Evangelism – Page 3

CentriKid, Evangelism, Events, Kids Ministry, kids101, Podcasts, Preteen, Vacation Bible School

November 13, 2015

The Importance of the Mountain Top Experience

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Most followers of Jesus begin their journey during or following a “mountain-top” experience. Many believers are reminded of the essence of their journey when they have one. Most of the people in scripture, including Jesus, had unique experiences when they “went away” and spent time with the Lord.

Why wouldn’t every KidMin leader want to provide these catalytic opportunities for kids?

Jeremy Echols engages in a compelling conversation into why mountain-top experiences should be a regular part of the the rhythm of every healthy kids ministry.

Key points from this insightful podcast:

The nature and importance of a “mountain-top” experience
The positive impact on leaders while they lead kids at camp and VBS
A Brief overview of CentriKid camps, VBS events, and ETCH.

If you are interesting in these amazing events for kids and leaders, you can click on one of the links above.

In 2016, we will be launching the ETCH Conference, a great new opportunity for leaders and volunteers in all areas of children’s ministry. You can bring the entire church family ministry team or come on your own. In either case, it will be a great mountain-top experience for you!

JE (@coachechols) leads the @centrikid camps and events team for Lifeway Kids. He met his wife Emily working summer camp, they serve in the kids area on Sunday’s at church, and they are blessed with their daughter #BabyMadison who was born in 2011.

Evangelism, Events, Podcasts, Uncategorized, Vacation Bible School

October 22, 2015

How to Maintain VBS Energy Throughout the Year

By Kids Ministry 101

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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We hype it! We prep for it! Thousands of work-hours are put into it. Some begin planning the next as soon as the last is over. In fact, this blog was posted in the Fall!

Why? Because we know that many church leaders are already gearing up for the excitement of VBS for next summer. VBS is not only one of the most effective tools for evangelizing children, but it has energy that can be harnessed and extended throughout the year.

We don’t use the term “expert” lightly here. This podcast features Jerry Wooley, an expert that we believe is one of the most well-versed individuals in VBS. If there were a PhD in VBS, Jerry has earned it! Listen to his insight and, even if your church doesn’t do VBS, consider that it might actually be a strong option for your summer schedule.

Here’s what you’ll hear today:

How to prep for VBS so that it doesn’t stress you out
How to follow up VBS to get families plugged into your church
Tips for developing a VBS calendar
Ideas to get people excited early and keep them excited after

Check out Lifeway Kids’ VBS SUBMERGED™ for 2016 on our interactive site. It’s amazing!

Jerry Wooley is the VBS GUY! He serves as the Vacation Bible School Specialist for Lifeway. Don’t expect to talk with Jerry for too long without him asking you about VBS. Jerry loves the local church and serves as a 1st-3rd Grade Teacher at Creekside Fellowship in Castalian Springs, Tennessee.

Evangelism, Events, Fun, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Small Groups, Vacation Bible School

September 25, 2015

How Do You Measure Ministry Success?

By Jeff Land

For some reason this year, as my Facebook feed filled with posts from kidmin friends about VBS, I began noticing a common trend. It seemed that everyone was focused on the numbers. Post after post touted record breaking numbers. Kids coming in droves. Don’t get me wrong, lots of kids at your VBS is amazing, but is it most important? Are “enrollment” and “daily attendance” more important than the fact that kids came to church and heard the word of God taught?

As I traveled this summer, I met a kids ministry leader and I talked briefly with her about VBS. She said her church quit doing VBS because it was so expensive and not enough kids came. She said “we want to spend our money on helping the kids have fun.” Her words stung in my head, as I reflected on my observation of my friends’ facebook posts about VBS.

Sometimes I wonder if we, as church leaders, have become too consumed with number reporting and not concerned enough with life transformation. I’m certainly writing this post directly to me as I am definitely guilty of the “how many can we get” mentality. I teach in the preteen VBX area and this year, I was thinking, “I wonder how we can get more kids tomorrow.” I tended to focus on that more than I did the, “Wow, this lesson is awesome. This will change kids’ lives’ aspect.”

Toward the end of the summer, I helped a neighbor with a backyard Bible club. Despite signs, fliers, and facebook messages, we had a smaller number of kids. It would have been easy to get disappointed, but I didn’t. I loved the smaller crowd. I loved getting to know the kids. I loved knowing this was some of the kids’ first time to hear a Bible lesson. I loved that it provided connections with parents who have contacted me since then to ask for prayer. I chose to focus on the quality and not the quantity. How do you see the quality in what you do? I hope I can always remember to choose quality, not just quantity.

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.

Bible Study, Devotional, Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Parenting, Spiritual Disciplines

September 4, 2015

How Do You Disciple New Believers?

