LifeWay

Kids Ministry

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

Games, Kids Ministry, Leadership

3 Ways to Make Your Games Count

By

Love them or not, games always find a way into kids ministry programming. Most kids ministers have planned icebreakers, dodgeball, messy games, and every single version of tag imaginable.  

Playing games can make you more effective as a kids ministry leader, but games can also easily become disconnected from your ministry goals. How can we get the most out of our games and make them count?  Here are three suggestions:

  • Plan several days in advance for your games. This one may seem too obvious, but how many times have you found yourself trying to plan a game for your kids ministry an hour before kids arrive? Planning a couple of days in advance gives you the time to prep any supplies you need, and it takes away the stress of last minute planning. If you play a game that kids love, write down the rules and a supply list for your own future reference.
  • Include adults and kids in your games. Whenever you have the chance to include adults in a game, do it! This gives kids the chance to build connections with their adult leaders outside of small group times. When adults and kids sit down for a discussion later, kids will care more about what those adults have to say. This is one of my favorite parts of recreation at Student Life For Kids. We include your adult leaders in the games so they have the chance to connect with kids from your group.
  • Connect your games to the lesson you are teaching. Playing games gives you an opportunity to start teaching before the large group lesson even starts. Even if your game is only loosely connected to the big idea you’re teaching, making a connection can help grab the attention of kids for the lesson. 

Looking for more ideas about how to make your games count? Check out “Great Games That Teach” in the KidMin Toolbox. This brand new resource has more than 100 games for your kids ministry, and every game has a biblical application lesson.

Logan Meek leads the Student Life for Kids team. Logan joined the Student Life For Kids team in 2014 after spending two years as a Sixth Grade teacher with Teach For America. He believes in the importance of strong kids ministry to help kids build strong spiritual foundations.

Games, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Preschool, Preschoolers, Sunday School

Bible Teaching Activity: Bible Teaching Picture Puzzles

By

Puzzles are a helpful teaching tool to keep preschoolers engaged in learning. Many children enjoy puzzles, especially reflective, visual, and logical learners. Use the activity below to teach and review any Bible story with preschoolers.

Supplies Needed:

  • Bible
  • 2 Matching Bible Teaching pictures (save teaching pictures from the leader pack each quarter)
  • Scissors
  • Glue or glue stick
  • File folder
  • A piece of Velcro®
  • Plastic zipper bag

Prepare:

  1. Open a file folder horizontally.
  2. Attach one teaching picture to the right side of the file folder with glue or a glue stick.
  3. Then, cut the matching teaching picture into the number of pieces developmentally appropriate for the children in your class.
  4. For storage of the puzzle pieces, attach a plastic storage bag with Velcro® inside the folder and left of the picture.
  5. For durability, consider laminating or covering the teaching picture puzzle.

Teach:

  1. Open a Bible to the Bible story and place the puzzle (folder open showing the Bible picture and the cut puzzle pieces beside it) on a table.
  2. Invite a child to put the puzzle together. Encourage him to place the pieces over the completed picture. (To make the activity more challenging, guide a child to put the puzzle together beside the teaching picture.)
  3. As the child works, share the Bible story.
  4. Review the Bible story with him, asking questions and referring to the picture in the puzzle.
  5.  Help him discover ways he can apply the Bible story to his life.

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

CentriKid, Games, Kids Ministry, Leadership

5 Ways to Make Your Games Phenomenally Fun

By

At ETCH Family Ministry Conference, I’m leading a session with Micheal Walley from CentriKid Camps about how stage games we use at camp can be helpful in your ministry as well. We will talk through setup, preparation, and play some games too!

Here are 5 ways to make your games phenomenally fun—whether you play inside, outside, on a stage with a big room, or in a small group setting. Apply these principles and watch the fun-meter go up!

