kids101 – Page 3

August 13, 2015

Protection Is a Must!

Reports of abusive conduct toward children by adults are shocking. One doesn’t have to look far to see how widespread such accounts have become. It is estimated that one out of every three girls and one out of five boys will experience some form of sexual abuse by age 18. Churches cannot expect to remain unaffected by this problem.

So, what’s a church to do? The answer is: everything possible to screen and monitor those working with minors at church!

Implementing safety and security policies is no longer an option. Standard policies, including the “6/2” rule, are a must. This simple policy states that anyone working with children or youth must be an active member of your church for at least six months before assuming a position of leadership and that there will always be at least two adults in the room with minors at all times. These easy to implement policies will go far in discouraging predators.

Next, include a volunteer worker application and follow-up interview as part of your policies. Having current and prospective leaders complete an application form and conduct formal interviews with each will show your church, your community, and possible predators that your church is watching and concerned for the safety of children.

Protection policies are incomplete without an official criminal background check. Many insurance companies are requiring churches to have complete checks as a prerequisite to coverage. Completing background checks on every adult working directly with minors demonstrates a desire and intent to protect children.

Here’s the bottom line: It is our responsibility to protect minors at church. Yes, it may be a difficult transition and sometimes uncomfortable, but protection in not an option. The mental, emotional, and spiritual development of children is at stake. Don’t ignore the possibilities. Ensure that your church is a loving and safe environment for children to grow in their relationship with their Lord and His church.

Discounted background screenings are available through Lifeway OneSource’s relationship with backgroundchecks.com

For a deeper dive into this subject check out www.ministrysafe.com.

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.

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, kids101, Small Groups

July 17, 2015

A Ministry Transformed by the Gospel

By Kids Ministry 101

As a brand new kids minister, God placed me at a church where the gospel is central. In my first few months at Third Baptist Church, my pastor, Mike Lee, preached a sermon on the gospel unlike anything I had heard before. For the first time, I heard that the gospel is about way more than my individual salvation – the gospel is about God’s glory. God changed my life through the truths I learned there and freed me from the burden of performance-based Christianity I had been living under for years.

My mission became clear. I wanted every kid that came through our preschool and children’s ministry to know the gospel is not about what they need to do but about what Jesus has already done. I set out to find a curriculum that would point my kids to the same life-transforming power of Christ crucified. This proved to be a more difficult task than I anticipated.

I hit wall after wall. I found highly creative curriculum that taught to all the various learning styles in fresh, interactive ways, but the content focused on moral development. Great information, but no power to transform. I found theologically-rich curriculum that taught the truths of the gospel, but the material pushed the bounds of being age-appropriate and the activities weren’t user-friendly or engaging. Transformational power, but not in a format to connect with kids.

You can imagine my excitement when I heard that Lifeway was launching The Gospel Project for Kids. We signed up! The Gospel Project was a perfect fit. I was blown away each week as I saw my kids connecting the big story of the Bible to God’s work of redemption through Jesus.

Now, working on The Gospel Project for Kids team, I get to hear exciting stories like the ones below:

“With The Gospel Project, I’m able to share the gospel clearly, biblically, and chronologically. It’s powerful. The kids sit there with mouths open…I’m letting everyone know about The Gospel Project that asks our church, ‘What are you doing that is helping you grow?’” – Mark, Children’s Pastor in Tennessee

“I want my people to know the stories of the Bible and to also know Christ and Him crucified. The Gospel Project accomplishes both!” – Jeff, Pastor in Texas

“I have searched for something like The Gospel Project for my kids ministry for 15 years.” – Patrick, Kids Leader in New Jersey

“After six weeks of using The Gospel Project with my boys, they both prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.” – Jeff, Missionary in Columbia

Share your story of how God has used the gospel to transform your kids and leaders in the comments section below.

