Small Groups

August 26, 2019

4 Things Summer Taught Me About Classroom Management

Summer programming at your church may look totally different from your traditional Bible study or kids church setting. Typical VBS programs and other summer events are quick and come with their own unique challenges. This summer was one of my busiest. Having just joined a new church I got to volunteer in VBS and get introduced to many of the kids in the kids ministry but also many whom I did not know. This opportunity gave me an excellent way to practice my classroom management skills and see if they were truly valid. Ongoing Bible study classes had not been a problem, but what about a one week small group?

Here are a few techniques that worked for me that week and may work for you too.

Be prepared. One of the first things you need to do in any teaching environment is to be prepared. Classroom management starts before you ever meet together. Take time on the front end to make sure the classroom is set up for optimal learning and decide on the structure of your class time together. Providing structure with clear expectations will go a long way to creating an environment where managing your classroom will be much smoother.
Be consistent. The quickest way to lose control of any classroom situation is to be too flexible when it comes to the rules of the classroom. To maintain order, be consistent in enforcing the rules no matter what. If a child who usually is a great rule follower crosses the line and breaks the rules, being consistent with consequences shows everyone that the rules truly do apply to everyone.
Use non-verbal cues. When a child is being disruptive, using non-verbal communication like eye contact or a gentle touch on the shoulder to redirect attention will go a long way. If you have a group of kids sitting in the corner engaging in their own dialogue, simply walking in their direction and making eye contact will likely stop that undesirable behavior. Once you have their attention, engage them by using a name in conversation.
Praise positive behavior. Instead of focusing attention on the negative behavior, draw attention to the positive that is happening. I admit, I’ve never been good at doing this, but I made a conscious effort to focus on positives and it really did make a difference in the behaviors of the kids in my group. Most kids are looking for praise and when kids were not being rewarded by being mentioned for their negative behaviors, most of it stopped.

These are just a few techniques you can try. Many other management techniques exist but these are four that worked great for me and I hope they will work great for you too.

Tim Pollard is 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.

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Ministry, Podcasts, Small Groups

May 16, 2019

“Grouping” Your Kids Ministry

By Kids Ministry 101

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Tim Pollard and Bill Emeott discuss how to group kids in both a small group and events environment for your kids ministry.

Tim Pollard teaches 3rd-6th graders Explore the Bible: Kids Worship on Sunday nights 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.

This episode is hosted by Bill Emeott, produced by Micheal Walley, and sponsored by the ETCH Family Ministry Conference.

Bible Study, Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Small Groups

April 29, 2019

What to do when your Small Group is a SMALL Group

By Tim Pollard

I have had a great opportunity to work in a variety of churches. Some churches were small, some churches were large, but no matter the size of the church, I love small group teaching. I love the cozy environment of a small group. I love the almost individualized training that can happen when sometimes you are one-on-one. What happens though when only one or two kids show up? What are you to do when your small group is a SMALL group? Here are a few ways to adapt when making your plans.

If you use a prepared curriculum, think about the possibility of a small group when you are planning. If an activity has you breaking into groups of six … and you only have one child … how will you still accomplish the goal with only one child? How can you adapt the plan so that one child succeeds?
Group games might still work. If your curriculum gives you instructions to play a group game, for instance, consider the goal of the game. Is there a team relay? Is there an over-under sort of game? Remember, you count too, so get in there and play that game if you have to. Adapt the game so it can be completed by a few even if each person participates multiple times.
Large group demonstrations could be difficult. What to do if your curriculum suggests having 12 participants each take one card and find someone else in the room with the same card? You can quickly turn this activity into a memory matching game for a small group to play at a table.
Involved craft activities. While most craft activities are fairly self-directed, you may run into an activity that requires the participation of more than one person. Use your skills and those of other leaders in your room to accent the activity so kids can experience success.

No matter what your situation, you can think through these suggestions beforehand and prepare for the eventual SMALL group of kids. The key, obviously, is to prepare. Be ready when you arrive to meet the needs of whatever group you have. Also, remember that you do count too. Kids love learning alongside adults and when you participate in an activity it engages parts of their brains that might not have been engaged with purely peer engagement. Never forget that God placed you where you are so you can guide boys and girls to know Him. You can do that no matter the size of the group you are teaching.

Christmas, Crafts, Encouragement, Encouraging, Family Ministry, Fun, Kids Ministry, Ministry, Preschool, Small Groups, Special Needs, Sunday School, Teacher Appreciation, Teaching Kids, Uncategorized, Volunteers

December 4, 2018

Volunteer Appreciation Resources

By Heidi Brookens

Looking for some fun gift ideas to show appreciation to your volunteers? We’ve got your covered! Click below to download some fun ideas.

Soapin’ you have a merry Christmas!

Just poppin’ in

Instructions

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Small Groups

August 7, 2017

Ministering to Children When Meeting In Home Groups

By Bill Emeott

Over the past few years more and more churches are encouraging small groups that meet somewhere other than the church facility. From the beginning there’s been a question that certainly needs an answer, “What do we do with the kids?”

I wish I had an easy answer. There just doesn’t seem to be one. However, there are some principles that I would encourage anytime and anywhere you have the opportunity to lead kids. I think these principles apply for Home Groups, too.