By Kids Ministry 101

By William Summey

I remember so vividly when my oldest son received Christ as Savior and Lord. He prayed at home with my wife leading him in prayer. That day when he received Christ was built upon many teaching moments and conversations about Jesus at church as well as at home. We were so happy and celebrated with him on his spiritual birthday, but we also had many questions: Is he too young? How much does he really understand about the gospel? How do we follow up from here with baptism and joining the church? How do we help him grow and mature as a Christian?

When a child comes to know Christ as Savior and Lord, it is a tremendous moment in the life of that child’s family and in the church body. But like our family, many families will have questions about what happens next. Parents and teachers alike may wonder if their child understands the gospel message, how to follow up with kids afterwards, or how to grow their child deeper. The newly revised I’m A Christian Now! is designed to help in all of these ways.

Designed with eight 1-hour meetings, I’m A Christian Now! leads a child from the basics of the gospel through the first steps of growing as a Christian. Each child also receives an activity book that includes Bible learning games, activities, and puzzles to support what they are learning in class. Kids work through these pages to have fun and learning more about becoming a Christian and how to live as a new Christian.

The content of I’m A Christian Now! addresses a major question in each meeting. You may progress in order through the sessions or pick and choose according to the needs of your group. Regardless, kids will find the activity books fun and exciting. I hope you find that they aid in your discipleship process.

Find out more about I’m A Christian Now! here.

Evangelism, Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership, Parenting, Resources, Small Groups, Spiritual Disciplines, Sunday School

April 23, 2015

Help Kids Study the Bible on Their Own

By Bill Emeott

Wouldn’t it be great if Kids CHOSE to study the Bible on their own? What would it take to help kids make the decision to search for themselves what God wants to say to them through his Word? Below are some of my thoughts that I’ve wrestled with over the past few weeks on this subject. What do you think?

MODEL WHAT’S IMPORTANT: Kids learn more of what they see you do than they will ever learn by just hearing what you say.

Model the importance of personal Bible study by HAVING ONE YOURSELF.
Model the importance of the Bible by using your Bible in front of them at church. Teach the Bible story FROM YOUR BIBLE (not the curriculum) and read Bible verses FROM YOUR BIBLE not just a resource piece.
Encourage kids to use their Bibles regularly in class, too.
Encourage families to make family Bible study a priority at home. Truth: parents really have the most influence over this… encourage them to be on mission here!

MAKE SCRIPTURE INTERESTING: It should be a sin (it might be) to bore kids with the Bible!

Bring out interesting and unusual facts and customs.
Use all five senses to teach Bible content.
Use a variety of teaching methods and approaches to teach kids in the way God created them to learn.

BEGIN EARLY: Habits began early in life become life-long habits.

Teach kids to treat the Bible with respect.
Teach kids that God’s Word is important and eternal.
Teach kids that the Bible is God’s letter to them.
Read the Bible to kids and encourage families to read the Bible together.
Encourage them to read their own Bible with fun and easy “homework” assignments. Follow through and consider appropriate rewards.

4. GIVE EVERY CHILD A BIBLE: How can they study their Bible if they don’t have one?

Choose an age appropriate Bible. There are tons of Bibles out there. Find a Bible that meets the need of the child.

TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO USE THEIR BIBLES: The Bible is placed on the page differently than any other book they’ve been exposed to. Make sure they know how to use the Bible.

Help kids know how the Bible is arranged (Testaments/Divisions).
Help kids know how to find book, chapter, verse (I’ve found that must kids get confused about the column found in many Bibles).

TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO STUDY THEIR BIBLES: God has given us some great scholars who have developed some incredible tools for studying the Bible. Consider teaching kids about these tools:

Concordance
Bible Dictionary
Commentaries

TEACH KIDS TO STUDY THEIR BIBLE DAILY: It’s a daily walk and a daily habit that will have long lasting results. Help kids understand and value a daily time with God through His Word. Here are some tools to consider:

Devotional Books and Magazines
“Through the Bible” reading plans
Family reading plans.

Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.

Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Preschool, Resources, Small Groups

March 30, 2015

Share the Story of Redemption through This 5-Minute Video

By Cristy Whitlock

I read a fact one time that stated the average adult must hear the gospel seven times before making a faith decision. If this is true, we must never waste an opportunity to share Jesus. The gospel will never be boring or repetitive. It will always be the greatest love story, the greatest rescue, the greatest message for humanity, the greatest need for restless souls. When I watch the newest content from The Gospel Project, I’m reminded of the power of the gospel and overwhelmed with excitement for kids who will hear and grasp ahold of grace. Watch the video below to see how all of Scripture points to Jesus. Let yourself get wrapped up in the story of redemption, and then go share it with others.

Encouragement, Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Parenting

November 7, 2014

Celebrate Baptism with These Downloadable Cards

By Jeff Land

A few months ago, my friend Delanee Williams, from First Baptist Church in Allen, Texas sent me an email with a picture of something a mom in her church did for her son who was getting baptized. The picture had an invitation which was sent to family and friends to invite them to the child’s baptism, a card explaining that there was an enclosed card to use to mail a note of encouragement to the child, and a card that could be used by the recipient to send the note of encouragement to the child.