  1. Play more, talk less. Talking too much is the number 1 mistake leaders make with games at church, at school, even ball coaches at practice. The instructions are important, but spend more time playing than explaining the rules.
  2. Prepare variations. Some games require age-appropriate variations, but sometimes you don’t know how it will go until you play it. So anticipate potential challenges and have fun variations ready to extend the fun … but also feel the flexibility as a game leader make them up on the fly if you see an opportunity to make something more balanced or to simply make it more fun, or if a rule wasn’t clearly explained and the kids are having a hard time with something in the game.
  3. Make it memorable. Take advantage of the unique space or the specific group that you have playing games. When we are at CentriKid, we try to do things you can only do at CentriKid Camps … and there are unique things to the space where you will be, too.  When you experience something “you can only do at church” it’s memorable, and hopefully draws kids back to church for those types of experiences again.
  4. Kill it before it dies. This is a phrase we use in training our CentriKid staff leaders to end something at its peak rather than running it into the ground. When playing games and using variations, the game leader has to know when to move on from an activity so it can be fun again next time you bring it out.
  5. Get the adults involved. As a leader, you should go all in with the games that you lead. Your enthusiasm can help capture kids attention. Don’t let the volunteers or other adults sit or stand with their arms crossed at the back of the room. Get them involved, and train them to bring enthusiasm to the game …at appropriate levels … don’t let leader involvement take away from the kids experience playing the game.  

The adults should always engaged with the games you play because it makes the game more fun for kids—but more importantly, you want the adult leaders building relationships with the kids in your ministry. The informality of game-time can make the Bible lessons and spiritual applications connect when they are shared in other settings. That is why we do games at church in the first place: to introduce or reinforce the concepts we are teaching from Scripture.

For more game ideas and resources, we have two books available at CentriKid Camps and ETCH Family Ministry Conference in the on-site Event Store … Phenomenally Fun Stage Games and Recreation Rooted in Scripture.

I hope you can join us at ETCH Conference—we’ll host ministry teams from Preschool, Kids, Students, and Family ministries at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN.  Learn more at etchconference.com.

Jeremy Echols leads the CentriKid Camps team and manages the LifeWay Kids events.  He, his wife Emily, and their precious daughter love their church, their neighborhood, and spending time together.  Jeremy loves to read, watch sports, and grill burgers.

Bible Skills, Bible Study, Family, Fun, Games, Kids Bible Study, Kids Devotions, Kids Ministry, Parent Helps, Parenting, Resources, Small Groups

Free Bible Skills Activity Guide

By

We believe it’s essential to begin teaching Bible skills from a very young age. As kids learn the different divisions and structure of the Bible, they will understand God’s Word more clearly, providing a foundation for heart transformation.

We’ve developed a free Bible Skills Activity Guide for families and groups. Fill out the form below to download the guide and make copies for every family in your ministry. Parents will love the help as they seek to disciple their kids this summer.

By signing up for this Bible Skills Activity Guide, you will also receive free access to preview sessions of Explore the Bible. Every session of Explore the Bible: Kids brings the Bible to life through rich study and engaging objects, equips kids with foundational Bible knowledge and skills, and encourages them to live what they learn everywhere they go. Try sessions out with your kids, and watch the Word come alive.

Bible Skills, Fun, Games, Kids Ministry

Bible Skills Cubes

By

10755909441191CDPWelcome guest blogger Lynn Jordan. Lynn is the Children’s Ministry Coordinator and Education Assistant for Capital Baptist Association in Oklahoma City. She teaches Bible Skills for 1st – 6th  graders at First Baptist Church, Choctaw, Oklahoma.

Supplies to Gather:

  • 2 Cracker Boxes
  • Shredded Paper
  • Packing Tape
  • Plastic Tape
  • Paper

Preparation:

  1. Make 2 game cubes from two cracker boxes:
  • Zesta Box 2Zesta Box 1Flatten a saltine cracker box.
  • Cut sides to measure 4 inches
  • Insert one box into the other.
  • Tape one end closed.
  • Fill the box with shredded paper.
  • Use packing tape to close the open end.
  • Use 1-inch plastic tape to cover each edge.
  • Repeat with a second box.
  1. Print a set of 6 Bible skill challenges to tape to the sides of one cube:
  • Zesta Box StuffingZesta Box 3Say the books of Law
  • Say the books of Poetry
  • Say the Gospels
  • Say the Major Prophets
  • Say the Minor Prophets
  • Say the books of History
  1. Print a set of 6 physical challenges to tape to the sides of the second cube:
  • CubesZesta Box CubeWhile Hopping On One Foot
  • While Bobbing Your Head
  • While Doing Jumping Jacks
  • While Turning Around
  • While Jogging In Place
  • While Standing On One Foot

How to Play:

Challenge the kids to roll game cubes to determine a Bible skill and a physical challenge to perform simultaneously.

