LifeWay

Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

Crafts, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Sunday School, Volunteers

On Board: Connect Families to Your Church with Art Displays

By

Chuck-Peters150x-altEvery week, my young kids come home from church with a collection of crafts that they’ve created with paint, glitter, and glue in Sunday School. Most of the time, their creations end up on the floor of the car or in a stack of stuff on the kitchen counter. If you’re a parent, you have no doubt experienced this too,

So here’s an idea for you. Don’t send everything home. You can use your crafts as a tool to create a sense of belonging and identification between your kids, their families, and the church by displaying their artwork in a prominent place where people can see it as they pass through your space. You may choose to display their works of art inside a classroom, but it may be even better to put them up on a bulletin board in the hallway. This gives your kids a sense of pride and accomplishment and creates positive feelings for their parents as they appreciate the artistic prowess of their prodigies. It also lets everyone in the church see the fun things that are happening in your children’s ministry.

While we often hope our crafts and handouts will stimulate spiritual conversations in homes, they may occasionally be better used to create a connection to the church and to your ministry.

Chuck Peters is Director of Operations for LifeWay Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck has served vocationally & voluntarily in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years.

Crafts, Encouraging, Kids Ministry

Mother’s Day Craft

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klista-150x150Mother’s Day is just a few short weeks away and teachers everywhere are scrambling to find the perfect craft for their classroom kids to make. But, unfortunately, too many of these teachers will be spending hours upon hours doing all the prep work for these perfect “handmade” gifts themselves.

Moms everywhere would tell you: “STOP THE MADNESS!” We’d much prefer to have something truly made by our kids. Give us the simple hand-drawn pictures; messy, but painstakingly, painted masterpieces; or even just a page of questions that capture the thoughts of our kids about life with mom.

To help make your life easier, here are links for a couple of easy-to-do treasures your kids will be proud to give their moms.  A great book about mom (or even grandma!) that kids can make.

And how cute (and easy!) are these “pinecone flowers?” 

And for fun, we’ve included a quick and easy page for you to copy and record those precious, funny, and sometimes too revealing answers kids share! All About Mom

Thank you for all you’re doing to make some tired moms feel very special!

Klista Storts serves as an Editorial Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. She has served as Director of Preschool Ministries at churches in Oklahoma and Tennessee. Klista has a passion for equipping leaders to share the love of Christ and lay foundations for conversion in the lives of kids.

Crafts, Fun, Games, Kids Ministry, Parenting, Small Groups

Science and the Bible: Walking on Eggshells

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Jeff Land-150x150Wouldn’t you love to walk on water? I’ve always imagined what it would be like. I saw this experiment recently and thought that it would be a good way to illustrate the story of Peter walking on water with Jesus. I have tried this experiment several times and for some reason I can’t get it to work with adults standing on the eggs, but it always has worked with kids. I’ve seen videos where it works with adults, but I can’t make it work (maybe my eggs are too cheap!). Download the teaching picture and Bible story summary here.

Before the Activity:

o   Where are some places that you would like to walk that you cannot?

o   What would it feel like to walk on glass? Slime? The moon? Eggs?

o   Today we will study about Peter and how he was able to walk on water with Jesus.

Items needed:

o   4 dozen eggs

o   Vinyl tablecloth

Instructions:

o   Place the vinyl tablecloth on the ground.

o   Place the eggs on the vinyl tablecloth in their cartons.

o   Assist a volunteer in standing directly on the eggs.

o   Help the volunteer jump while standing on the eggs. (Supposedly this will work, use this suggestion at your OWN risk!)

Egg4

What happened:

o   Eggs seem fragile, but God had a great design for them in their shape. The shape of the eggs gives them their strength. The curve of the shell distributes the pressure evenly.

Bible Story Connection:

o   Peter Walked on Water (Matthew 14:22-33)

o   Connection Point: Most people would never guess that you can actually walk on eggs, but we know that walking on water is impossible. God shaped eggs especially to give them strength so actually walking on them is possible. Peter was able to walk on water because he had the power of his faith in Jesus Christ.

After the Story/Activity:

o   Was it a miracle to be able to walk on eggs? What did walking on eggs require?

o   How was Peter able to walk on water? What made Peter start to sink?

o   How can you depend on Jesus like Peter did?