Karen Jones is the preschool content editor for The Gospel Project for Kids. Karen came to Lifeway in 2014 after serving as Minister to Preschool and Children at Third Baptist Church of Murfreesboro, TN for seven years. Karen has over 15 years experience in preschool and children’s ministry. She earned an M.A. in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Encouraging, Fun, Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership, Preschool, Preteen, Small Groups, Training

July 13, 2015

Make the Most of Your KidMin Intern

By Kids Ministry 101

by Lana Sydenstricker

Let’s face it – what ministry leader couldn’t use an extra hand? Whether you’re able to recruit an intern for eight weeks of summer, a fall semester, or an entire year, there are tons of benefits to investing in young people passionate about your mission. Interns gain experience so they can one day become leaders in the church, but they also need guidance, encouragement, and mentoring along the way. Here are some ways that you can help your intern be the best that they can be:

1. Prepare for them

Take the time to lay out a foundation for the intern before they arrive. Once your intern arrives, set clear expectations and plan meetings with them every few weeks to discuss their performance.

2. Figure out their strengths and give them tasks accordingly, then let them fly

Interns like to feel like they are being helpful, so give them tasks that they can flourish at on their own. It’s essential to give ownership over projects in order to challenge and provide opportunities to grow in confidence.

3. Encourage them

It is important for your intern to hear what they are doing right. Encourage them and make sure they know they have potential that the church wants to use for God’s glory and kingdom advancement.

4. Engage in their lives

Ask how they are doing and build a personal relationship with your intern. Talk to them about prayer needs and create a relationship in which they are comfortable. This will open doors for easier communication should a conflict arise during the course of the internship.

At the end of the day, your interns can greatly impact the kids in your ministry, free up your busy schedule, and gain experience in the field of ministry. I hope you’ll prayerfully consider adding an intern to your team when the season is right.

Lana Sydenstricker serves as a Lifeway Kids Social Media and Marketing intern. A native Ohioan, she moved to Nashville in 2013 to pursue a degree in PR from Lipscomb University, where she participates in athletics and missions.

Kids Ministry, kids101, Preschool, Preschoolers, Resources, Small Groups, Spiritual Disciplines, Worship

June 29, 2015

The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, That’s the Book for Me.

By Chuck Peters

Music is a powerful tool for connecting kids to Christ. Are you making the most of music in your kids ministry, or are you missing an opportunity?

Music and singing are core components of adult worship gatherings and have been for thousands of years. An early song of praise is found all the way back in Exodus 15 wherein Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt. Bible scholars tell us that the 150 Psalms in the bible were written over a period of no less than a thousand years and were compiled into their present form around 2500 years ago. Clearly, music has been part of worship for a long, long time. While the style of music that God’s people have used in worship has changed over the centuries, the presence of music as part of the gatherings of believers has been consistent, and it continues to draw Christ-followers into deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus to this day. Music and worship go together.

Music is also a powerful teaching tool that is employed by educators. From learning the alphabet to Mr. Rogers Neighborhood to School House Rock, teachers know that learning and retention of concepts and information can increase exponentially when a lesson is set to a song. Music and teaching go together.

Many of us who grew up in the church learned foundational biblical truths about our great God through simple songs like Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children and The B-I-B-L-E. You may even recognize that early song of Moses from Exodus 15, “I will sing unto the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider fell into the sea.” In addition to classic children’s songs like these, scripture memory songs and modern praise choruses (many of which are covers of biblical Psalms) are wonderful tools for leading the children in your ministry closer to God today. As a parent, it blesses me beyond description when I hear my young boys singing scripture-based songs in the backseat of the car on the way to soccer practice.

Are you making the most of music in your kids ministry or might you be missing an opportunity? To what degree is music a regular part of your weekly kids ministry? I want to challenge you to include music – specifically singing – as a regular part of your kids ministry gatherings. Whether you sing a few simple songs with a live leader strumming a guitar or use DVD-driven lyric videos like the optional worship resources included in Lifeway Kids curriculums, play some songs and encourage everyone to sing along!

