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Kids Ministry, Leadership, Podcasts
January 3, 2019

How to Lead When You’re Not the Leader

By Chuck Peters
https://media.blubrry.com/lifewaykids/p/s3.amazonaws.com/ministrysites/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/12/16212101/Jan3_MattMorgan.mp3

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Matt Morgan discusses practical ways you can use your position to support and to lead those above you. 

Matt Morgan is Kids Pastor for Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR. He has served over 15 years in children’s ministry, and he is passionate about seeing kids of all ages understand the richness of the Gospel. He shares from his personal and ministry experiences at www.mattmo.org.

Advent, Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership
December 24, 2018

The Fourth Week of Advent:  LOVE

By Bill Emeott

Have you ever “re-gifted” a Christmas gift? I have … and I have to tell you it wasn’t a good experience for me.

As a Kids Minister, I was always getting “token” Christmas gifts. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated EVERY MUG I ever got … but there were just so many … (You’re laughing right now because you know exactly what I’m talking about). After three or four years the collection had gotten out of control and I decided to use these jewels as door prizes for my annual Kids Ministry leadership appreciation party. I put some fresh candy in the mugs, wrapped them in red and green cellophane and proudly issued them to teachers and leaders as they left my party.

The next Sunday morning I walked in my office to find one of the mugs I had distributed sitting in the center of my desk with a note underneath. The note read, “Bill, I thought you might want this mug back since it has your name on it. Thanks for the candy though!” Oh, the embarrassment. I never did figure out who re-gifted my re-gift (good manners on his part) … but I have thought a lot about re-gifting since then and I’ve come to the conclusion that re-gifting isn’t so bad if the gift you’ve been given is worth re-giving.

When I think of Christmas and “love” my mind immediately goes to what many call the most loved Bible verse of all, John 3:16, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Today, on December 24 … Christmas Eve, I want to remind us of our obligation to re-gift the Greatest Gift ever given, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. He is worth re-gifting. There is no better gift, EVER!

As you go through the next couple of days of celebrating, don’t forget to share what God has done for you. Take the time to acknowledge that Gift and be intentional about “re-gifting” with your family, friends, and those who pass your way. Be careful about the mugs, but be really free with the Savior. There are folks out there who really need that gift this year!

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

Bible Skills, Bible Study, Leadership
December 19, 2018

Introducing the Bible Timeline for Kids

By Tim Pollard

The makers of Explore the Bible would like to introduce to you a brand new resource that will provide fun and exciting ways to help leaders guide boys and girls to engage with God’s Word. While this timeline comes from the makers of Explore the Bible it is not unique to just those users. We hear from leaders from time to time who ask us to provide help for kids who struggle with understanding how all of God’s Word fits together. We have always tried to help kids understand the different types of literature God’s Word is written in and give them a glimpse into each of these genres of Scripture. This resource will do just that and … you can purchase it today! The Bible Timeline for Kids will help guide your kids explorations and maybe answer questions they might have about people and places in Scripture.

The Bible Timeline for Kids is a useful resource that is filled with colorful, engaging visuals built across a timeline of history. Each pack contains 12 posters that, when hung side-by-side, display the full timeline of history. The top of the chart clearly labels the time period in history and each of the 66 books of the Bible are highlighted along the timeline so you can help kids see when the events they are studying actually happened. The events of each book can be compared to other events in history that kids could be familiar with. A leaders ability to highlight where a particular Scripture passage happened, and shift to another time period in subsequent weeks, will guide kids to be able to swiftly understand how God spoke to people through all of history.

If you have used this resource already, we would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think!

Tim Pollard teaches 3rd graders at Tulip Grove Baptist Church. He’s 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.

Looking for a last minute gift for your Bible study teachers? The Bible Timeline for Kids would be an excellent choice!

CentriKid, Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership
December 17, 2018

Large Group Games and the Gospel

By Lydia McMillan

Tis the season for Christmas get-togethers and New Year parties. If you have a couple of kids or A LOT OF KIDS all in one place, then we have a game for you! Organized Mass Chaos! (or as we call it at CentriKid Camps, OMC!)

CentriKid is known as the HOME OF OMC! It is our large-group recreation game that takes place on the last full day of camp. If you have never experienced OMC before here are the basics you need to know:

  • OMC stands for Organized Mass Chaos.
  • Split your kids into different groups. At CentriKid we split our groups up by color teams corresponding with the grade the kids have completed.
  • The object of the game is for your team to collectively complete the most individual tasks.
  • Each kid is given a task card and whenever they complete it they put it in their team’s bucket only to retrieve another task to complete.
  • The game lasts anywhere from 10-20 minutes based on supplies and the location, and weather. (I would cut the game short if it is really hot or really cold.)

Even in the middle of all this fun, we are intentional about sharing the gospel with kids at camp.