TIP:  Supersize this activity with Giant Inflatable Game Cubes.  

 

Bible Skills, Games, Leadership

Bible Skills Game: Grab a Book

By

rp_Emeott-Web21-150x150.jpgHere’s another fun Bible skills game I’ve used recently in my 2nd grade Bible study group. The kids loved it. I hope your kids will, too.

GATHER:

  • 2 Extender Arm Grabbers
  • 2, 12 Count Muffin Tin
  • 20 Plastic Ball Pit Balls
  • 2 Gift bags or fun container to hold prepared balls
  • Permanent Marker

Supplies  Prepare:

  • On the bottom of two 12-count muffin tins, print the titles of the 10 divisions of the Bible. Include “OT” and “NT” for 12 separate titles. Print one division title per cup. (Option: Use muffin tin liners to print division titles instead of permanently printing on a muffin tin. Place the prepared liners into the tins).
  • On separate pit balls print a book from each of the 10 divisions (make 2 sets).
  • Place each set of prepared pit balls into separate gifts bags.
  • Place prepared muffin tins and the extender arm grabbers on one end of the room and the prepared bag-o-books on the other.

OT TinNT Tin

Play:

  • Divide the group into two teams.
  • Assign each team to a muffin tin and line teams, single file, behind their team’s muffin tin.
  • On “Go” player one will pick up the extender arm grabber, race to the bag-o-books, using the grabber retrieve a book, and race back to the team’s muffin tin.Bag a Balls
  • Grabbing
  • Player one will determine the book retrieved and which division it represents and place the book in the correct labeled division tin. (Option: For younger kids allow teams to determine the division the retrieved book represents.)
  • Once the book has been correctly placed, player two will receive the extender arm grabber and race to retrieve the next book.
  • Continue play until all books have been retrieved and correctly placed.
  • The team who retrieves and correctly places all 10 book balls first, wins!Complete
Bible Study, Games, Kids Ministry

Straight Outta the Dollar Store

By

rp_land-150x150.jpgI love Dollar Tree. It’s a fun store to go into and it’s the only store that I can shop in and know what I am paying for each item. It’s also packed full of items that children’s ministry leaders can use in their ministries to kids. In order to prove my point, I decided to go into Dollar Tree and find three activity ideas for kids in less than 15 minutes. I had no idea what I would find when I went in.

Without further adieu, here’s a look at my new treasures:

Easy, Homemade Dry-Erase Board – Dollar tree has a great selection of frames and dry erase markers. I bought a frame and took the “fake family” picture out and replaced it with a sheet of white copy paper. Bam! Instant dry-erase board. Here are some ideas for using the board.

  1. IMG_7085IMG_7086Place kids into several teams. Give teams each a homemade dry-erase board and a marker. Ask review questions and let kids answer the questions on their boards. Make it more difficult for older kids by asking kids questions “Jeopardy” style where you give the answer first. For pre-readers you can allow kids to draw the story while you are telling it or you can give them two colors and ask the questions True/False style where a blue circle is true and a red circle is false. Have fidgeters? Maybe you should stock your class with enough boards for each kid and allow them to draw the story and their thoughts while you tell the Bible story.

Marblelous Bible Books. I bought a vegetable tray, a pack of marbles, and a pack of stickers for $1.00 each. I wrote the divisions of the Old Testament on five stickers and placed them on the vegetable tray. I then wrote the names of the books of the Old Testament on each sticker and adhered them to individual marbles.

  1. IMG_7079IMG_7078IMG_7080Allow kids to sort the labeled marbles into their correct division area. Pre-readers can participate too. Display a Books of the Bible Poster and allow them to count the number of books in each division. They can then place that many marshmallows into each corresponding section. NOTE: I didn’t label the compartments or marbles with a permanent marker because I wanted to leave them available to change up if I want to. You could do story sequencing or switch to the New Testament. If you have children with special needs in your class, you can even create an interactive visual schedule. Label each compartment with the different sections of the Bible Study session. When it is time to move to the next session place a marble in the section completed.

New Testament Pop-up: I found these great popcorn bags 10 for $1.00! I labeled each bag with a division of the New Testament and I popped a bag of popcorn.

