Kids Ministry

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

Kids Bible Study, Kids Devotions, Kids Ministry, Parent Helps, Teaching Kids, What We're Reading

Back-to-Sunday-School Books

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By Anna Sargeant

Many churches are back to Sunday gatherings this fall in some form or fashion, and children’s ministries are up and running. Whether you’re teaching kids the Bible in a Sunday school classroom, on the lawn, or in your home, adding a great book to the day’s schedule is always a good idea! 

So stock your Sunday shelves! Each of the following book recommendations from the Lifeway children’s imprint, B&H Kids, is a biblically-based, trustworthy resource—an excellent supplement to Sunday worship and Bible teaching.  

Recommendations for Classrooms

Elementary School

Cornerstones: 200 Questions and Answers to Learn Truth by Brian Dembowczyk 

Do your elementary students ask deep questions about God and faith? Using a question-and-answer structure, Cornerstones provides helpful answers that serve as a foundation for spiritual truth and spark hunger in kids (and parents) to know and love God more. Topics include the Trinity, sin, redemption, the church, prayer, restoration, and more! The whole family might dive into this book together, or children can use it by themselves since each question and answer is written in a kid-friendly way. 

Preschool

There Are Lions in This Book! by Dandi Daley Mackall

In this clever take on the story of Daniel in the lions’ den, a narrator mouse continually warns readers not to turn the page. If they do, they’ll be one step closer to what put Daniel from the Bible in danger—those terrifying, hungry lions! As this intriguing story unfolds, preschool and younger elementary children will learn what truly happened to Daniel in the Bible, while being entertained in the process. Based on feedback, this book is particularly interesting to boys! 

Nursery

The Moon Speaks by Jason Duesing

The Moon Speaks is a poetic board book for children, ages 0-4, which shows that behind the creation kids love so much, is the God who loves them even more. The steady sounds of the words combine with the gentle artwork to provide a calming experience for young children. The Moon Speaks helps little ones understand that all of creation is telling us something: God is there, He made the world around us, and He wants us to know Him. 

Recommendations for Families

Elementary School

The Promises of God Storybook Bible by Jennifer Lyell

The Bible is rich with stories for our children to hear and enjoy! And when those stories uncover the thread of God’s promises, young readers learn so much more. They discover how God has demonstrated His unstoppable love for us—from the first promise in the garden to the promise of the new heavens and earth.

The Promises of God Storybook Bible is a whimsical, biblically rich retelling of more than fifty key Bible stories. Children will see how a specific promise of God is connected to each story and be reminded that God never breaks a promise He has made to His people.

Preschool

Easy for Me Bible Verses by B&H Editorial

A delightfully illustrated board book, Easy for Me Bible Verses includes twenty-four Scriptures that are fundamental to the Christian faith and easy to memorize for preschoolers! Examples include:

  • In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.—Genesis 1:1
  • The Lord is good to everyone.—Psalm 145:9
  • God, create a clean heart for me.—Psalm 51:10
  • Love your neighbor as yourself.—Matthew 22:39

The sooner kids start hiding God’s Word in their hearts, the better! Easy for Me Bible Verses is a simple way to help them do just that. 

Nursery

When I Hold You by Ashley Huffstutler

When I Hold You captures the universal experience of the mother-child bond. As young readers, ages 0-4, listen to the rhyme and see the diverse illustrations, they will better understand how God reveals His love to us through our relationships with one another. With Scriptures woven throughout every image, both mother and child will be encouraged to worship the God whose love lasts forever!

For more biblically based, trustworthy resources for your Sunday school classroom or family, visit BHKids.com.

Anna served on the children’s ministry team at The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas from 2009-2017, first as a volunteer, then as full-time staff. She also wrote for six years for The Gospel Project for Kids curriculum. Anna currently works as an acquisitions editor for B&H Kids in Nashville. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading a book, sipping tea, chatting with loved ones, attempting to record a podcast, or walking in the woods.

Devotional, Discipleship, Family, Kids Bible Study, Kids Devotions, Parent Helps

SOAP for kids!

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By Sarah Humphrey

We have spent the last year of our lives practicing one habit in particular.  Can you guess what it is? It involves water, soap, rubbing two hands together, and sometimes singing “Jesus loves you” three times in a row.

With COVID, school closings, and social distancing, everyone was sure to hear the phrase “Wash your hands” way more than one time a day.  In fact, it was a sentence we saw on billboards, TV screens, signs on storefronts, and sometimes even in our very own homes.  Washing our hands never seemed to become quite so commonly discussed, even though it’s an age-old habit that most of us have (hopefully) been doing for years.