Make it fun. Get your kids up on their feet to get the wiggles out. Invite a few leaders up front to do hand motions (which adds another memory component). Make a habit of repeating the same songs regularly so your kids get to know them well. Fun and worshipful praise songs will help set the tone for your time, and they’ll stick in your kids minds at home, school, and in the car.

Chuck Peters is Director of Operations for Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck, and his wife, Cris, have served vocationally & voluntarily in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years. They have four amazing children.

Kids Ministry, kids101

June 17, 2015

5 Reasons to Go Back to the Beginning with The Gospel Project for Kids

By Kids Ministry 101

by Brian Dembowczyk

So you’re about to wrap up your three-year journey through the Bible using The Gospel Project® for Kids and are wondering if you should roll into the new three-year cycle or not. Here are five reasons to go back to the beginning and start on another three-year journey through the Bible using The Gospel Project:

Repetition aids in learning. That is why athletes and musicians practice over and over again. You cannot pick up a golf club or violin and master it in an afternoon. It takes hours, weeks, and years of repetition. It’s the same way for the Bible. It takes reading and studying stories many times to fully understand them.
Your kids are now at different developmental stages. Let’s say that you have a third grader who was a kindergartener when she began the first journey through the Bible. That means she learned about creation and covenants when she was still learning how to read. Studying them again now as a 3rd grader will be a completely different experience for her.
There are new stories to learn. While many of the same stories will be covered in the new three-year plan, many others will be brand new—especially when we get to the New Testament letters. But even the stories that we covered the first time will include all new activities, videos, and music making them fresh for the kids and your leaders.
The Gospel Project is better than ever. The new Babies and Toddlers leader guide will get your smallest ones learning, and the new-look preschool videos will really help preschoolers connect with the Bible stories and songs. Family discussion and activity ideas on the activity pages, a new missions emphasis in the worship hour, and so many other improvements should help you point your kids to Christ even better than you did the first time.
The Gospel transforms. I saved the best reason for last. Rolling into the new three-year cycle of The Gospel Project means that your kids once again will hear the gospel message every week for the next three years. And that is precisely what they need to hear. The gospel is what saves and transforms. There is no better way that you can equip your kids for a lifetime of following Jesus than to implant the gospel deep, deep within their hearts.

Brian Dembowczyk is the team leader for The Gospel Project for Kids. He served in local church ministry before coming to Lifeway in 2014. He and his wife, Tara, and their three children live in Murfreesboro, TN, where Brian enjoys drinking coffee and teaching 1st-3rd graders at City Church.

Fun, Games, Kids Ministry, kids101, Small Groups

June 16, 2015

Game of the Week: Giant Game Floor Mat

By Bill Emeott

I LOVE THE GIANT GAME FLOOR MAT!

For sometime now I have effectively used Lifeway’s Giant Game Floor Mat to help kids in my Bible Study classes learn and review Bible content and Bible skills. The mat is versatile (even has grommets that allow it to be hung on the wall), durable, and the kids love how interactive it is.

It’s really very simple. Determine the game you want to play, create the 8 ½ x 11-inch inserts and there you go… an awesome interactive game. Here are three of my favorites:

This simple Bible Skill game is designed for younger kids who have just started using their Bibles. I use this game a lot as an “early arrival” activity and start when the first kid enters the room. It’s also a lot of fun to allow the kids to be the “game markers.” Simply roll a numbered cube and follow the directional signs on the mat. It’s especially fun when 2-3 kids land on the same space!

Teaching kids to understand how books of the Bible are in Testaments and Divisions can really encourage their Bible skills. In this game, kids take turns tossing a beanbag, “koush-ball,” or a “sock rocket” to the mat and naming a book of the Bible that is in the division that’s identified. Simplify the game by allowing kids to use the table of contents in their Bibles or a Books of the Bible poster. Offer more challenge by asking a second player to name the book before or the book after the book first named.

Get specific! In this game, specific skills and verses are being reviewed. Check out this week’s session that you’re teaching and create a game that is specific to what you’re teaching.

Sock Rockets are great tossing tools. Take an adult tube sock, insert a tennis ball, and secure the ball to the toe of the sock with a think rubber band. Use the open end of the “rocket” to spin and toss.