  1. IMG_7081 IMG_7082 IMG_7084Pre-readers will love this activity. You can give them a bowl of popcorn and a Books of the Bible chart. They can count the number of books in each division and then place that many pieces of popcorn in each bag. For older kids, you can label table tennis balls with the books of the New Testament and let them gently throw the correct ball into each division labeled bag.

You can implement these ideas and find several more in the Practice Bible Skills section of Bible Studies For Life: Kids! 

Jeff Land loves life! That’s pretty great, because his job at LifeWay is the Team Leader for Bible Studies for Life: Kids. Jeff loves his life which is blessed by his wife and their four sons. When not serving at work, Jeff serves 2nd graders at his church.

Games, Kids Ministry

Bible Skills Game: Tic-Tac-Bible Flip

By

rp_Emeott-Web2-150x150.jpgOccasionally I find myself searching for a new Bible skill game to use with my kids at church. I have around 25 games at varying skill levels but it’s fun to create something new. So, off I go in search of the perfect game. Recently I landed at our local thrift store and found a game, pretty much all there, that turned out to be a great Bible skill game to add to my collection and the kids loved it.

Here’s what I did and here’s how we play:The Game

Tic-Tac-Flip is a simple game of tic-tac-toe but with a bit of a “flip.” Players use the “launcher” to flip chips on to the game board with hopes that three chips will land “three in a row.” There’s a little skill required (so that you don’t send your chips sailing across the room) but it’s pretty simple and a lot of fun. Simply print on both sides of the chips various books of the Bible and start flipping.

Here are the rules we use:The Chips

  • Determine who will go first and take turns “flipping” a Bible book chip.
  • When a chip lands in the board the player is to name the book of the Bible before the book printed on the chip, the book printed on the chip, and the book after the flipped chip. If the player chip can successfully state the sequence, the chip remains on the board. If the player is not able to name the sequence, the chip must be removed from play.The Play
  • The first player to get three chips to land in a row (and is able to say the book sequences) wins!

I’ve played with one child (playing against me), two kids playing against each other, or teams of kids taking turns for their team. It’s fun either way.

Teaching Bible skills should be fun and using familiar games helps and creates a lot of excitement.The Win Head out to your local thrift store and go wild thinking about Bible skills!

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 thirteen years.

Games, Kids Ministry, Leadership

Top Ten Posts of 2015

By

whitlock-4Starting with the tenth most popular blog post, here are the most read posts from 2015. Did you miss one of these when they originally posted? Click the image to catch back up!

10. Science and the Bible: Lava Lamps and MosesScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.11.56 PM9. You Teach Even When You Aren’tScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.14.07 PM8. 10 Lessons in LeadershipScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.15.30 PM7. Rock Your Kids WorshipScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.15.55 PM6. Before You Serve: Shake the Dust Off Your FeetScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.16.18 PM5. 5 Ways to Encourage Parents to Serve in Your MinistryScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.16.43 PM4. Help Kids Study the Bible on Their OwnScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.17.08 PM3. Share the Story of Redemption Through This 5-Minute VideoScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.17.31 PM2.  Easy Games for Your Kids MinistryScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.17.53 PM1. Parenting Wisely: Talking to Kids About Same-Sex MarriageScreen Shot 2015-12-17 at 12.18.19 PMWhat would you like to see written in 2016? Leave your comment below!

 

Christmas, Fun, Games, Kids Ministry, Parenting, Resources, Special Needs

Christmas for the KidMin Leader

By

whitlock-4We’ve gathered up the top ten ranking Christmas-themed blog posts from years past! Click on the titles below to read the posts in their entirety. Happy reading!

  1. Christmas Party Idea – “Win it in a Minute” Games with Holiday Flair
  2. Christmas-Themed Bible Skill Games 
  3. Christmas Coloring Pages
  4. Telling the Christmas Story
  5. 10 Buddy the Elf Quotes for Kids Ministry
  6. 5 Things You MUST Do with Your Kids This Christmas
  7. The Real Christmas Story: A Quiz for You and Your Kids
  8. 10 More Elf Quotes for Kids Ministry
  9. Christmas Teacher Appreciation: Personalized Ornaments
  10. Christmas Time Is Here…And So Is Jesus

All Ministry Sites

Pastors
Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
LifeWay Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
LifeWay Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

LifeWay Network

LifeWay Research
B&H
Ridgecrest