Handwashing is a practice that usually takes just thirty seconds at a time but also can take longer if we need it to.  That’s often how I look at studying the Bible alongside kids. As an adult, we can hear something and then rush through it to either: move onto something else, pass over the information quickly, or even think that we’ve caught it all.  But most of the time, if we’re honest, it’s easy to miss a lot of information and thoughts about what we read, see, think, and pray about.

This is one of the reasons I love teaching children.  They ask great questions, and they ask a lot of them.  They think literally and love details.  And they also love to learn and process stories.  Throughout my last few years of talking through the Bible with our own kids, I’ve learned the beautiful art of slowing down to dissect different pieces and parts of Scripture.  Most commonly, the prayer method called “SOAP” has been a great model for adults to learn how to navigate through the Bible while also bringing a practical application for what they are learning. 

I’ve found that it also works quite well with kids, just like reminding them to wash their hands.  It’s simple, practical, and doesn’t take up too much time in their day, but it’s extremely effective. If you’ve never heard of the SOAP model, it’s simply this:

S- Scripture

O-Observation
A-Application

P-Prayer

When you’ve identified one Scripture that you want your kids or ministry kids to learn, you simply write it out. This Scripture can come from a Bible story you’re reading about, a daily devotional, or simply one that means something special to you.  Next comes the Observation portion, which means to think through what you see, hear, or observe about the Scripture.  Is it comforting or correcting? About bravery or peace? Is it a command or a question? Kids come up with all kinds of wonderful questions during this portion of the exercise, so take your time and enjoy their thought processes here.  Next, you come up with an Application to your verse, so that you can walk out what you’re learning in a practical way.  Following this, a simple Prayer of confession, gratitude, or help is a great closing place for what everyone has learned.

We’ve all been reminded to wash our hands well this year.  It’s just as beneficial to make sure we use SOAP in our daily lives as well.  Give it a try, and enjoy the conversations it sparks between you and the children in your life!

Sarah is a wife and homeschool mom to three kids while also working as an artist, author, and voice actor.  Her writing and doodling can be found in her devotional, “40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood” and her voice in several commercials, children’s books, and audiobooks. She loves encouraging women and kids to embrace self-care, utilize their gifts, and become leaders in the community around them. 

Bible Study, Bibles, Family, Kids Bible Study

September Bible Reading Plan

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By Kayla Stevens 

This September make a plan to read the Bible with your family. Read and study select passages from 1-2 Peter and encourage your family to persevere in faith and look to Jesus for their joy. Use this tool to read the Bible as a family, discuss the passage, and pray. 

As you read, consider asking the following questions to spark deeper conversation: 

What do these verses teach us about God? 

Is there anything these verses teach us about ourselves?

How do these verses lead us to pray?  

Download your plan below.

September-1Download

Kayla Stevens is a Content Editor for Lifeway Kids and a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has been serving in Kids Ministry for over 10 years and has a deep passion for empowering children to own their faith and grow deeper in the joy of Jesus.  

September 2021 

September 1: 1 Peter 1:3-5

September 2: 1 Peter 1: 6-9

September 3: 1 Peter 1:13-16

September 4: 1 Peter 1:22-25

September 5: 1 Peter 2:1-3

September 6: 1 Peter 2:4-5 

September 7: 1 Peter 2:6-8

September 8: 1 Peter 2:9-10

September 9: 1 Peter 2:13-15

September 10: 1 Peter 2:21-23

September 11: 1 Peter 2:24-25

September 12: 1 Peter 3:1-2,7

September 13: 1 Peter 3:8-9

September 14: 1 Peter 3:8-12

September 15: 1 Peter 3:13-18

September 16: 1 Peter 4:1-2

September 17: 1 Peter 4:7-11

September 18: 1 Peter 4:12-14, 19

September 19: 1 Peter 5:6-7

September 20: 1 Peter 5:8-9 

September 21: 1 Peter 5:10-11

September 22: 2 Peter 1:3-7

September 23: 2 Peter 1:16-17

September 24: 2 Peter 1:18-19 

September 25: 2 Peter 1:20-21

September 26: 2 Peter 2:1-3

September 27: 2 Peter 3:1-4,8-9  

September 28: 2 Peter 3:10-13

September 29: 2 Peter 3: 14-16  

September 30: 2 Peter 3:17-18 

Fun, Kids Bible Study, Uncategorized
Crafts, Kids Bible Study
Bible Skills, Bible Study, Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Kids Ministry Curriculum

Explore the Bible: Kids Through Fresh Eyes

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While Explore the Bible: Kids is a great tool for kids and teachers alike, sometimes it’s time for a bit of a change. With our unwavering emphasis on Bible skills and the familiar book by book approach to teaching the Bible, kids are still encouraged to dig deep into God’s Word. You might be wondering what Explore the Bible: Kids in Fall 2020 will look like. Here are a few of the updates coming that might pique your interest: 

