Media

April 6, 2020

4 Ways to Utilize Tech Tools for Kids Ministry

It’s 2020, and ministry leaders are facing some new challenges in maintaining community during a season of scattered gatherings. And utilizing technology in kids ministry poses unique hurdles because we must always be extremely sensitive in how we interact with minors.

Most of us, as a result, find that any social media and technological strategy in our kids ministries must primarily be directed toward parents and caretakers, but don’t feel as if you are limited to only interacting with the adults in a child’s life. There are some great ways to interact with kids, as well as their parents and caregivers.

What are some of the tech tools at our disposal? Like in most circumstances, we want to choose the best tool for the job. We wouldn’t grab a hammer if we were trying to saw a board into pieces, right? So let’s begin by talking about the goal we want to achieve and looking at which tech tools will fit those goals.

A few notes before we open the “toolbox:”

Always follow your church’s policies and guidelines when interacting with minors, even in a digital environment.
Notify parents well in advance to share your plans and set proper expectations, even invite them to be part of the experience.
Encourage parents to talk with their kids ahead of time about respect in a digital world. i.e. don’t roam around the house, respect others, listen when others are talking, etc.
When interacting with kids online, remind them (maybe every time you meet) of good practices of digital interaction. i.e. don’t roam around the house, respect others, try not to talk when others are talking, try not to be distracted and leave the device unattended, etc.
Be sensitive, but be creative. Try something. If it doesn’t work, try something else. We are all trying to figure out how to hold onto community during this unusual time.
Be aware. Any meeting link you publicize openly is fully public. This may invite unwanted people to join your meeting who could cause major disruption.
There are way too many tools to cover them all or even to go in-depth on several, but we’ll cover a few of the big ones.
Remember how hard it is to keep kids attention in-person? It’s even harder in digital communication. Be prepared, be personal, be on point (concise).

Want to connect with all parents through written announcements or challenges (among other things)?

Facebook group or page (facebook.com/groups)
- Pages are good for this type of communication; but groups are better for more private ministry information/interaction
Email (mailchimp.com or whatever your church uses for communication)
- Your church may already have a way to do this. MailChimp has free accounts and you can create nice looking emails, and even embed video.
Mass text (remind.com, groupme.com, textinchurch.com)

Want to host a daily challenge or photo scavenger hunt?

Instagram
- Use church account if possible or set an account up for your kids ministry
Facebook group or page
- Groups tend to be best if you are asking families to post pictures

Want to send out one-way teaching videos (non-interactive)?

Facebook live (while facebook live has interaction, interacting through comments only can be a bit clunky)
Youtube Premieres
- The premiere feature allows you to schedule a “watch party.”

Want to host an interactive small group?

Zoom (more info below)
- Up to 100 people
Skype
- Up to 10 people
Facebook live
- No people limit, but interaction is limited to comment interaction
Google Hangout / Google Duo
- Up to 25 / Up to 8 people

Zoom

zoom.us
Set up a free account or sign in with facebook or google
Benefits
- Works on desktop, laptops, and mobile devices
- Great for small or large groups within kids ministry
- Kids will feel valued with face-to-face time with you
- Initial setup can be very simple (or more complex if you want)
  - In “My Account / Meetings
  - Schedule a New Meeting
  - Select time, duration, etc.
  - Click “Save”
  - Copy/paste the “Join URL” into an email, text, or facebook group.
  - At the time of your meeting, click “Start Meeting”
- FREE
A few limitations:
- If you have more than 2 additional people in your meeting, the meeting time will be limited to 40 minutes.
- No more than 100 people in a meeting
- Connections are sometimes unstable
Paid versions are also available
Be aware: If you make a link public, it is public. This means anyone, even someone who might be profane or disruptive, can join. Reports have been circulating of people “hacking” into public zoom meetings being vulgar. Read more here about keeping your Zoom meetings safe.

Facebook

facebook.com/groups
Create a closed group for parents
Pages are good for announcements and fully public info; closed groups are best for posting pictures, videos, and more private community info.

Skype

Free video call platform
Available on desktop, laptop, and mobile devices
Limited to 10 participants
Often more stable connection than Zoom

Disclaimer: LifeWay and LifeWay Kids are not affiliated with the resources listed above. Please familiarize yourself with their terms of agreement statements before employing them in your ministry.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Media, Technology

March 26, 2018

10 Ways to Leverage Kids’ Technological Distractions

By Landry Holmes

On my way to church on a recent Wednesday evening, I found out that I needed to help in preschool choir. The lead teacher’s family had the flu, so her co-teacher would be taking the lead and she needed an assistant. Miss LeeAnn, a college student, quickly pulled together some music videos and a Bible story app on her smartphone, which she subsequently connected to the TV in the preschool classroom. And away we went!

