Lifeway

Kids Ministry

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

Fun, Resources

A little stocking stuffer for you – Free Christmas Worship Bulletins!

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beckyBWsmall.jpgOne of my favorite things to do is give gifts. I love picking out just the right thing for the right person. And since it’s almost that time of year again, I have an early gift for you! Well, just a little stocking stuffer, really.

FREE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP BULLETINS FOR KIDS!!!

That’s right! Did you know that Lifeway offers worship bulletins for kids? You can order a CD or you can download one quarter (13 weeks) of worship bulletins from our online catalog for just $12.99. You’ll get bulletins in color and in black and white for preschoolers, younger children, and older children for 13 weeks. Plus, there’s a Pastor’s Pal portion of the bulletin that kids can use to write down what they are learning in church.

These worship bulletins are taken from our popular Worship KidStyle curriculum, so the content follows the scope and sequence that is found here. If you use Bible Teaching for Kids at your church, the content of these bulletins will enhance what kids are learning during the Sunday School hour.

So, here we go. Three free worship bulletins for you that you can use on 12/19/2010! Enjoy!

Preschool Worship Bulletin Dec 19.jpg Download PDF of Preschool Worship Bulletin for December 19
Younger Children Worship bulletin Dec 19.jpg Download PDF of Younger Children’s Worship Bulletin for December 19
Older Children Worship bulletin Dec 19.jpg Download PDF of Older Children’s Worship Bulletin for December 19
Fun, Resources

A Sneak Peek at Theo

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Today we wanted to give you a sneak peek into a new Lifeway product releasing in June 2011 — Theo. You may have already seen a preview of Theo in your VBS catalog or at the Kids Ministry Conference, but we wanted to start giving you a few more details about our first video based curriculum!

Is your children’s ministry looking for a small group curriculum to go deeper with your kids? Theo the Animated Theologian offers a rare combination — packaging rich theological content with high entertainment value. Making the biblical content come alive through fun, age appropriate Bible curriculum that revolves around the Bible stories imbedded in each episode of Theo.

The first volume, focusing on foundations of faith, releases June 1, 2011, and offers 4 sessions on the topics of faith, obedience, forgiveness, and the armor of God. It also features a bonus session "Good News!" that is evangelistic. Succeeding volumes of Theo will follow in the fall and winter of 2011.

Help your kids grow in grace with Theo!

Check out this preview video of Theo’s "Good News!"

 

Theo’s Good News – Premiere Video! from Lifeway VBS on Vimeo.

After you check out "Good News," we’d love to hear what you think about Theo!

Encouragement, Leadership, Networking, Resources

Will They Be Heard? Orphan Sunday: November 7

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Today I get to blog about something that’s very close to my heart. It goes way beyond ministry all the way to my family. My family has been triply blessed by the miracle of adoption. Our oldest son, Reed, was born in Taiwan and we adopted him about 3 years ago. Our two youngest sons, Nash and Will, were adopted from Taiwan in September 2010. We’re still making the adjustment of quickly going from a family of three to a family of five, but we’re having a blast and loving the time we get to spend together.

Sunday, November 7 is Orphan Sunday—a day set aside to raise awareness of the millions of orphans all over the world. Churches will take time to pray for, commit to, and stand beside these fatherless children who are in desperate need of a home to call their own. Check out the Web site for information. Consider showing a video; do something today to help give a voice to the voiceless.

Recently, many churches have developed specific ministries to families with adopted children. An adoption ministry is one to which families who have adopted or are thinking of adopting can go to find love, support, and help. It also serves to educate the members of a congregation about the needs of adoptive families, thereby raising awareness for this growing population. Hope for Orphans has a simple 8-step plan for starting an adoption ministry in your church. Be sure to check out their site for information on how you can help.

As an adoptive father, I am passionate about helping families know that adoption is certainly one of the most amazing miracles God has ever performed in our family. It’s simply amazing to watch my amazing little boys run around in our backyard, sing, laugh, and play!

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Photo courtesy of Jennifer Adams Reflection. Used by permission.

