Kids Ministry

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

CentriKid, Evangelism, Events, Kids Ministry, kids101, Podcasts, Preteen, Vacation Bible School

The Importance of the Mountain Top Experience

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JEMost followers of Jesus begin their journey during or following a “mountain-top” experience. Many believers are reminded of the essence of their journey when they have one. Most of the people in scripture, including Jesus, had unique experiences when they “went away” and spent time with the Lord.

Why wouldn’t every KidMin leader want to provide these catalytic opportunities for kids?

Jeremy Echols engages in a compelling conversation into why mountain-top experiences should be a regular part of the the rhythm of every healthy kids ministry.

Key points from this insightful podcast:

  • The nature and importance of a “mountain-top” experience
  • The positive impact on leaders while they lead kids at camp and VBS
  • A Brief overview of CentriKid camps, VBS events, and ETCH.

If you are interesting in these amazing events for kids and leaders, you can click on one of the links above.

In 2016, we will be launching the ETCH Conference, a great new opportunity for leaders and volunteers in all areas of children’s ministry. You can bring the entire church family ministry team or come on your own. In either case, it will be a great mountain-top experience for you!

JE (@coachechols) leads the @centrikid camps and events team for Lifeway Kids. He met his wife Emily working summer camp, they serve in the kids area on Sunday’s at church, and they are blessed with their daughter #BabyMadison who was born in 2011.

Events, Kids Ministry, kids101, Podcasts, Worship

Discipleship Series: Corporate Worship for Kids

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Jeffrey Reed HeadshotHebrews 10:25 is a very prescriptive verse in scripture. Paul gives the church a charge to “not forsake the gathering of the saints.” The interesting thing to note about this verse is that it doesn’t say “adult saints.” In other words, there is an expectation that all believers participate in a regular gatherings, regardless of age.

Does your church give kids the opportunity to gather with their peers in an environment that resembles the one that adults experience? Do they get to sing kid-songs? Do they get to listen to a kid-oriented communicator? If they attend worship services with parents, are the services planned with any consideration of kids?

In this podcast, you’ll hear us discuss:

  • The general definition of corporate worship & why churches should provide the opportunity for kids to do it
  • The individual components of a corporate worship service for kids
  • How to craft a worship service and when you can fit it into your ministry schedule
  • Overcoming the challenges that come with pulling off a large-group experience for kids

Lifeway Kid’s three primary curriculum lines all have a large-group worship component. Worship For Life, which goes with Bible Studies for Life, is also designed as a stand-alone large-group worship experience.

Jeffrey Reed serves as a Kids Ministry Specialist 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 The Church at Spring Hill.

 

Bible Study, Encouragement, Kids Ministry, kids101, Podcasts, Preschoolers, Small Groups, Sunday School

Discipleship Series: Small Groups for Kids

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rp_land-150x150.jpgWhat are the key components in the discipleship of a kid? A child’s own devotional life? Showing them how to serve? Teaching them to navigate scripture? While all of these are important, the most common need in the spiritual development of kids is usually met in the form of a Sunday school or small group. Developing in community with other kids in a small group setting with a nurturing teacher is a critical component in a kid’s spiritual growth.

You probably already know that. But have you considered WHY it’s important? Don’t just go through the motions of doing Sunday school or offering small groups for the kids in your ministry. Instead, consider being intentional in how you offer small groups and what you expect to come out of it.

Here are some points we’ll hit in this podcast:

  • The difference between teaching kids an objective and leading kids through a process
  • Information does not equal transformation.
  • Is there a difference between Sunday school and small groups?
  • Why the relationship between a small group leader and a child is critical

Check out Lifeway Kids’ Bible Studies for Life curriculum!

Be on the lookout this Winter for the new Levels of Biblical Learning™ that shows how and when kids can best understand spiritual concepts.

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.

Evangelism, Events, Podcasts, Uncategorized, Vacation Bible School

How to Maintain VBS Energy Throughout the Year

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rp_wooley3-150x150.jpgWe hype it! We prep for it! Thousands of work-hours are put into it. Some begin planning the next as soon as the last is over. In fact, this blog was posted in the Fall!

Why? Because we know that many church leaders are already gearing up for the excitement of VBS for next summer. VBS is not only one of the most effective tools for evangelizing children, but it has energy that can be harnessed and extended throughout the year.

We don’t use the term “expert” lightly here. This podcast features Jerry Wooley, an expert that we believe is one of the most well-versed individuals in VBS. If there were a PhD in VBS, Jerry has earned it! Listen to his insight and, even if your church doesn’t do VBS, consider that it might actually be a strong option for your summer schedule.

Here’s what you’ll hear today:

  • How to prep for VBS so that it doesn’t stress you out
  • How to follow up VBS to get families plugged into your church
  • Tips for developing a VBS calendar
  • Ideas to get people excited early and keep them excited after

Check out Lifeway Kids’ VBS SUBMERGED™ for 2016 on our interactive site. It’s amazing!

Jerry Wooley is the VBS GUY! He serves as the Vacation Bible School Specialist for Lifeway. Don’t expect to talk with Jerry for too long without him asking you about VBS. Jerry loves the local church and serves as a 1st-3rd Grade Teacher at Creekside Fellowship in Castalian Springs, Tennessee.

