40 Ways to Develop Kids Into Doers

Recently I led a conference in Roseville, Michigan titled, “Involving Kids In Ministry!” I began to search scripture to see what the Bible says and the first thing that caught my eye was James 1:22, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

If I truly believe that the Bible is for everyone (children, too… and I do!) then simply teaching boys and girls about ministry isn’t enough. As a KidMin leader I must help to equip kids to be DOERS, too!

So, I started looking for references of kids serving in the Bible and I was reminded of several: A shepherd BOY who ministered to the king (1 Samuel 16:14-23); a slave GIRL who ministered to her master’s husband (2 Kings 5:1-15); a BOY king who led his kingdom (2 Kings 22:1-2); and a BOY who ministered to thousands of hungry people (John 6:1-13).

Obviously, children are quite capable of ministering. In their own, appropriate ways, they are to be doers in their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth!

My good friend and colleague, Vicki Hulsey shared some ideas that helped me as I prepared. One of the ideas she shared is this list of 40 possible ministry opportunities in which kids can be involved. What would you add to this list?

1.         Create puppets and perform a puppet show for preschoolers or at a nursing home.
2.         Interview the pastor to discover ways to pray for him and the church — create a Bible bookmark as a reminder to pray.
3.         Prayer Drive (instead of Prayer Walking) — leave a note attached with a ribbon tied to the door of kids they know.
4.         Clear ice and snow from the sidewalks of neighbors’ houses.
5.         Donate dolls, board games, ball gloves, and sports equipment to a local shelter.
6.         Volunteer to wash tables and collect trash at church sponsored meals.
7.         Make a large appreciation card and deliver it to the local police department or other community leaders.
8.         Create “Vacation Backpacks” by collecting used backpacks from school and filling them with activities kids can do while traveling. Use a check-out system.
9.         Collect toothbrushes and toothpaste for homeless.
10.      Adopt a local fire station to tour and pray for firefighters.
11.      Wash car windows of elderly members after church.
12.      Collect and donate grocery bags for local food distribution.
13.      Conduct a litter pickup day.
14.      Sing at a nursing home.
15.      Paint a fence as a service project.
16.      Create placemats for a nursing home.
17.      Assemble manila envelopes of drawing paper, coloring book pages, and crayons for use by DHS office or the police department.
18.      Serve or clean up following a community holiday food distribution dinner.
19.      Rake leaves for neighbors.
20.      Create a prayer book of community and national leaders.
21.      Visit someone who is lonely.
22.      Send a drawing and prayer to a local soldier serving away from home.
23.      Create a bulletin board display in the church showing soldiers on active duty connected to members in the church.
24.      Collect used and new Bibles for a local shelter.
25.      Collect new toys for a holiday charity.
26.      Ask for chores at home to earn money for an annual missions offering.
27.      Create a class directory — call or email everyone who is absent from your class.
28.      Create a nativity scene from craft materials and deliver it to a homebound member or neighbor.
29.      Purchase a box fan and deliver it to someone without air conditioning.
30.      Collect cans/bottles to redeem for annual mission offering.
31.      Clean neighbors mailboxes — leave a note of prayer.
32.      Plant flowers for homebound neighbors and friends to enjoy.
33.      Provide a coffee and cake fellowship after church or before Sunday School for a senior adult class.
34.      Ask a senior adult to be your prayer partner for one month.
35.      Email community leaders notes of encouragement and thanks.
36.      Collect soft drink can tabs for diabetics.
37.      Become a penpal for a missionary kid.
38.      Make invitations for kids in your neighborhood to attend VBS.
39.      Create a valentine for nursing home residents and deliver.
40.      Clean glass storm doors for a service project.