Miss LeeAnn leveraged technology in order to effectively teach biblical truth that Wednesday night. Today’s preschoolers and elementary kids are what Marc Prensky calls digital natives. They have never known a world without smartphones and electronic tablets. So, instead of lamenting that fact, let’s use technology in positive ways at church.

Embrace technology for what it is, technology; and don’t condemn kids for using it.
Teach kids the theology of technology. Remind them that their identity is in Christ, not dependent on how many “likes” and “shares” they receive.
Help kids apply what Jesus referred to as the greatest commands—love God and love others—to their use of technology, rather than succumb to negative digital distractions.
Establish ground rules for mobile devices at church for both teachers and kids.
Incorporate the usage of family apps in class.
Use TV screens.
Take pictures/video of kids engaged in Bible learning, in real time. However, be sure to follow your church’s privacy policy.
Present biblical truth and life application in terms of sound bites, quotes, memes, short videos, engaging images, share squares, and emojis.
Build in time for interruptions. When kids have questions, try to respond immediately. If a child makes a relevant statement, allow for open discussion on the spot if appropriate.
Use large group experiences to teach patience. The world of smartphones has created expectations of immediate gratification. When a child has to wait for a teacher or her peers before speaking or taking action, she will learn patience; and patience is biblical. (See Galatians 5:22.)

Speaking to a previous generation, G. K. Chesterton stated, “The huge modern heresy is to alter the human soul to fit modern social conditions, instead of altering modern social conditions to fit the human soul.” Our job is not to change the gospel message to fit technology, but rather to leverage technology to teach kids the unchanging truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Landry Holmes is the Manager of LifeWay Kids Ministry Publishing, Nashville, TN. A graduate of Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Landry served on church staffs before coming to LifeWay. He is a church leader, writer, workshop facilitator, and publisher. Landry also teaches children at his church in Middle Tennessee. He and his wife Janetta are the grandparents of two adorable grandbabies.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Media, Sunday School, Teaching Kids, Technology

October 30, 2017

Making Technology Work in your Classroom

By Tim Pollard

In this day and age there is plenty of technology available. We live in a society that is immersed in it, and kids are growing up as digital natives, meaning they haven’t known a world without technology. Many are fluent users as young as three years of age. We’ve seen the tablets, the smart phones, the DVD players, and any host of other things out there (and technology we don’t even know about yet). The key is to know how we can harness this different technology as we teach and keep the digital natives engaged.

First know that technology should not be shied away from, but certainly not the only thing you use when you are teaching about Christ. The technology you use should supplement what you are teaching without being used in place of your teaching. As a general rule, when we are using our Bibles to tell the Bible story kids remember that God’s Word is real and alive and valuable. Using technology in place of that experience may turn kids away from wanting to handle God’s Word.

Here are a few tips to use when you do use technology in your classroom:

Don’t be frightened to use technology. As you engage digital natives in their environment, some use of technology is going to be necessary. Don’t let the technology scare you and, if it does, practice using it ahead of time.
Be the gatekeeper of the technology. As technology is used in your classroom, make sure you are gatekeeping how and when that technology is used. Don’t let kids surf the web while in Bible study, and if they use their own devices, make sure it’s for use as directed.
Use technology only as needed. As we’ve already discussed there is no substitute for the real thing. When telling a Bible story, sure, you can use a DVD player or video online to teach the Bible story, but always follow it up by using your Bible to tell the Bible story in your own words.
Use technology to help broaden your understanding. Use the available technology to help you as you plan for a session. Do research outside your leader guide or study guide to supplement your knowledge of the topic being taught and if necessary supplement your teaching with those things.
Use technology to engage the learners. Many curricula available today have an outside app that can be used to help engage your learners as part of the learning process. Be sure if you use this technology you follow up with the learning by helping boys and girls apply what they did to the biblical content you are teaching.
Use technology to engage others. Use email, social media, social groups, or microblogging sites to alert parents to things their kids may have studied and to elicit their feedback.

As you begin to use more technology in the classroom you will see a new way of engaging your kids, and who knows, you might get much more comfortable using the technology and letting it work for you.

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.

Media, Networking, Parent Helps, Resources

September 12, 2017

3 Simple Ways to Serve Parents on Social Media

By Kids Ministry 101

Social media can be a scary, overwhelming place at times, especially for people in ministry. Often there is so much negativity and anger rippling through our social media feeds that we wonder if there is any way to redeem these tools for kingdom good.