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, kids101, Podcasts, Small Groups, Sunday School

How Kids Learn – Why It’s Important to Understand This in KidMin

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rp_land-150x150.jpgWhat is the most effective way for any person to learn something? There are multiple factors! None would argue that a person’s ability to learn is affected by their cognitive ability, emotional maturity, and multiple other factors. When it comes to children’s ministry, it’s important to understand this concept when teaching Bible stories and spiritual concepts. When making disciples of kids, it’s important that we understand how they learn.

Here’s what you’ll hear today:

  • The difference between “closely-graded” and “broadly-graded”
  • Why it’s important to use curriculum that aims at each age-group
  • An overview of The Levels of Biblical Learning® and how they were developed
  • The importance of age-appropriate language, media, visuals, and questions

Look for the updates to LOBL (The Levels of Biblical Learning®) in late 2015!

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.

Christmas, Devotional, Events, Kids Ministry, Podcasts

Christmas Time Is Here…And So Is Jesus

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rp_Jana3-150x150.jpgIt’s never too late…OR too early to talk about Christmas, at least when you understand that Jesus is at the heart of this holiday… this season… and all that we are. In this podcast, we’ll talk about the value of taking your church and its families through the story of Christmas and, ultimately, into the story of Jesus. Have you considered the importance of advent?

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of Lifeway Kids. 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.

Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership, Parenting, Podcasts, Spiritual Disciplines, Training, Uncategorized

30 Seconds – A Critical Interaction With Parents

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Jeffrey Reed Headshot

We know that we’ve got to lead parents into understanding that they are to be the primary spiritual influences in their kids lives. In fact, practically every Christian publisher gives “take-homes” to give to the parents when they pick their kids up. And yet, kids ministry leaders still find that many of the parents are not picking up the mantle of discipleship. In many cases, we find that the papers and items intended to be tools for parents are left on the floors of our churches.

It’s critical that we communicate clearly and consistently to parents as we encourage them to take the disciple-making lead in their kids’ lives.

This podcast features an interview with Jeffrey Reed and provides practical tips on how to make the 30-second hand-off an effective time for your ministry. At recent conferences, this has been a standing-room-only session. Today, however, you can sit down and listen to “30-seconds.”

30 seconds

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 The Church at Spring Hill.

Podcasts

Podcast Episode 3 – The Mission and Legacy of VBS

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Welcome back to the Lifeway Kids podcast! Today’s post features Jerry Wooley, the man we refer to as The VBS Guy. He’ll talk all things VBS with podcast host Jeffrey Reed.

Here’s what you can expect to hear today:

  • How VBS began
  • Why VBS works
  • The evangelistic approach behind VBS
  • The importance of continuing connections with unchurched familiwooley3-150x150es

Happy listening!

Tell us how VBS impacts your community in the Comments section below. 

Jerry Wooley is the VBS GUY! He serves as the Vacation Bible School Specialist for Lifeway. Don’t expect to talk with Jerry for too long without him asking you about VBS. Jerry loves the local church and serves as a 1st-3rd Grade Teacher at Creekside Fellowship in Castalian Springs, Tennessee.

Podcasts

Podcast Episode 2 – When Are Kids Old Enough to Hear That Jesus Died on a Cross?

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briandWelcome back to the Lifeway Kids Podcast! This week’s episode again includes Brian Dembowczyk, Team Leader for The Gospel Project for Kids.

 

Here’s what you can expect to hear this week:

  • How to teach the gospel in an age-appropriate way
    • Teaching preteens
    • Teaching 3rd-5th graders
    • Teaching kindergarten-2nd graders
    • Teaching preschoolers
  • When to warn parents about lessons on the cross
  • What it means to give gospel lessons to your babies and toddlers
  • Three reasons The Gospel Project for Kids is unique

Tweetable moments from this week’s podcast:

“It’s never too early to get the glory of Christ and the cross central and primary in the hearts and minds of our kids.”

“I would rather kids grow into the gospel than lag behind.”

“The more we understand the cross, the more we understand grace.”

Brian Dembowczyk served in church ministry for over 16 years before coming to Lifeway. During that time, he served as a student pastor, children’s and family pastor, discipleship pastor, executive pastor, and lead pastor. Brian earned an M.Div from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Tara, have been married for 14 years and have three children, Joshua (10), Hannah (7), and Caleb (3).

 

Podcasts

Introducing the Lifeway Kids Podcast

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We’re excited to announce the beginning of the Lifeway Kids podcast! We’ll bring you new podcasts every two weeks discussing essential topics in kids ministry. Check out Episode 1 – Teaching Bible Stories While Teaching the Big Story below.

Today’s post features our Team Leader for The Gospel Project for Kids, Brian Dembowczyk.

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear about:

  • The difference between teaching Bible stories and teaching the Big Story
  • The dangers of focusing on secondary lessons versus primary lessons in Scripture
  • A recipe for delivering the full story of the Bible
  • Determining whether parts of Scripture are pointing directly or indirectly to the gospel
  • Christian moralism versus secular moralism

Brian Dembowczyk served in church ministry for over 16 years before coming to Lifeway. During that time, he served as a student pastor, children’s and family pastor, discipleship pastor, executive pastor, and lead pastor. Brian earned an M.Div from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Tara, have been married for 14 years and have three children, Joshua (10), Hannah (7), and Caleb (3). 

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