Preteen Archives - Kids Ministry

Encouragement, Family, Kids Ministry, Preteen, Resources

January 23, 2018

The Bully Situation: Bully or Bullied

I’ve never been popular. In fact, I would probably say that I’m more liked now than I ever was as a child. I had a few friends, but I just wasn’t the most popular kid. I was an easy target. I wasn’t athletic and I did pretty well in school. I didn’t hit a growth spurt until I was in my late teens. At times, I was bullied. Probably due to certain personality traits, I was able to endure bullying with relative ease.

My situation is not true for everyone. Many kids really struggle with bullying and I totally understand why. Having your peers attack your worth as a human being is demeaning and crippling.

As I have gotten older, I feel like I’ve come to understand bullying from different angles. I can think back to situations where I was clearly bullied, but also I am ashamed to admit I can think of times where I was a bully.

If you think about it, there are probably those situations for you in your life. I think that we all have some level of bully in us, and if we are willing to admit it, there have been times that we have felt bullied. The smart person can bully the person who understands things more slowly. The athletic person can bully the person who just isn’t interested in sports. The theologian can bully the a person of opposing views.

We would love to introduce you to “Bully or Bullied” by FLYTE. It’s a great resource for helping your preteens understand the impact of bullying in hopes that they will be more able to cope with bullying in the future. Using solid biblical teaching, preteens will learn about people in the Bible who were both bullies and bullied. This resource is available digitally and can be downloaded today!

Jeff Land is Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies For Life: Kids. He holds 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.

Devotional, Kids Ministry, Preteen, Resources

November 29, 2016

Devotional Giveaway

By Cristy Whitlock

Once or twice a week, you meet with kids face-to-face, speaking into their development as disciples. You know they are growing spiritually, but imagine the exponential growth that could take place if they make it a priority to spend daily time in the Word.

This week, we’re hosting a giveaway to help you equip kids to study the Bible on a daily basis. Enter below for a chance to win 20 copies of devotions for three different age groups. See the images and downloads below for details on devos.

Download a preview of the More devotion.

More is a 28-page monthly devotional designed to help kids ages 4-7 develop a habit of daily Bible reading. Each devo includes 10-minute devotions, prayers, and fun Bible-learning activities.

Download a preview of the Adventure devotion.

Adventure engages kids ages 7–10 and cultivates the disciplines of daily Bible reading and spending time with God. The content is designed to invite today’s media-savvy kids to have a daily relationship-building experience with God. Each devo includes fun facts, puzzles, and games.

Download a preview of the boys’ side of the Bible Express devotion.

Download a preview of the girls’ side of the Bible Express devotion.

Bible Express is designed for ages 10 and up. Each issue is produced in a flip-book style with separate sections for boys and girls that is made up of fun facts, puzzles, missionary kid stories, and games. Kids will carry this cool, magazine-style devo everywhere they go.

You could win 20 copies each of More, Adventure, and Bible Express. Click here to enter the giveaway.

Update: This giveaway has closed. Congratulations to our winner, Cathy Scharf!

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.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Preteen

August 15, 2016

Best Ways to Reach the Hearts of Preteen Girls

By Jana Magruder

I have just had the privilege of graduating out of raising a preteen girl who is now into her teen years. As I reflect back on my experience with her, as well as teaching preteen girls in my church, I believe these are some of the best ways to truly reach out to girls in this fun, yet sometimes tricky, stage of life. If you work with preteen girls, keep these tips in mind.

Get Crafty: Generally speaking, preteen girls love to be hands-on with art supplies and create together. I have found that if I showed up and did not have a craft planned for the group of girls I taught, then they were surely disappointed. I quickly realized that the crafts didn’t even have to be complicated. They enjoyed even more juvenile things like stickers and glitter. The point is, they enjoyed creating and working with their hands—and the beauty of this strategy is that they listened and participated more when they were engaged in crafting.
Be Relational: Again, generally speaking—girls like to talk and they like to be heard. I always try to learn something new about kids each time I see them. Preteen girls love to know that you remembered the test they were worried about, or that they were going to see a play. Ask questions, know their families, remember things about them. Help them feel known.
Teach Deep: Preteen girls are ready to learn deeper doctrine. They ask really good questions and can handle theological truths. This can be a lot of fun, but you will need to do your homework! I learned more about the Bible while teaching this age group than I have in some of my seminary classes. Why? Because they asked me questions that I had to scramble to search the Scriptures and find to satisfy their need to know more about the Lord.
Give Gifts: Ok, so you don’t need to break the bank, but have some ideas for small gifts and gestures that you can give for various times: birthdays, holidays, end of school celebrations, etc. Even hand-written notes, cookies, gum, or fun pencils can be a way of saying, “I care about you.” Encourage them to love one another by showing how much you love them. Simple gifts can help show that!
Serve Together: Find ways for preteen girls to serve together in some capacity. Look for opportunities in the church and community or create goody bags for a nursing home, bring canned goods for a food bank. Pray for groups of people. Preteen girls have big hearts—show them that God can use their empathy and heart for others to serve Him.