Well there is. Do not be discouraged.

Children’s ministers: the parents of the children in your care are on Facebook, Instagram, and other such platforms. Through social media, you have the ability to minister to them and equip them to minister to their children beyond the doors of your church building.

But you’re busy and there are so many options. I know. Here are a few ways you can get started:

1. Start a Facebook page for your children’s ministry.

Hopefully your church already has a Facebook page, but if you serve a large number of families and it is sometimes difficult to figure out the best way to keep in touch, a Facebook page (combined with a Facebook group, mentioned below) may be the best way to communicate vital information with people.

Starting a Facebook page for your children’s ministry can serve a number of important purposes like giving you a way to communicate with families in your church as well as giving you an opportunity to serve families in your broader community.

2. Start a Facebook group for your children’s ministry.

A Facebook group is different from a Facebook page in a number of ways. Because Facebook groups tend to be more private, you may not want to use a Facebook group to reach families in your community (see Facebook pages for that).

A Facebook group would be helpful for having a way to instantly communicate schedule changes or other important announcements to the families who regularly attend. This is a space where you could share prayer requests and coordinate meals for families in your church.

Facebook pages and Facebook groups are both important, but they do serve different purposes: pages are more public and groups are more private.

3. Share biblical parenting resources that may encourage and equip your parents.

Whether you decide to create a Facebook page or a Facebook group for your children’s ministry, one of the best ways to serve the families in your church is by providing biblical parenting resources that may encourage and equip your parents.

The job of church leaders is to equip the church to do ministry. Through social media outlets, like Facebook, you have the opportunity to share biblical parenting resources like blog posts, videos, or other content that may help the families in your church and your community point their kids to Jesus.

Maybe you’re overwhelmed by all of this. It’s OK. Take a deep breath. If you aren’t sure where to start or you have more questions about how social media can help children’s ministry, I can point you in the right direction.

I help Christian leaders use social media to serve people all the time. It’s my job. In October, LifeWay is launching a service called LifeWay Social to help Christian leaders like you use social media to serve the people in your churches and communities.

The Lord has given you good gifts and he has given us tools like social media to share the good news of the gospel and to equip the saints for ministry. Don’t be overwhelmed to the point of paralysis. Let LifeWay Social help. Learn more at LifeWaySocial.com.

Chris Martin is Co-Creator of LifeWay Social and an Author Development Specialist at LifeWay. He loves helping Christian leaders use social media to serve the Church. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisMartin17.

Media, Preteen, Resources, Sunday School

August 22, 2016

Farewell to Mayflower

By Jeff Land

For many Bible Studies For Life: Kids fans, you’ve come to know and love the kids at Mayflower Elementary School over the past three years. It’s been a fun cycle, but those kids have grown up and it is time for them to take Middle School by storm. This Fall, we are introducing a new line-up of awesome life application videos called “Gumshoe Lane Agency.” We are thrilled to introduce you to Juniper and Chuck, the detectives who will go to great lengths to find out the real answers to life’s questions.

Before we bid farewell to the Mayflower kids in the last session of the Summer 2016 Bible Studies For Life: Kids curriculum, we had the opportunity to talk to the people who created the series, including some of the talented cast that made up the Mayflower team.

Enjoy this documentary from the creators of the Mayflower series, SeventhStory Productions.

Jeff Land is Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies For Life: Kids. He hold a BSW from Mississippi College and a MACE from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeff has served as children’s pastor and currently teaches second graders each week at his church. Jeff, his wife Abbey, and their four sons live in Coopertown, TN.

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Media

October 1, 2014

4 Reasons to Love Media

By Chuck Peters

I have passions for both media and ministry, and over the years I have taken every opportunity to combine the two. I have spent the bulk of my professional career producing television and video, and teaching others how to produce professional-quality visual media. I have produced produced commercials, sports, TV talk shows, infomercials, broadcast news, corporate and event video, instructional programs and video-driven Sunday School curriculum and worship resources. While some in our culture are hesitant to incorporate media into their ministries, I agree with Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of modern television. In 1956 Philo declared, “Television is a gift of God, and God will hold those who utilize His divine instrument accountable to Him.”

I believe that Mr. Farnsworth had great perspective. Media, video in particular, is a powerful tool for the church to use for teaching Biblical truths in ministry. Video is a uniquely powerful tool for engaging an audience and dispensing information; especially for communicating content and concepts to kids. Whether you create your own media, or use video components included with your curriculum, there are benefits that media can bring to your ministry.