Since you know that kids learn in different ways, it is important to take the time to unpack the games that you play in your Kids Ministry. This will help those hands-on learners grasp in a more solid way the connection between everyday life and their relationship with Jesus.

Here is a way you may connect OMC with God’s word:

We have a lot in common with OMC. We all played OMC together, but we are also special and uniquely created.  Every player at OMC is dressed differently and had different tasks to do during the game, but God knows each of us individually. Psalm 139:13-14 says “For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.”

God has created us and formed us into the people we are. He has given us our eye color, our personalities, our dreams, and made us different from anyone else on earth. God put in so much more effort into making you special and He loves you so much more. We are God’s creation and He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him.  **Now you have a great run-way into sharing the gospel with your kids after playing a game of OMC!

Are you interested in playing OMC with your kids? Check out the Official OMC Game Messy Edition and Yellow Edition to purchase OMC for your ministry!

Once you have the digital version of the OMC game cards, you can access the special bonus editions with additional tasks for all the different seasons and holidays. With these combined versions, you will be good to go create your own Organized Mass Chaos!

View and download all the free special editions at CentriKid.com/OMC!

Lydia McMillan works on the CentriKid Camps team. She manages social media, produces videos, works with actors, and leads production elements. She is married to Joshua and they have two kiddos who keep them very busy.

Advent, Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership
December 17, 2018

The Third Week of Advent: JOY

By Bill Emeott

My favorite Christmas carol is “Joy to the World.” I think that hymn sums it all up for me and when we finally sing it at church, I know it’s Christmas time! Growing up someone once said that true joy can be found when one get’s his joy in order. A simple acrostic helps put your priorities in order and can really help you find joy this holiday season.

J – Jesus: I know it’s an old saying but it’s the truth and we should never tire of focusing on Jesus at Christmas. Get this one right and everything else usually falls into place. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with all the “stuff” that Christmastime brings but our challenge is to make sure that Jesus stays at the center of our Christmas celebrations and fun. For me, that takes some intentional planning and preparation. Scheduling time with friends and family to not only exchange gifts, eat awesome food, and enjoy each other’s fellowship, but to stop and purposefully focus of The Gift we’ve been given through Christ Jesus. The focus can’t stop with His birth but quickly move to His sacrifice, truly the greatest gift ever given.

O – Others: Don’t misunderstand me here. I am very aware that Kids Ministers are most ALWAYS focusing on someone other than themselves, but I’m talking about looking for folks who might not be expecting your kindness and share with them a bit of Christmas joy. Are there people in your community that you and your family could reach out to this season? What about the senior adults in your community who may be alone? What about those who’ve been severely affected by the ongoing recession? Perhaps you know someone who experienced death this year and is doing Christmas for the first time without their loved one. There are people all around us who are in need. Look for ways to express love to others.

Y – You:  Please note that YOU are on this list! Too many times we overlook ourselves and never get around to doing something nice for “me.” After you’ve got the “J” and the “O” straightened out, take some time for the “Y,” you! Carve out some time this season to take care of yourself. Read a book; watch a movie; take a nap. Sometimes, we can’t find our joy because we’re too tired to look. Over the holidays schedule some time to relax and refresh so you’ll be refueled for the New Year.

Joy to the world the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love.

 

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Vacation Bible School
December 11, 2018

5 Reasons You Can’t Miss a VBS Preview this January

By Micheal Walley

Brr! It’s cold, and winter is coming soon! The lower the temperature drops, the more I wish it were my favorite time of year in kids ministry: summer. Summer is the BEST because of VBS and the other amazing KidMin activities pointing kids toward Jesus. You can help beat your own winter blues and prepare for an amazing summer at VBS by attending one of the LifeWay VBS Preview Events this January! Let’s go “In the Wild” together at VBS Preview!

Here are 5 reasons you can’t miss a VBS Preview Event!

  1. Get practical content from our VBS experts. At VBS Preview, you’ll get to choose from tons of breakout sessions covering a wide variety of topics to help you succeed in all areas of VBS. You’ll even get to meet the team that creates the VBS content and many other VBS experts in kids ministry. You’ll be able to ask questions and learn from them to help make your VBS the best ever. 
  2. Dive deep into the VBS spiritual content. You’ll leave a VBS Preview event with a deeper understanding of the spiritual direction of “In the Wild.” You’ll get to see how everything from Worship Rally to Recreation tie-in together to make “In the Wild” impactful in a kid’s spiritual life. 
  3. See the official VBS sets and decorations up close. At VBS Preview, you’ll get to actually touch the VBS sets you see in the VBS magazines, photos, and videos. You’ll get to rub elbows with the creators of the decorations and get tips on how to take your VBS sets and decorations to the next level!
  4. Connect with other VBS leaders. VBS Preview is the ONLY place where hundreds of passionate VBS leaders can connect, learn from, talk to, and encourage each other. We all have the same goal with VBS: to make the message of Jesus clear to kids and their families. You’ll be able to find community here with people leading VBS like yourself from all across the country. 
  5. Be inspired to take your VBS to the next level. At VBS Preview, you’ll be filled up spiritually, encouraged by other ministry leaders, and given tools to take your VBS to the next level. It may seem early to be thinking about VBS in the winter, but the impact that VBS could have on the life of a kid in your ministry is always worth it.