Jeff Land loves Life! That’s pretty great, because his job here at LifeWay is the Team Leader for Bible Studies for Life: Kids. Jeff loves his life which is so blessed by his amazing wife, Abbey, and their four sons, Reed, Nash, Will, and Tuck. A natural encourager and fun-lover, look for Jeff’s posts about teacher appreciation and game ideas. When not serving at work, Jeff serves 2nd graders at his church, First Baptist Church, Joelton, TN.

Crafts, Encouragement, Fun, Leadership, Thanksgiving

Fall Teacher Appreciation Ideas

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Land-150x150Recently, I got a jar of peanuts and candy corn with a label “This may sound corny, but I’m nuts about you!” I loved the jar for several reasons. One — I love candy corn, and two — that was a teacher appreciation idea I posted last Fall. Around here, we don’t just post for the fun of it; we really want the ideas we post to be useful in your ministry. Today I’m sharing an idea that I used to tell my team here at work how much I loved them!

Supplies:
Miniature Pumpkins and Gourds (I bought mine at a local farm for $.25 each)
Jute twine
Pumpkin Label (Download Here)

Instructions:

I resized my labels to get 6 on a page in a Word doc. You can do this or just print the size that they are in the PDF file.
Punch a hole in the top of each label. You might want to write a personal note on the back.
Use the jute twine to attach the label to the stem of the pumpkin.
Deliver and watch your volunteers’ faces brighten!

It’s so important to tell the people who are working in ministry with you that you love and appreciate them.

For 5 more fall-themed teacher appreciation ideas, click here. 

Crafts, Fun, Small Groups, Sunday School
Crafts, Easter, Fun

Easter Recipe: Resurrection Rolls

By

mar31Jana_newMy kids love to cook and bake with me. Each year we look forward to baking Resurrection Rolls for Easter! It’s a creative way to tell the story of Jesus’s burial and resurrection. Here’s the recipe and the story to tell while assembling the rolls. Enjoy and have fun celebrating the truth that our Savior is risen!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 Cans of Crescent Rolls
16 large marshmallows
½ C melted butter
¼ C granulated sugar
2 TBSP cinnamon

The story (Note: you may want to modify for younger children)

Jesus is God’s son who was sent to earth to pay the price for our sin. He never sinned. The white of this marshmallow represents the purity and sin-free nature of Christ.

After Jesus died his body was prepared for burial. After he was buried, his friends prepared him to be buried with oil and spices. Dip the marshmallow in butter, then in sugar and cinnamon.

Jesus was wrapped in linen and placed in a tomb with a large rock rolled in front. Wrap the marshmallow in one triangle of dough covering it completely like a ball (rock).

Complete the process for all 16 triangles and marshmallows.

Place in the oven for 10-12 minutes.

Allow rolls to cool. Say after 3 days, his friends went to visit the tomb but the rock was rolled away and two angels said, “why are you looking for the living among the dead?”

Reveal that when you cut open a roll or take a bite that the marshmallow has disappeared, leaving an empty “tomb.”

Remind children that the rolls are sweet just like the love God has for us.

Follow-up by reading the Easter story together from the Bible so that children know that it is true and that Jesus died for them and wants to be their savior. Pray with children, thanking God for the gift of Jesus.

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of Kids Ministry Publishing. Jana brings a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and curriculum writing. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children attend Forest Hills Baptist Church where she teaches The Gospel Project to preteen girls.

 

Crafts, Easter, Fun, Games
Crafts, Encouragement, Fun

Get Your Valentine’s Day Cards!

By

VdayCards

JeffreyAs all of you know, Valentine’s Day is just 2 days away. If you haven’t picked up cards yet, you’re in luck. Check out and download the cards below to speak love through Scripture.

 

 

GodLovesUsunlovable Godlovesus

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 & 8 (PDF)

John 3:16 (PDF)

John 13:34 (PDF)

Bro

BiggestHeart

Romans 12:10 (PDF)

Romans 5:8 (PDF)

Happy Valentine’s Day from LifeWay Kids!