Sometimes variety really is the “spice of life” and that’s true when playing games. Think about different ways to make the “same ole thing” a little bit different. You’ll be surprised at how changing it up a little will give a game new life.

I’ve got a couple Giant Game Floor Mats that I’d like to give away. Tweet this post with #giantgamefloormat and I’ll randomly choose two folks to send one of these great teaching tools.

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.

Fun, Kids Ministry, kids101, Small Groups

June 5, 2015

What Would You Say?

By Jeff Land

A popular expose’ type show on the ABC network is called “What Would You Do?” You might have seen this show before. John Quiñones hosts and the producers create a fictitious situation that looks real. In the situation, a person is usually doing something considered taboo or out of social norms and the cameras are rolling to see how the “average” American will respond.

Well, we don’t have the cameras rolling today, but we did think that it would be interesting to hear your responses to a question we are often asked about particular Bible stories that possibly could be taught in the children’s ministry. It’s not unusual to receive a response from a customer that goes like this: “What would I say if a child asked me about __________?”

So, here’s your opportunity to help us out.

What would you say if a kindergartner asked you what bad thing Potiphar’s wife wanted Joseph to do?
What would you say if a second grader ask you why Pharaoh wanted to kill the little baby boys?
What would you say if a four year old asked you why God would let a fish swallow Jonah?
What would you do if a 5th grader asked you about Rahab?

I look forward to reading your responses in the Comments section!

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.

Encouragement, Kids Ministry, kids101, Parenting, Small Groups

June 3, 2015

Connecting with Today’s Parents

By Jerry Vogel

Today’s generation of parents is quite unique. Most of them are very, very busy and often find themselves in a culture of being over committed. They love their children very much and often show that love by trying to make sure that their kids are mega-involved in church, school, and community activities. The risk of being so “busy” is that sometimes families can get caught up in providing for their kids things that they never got to experience. As a result, spiritual growth and development can take a backseat to other demands and pressures.

As church leaders, we must zero in on partnering with these parents and gently love them and remind them about their God-given task of being their kids’ spiritual leaders. In doing this, we may want to review God’s desires for today’s families as well as strategize how we can best help them stay on track spiritually:

God’s desires for today’s parents:

Enjoy and treasure the gift of children.
Protect children’s well-being.
Work as a supportive team in parenting.
Remember that children are made in God’s image…not the image of their parents.
Make a commitment to doing whatever honors God.
Discipline your kids.
Provide a positive, nurturing home environment.
Show your kids what Christianity looks like by the way you live.
Help shape your kids, don’t break them.
Help them learn the importance of the Bible.
Don’t forget that “love” is spelled T-I-M-E.
Remember that each child requires a custom-tailored game plan.

Possible elements of a strategy for the church to partner with today’s parents:

Choose a curriculum that provides multiple “touch points” with the parents (take home activities, emails about what the child is studying, devotional opportunities).
Include parents in discipleship opportunities for their kids (new Christian classes, daily quiet-time activities at home).
Provide a “respite” time for parents (Parents Night Out).
Plan activities that are family focused (events that families can do together).
Provide opportunities for parents to celebrate milestone events in their kids’ lives (birth, baptism, camps).
Model for parents good teaching.
Pray for parents and their kids by name.
Utilize digital communications with parents.

Jerry Vogel serves as a Childhood Ministry Specialist in Lifeway Church Resources. He is married to Janie and has four children and thirteen grand kids. Jerry is a member of Brentwood Baptist Church and teaches preschoolers there. He is committed to enriching the lives of those who teach kids as well as making eternal investments in the lives of children.

Kids Ministry, kids101, Preschoolers, Small Groups, Worship

June 1, 2015

Old Enough to Worship

By Jeffrey Reed

As a worship-leader-turned-kids-pastor, I love to see that children’s ministries are incorporating more worship in the form of music into their ministries.

Sometimes, however, the question comes up. Are babies too young for this? Are preschoolers too young to do worship songs?