Ultimately, you are making disciples out of these dear ones. Be a safe adult who is speaking into their lives by meeting them right where they are and teaching them God’s Word faithfully. Model what it looks like to be someone who loves Jesus and loves His Church. Preteen girls are at just the right age to learn more than they ever have about their Maker while having lots of fun together!

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of LifeWay Kids. She is a Baylor graduate and offers a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and publishing. She is the author of Kids Ministry that Nourishes and Life Verse Creative Journal, which she co-authored with her teenage daughter. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children reside in Nashville.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Preteen

July 25, 2016

Moving Up to Middle School

By Kids Ministry 101

Big changes are coming for rising middle schoolers and their families! They’re saying goodbye to Elmo, cubbies, and in-school parties and hello to pimples, puberty, and peer pressure. The excitement and anxiety are building as children take that huge step to middle school. Share these three tips with families of rising middle schoolers in your ministry:

Brave New World

Your kids will be experiencing several firsts as they pass through the doors of their new academic home. Help your child get comfortable with his new digs by scoping out the lay of the land. Find out how the school is organized, and ask for a tour with an older student or school personnel. Give your child the opportunity to get his bearings so he’ll feel at ease locating classes, the library, the gym, and cafeteria. Secondly, get a copy of your child’s class schedule and map out the places you’ve checked out. Tape this inside her binder. You also may want to note landmarks to jog her memory when navigating. Lastly, before school starts, buy your child a lock for her locker to give her plenty of time to practice opening and closing it.

Finding Friends

Part of your preteen wants to grasp your hand for security while the other hand reaches ahead toward more independence. Being part of a group in the new school is essential. While he searches for his identity, encourage your child to take time deciding where he belongs before keying in on a particular bunch. Since middle school offers more opportunities for extracurricular activities, advise your child to join sports teams, clubs, or other events to help ease the social transition. Alleviate loneliness in the interim by arranging weekend activities with church, neighborhood, or grade-school friends. Give a little guidance on the social graces of group conversation; for example, demonstrate how to add something relevant to a conversation in progress without interrupting. Remind him to make eye contact when speaking or listening and tell him how words and actions can affect other people.

Upping the Stakes

Academic expectations increase in middle school. Students will have multiple teachers covering different subjects with less coddling. Your parental role shouldn’t change much. Take a look at the planner with assignments and make sure homework is completed, communicate with teachers, and help your child get organized. Develop a system for schoolwork and supplies. Create a binder or folder for each class so all notes and assignments will be readily available. Designate a study time and place that is free from distractions and where schoolwork should be finished each day.

Remember: while those first few weeks of adjustment can be nerve-wracking, keep an open dialogue as your child embraces another stage of maturity.

Bill Conger is a school counselor, member of Smithville First Baptist Church, a Gideon, and father of a 10-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter. Bill contributes regularly to ParentLife magazine where this and other great articles can be found.

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

November 13, 2015

The Importance of the Mountain Top Experience

By Kids Ministry 101

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Most 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.

Encouragement, Kids Ministry, Parenting, Preteen, Small Groups

October 29, 2015

Ministering to the Minister’s Kids

By Bill Emeott

I wasn’t a PK (Preacher’s Kid) but I was a DK (Deacon’s Kid) and the PKs and the DKs hung out together a lot. I know from watching my PK friends that being the minister’s kids can be difficult. The minister’s kid sometimes gets a bad rap and sometimes even a pretty raw deal. Here are some thoughts on how to minister to the minister’s kid effectively:

Allow your minister to put his family first. Nurturing and building relationships with family takes effort, energy, and time. Your minister needs to know that he has permission to be the spouse and parent God intends. Allow your minister to set the standard for your church.
Treat their parent with love and respect. Most kids think their dad (or mom) is the greatest! Their relationship with parents is often the basis for their relationship with the heavenly Father. It’s amazing how many ministers’ kids become disillusioned with God because of the way the church treated their parent.
Allow your minister’s kids to be human. The minster’s kids are just like any other kids. They have good days and bad days. They enjoy some things more than others. They want to be treated like the rest of the group.
Offer a helping hand. Have you ever noticed that when your minister is at church they are pretty busy? Have you noticed that during worship your minister’s kids might need some extra love? Offer to sit with your minister’s family when needed.
Offer to be adopted grandparents. Every kid needs to be spoiled rotten by their grandparents, yet many of our ministers’ kids live a long way from their extended family and don’t get that opportunity. Consider adopting your minister’s kids a couple times a year for some VIP treatment.
Give gifts that include your minister’s kids. Ministers often receive gifts of appreciation during the year. Consider giving a family-inclusive gift like theme park passes, a zoo membership, gift cards to a local movie theater, or tickets to special events in your community.
Recognize the kids’ sacrifice to the church. On special occasions, celebrations, milestones, and anniversaries, acknowledge the entire family’s service and sacrifice. Kids often share their parent during evenings and weekends because of church ministries and needs. Recognize and appreciate their part in ministry.
Talk with the kids about themselves. Speak to the kids, not just the minister. Resist the urge to always bring up their parent and church stuff. Take the time to discover their interests and have conversations with them about them. Find ways to make them feel special.
Take your minister and his family to lunch. The next time you take your minister and his family for a meal, ask his kids to pick the restaurant.
Make your minister’s kids feel valued. Look for opportunities to encourage, congratulate, and dote over your minister’s kids. Celebrate good grades, recitals, sports games, and school achievements.