1) Video Takes You to Places You Can’t Go – School teachers make a regular practice of taking kids on class trips to visit businesses and historical places that help solidify the lessons that the students are studying. This isn’t a practical option in most ministries. Video, however, allows ministry leaders to take kids anywhere in the world through the magic of media. This may be accomplished through professionally produced segments like those included in LifeWay’s Explore The Bible: Kids curriculum in which on-camera hosts take kids on hang gliding adventures, into deep, dark caverns and to all kinds of relevant and exciting locations to illustrate biblical truth. But virtual visits to remote locations can also be accomplished with home-grown videos that you can produce yourself around your own church or community.

2) Media Maintains Consistency of Presentation – Since no two teachers communicate exactly the same way, the experience of the children in a class will differ from one room to the next, even if the same lesson is facilitated. Some leaders may be more comfortable talking to kids. Others may be more knowledgeable of the content. Even the same teacher may add or omit portions of a lesson when teaching multiple classes at different times. Teaching delivered via video, however, consistently communicates a message with exactly the same quality, energy, and clarity every time, in every room. If you need to communicate the same message in multiple rooms during several services, media is an excellent option.

3) Preserves a Message – Moments are fleeting. We may often find ourselves in situations where we listen to a message and leave wishing we could hit rewind to play it back again. Media allow us to capture, preserve, and replay those messages again and again. It even allows the creation of an archive of multiple lessons that can be posted online where they can be accessed, enjoyed, and shared by multiple viewers long into the future. This benefit also comes with a caution, however. We must always remember that anything we commit to video has the potential to last longer than we will live and to be seen by people that we will never meet. Moments are indeed fleeting, but things recorded to media and posted online will last forever.

4) Video Engages Kids – One of the greatest benefits of using media in ministry is that it engages kids and holds their interest. For some perplexing reason as yet unknown to mankind, an adult standing before a group of children to teach a lesson may be met with all sorts of interruptions and experience a general lack of attentiveness from the kids in the classroom. But if that same teacher videotaped the same lesson in a unique location and played it back on a big screen, those same kids would listen more readily and become more connected with the content.

Because kids connect with media, we can leverage the use of media to connect kids to Christ.

Encouragement, Encouraging, Fun, Media

August 1, 2014

Freebie Friday: Free Wallpaper Download

By Stacey Means

At LifeWay, we strive to root everything in Scripture. Need reminders of God’s truth throughout your day? Click on the images below to begin downloading your new Facebook cover image and iPhone wallpaper. Happy Friday!

Download Facebook cover photo here.

Download iPhone wallpaper here.

Media, Training

July 14, 2014

Using Technology With Preschoolers

By Landry Holmes

Five-year-old John (not his real name) usually comes into his classroom at church with boundless energy and an I’m-here-let’s-get-started attitude. However on this particular Sunday morning, he clung to his parents like Velcro®. After I peeled him off his dad, I sat on the floor with John and introduced him to The Gospel Project for Kids Family App on my tablet.

Disclaimer: I fully believe that when preschoolers are at church they should receive personalized attention from a living, breathing adult. Nothing, including mobile devices, should take the place of one-on-one interaction between teachers and kids — nothing!

That said, technological devices are great tools for teaching children the Bible. But that’s all they are, tools. Technology has been around for a long time. There was a period in history in which Bibles were only accessible to church leaders. The “common folk” didn’t have their own copies of God’s Word until a new technology called the printing press came along.

Now, we have TVs, DVD players, live-streaming devices, electronic tablets, smartphones, mp3 players, etc. That’s a lot of teaching tools for a guy who grew up in the 8-Track era! Nonetheless, I have embraced technology at church.

Here are some ways we can leverage today’s technology with preschoolers:

1. Use electronic tablets or smartphones for a transition activity.

This is not time to play Minecraft®. Use one of LifeWay’s family apps or another Bible-related app to help reluctant preschoolers engage in Bible learning. Sit with the child and engage her in conversation as she plays.

2. Employ free or low-cost apps for classroom management.

One of the best ways to help preschoolers take turns doing favorite tasks is to use a name selector app. The app randomly selects a child’s name, and you avoid temper tantrums. Also, there are fun apps for countdowns and time clocks that can be used these to help preschoolers know when it’s time to cleanup.

3. Show 3-5 minute realistic videos to introduce or review the Bible story or life application.

I always hold up my Bible and remind preschoolers that Bible stories and truths come from the Bible, even if we hear them from someone on a TV.