Register for one of the VBS Preview Events today by visiting online registration HERE! See the dates and locations below!

Ridgecrest, NC

January 11-12, 2019

Houston, TX

January 18-19, 2019

Fort Worth, TX

January 25-26, 2019

Hendersonville, TN

January 31-February 1, 2019

February 1-2, 2019

February 2, 2019 (One-Day Preview)

Advent, Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership
December 10, 2018

The Second Week of Advent: PEACE

By Bill Emeott

We’re well into the Advent season and I’m getting more and more excited about celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25. I am thankful for the opportunity to be reminded of the Christ child and the gift He is to me.

In March of 2010, my father was given a diagnosis no one wants to hear. My dad was told that he had cancer and that left untreated, he would live about six weeks. Additionally, the doctor shared that because of the kind of cancer he had and because of his age, traditional therapies would not be available to him. It was a pretty tough diagnosis for him and for our family.

I remember visiting dad in the hospital after the diagnosis. I remember that we all had heavy hearts and we were all pretty shook up. I remember my dad telling me that day that he was going to be okay. I remember thinking, “no, dad … you’re really not okay this time.” As we talked he shared with me that for him, it was just a “moving on” from this life to his eternal life with Jesus. He was certain that his life wasn’t going to end; it was going to continue in heaven. He specifically said that he was at peace with God.

As I think about that example of peace I’m even more convinced that the only true peace comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Jesus chose to come to earth and ultimately die for us so that we might have eternal life and a real peace.

My pastor shared it well when he said, “If you want to know the peace of God, you need to be AT peace WITH God!” And, the only way to be a peace with God is to know His Son, the Prince of Peace … Jesus, the baby we celebrate this holiday season.

As the weeks and what turned into months passed it wasn’t always good for dad … but I am thankful for the peace that was my dad’s that first day. I am thankful for the example he gave us as he testified to the knowledge that His Savior, Jesus Christ was enough for him.

Take time today to thank God for His gift, The Gift … Jesus … the Prince of Peace!

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

Games, Kids Ministry, Leadership
December 7, 2018

3 Ways to Make Your Games Count

By Logan Meek

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.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Podcasts, Teaching Kids
December 6, 2018

4 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started in KidMin

By Chuck Peters
https://media.blubrry.com/lifewaykids/p/s3.amazonaws.com/ministrysites/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/11/02134510/Dec618_RhondaVanCleave.mp3

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Rhonda Van Cleave shares 4 things she wishes she knew when she began serving in kids ministry. 

Rhonda Van Cleave is the Publishing Team Leader for LifeWay VBS. She was a writer for kids curriculum for LifeWay for 15 years prior to joining LifeWay full time. She has taught children over 40 years. Her husband is a pastor. They have two children and three grandchildren.

 

 

Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership
December 5, 2018

Appreciating Volunteers During the Christmas Season

By Delanee Williams

It’s the Christmas season. That time of year we go nonstop. We have parties and events to attend, tasks to complete, gifts to buy, and most importantly our Savior’s birth to celebrate. You may have already decided on ways to honor your teachers, or you may not have had the chance to think about it. As church budgets can be tight, more and more kids ministers are looking for creative ways to say “thank you” to teachers. Consider using one of the following ideas to honor teachers this Christmas.

  1. Provide a breakfast one Sunday morning in December. Invite teachers to come early, eat breakfast, and enjoy time fellowshipping with other teachers. It’s a small way to say we remember you and appreciate you.
  2. Send a Christmas card with a handwritten note. Write a personal note in the card sharing a genuine, specific reason you appreciate them. While this may not seem much, reading a personal encouraging note can affirm teachers.
  3. Purchase classroom Bibles in honor of your leaders. There’s no more impactful gift than the Word of God. Purchasing these gifts for the classroom will not only benefit the children but the teachers, too. Find a way to let the teachers know these are being purchased in honor of them and their service.
  4. Consider giving in another way that impacts lives for the gospel such as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through the International Mission Board or another ministry your church supports in the community. Make sure to communicate with the teachers about the gift given in their honor.

Can you think of any other ways you can recognize your teachers this Christmas? Remember it’s important to honor them, their time, and remind them of the opportunity they have to teach boys and girls about the most important baby ever born: Jesus! Enjoy the Christmas season!

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.

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