  • Added emphasis on missions: Each week will include a mission activity as part of the session. Preschoolers and kids will have an opportunity to learn, through activity or video, about a missionary family and how that family is involved teaching people about Jesus. 
  • Color, color, color: You are used to the bright, eye catching color palate that Explore the Bible: Kids is known for, but our kids Explorer Guides will be getting a refresh of color while adding an abundance of white space, making it easier for kids to interact with the pages of these valuable resources. 
  • Reaffirmed emphasis on biblical literacy: To engage kids with Scripture memory, Explore the Bible: Kids will have a monthly memory verse that will relate to the content being studied that month to give kids a better way to treasure God’s Word in their lives. For kids who memorize quickly, weekly verse options are still given to make your Scripture memory time the best for all learners.
  • Enhanced study plan: The new study plan for Explore the Bible: Kids (soon to be released) will offer preschoolers and kids an opportunity to study all 66 books of the Bible multiple times from preschool through their elementary ages. 

Though much of what you love about Explore the Bible: Kids will remain the same we hope that these updates will enhance your teaching of Explore the Bible: Kids and give the kids you teach a deep desire to know God’s Word. Thanks for praying for our team as we seek to provide resources that meet the needs of your unique ministries.

Click here to view a free preview of Explore the Bible: Kids.

Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Leadership

A wise plan of discipleship requires a PLAN! (GIVEAWAY)

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Prioritizing ministry goals and decisions is of utmost importance – especially in Kids Ministry.  There are hundreds of decisions to make almost on a daily basis. Everything from programming Wednesday nights (or not), to which craft supplies are needed this month! Big decisions, medium and small decisions, optional decisions and mandatory decisions.  In children’s ministry, I like to refer to these decisions as open and closed-hands decisions. Many if not most of the daily decisions we make are open-handed – meaning, there is not just one answer. You have choices (and sometimes that makes it harder!)  These could include: how to set up classrooms, do we separate girls and boys in small groups?, which songs to sing in large group, should we do a mission project this year?, and so forth.  

However, there are decisions we make that are bigger and more consequential.  I put these in a different category – the closed-handed decisions. They are non-negotiable.  One of these in the KidMin world is that you MUST have a wise plan of discipleship in place for your children.  Cherry-picking content for Sunday mornings based on personal preferences could be detrimental to the spiritual health of the flock you are shepherding.  I challenge you as a colleague in ministry to have a plan that helps keep you and your leaders on track in a way that acknowledges what children learn and when.  This is beyond a study plan or a curriculum. This is a framework that guides and ensures that by the time kids leave your ministry and head to the Student ministry, they are ready.  

In order to stay on track with a wise plan of discipleship, you need just that – a PLAN!  Preschoolers, kids, preteens (all the way until adulthood) need to understand biblical concepts that help them engage and grow in God’s word.  A plan that our team developed and freely give away in multiple formats is called The Levels of Biblical Learning.  This framework centers around eight different age groups beginning with babies all the way through high school – yes, you can get your student minister on board with these!  Each age group teaches children and teens ten biblical concepts in a way that makes sense for their developmental abilities. It’s a helpful tool to train volunteers and equip families.  You can learn more about The Levels of Biblical Learning and even download free copies and train your team using our free videos by going to lifeway.com/lobl

I’d like to give away a package of 10 Levels of Biblical Learning, Growing In God’s Word booklets.  Simply complete the form below to be a candidate.  Look for more GIVEAWAYS each month.

Levels of Biblical Learning Booklet Giveaway (GIVEAWAY CLOSED 7/24/19)

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of Lifeway Kids. She is a Baylor graduate and offers a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and publishing. She is the author of Nothing Less: Engaging Kids in a Lifetime of Faith, Kids Ministry that Nourishes: Three Essential Nutrients of a Healthy Kids Ministry, and Life Verse Creative Journal, which she co-authored with her teenage daughter. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children reside in Nashville.

Bible Study, Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Small Groups

What to do when your Small Group is a SMALL Group

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I have had a great opportunity to work in a variety of churches. Some churches were small, some churches were large, but no matter the size of the church, I love small group teaching. I love the cozy environment of a small group. I love the almost individualized training that can happen when sometimes you are one-on-one. What happens though when only one or two kids show up? What are you to do when your small group is a SMALL group? Here are a few ways to adapt when making your plans.