4. Set up a pretend computer in the room.

Make a computer screen out of a cardboard box and attach an old keyboard and mouse. Place sheet protectors on the box so that you can slip in Bible words. Even high-tech kids enjoying imitating adults by playing on pretend devices.

5. Play music on a CD player or mp3 device with external speakers.

Play Bible-related music throughout the session while preschoolers participate in Bible-learning activities. During group time, invite the preschoolers to sing songs and move to the music.

6. Guide preschoolers to sing along to Bible-related music videos.

Even non-readers enjoy seeing words with moving backgrounds or people doing simple motions on the TV screen.

You don’t have to be high-tech to use technology with preschoolers. Begin with something simple, like a CD player, and slowly add additional technology. Remember, technological devices should be used only as teaching tools that enable personal conversation between teachers and preschoolers. So have fun and teach kids about Jesus, using the technology available to you.

Landry Holmes is Manager of Kids Ministry Publishing, LifeWay Christian Resources. He teaches preschoolers and elementary kids at his church in Middle Tennessee. Landry and his wife Janetta are the parents of two adult sons and a beautiful daughter-in-law. When they’re not working or at church, they’re entertaining their rat terrier Ranger (named after the Texas Rangers baseball team).

Media, Resources

April 18, 2014

3 Apps to Make Family Connections

By Jana Magruder

We all know the saying, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join them.” As a mom of three kids, sometimes that’s how I feel about technology. I daydream about what life would be like if smart phones and tablets were not invented (you know, the way it was when we were all growing up). The reality is, they are here, they are everywhere, and if used properly, they can be an amazing tool of discipleship. So, since I can’t make them disappear – I try to find the best quality of apps that can help my kids focus on strengthening their knowledge of the Bible, knowing who God is throughout scripture, and how to apply that to their lives.

Here are 3 apps that you can use with your kids (at home or suggest to the families in your ministry):

1. Bible Studies for Life: Kids Family App (free) – Download this app every quarter to receive a weekly Bible story, life-app video, digital coloring page, interactive game and song of the week! It also includes “One Conversation”, meant for families to have intentional talks about the Lord. Learn More.

2. The Gospel Project: Kids Family App ($1.99 phone, $2.99 tablet) – Each quarter, this app provides 5 family devotionals with interactive activities such as Bible story videos, discussion starter videos, games, voice recorder for scripture memory, key passage song, and a family journal session. Learn More.

3. Explore the Bible: Kids Family App (coming this fall) – You will want to download this free app each quarter for Bible skill activities, scripture memory games and quizzes, plus interactive models of the objects used to help unpack the text of the bible book being studied.

The great thing about these apps is that they stand independent from the curriculum that goes with them! This means they are quality family apps that can be used by anyone, anytime! I hope you can use them with your family or encourage the families you serve to use them as an amazing way to connect with their kids!

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of Kids Ministry Publishing. Jana brings a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and curriculum writing. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children attend Forest Hills Baptist Church where she teaches The Gospel Project to preteen girls.

Media, Resources, Training

April 2, 2014

Power Up Your Bible Stories with Technology

By Dathan Hale

When is the last time you changed the way you present a Bible story? Are you constantly looking for ways to make the Bible passage come alive? Maybe you need to “power up” your presentation. Here are some easy ways to enhance the story using technology:

Presentation software

Presentation software is far different than it was just a few years ago. You can add moving backgrounds, animation, and dynamic transitions with a single click. Plus, new presentation programs are abundant. I’ve found EasyWorship and Powerpoint helpful, but I know others who’ve used Prezi and ProPresenter. Find one that works best for you. All you have to do is a simple Internet search. Some programs are even free.

Tablet computers

You no longer need a TV or bulky computer to add videos or music to your presentation. Invite the kids to gather up close and use your tablet (iPad, Android, or whatever). This allows you to be more personal with the story. Many tablets can also be hooked up to a television or projector, some even wirelessly.

Smartphones

Phones are no longer just for calling and texting. You can read the Bible, play music, show pictures and videos, and even add sound effects to your presentation. Yes, there’s an app for that. Actually, there are hundreds of apps for that. Check out the The Gospel Project for Kids Family App on iTunes. The Gospel Project for Kids combines Bible story videos, music, and presentation slides to help you “power up” your next Bible story presentation. As more and more kids are using smartphones, you can show them how to use it as a tool to grow spiritually.

Dathan Hale serves as a content editor for LifeWay Kids Ministry. Dathan has more than a decade of experience as a children’s pastor and is currently on the Kids Ministry Team at Thompson Station Church, Thompson Station, TN. Dathan and his wife Sarah have two kids.