to best serve the children you are teaching. Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 16-17 Bible Story Title: Samuel anoints a shepherd boy Target Age … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Noah’s ark is quite possibly the most taught Bible lesson in children’s ministry and for good reason. It has it all, animals, and a boat, an interesting and inspiring hero and of course a rainbow, and undeniable evidence of God’s love. What great lessons we can learn from Noah and his ark; lessons like obedience to God saves us from … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Like yours, my local church provides families with Halloween alternatives like trunk or treat and pumpkin prayer activities in kids church. But there’s always a bunch that likes going door-to-door for trick or treating, hoping to score big on candy and prizes. Even kids that don’t trick or treat understand the concept. Ring doorbell. Demand candy or deliver a trick. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
When I started our Kid of the Week Program, I had no idea how much my kids would love it. I didn’t realize that two years later, I’d still be rewarding kids who follow the Golden Rule with the title, “The Kid of the Week.” However, these TNT Kids Church kids wouldn’t let this program die and I’m so glad. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
NBC’s Minute to Win It Game is a huge hit for fun-loving families. Watching this show has inspired us to offer you some (more) kid-friendly, minute to win it games. These fast paced games are ideal for pre-church activities, schedule fillers or mid lesson breaks. Customize them to suit your needs. Lights Out: For this games you need six push … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It’s fall and with our focus on prayer, I was looking for a way to combine the two. I found it. I have to admit this is not an original idea but I did tweak it a bit to make it my own. This cool craft excited my volunteers who like working on interesting projects. We actually ended up making … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I love “minute to win it” games! They keep my early arrivers busy and give me a fun way to interact with kids. It’s important to infuse your lessons with some silliness and these games are the perfect for that. Rotate these five, minute to win it games for fall each week. You may need some extra volunteers for these … More Children’s Ministry Resources
It’s just around the corner — it’s fall festival time. Or as we call them in some parts of the country, the Hallelujah festival. Having some Halloween alternatives for families is a great idea but waiting to the last minute to plan them can put you behind, big time. Don’t stress this year! You can make fall festival planning easier … More Children’s Ministry Resources
I love behavior incentives and so do my kids but with all the stuff I carry in and out of kids church every week, I didn’t need one more thing to remember. Instead of handing out novelties and candy each week, I open the Bible Bucks store once a month and let the kids spend their well-earned Bible Bucks on … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Anyone who has ever worked in ministry has had feelings of “loner-ism” at some point or other. While it’s normal to have seasons of loneliness, they should never result in become the Lone Ranger or the Lone Minister. Here are some possible scenarios: volunteers forget to bring promised items or fail to show up. Kids don’t respond to your lesson … More Children’s Ministry Resources
If you have access to a volunteer or staff member who likes building, you should consider these cool widgets for your kids ministry. These invaluable tools provide a lot of excitement and if taken care of, they can last a good long time. I don’t use these handy items every week but they are perfect for special events or themed … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Holding a 1 to 2-hour main event each week in kids’ church can build excitement but it’s not much of a vehicle for building relationships. I admit I love the high-energy, atmosphere of heart-pumping praise music and the sounds of happy children more than anything in the world. However, maintaining that upbeat experience every week can wear you down (especially … More Children’s Ministry Resources
Taking kids to a deeper place in God with worship is my heart’s desire! Like so many of you, some of my most healing, profound moments have occurred in the worship-zone. However, leading others to this same place of God’s Presence can be so difficult, at least, it can feel that way. Honestly, as a children’s pastor with 15 years … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The following lesson is a continuation of a study in Judges. In the last lesson students discovered that the Israelites continued in a cycle of sin and when they cried out to God He sent them deliverers (judges) and rescued them. In this lesson the students will learn that God uses people to show His glory. The lesson was prepared … More Children’s Ministry Resources
As students continue a study in Judges they will discover how Gideon responds to God’s call. They will learn that it is important to obey God and trust Him to help us do what He calls us to do. The lesson was prepared for older students and can be adapted for your needs. Bible Passage: Judges 6-8 Bible Story Title: … More Children’s Ministry Resources
The short answer? A hearty yes! But it pays to understand the pros and cons of parent volunteers. No matter what size ministry you operate, you can find a place for a pair of willing hands. Let’s start with the positives, recognize the possible negatives and then move on to how to lead parent volunteers. The Positive Points Kids … More Children’s Ministry Resources
In just a few weeks or months, you’ve detected a subtle shift in kids’ attitudes, a lower-than-usual attendance, a lack of excitement amongst your volunteers. Of course, this kind of ebb and flow can occur naturally in ministry but sometimes a downturn may have a real, substantive cause. Having served in children’s ministry for over fifteen years, I’m certainly not … More Children’s Ministry Resources
When I first began working in Christian ministry fifteen years ago, I had never worked with puppets before. Our small church had a rickety plywood puppet stand and a few worn puppets but honestly, I didn’t really use them. As a matter of fact, I promptly got rid of them and introduced some other ministry tools like a DVD player. … More Children’s Ministry Resources
**This is a guest post from Nick Diliberto from PreteenMinistry.net Lesson Title: Thirsty? (Woman at the Well) Bible Passage: John 4:7–10; 13–14 Bottom Line: Like water satisfies the body, Jesus satisfies the soul. OPENING GAME – HUNGRY? Supplies — Signs that say: Family, School, Sports, Shopping, T.V., Online Activity, Video Games. Feel free to modify this list based on your specific preteen … More Children’s Ministry Resources