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, Devotional, Kids Ministry, Parenting, Prayer, Preschool, Preteen, Resources, Spiritual Disciplines

October 2, 2015

Teaching Kids to Pray

By Kids Ministry 101

by Mary Wiley

No matter if a child is learning to deal with his parents’ divorce or is just sad because he has to wait his turn to play on the swing, kids face battles both big and small. As parents and those who serve kids in the church, you can equip kids to fight those battles wisely through prayer. Teaching kids the spiritual discipline of prayer can feel daunting, and for many parents, they don’t feel capable of teaching their kids something that they also find to be a struggle. We want to equip you in the way you equip kids and parents to strengthen their prayer lives through three resources tied to the movie WAR ROOM.

Below are 5 tips and 3 resources to help you equip kids and parents in their journey toward healthy prayer lives. Let us know what you would add in the comments!

Tip #1: Model prayer daily.

When kids see that you view prayer as important, they will realize that it is also important in their own lives.

Tip #2: Pray for God to do big things.

Remind kids that God is big enough to do all things. He can heal the sickest of the sick and help the most helpless. Praise God for His power and also rely on Him to work.

Tip #3: Pray for God to do small things, too.

Being afraid of the dark or not being able to find a favorite toy might seem big to some kids, but we know in the grand scheme of things it’s a small thing. Make sure to pray for the small things. Never tell a kid their prayer request isn’t worth praying for. All things are worth taking to the Lord, and the Bible says that He cares for all of our concerns.

Tip #4: Talk about what it means to pray without ceasing.

This is a verse we like to throw around sometimes without a lot of explanation, but for a kid’s concrete mind, this sounds like never opening our eyes and having a really bad crick in our necks from bowing our heads for so long. Help kids understand that God wants us to talk to Him like we would a good friend – throughout the day.

Tip #5: Start now!

Don’t feel defeated if you haven’t been praying with your children each day. Each day is new and there’s no better day to start than today! Don’t worry about teaching your children perfectly. Ask God to help you and your children better understand prayer. He is faithful!

3 Resources for Kids:

Peter’s Perfect Prayer Place

This story for ages 4-8 follows Peter as he tries to find the perfect place to pray to God. Peter learns that God hears his prayers, no matter where he is, so the perfect place to pray is anywhere that you are!

Prayer Works

This training guide will equip your 8-12 year olds to develop a strategic, growing prayer life. It is filled with activities, illustrations, and journaling prompts for kids to experience to help them think through why they should pray, why their prayers matter, and if God will answer their prayers.

This Means War

Isn’t being a teenager a war in itself? Grab this book for those 13 and up to encourage them in their prayer life. This book includes journaling space and also short chapters that answer questions that teens have about prayer. There is no better skill to teach your children than to teach them to pray. As you seek to equip parents and children’s ministry leaders, consider offering up these resources developed alongside the movie WAR ROOM. Our children are walking into battle everyday. Let’s teach them the right way to fight.

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, Parenting, Preschool, Preteen

July 2, 2015

Parenting Wisely: Talking to Kids About Same-Sex Marriage

By Jana Magruder

In light of the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage last week, many of you have asked for wisdom and words on how to discuss the new cultural reality with children and families. Russell Moore, the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention AND a father of five boys, gives this advice in his blog, “Moore to the Point”. I pray his words will help prepare you to equip parents to have intentional and prayerful conversations with their children about such a timely and impactful topic of our day. ~ Jana Magruder

Click here to read How Should You Talk to Your Children About Same-Sex Marriage?

Russell Moore is President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the moral concerns and public policy entity of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. He is a frequent cultural commentator, an ethicist and theologian by background, and an ordained Southern Baptist minister. Moore is author of several books, including the forthcoming Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel. A native Mississippian, he and his wife Maria are the parents of five sons.

The Bully Situation: Bully or Bullied

Devotional Giveaway

Farewell to Mayflower

Best Ways to Reach the Hearts of Preteen Girls

Moving Up to Middle School

The Importance of the Mountain Top Experience

Ministering to the Minister’s Kids

Teaching Kids to Pray

Make the Most of Your KidMin Intern

Parenting Wisely: Talking to Kids About Same-Sex Marriage

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