Jeffrey Reed serves as the Director of Kids Ministry for LifeWay. He came to LifeWay with a wide variety of ministry experiences including worship leader, director of children’s ministry, and executive leadership in several growing congregations. Jeffrey’s posts will give your heart and brain a workout, just like the fitness Boot Camp he leads in the mornings for LifeWay employees. Jeffrey and his wife Katherine have 4 kids.

Crafts, Encouragement, Fun

Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages

By

Feb7

klistaHow do I love thee?  Let me color the ways!

I love Valentine’s Day!  For one thing, it means Spring is not far behind!  But the main reason is that it offers the opportunity of making people around us aware of our love for them.

 As you prepare for Valentine’s parties and the like, here is a link to some great coloring pages to help your kids not only express their love for others, but will also be a reminder of God’s love for them and their friends.

To make the page even more personal, encourage the kids to either list reasons for their love or add their own drawing on the back. Enjoy!

Coloring Pages for Valentine’s Day

Klista Storts is a Kids Ministry Specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources.  Before coming to LifeWay, she served as the Weekday and Preschool Specialist at the Tennessee Baptist Convention and as Director of Preschool Ministries at churches in Oklahoma and Tennessee.  Klista has a passion for equipping leaders to share the love of Christ and lay foundations for conversion in the lives of kids.

Crafts, Encouragement, Leadership, Sunday School

Valentine’s Day Labels: Show Love to Your Kids Ministry Leaders

By

Feb5


landUse these free Valentine’s labels to tell your kids ministry volunteers that you appreciate them. Download all seven pages of labels for free! Show your kids ministry volunteers how much they mean to you and your church.

Pastor Michael, the kids pastor at my church, is great at showing appreciation for his kids ministry leaders. With notes on our Facebook wall, friendly texts, and even small gifts, he communicates that he appreciates us working with kids.

Here are five ideas that will help you tell your kids ministry volunteers how much they mean to you. (Oh, and did I mention that we’re giving you some awesome Valentine’s labels to use to make this task even more doable?)

1. Thanks a BILLION for teaching the kids at our church!

Walgreens has these great 1,000,000,000 candy bars for $.99 in their Valentine’s Day section (prices may vary). Print the label and voila — instant teacher appreciation.

Thanks a Billion (PDF)

VdayTag2

Print these labels on Avery 8163 labels.

2. OWL always thank God for you!

This “Cuddly Cuties” chocolate owl was available at Walgreens 3 for $2.00 (prices may vary). Hurry now and pick them up. They had dog, monkeys, and kittens.

Owl 1 and Owl 2 (PDFs)

VdayTag4

Print this label for the owl chocolate on Avery 8163 labels.

Some other ideas:

  • You’re a DOGgone good Sunday School teacher!
  • I’d go bananas without you teaching our kids!
  • You make the PURRfect Bible study leader!

3. You’re A SWEETHEART for teaching our kids!

 Who doesn’t love sweethearts candies? You can find these almost anywhere and usually for about $.33 each (prices may vary).

Sweetheart 1 and Sweetheart 2 (PDF)

VdayTag1

Print these labels on Avery 8163 labels.

4. You Deserve HUGS and KISSES for teaching our church’s children!

I found this acrylic heart at Walgreens for $.50 and a bag of Hershey’s HUGS KISSES for $3.49 (prices may vary). You can fill several hearts with one bag of KISSES or if you need to be more cost effective, consider putting several kisses in a ziplock bag and placing one of the labels on it.

Hugs and Kisses (PDF)

VdayTag3

Print these labels on Avery 8163 labels.

5. I’m Glad You <3 Kids Ministry!

The chocolate-filled heart Valentines are probably the most recognized Valentine candy around (besides maybe conversation hearts!). Most stores offer a small box of Valentines for around $1.00 (prices may vary).

I’m Glad You <3 Kids Ministry (PDF)

VdayTag5

Print these labels on Avery 8163 labels.

Jeff Land Jeff loves Life! That’s pretty great, because his job here at LifeWay is the Team Leader for Bible Studies for Life: Kids. Jeff loves his life which is so blessed by his amazing wife, Abbey, and their four sons, Reed, Nash, Will, and Tuck. A natural encourager and fun-lover, look for Jeff’s posts about teacher appreciation and game ideas. When not serving at work, Jeff serves 2nd graders at his church, First Baptist Church, Joelton, TN.

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