Recently, at Kids Ministry Conference, we had the opportunity to interview Andy Lehman, who is also called to adoption ministry through the organization LifeSong for Orphans. This ministry helps families raise funds for their adoption expenses. For our family, LifeSong for Orphans has been an invaluable resource and we feel very grateful toward them.

Andy Lehman, LifeSong for Orphans from Lifeway Kids on Vimeo.

Maybe you are reading this post and don’t think your plate has enough space for another ministry. Maybe you can help raise Orphan Awareness through celebrating the lives of orphans by providing care for them. Jon Merryman from Sweet Sleep also shared with us at KMC10 how churches can be involved in changing the lives of Orphans all over the world.

Sweet Sleep helps provide much needed rest for orphans by providing items as simple as a mosquito net. This might be an awesome ministry to get your kids involved in at church. You could raise funds to buy a mosquito net, mattress, or other bedtime supply and really show kids exactly how their money is helping kids around the world.

 

Jon Merryman, Sweet Sleep from Lifeway Kids on Vimeo.

Now it’s your turn. How can you help raise orphan awareness in your church this year? I promise you you that you will experience a blessing like no other when you put hands and feet on the words of James 1:27. Look after the orphans. Pray for them. Minister to them.

I’m a bit like Courtney and I love to give things away. LifeSong has donated a T-shirt and mug to be given away to one of our blog readers and all you have to do is finish this statement: "This year, I will support adoption/orphan ministry in my church by …" You must comment by Wednesday November 10  to be entered to win!

Oh, and in case your wondering about my sweet family, you can read more on our personal blog, LandLife.

 

Resources

Burning Question – Kids Worship – Can They?

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In the Kids’ Ministry world, the question of Children’s Worship is almost as controversial as "What style of music does your church use?"

I know as a kid, I would have loved the option of Children’s Worship.  But then again, that was during the "children should be seen and not heard" era. Services in the small church I attended were long, boring, and often LOUD depending on the preacher’s passion that morning.  Songs were sung straight from the hymnal accompanied by an organ – at a slow and deliberate pace so as to stretch out each and every word in a slow, southern style. And let’s not even talk about the confusing Invitation at the end!

Today’s parents seem more demanding of churches than they were in the past.  I’m not sure if it’s on behalf of their kids or for themselves.  Some would argue that Children’s Church helps kids worship at their level of understanding.  Others would maintain that the real purpose is that parents don’t want to deal with their kids so they can worship in peace.  Still others reason that children need to learn how to worship as they watch and participate with their parents in "Big Church."  

You may feel one way about this question, but are serving with a pastor who feels another way.  Stand on your own convictions or keep your job?  That’s gotta be hard — I’m just sayin’!

 I’m not sure that there is a definite right or wrong answer and frankly, I do see both sides of the issue. This is your chance to share, vent, get on your soapbox — what’s YOUR opinion? Let us know!   

 

 

 

Fun, Resources

Adding Chaos to your Christmas… with the Official OMC Game!

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CKTeam_BWSmall.jpgChristmas is here! Okay, not really… but it’s closer than you think, and it’s time to plan for the busiest season of the year! Since you are likely juggling 85 items on your to-do list, let us solve one for you right now. Check out our fun idea for using OMC (Organized Mass Chaos) as a part of your kids ministry Christmas party, kids choir social, or even a parents’ night out during the Christmas season.

We’ve put together instructions, decorating ideas, and even new Christmas tasks to mix in with the traditional OMC game!

OMCbox.pngYou’ll Need:

  • A large space such as a gym or multipurpose room.
  • About 45 minutes to an hour’s time (or even more if you’ve got it).
  • Permission to get a little messy (if you choose). If not, just remove the messy task cards.
  • 20 or more kids. You can play with 200 or more if you’d like, and adults can play too.
  • A few adult volunteers.
  • Christmas OMC supplies, instructions, and decorations.
  • And, of course the Official OMC Game Kit.

Print off the instructions and a few copies of the additional Christmas tasks from the CentriKid blog. Mix in the Christmas tasks with those from the original game, and you’re ready to go!