  1. If you use a prepared curriculum, think about the possibility of a small group when you are planning. If an activity has you breaking into groups of six … and you only have one child … how will you still accomplish the goal with only one child? How can you adapt the plan so that one child succeeds?
  2. Group games might still work. If your curriculum gives you instructions to play a group game, for instance, consider the goal of the game. Is there a team relay? Is there an over-under sort of game? Remember, you count too, so get in there and play that game if you have to. Adapt the game so it can be completed by a few even if each person participates multiple times.
  3. Large group demonstrations could be difficult. What to do if your curriculum suggests having 12 participants each take one card and find someone else in the room with the same card? You can quickly turn this activity into a memory matching game for a small group to play at a table.
  4. Involved craft activities. While most craft activities are fairly self-directed, you may run into an activity that requires the participation of more than one person. Use your skills and those of other leaders in your room to accent the activity so kids can experience success.

No matter what your situation, you can think through these suggestions beforehand and prepare for the eventual SMALL group of kids. The key, obviously, is to prepare. Be ready when you arrive to meet the needs of whatever group you have. Also, remember that you do count too. Kids love learning alongside adults and when you participate in an activity it engages parts of their brains that might not have been engaged with purely peer engagement. Never forget that God placed you where you are so you can guide boys and girls to know Him. You can do that no matter the size of the group you are teaching.

Tim Pollard is passionate about helping kids dig deep into Scripture, which he pursues through his daily work as leader of the Explore the Bible: Kids team. Tim lives with his wife and daughters in Mount Juliet, TN.

Bible Study, Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry Curriculum

Where Are My Extras Helps?

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If you are like most people, you love the idea of getting a little extra for your money. That principle is true whether you are shopping for groceries or Bible Study materials. You have the Lifeway Bible Study resources, but do you know about our extra online helps, supporting content, and interactive communities we provide? These are all extras worth knowing about. Check out the following links and share them with fellow teachers, directors, ministers, and other leaders in your ministry and church.

Bible Studies for Life

Product Page: http://biblestudiesforlife.com/kids

Blog: https://blog.lifeway.com/biblestudiesforlife/category/age/kids/

Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/biblestudiesforlifekids

Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/560190337752194/

Ministry Grid Training Videos: http://ministrygrid.com/biblestudiesforlife

One Conversation: http://biblestudiesforlife.com/oneconversation

Levels of Biblical Learning: http://www.lifeway.com/LOBL

 

Explore the Bible

Product Page: https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/explore-the-bible/kids/

Blog: https://blog.lifeway.com/explorethebible/category/blog/kids/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploreTheBibleKids/

Ministry Grid Training Videos: www.ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible

Bible Skills for Kids: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/bible-skills-for-kids


The Gospel Project

Product Page: https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/the-gospel-project/kids

Blog: gospelproject.com/blog

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/thegospelprojectforkids/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gospelprojectforkidscommunity/requests/?notif_id=1541422957027297&notif_t=group_r2j

Ministry Grid Training Videos: minstrygrid.com/gospelproject

Big Picture Questions and Answers: https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/big-picture-questions-and-answers

Please let us know other ways we can support your ministry through our resources or the extras that we offer!

William Summey is the Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies for Life: Kids. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt University. William lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Christy, and their two sons.

Bible Study, Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Kids Ministry Curriculum

Getting Take-Home Resources Home

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We all know that it is disheartening to send home take-home pages, devotionals, letters, or announcements with kids after class on Sunday—only to find them in the pews or even trash cans soon afterwards. So the question is, how do we actually get the take-home pages home?

Unfortunately, this is the wrong question! The better question is, how do we connect with parents and equip them to lead their kids deeper into the Bible, life application, and theological discussion during the week? After all, just getting that take-home piece home isn’t a magic formula for success. Parents need to see the value of conversations that follow up with what you are learning on Sunday.

While many teachers report increased success by also using tactics to keep the kids on task with reading materials sent home, most kids need a gentle nudge—or more—to lead them into the Bible. Try the following to speed up success:

  1. Invite parents for a Parent Sunday in your class—where they attend for the whole time or for a smaller time frame toward the end of class. Show parents and kids at the same time the resource you will be sending home each week and explain how to use it. Take it a step further and demonstrate how to use the resource together.
  2. Mail the resource home when a child is absent to let families know the child was missed and explain that you will be sending one home with the child each week.
  3. For younger kids, hand directly to parents as they pick up their child with artwork completed that week and point out a feature of the resource to the parent.
  4. Send potions of the content via email, text, or social media.

No matter how you connect with parents, it will be worth it to get resources in their hands to help them grow their kids during the week!

William Summey is the team leader for Bible Studies for Life: Kids. Each week Bible Studies for Life: Kids not only provides a take home-page on the back of Kids Activity Pages but also provides social media and other digital resources HERE.  

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