Understand Your Organization. Start by answering “who, what, when, where, and why?”

“Who” will be in this small group? Will all the kids be close in age or, more commonly, will there be a wide age range of children? That makes a difference!
“What” is the point of this small group? Are you there to teach or provide childcare?
“When” will this small group meet? Will this meeting be a standard one hour or do you need to have more content ready “just in case” the parents go long?
“Where” will this small group meet? It’s important to provide an environment that encourages learning and not lounging or playing.
“Why?” Perhaps the most important question is why. Why are we doing this? Identifying the why can answer the “what” and the “how” as you prepare.

Safety and Security are Vital for Success. Make sure that your church and your small group have developed policies and procedures and that you and your teaching team adhere to those policies. Included in your policies will be the screening of all volunteers with references and a background check. Also remember the “two in a room” policy: no adult will ever be left alone with minor children. Protect the kids, the church, the host family, yourself, and the Kingdom. Just because you’re not at the church doesn’t mean that safety and security is any less important. It actually may be MORE important.

Understand and Value Kids. Regardless of where a kids small group meets, understanding the basic needs of kids, the general characteristics of kids, and valuing who kids are is very important. Don’t fall into the “babysitting’ trap but value their need to be discipled in age-appropriate ways. Do your research and be prepared.

Follow Good Teaching Practices. When you truly value kids, you’ll want to do whatever it takes to make sure they have a good learning experience.

Preparation is key. The best session is a prepared session. If you don’t have a plan, you’re planning to fail.
Understand general characteristics of the children you’re teaching and choose age-appropriate learning activities. Activities that work for a 4-year-old most likely won’t work for a fourth grader without some adaptation.
Use a variety of learning methods to teach children of various learning styles. Different crayons and a different coloring page isn’t variety. Consider Art, Drama, Games, Research, Creative Writing, and Music. Sprinkle them all with a little technology and you’ll have the variety you need.
Remember that guided-conversation is key. While allowing kids to independently learn through activities you’ve prepared, participate both in the activity and guiding the conversation to reinforce the Bible truth you’re teaching that session. Kids might be painting a picture on a blank canvas but the conversation while painting is about the Bible story or Bible truth. It’s TEACHING with intentionality.

Use an Ongoing Curriculum Line. An ongoing curriculum line offers several benefits.

It removes the need to create something on your own, which is a lot of work, pressure, and responsibility.
It removes the temptation of showing theologically poor videos (video supplements can be helpful but be careful about poor doctrine and theology).
It allows your small group to follow a developed sequence with age-appropriate learning activities.

Don’t forget to “FROG!” As much as you want to be successful, much more so the Lord wants you to be successful. PRAY and Fully Rely On God.

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served as a Kid’s Minister and currently teaches 2nd Grade Bible study.

Bible Skills, Bible Study, Family, Fun, Games, Kids Bible Study, Kids Devotions, Kids Ministry, Parent Helps, Parenting, Resources, Small Groups

June 7, 2017

Free Bible Skills Activity Guide

By Kids Ministry 101

We believe it’s essential to begin teaching Bible skills from a very young age. As kids learn the different divisions and structure of the Bible, they will understand God’s Word more clearly, providing a foundation for heart transformation.

We’ve developed a free Bible Skills Activity Guide for families and groups. Fill out the form below to download the guide and make copies for every family in your ministry. Parents will love the help as they seek to disciple their kids this summer.

By signing up for this Bible Skills Activity Guide, you will also receive free access to preview sessions of Explore the Bible. Every session of Explore the Bible: Kids brings the Bible to life through rich study and engaging objects, equips kids with foundational Bible knowledge and skills, and encourages them to live what they learn everywhere they go. Try sessions out with your kids, and watch the Word come alive.

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I am interested in previewing studies for: (select one or more)*
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By signing up to receive the Preview sessions you will also receive update information regarding Explore The Bible.
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Kids Bible Study, Parenting, Small Groups, Sunday School

August 8, 2016

Using Take-Home Cards and Postcards

By Jeff Land

Sometimes I think one of the hardest parts of ministry is trying to connect the church to home. In recent years, The Gospel Project for Kids and Explore the Bible for Kids have made great strides with connecting to home through the use of their take-home cards. Each week, kids are given a card which they can take home and use to carry own Bible conversations at home. Starting in Fall 2016, Bible Studies For Life: Kids will join those ranks and also offer a new version of Take-Home cards. These cards will be sent home at the beginning of each quarter with the kids so that parents and kids can have Bible conversations at home.

The new Bible Studies For Life: Kids Postcards are also another awesome way to connect to kids. Each monthly unit will have a specially designed postcard which reflect a verse, Bible thought, or concept that will be taught in that unit. Even if your church doesn’t use Bible Studies For Life, these are beautiful cards that the kids in your church would surely enjoy receiving.

Here are 10 Ways you can use Take-Home Cards and Postcards in your ministry!