Best of all, OMC provides great teachable moments to talk with kids about giving and receiving, helping others during the Christmas season, and the greatest gift ever in the person of Jesus Christ! Not to mention, we have the great TASK of telling others about Him!

Use your Christmas OMC to relive some summer camp memories and get kids excited about signing up for 2011 CentriKid Camp! Check it out at www.centrikidblog.com/omc and share your event pictures over on the CentriKid Facebook Page.

Post your questions about the game in our comments, and we’ll try to answer them! How will YOU use Christmas OMC?

 

Resources

Sneak Preview: New ParentLife Unveils March 2011

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For years you have trusted ParentLife as the go-to source for Christian parenting advice for families with preschoolers and children. Now the ParentLife team is excited to announce a new and improved ParentLife launching in March. And you can glimpse a preview of the new design today!

Check out our fresh, new March 2011 cover! Featuring a new logo, each cover will feature a moment-caught-in-time photo, real kids in real life moments. We hope each cover will make you smile and draw you inside for more.

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We have expanded our long-time favorite "Growth Spurts" section, now including information for expectant parents. Each “Growth Spurt” offers the best developmental advice for the whole child and a ParentLife best product recommendation.

"A Life of Worship," ParentLife’s family worship and devotion department, now moves to the center spread of the magazine so it easily can be pulled out and hung on the refrigerator or somewhere visible in your home. It includes family worship time plans (based on the LifeSpan concept Hear-Know-Do that ties in with Sunday School) as well as a calendar with extra on-the-go, everyday, worship times for families to use throughout the month.

We are continuing our monthly departments "Real Life Solutions" with Dr. Linda Mintle, "Mom’s Life" with new columnist Angie Smith, and "Dad’s Life" with Carey Casey.

We are committed to partnering with churches to provide the latest cutting-edge information that parents need as they seek to raise their children to the glory of God. Tell us what you think of the new design!

Fun, Media, Resources

The Preteen Connection

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I am so honored to be able to lead a fantastic team of editors, graphic designers, and writers who have hearts for ministering to preteens. I wanted to take some time to introduce you to the incredibly talented group of people I get to work with.

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  • Cheryl Lewis is our veteran team member, being the team member who has served at Lifeway the longest. She is passionate about preteens and teaches them weekly at her church.
  • Alyssa Reeves is our newest team member and has been on the team for a little over a year. She is fast, efficient, and almost always right. She also conducts all of our artist interviews for Bible Express.
  • Jessica Burnett is graphic designer for BTX: Bible Teaching Experience for Preteens. She has an incredible sense of style. I’m always amazed to see what she designs. She can take a simple concept and turn it into beautiful art.
  • Andy Scates is graphic designer for Bible Express. He’s got a clean design aesthetic, but also has a great eye for color. I love seeing the page spreads he designs for the magazine. He’s really good at taking a couple of suggestions and turning them into phenomenal graphics.

Our entire team is joining forces to create an amazing new curriculum that will be released in Fall 2011. The new line will replace Everything You Need to Know to Be a Teenager and will have two years worth of exciting curriculum. You’ll definitely be hearing more about that from me.

A couple of weeks ago, our team (minus Cheryl, who was unfortunately out of the office for surgery) got together to make a video about what it’s like being on the preteen team. I hope you enjoy a comical look into what we do!

Preteen Welcome Video from Jeff Land on Vimeo.

As you can see, we get to have a lot of fun together as a team. In all honesty, we really do try to keep up with what is making preteens tick. We browse Web sites, watch television shows aimed at preteens, and read magazines created for preteens. Our desire is that preteens would have a firm foundation in Christ as a result of being involved in a vibrant ministry to preteens. We’re hopeful that our resources make teaching preteens even more fun!

Now for a little giveaway, leave a comment with 3 words describing preteens and you will be entered to win a Bible Express Prize Pack including a Bible Express t-shirt, CD, and several copies of Bible Express devotional magazine. All entries must be received before midnight on Friday, October 22, so be sure to enter soon.      