I tell people all the time to celebrate a child’s decision to follow Christ appropriately. It’s a wonderful thing to become a Christian. It’s a great privilege to get to follow Jesus in baptism, but I’ve sometimes heard of parents going a little overboard when their children make such decisions. I do think, however, it is a great thing to send a note of encouragement to the children.

I asked my friend Jackie to take the picture that my friend Delanee sent me and create a set of the items that we could share with you, our partner in ministry. However, I didn’t want to just stop there. I asked my friend Judy to take Jackie’s design and make it customizable for every church to create their own personalized invites and cards.

If you download the free version of adobe acrobat reader and then download these PDFs, you too can create customizable baptism invitations and celebrations to give to parents to celebrate their child’s decision. Simply open the file and click through the highlighted spaces to fill in the appropriate information, and then print.

Download Baptism Announcement here (PDF).

Download Baptism Card here (PDF).

Download Baptism Note here (PDF).

Encouragement, Evangelism, Events, Fun, Kids Ministry, Vacation Bible School

October 24, 2014

Calling All VBS Amateurs, Professionals, and Everyone in Between

By Jeremy Echols

Have you heard of VBS Preview events? There is no better way to equip yourself and your team to run 2015 VBS than by attending one of these events. Here’s what you can expect:

VBS Preview Events are 50% information (how tos), 50% motivation (why tos), and 100% inspiration!

Get informed! Our goal is to get you and your team started on your VBS “Journey Off the Map” by providing brief, technical “how tos” for your specific VBS assignment (i.e. how to enlist workers, how to teach first graders, how to make a craft applicable to the daily Bible lesson, how to build a worship rally stage set).

Get motivated! You are more likely to take your VBS responsibilities to new levels of commitment, expertise, and creativity if you understand and embrace why we do what we do before, during, and after VBS. For example, VBS leaders typically become much more evangelistic once they realize the great opportunity VBS provides to connect not only with unchurched kids but with their parents as well. Embracing the “why tos” of VBS stirs our passion to take our VBS beyond what we have done in the past and challenges us to reach more, teach more, and evangelize more.

Get inspired! VBS leaders are often the men and women who are heavily invested in the mission and ministry of their churches. They are often the people who are at church every time the door is open. They are often the people who spend so much time feeding others that they have little opportunity to be fed themselves. Previews are a lot more than enthusiasm about a VBS theme and curriculum. VBS Previews are about the needs of the individuals attending. Quite often their greatest need is time away from the everyday to reconnect with the voice and heart of God. That’s why we strive to make the main sessions a time of worship and inspiration. We want our guests to leave excited about VBS 2015 Journey Off the Map, but more importantly, we want our guests to leave excited about their relationship with Jesus Christ and the mission to which he has called them.

Last Chance for Early-Bird Pricing for VBS Previews! Early Bird pricing for VBS Preview Events will end this month, so book your spaces for VBS before November 1st. You can reserve space as an individual or as a church group. Register online and find all the accommodation details.

Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Missions

October 23, 2014

40 Ways to Develop Kids Into “Doers”

By Bill Emeott

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?

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

Evangelism, Events, Fun, Kids Ministry, Missions

October 16, 2014

Trick or Treats — Halloween Activities

By Jerry Vogel

As kids, many of us can remember the chant,

“Trick or treat, Smell my feet.
Give me something
Good to eat!” (much to the dismay of our parents!)

Each year as we reflect back on this and other memories as a kid, we will choose either to be a part of festivities and activities at Halloween time or not. This decision is unique to each family and its personal convictions. Some view the Halloween times as evil and are to be totally avoided and some view them as simply times of fun and fellowship with their family and friends.

Along with family decisions to be made about this time of year, each church must also choose as to whether or not it will take part in alternative activities. For example, some churches provide Fall Festivals and schedule them on the actual day of Halloween to provide a safe alternative to door to door trick or treating. Others also provide Fall Festivals but intentionally choose not to do them on Halloween night. Whichever you choose, plan to be strategic in looking at these events as times of outreach to the community. Some folks who will never walk into church on a Sunday will bring their kids to a fun, safe time of games and refreshments.

A few suggestions that have worked in various situations include:
Trunk or Treat – Church members line up their cars in a designated area and allow children to go from vehicle to vehicle to get prizes and treats.
A Full Blown Carnival – Some churches enlist Adult and Kids Bible Study classes to plan for and prepare various carnival type booths with simple games and candy/prizes for all.
A Family Movie Night with refreshments and treats for all.

Many churches are choosing to offer a “treat” or “gift” to visitors at these events that will prayerfully be an entry point in reaching that family. More churches are including a specific plan to get prospect information from each family who attends. But, whatever you do, make sure that some type of Christian witness is included!