Mail a pack of Take-Home Cards to absentees.
Collect Preschool cards and create a giant matching game.
Give out at your church’s fall festival.
Use in class as early arriver/early finisher activities.
Deliver them to prospective members.
Help kids collect them by punching a hole in them and gathering with a clip ring.
Use cards as activities for Parents Night Out.
Allow kids to write notes to each other on the postcards.
Use postcards as a “pass” or “ticket” to a special event.
Use postcards to send information to families about what your class is studying.

Jeff Land is Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies For Life: Kids. He holds degrees from Mississippi College and 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, Preschool, Small Groups, Sunday School

July 13, 2016

Praying for Babies and Their Families

By Delanee Williams

As a teacher, you influence a baby’s life as you teach him each week. The Holy Spirit works through you to lay spiritual foundations of faith. Prayer is another way to impact families with babies. As teachers, we can pray for the babies in our class. Use the suggestions listed below to begin your prayer time during the week. As you continue to pray, think of additional ways to pray for the babies in your class.

Pray for babies as they grow and develop emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually.
Pray for the marriages of the parents and guardians. Pray they will make church a priority in their family’s life.
Pray for wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit as parents seek to provide a godly home for their family.
Pray your relationship as a teacher deepens with families as they trust you to care for their baby. Seek the Lord to find ways to build connections with these families.
Pray for your preparation and spiritual growth as you teach babies biblical truths each week.
Pray for sensitivity to know ways to minister and share the gospel with the families of babies in your class.

Pray for the babies before, during, and after the teaching session. Commit to pray each day for the children in your class. As you pray, keep a journal of ways you see the Lord working in and through you. During the year, look back through the journal. Reflect and recognize ways the Lord has answered your prayers. Seek the Lord and remember He is with you as you teach and minister to the babies and their families at your church.

Delanee Williams serves as a Kids Ministry Specialist with Lifeway Christian Resources. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders in kids ministry.

Bible Study, Kids Bible Study, Leadership, Small Groups, Sunday School

July 11, 2016

The Phrase that Pays

By Chuck Peters

What question does every parent ask their kids after Sunday School? “What did you learn today?” What’s every kid’s answer? “Umm. I don’t remember.”

I want to encourage you to combat the “I dunnos” by identifying a single, simple, solid takeaway for the day that you can rehearse with your kids at the end of your lesson before they leave the classroom. Regardless of what curriculum you use, creating your own summary statement that encapsulates the key concept of the day is a fun and creative way to increase retention and make your studies more sticky (metaphorically speaking).

Forming a phrase isn’t hard; you can do it yourself or with your leadership team beforehand, or include older kids in the process. Just identify one clear teaching that you want your kids to remember, and teach it to them as a memorable phrase that will make your lesson live on as they go on with their day. Use short simple phrases that incorporate rhymes or alliteration. If your bible lesson is about living out your faith so that your actions match your words you might summarize using a phrase like, “Don’t just say it, display it.”

We use a lot of words in our class time. Make it easy for your kids to remember more of your lessons by summarizing them with catchy, fun phrases.

Chuck Peters is Director of Operations for Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck has served vocationally & voluntarily in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Small Groups, Sunday School

July 8, 2016

10 Reasons to Involve Kids in Outreach

By Tim Pollard

Matthew 28:19-20 we all know as the Great Commission. God’s command in this is for us to go and make disciples. Have you ever thought about the kids who sit in your Bible study group? Should they have the same command? The answer is absolutely. You can partner together with the kids you lead to reach out to those in your class and here are a few reasons why you might want to involve kids in outreach.

10. Personal Interaction – Did you know that peer-to-peer relationships are much stronger than your relationship with many kids. Kids who reach out to kids will be accepted more easily sometimes than adults who reach out. That doesn’t mean you don’t reach out, but engage those peer-to-peer relationships.

9. Compassion – Sometimes kids need to be made aware that the world has more people in it then just them. Well, that’s kind of funny, but seriously, when we can engage kids to have compassion for their friends they gain a new appreciation for God’s creation and how they can interact with other people.

8. Self-esteem – Self-esteem is an important factor for development in kids. When we can encourage kids to be involved in something as valuable as outreach it will build their self-esteem.

7. Team Building – When kids are involved in engaging other kids they are creating a team environment that might ultimately make your group much closer than you could have imagined.

6. Confidence – Kids will gain confidence in not only talking to their peers, but having knowledge of situations that might require them to pray for their friends further building that bond between peers.

5. Understanding – Kids better understand what each other are going through because, for the most part, they have similar life experiences and are dealing with similar life issues. When kids reach out to kids they have a better chance of connecting on a level you and I may not.

4. Everybody Can – Even kids that may not consider themselves outgoing can still be involved in outreach. Outreach doesn’t mean visiting in someone’s home, though that is an important aspect, but can also involve calls and letters. Everybody can be involved in that.

3. Communication Skills – The skill to communicate effectively with one another is something kids can learn by being involved with outreach. Once again, those who may not consider themselves strong communicators can still be involved in outreach.

2. Collaboration – When you work together on outreach, you are helping to foster collaborative skills that will help kids with more valuable life skills.

1. God’s Command – As already discussed, God’s command is not just for grown-ups. Kids need to be involved in outreach too!

Tim Pollard teaches 3rd-6th 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.