THIS POST HAS BEEN HI-JACKED BY BECKY IN ORDER TO EXTEND THE BIBLE EXPRESS PRIZE PACKAGE GIVEAWAY!!! Our comments have not been working correctly, so we are extending this giveaway! All entries must be received before midnight on Halloween night (Sunday, October 31st) to be eligible to win!!! A winner will be chosen at random from the comments on this blog post.

Leadership, Resources

Ministry Spotlight – Genea Pine

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 klista2BWSmall.jpgAt Lifeway, an important part of our mission is that we champion children’s ministers.  (Quite possibly my favorite part of the job!)  Many of us, including me, have served as preschool or children’s ministers in churches, so we can SO relate to some of the things you’re going through!  Each month, I’ll have the privilege of spotlighting children’s leaders from around the country and letting you know about their ministry.

I think it’s appropriate that my first spotlight should shine on my dear friend, Genea Pine, who started side by side with me in the ministry more than 16 years ago.  Genea still serves as the Director of Preschool Ministries at the church where it all began for us, First Baptist of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, which runs about 2100 on an average Sunday morning, with around 270 of those in the preschool ministry.  It was exciting to listen as Genea shared about the growth that has occurred in our home church over the years.  I enjoyed talking with her as she answered a few questions for our blog.  Listen in and get to know my friend!

K: What is your favorite ministry moment?

G: Because I’ve served in this church as long as I have, I’ve gotten to watch as parents who I taught years ago in sixth grade Sunday School bring their own children to church.  It means so much that I had a part in those parents’ lives and am now getting to invest in their children as well.   

K: Tell us about something exciting happening in your ministry.

G: We have a great leadership team in our Mothers of Preschoolers group who are very intentional about reaching out and sharing the gospel with the community around us.  Around 14% of our MOPS group have no church affiliation. It’s exciting to see and work with these young moms on our leadership team who are great at remembering why we do what we do.  

K: Any other words you want to share?

G: I recently spoke with the preschool leadership about the temple lampstand’s purpose – to illuminate Christ.  Sometimes we’re guilty of moving that lampstand around to other things – when really our job is only to illuminate Him. If we keep that in mind, we’ll do well.  We have to remember to do what’s right – not what’s convenient.

Now a question for you, my blog friends:  What’s your lampstand illuminating? Let me know — I’d love to hear!

Events, Fun, Resources

The Rubyz at Kids Ministry Conference!

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klista2BWSmall.jpgSo, here I am at the Lifeway Kids Ministry Conference with hundreds of great children’s ministry leaders from across the country, when Courtney comes up to me and says she wants me to interview The Rubyz!  I have to confess, this is a new group for me, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Let me tell you, though, these girls were awesome! They have a great message to share with preteens and I enjoyed getting to meet them. Isn’t it wonderful when you get to see kids who want to make a difference in this world?  Someone just like YOU made a difference in their world – now they’re passing that on to the next generation.  Take a look at our video below to have the chance to get to know them a little better!

 

Behind-the-Scenes at the Kids Ministry Conference with the Rubyz from Lifeway Kids on Vimeo.

Resources

Back to the Basics – Free downloadable resources for kids ministry leaders

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beckyBWsmall.jpgHi there! I’m Becky and I’m so glad to be a part of this new blog team! I wanted to start our blogship (blog + friendship) out right – by pointing you guys to some free downloads! 🙂

The Levels of Biblical Learning and Levels of Bible Skills are great tools to help parents, teachers, and children’s ministry leaders see milestones related to biblical knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

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Take a look at the entire Levels of Biblical Learning chart to see how a child’s biblical knowledge progresses as they grow older…

Or view each age group separately to help set learning goals for specific age groups in your classrooms and at home …

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The Levels of Bible Skills is another a great tool for teachers and parents as they guide children in using their bible and memorizing scripture. Tips for using the bible with preschoolers, a guide to selecting a bible for a child, and activities that can be used to help kids develop Bible skills are also included this resource.

If these tools are helpful to you, link teachers and parents to these free downloads, or purchase printed copies of these charts in packages of 25 at a minimal cost through lifeway.com.

AND – don’t forget to enter our giveaway! You can enter to win a free Worship KidStyle All-in-one Pack just by commenting on Courtney’s blog post!

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