First, let’s define worship.

Webster, and most authorities, concur that worship is “an act of love or deep admiration for something or someone.” For the believer, it has a different context. It is not limited to music. The church expresses its love by worshiping God. Music is a primary channel for this.

The bottom line is: the question is not “Can wee little ones worship?” The question is, “Can they love or admire God?” Most would answer yes to this. Should we do worship songs with younger kids, even though many of them have yet to begin the journey? Absolutely. There is also the place for songs that meet other needs, like memorizing scripture, welcoming them to church, or simply getting kids moving.

People automatically worship something. Even very little people. Our goal is aim their passion towards God. Some of the best worship services I’ve been to were in the midst of a camp setting where 1,000 kids sang to Jesus from the bottom of their hearts. I am completely moved when I see a little kid sing.

I don’t have any idea what this little girl is singing, but she means it…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw1SnGvzX2g

Tap into the joy that God has placed deep in the heart of every kid and allow it to come out in the expression of singing and praise towards God.

Imagine what it would look like if we raised a generation of children who were deeply in love with Jesus for what He’s done for us and completely comfortable with worshiping Him before the nations!

He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!” – Luke 19:40

Jeffrey Reed serves on the leadership team for Lifeway Kids. 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. He, his wife Katherine, and their four kids attend Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, TN.

Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership, Parenting, Sunday School, Training

May 29, 2015

The Best Thing You Can Do for Families

By Jeffrey Reed

Who cares about families?

How you read that question might determine where you stand on this topic.

Family Ministry. Let’s clarify. This is not the cynical question coming from the leader who might think it’s more important to focus on EACH age-group in ministry in church. It’s the question coming from the leader who also cares that ALL groups are met at once by ministering to the family as a unit. Both approaches are critical in the church. For generations, churches have done a good job of meeting the needs of each individual age-group while perhaps missing the mark with reaching the family. Is that good enough?

It is, in fact, very good. We should also consider that it is even better if a church ministers to and leads families. The reason is that it’s very clear in Scripture that God cares for the family, in its various forms and functions.

So while God clearly acknowledges specific age groups throughout Scripture (Matthew 19:14, 1 Timothy 4:12, James 1:27 among others), He also elevates the value of the family living and working together as a unit. We see this played out beautifully in Nehemiah 4:13 when “families” are stationed at holes in the wall as Jerusalem was being rebuilt. We see that there is clear instruction in Deuteronomy, chapter 6 on what a typical day should look like for the family that walks with the Lord.

So how does the church step into this? Isn’t that stuff what the family does AFTER they leave our buildings. Perhaps. But inspiring families to “connect” or “bond” or “be together” or “walk along the road” on Sunday is one thing. Giving them what they need to make it happen on Monday is altogether different.

As you lead families, consider that simply reminding parents what they already know, to spend time with their kids, is great, but that we need to teach them to focus on their collective relationship with Jesus. Lost parents spending 24 hours a day with their lost kids, will result in very well-connected lost families.

Allow the gospel, God’s story of love reaching into our brokenness of our world, to drive everything you do. Don’t assume that your parents know or are a part of that story. Many or even most of them are not. Tell them that’s okay. When they begin the journey of faith together with their children, it will result in authentic community in their home that will begin to spill over into your church. Perhaps the best thing you can do in leading the kids in your ministry is to lead their parents.

The greatest thing we can do for families is to connect them to Jesus.

Jeffrey Reed serves on the leadership team for Lifeway Kids. 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. He, his wife Katherine, and their four kids attend Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, TN.

Protection Is a Must!

A Ministry Transformed by the Gospel

Make the Most of Your KidMin Intern

The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, That’s the Book for Me.

5 Reasons to Go Back to the Beginning with The Gospel Project for Kids

Game of the Week: Giant Game Floor Mat

What Would You Say?

Connecting with Today’s Parents

Old Enough to Worship

The Best Thing You Can Do for Families

All Ministry Sites

Digital Resources

Lifeway Network