Sunday School

Leadership, Ministry, Sunday School, Teaching Kids, Training

August 23, 2021

Teacher Preparation 101

Preparing for a session is one of the most important aspects of a teacher’s ministry. In this post, a suggested rhythm of preparing throughout the week is offered to teachers to help them maximize their time with kids each week.

We all know the stereotype: the teacher who opens up the leader guide on Saturday evening to begin preparing. While there may be times when a crazy week’s schedule requires this, preparing at the last minute should be the exception, not the norm. It’s a matter of value—we need to value our kids, the Word of God, and the gospel enough to do this right, and putting off preparations surely is not doing it that way.

If putting off preparing until the last minute is the worst approach (well, not preparing at all would take that crown), the best approach is to sit in the session plan all week long, at least for 10-15 minutes each day. Here is one suggested schedule to do that:

MONDAY: Read the Bible passage. That’s right, don’t even crack open the leader guide yet, except to know what Bible passage is covered for the week. Grab your favorite Bible and read the Scriptures themselves. Be sure to read the background passage, not just the focal passage. Focal passages are chosen, in part, for space. So you will want to read as much around that focal passage to know the context. Reading the Bible passage first thing in the week gives you room throughout the week to sit in what you are teaching. You give the Holy Spirit time to work in your mind and heart so He might solidify the beauty of the gospel you will later share.

TUESDAY: Read the leader guide. Now it’s time to read the leader guide. Take your time through the session, being sure to focus on the “why” of the session. Why does this session matter? What is its big take-away? Be sure you understand how you get to it from the Bible passage itself. Once you feel good about that, drill down on the specific activities, games, crafts, etc. to understand how they work and how they support the session’s content.

WEDNESDAY: Use the additional leader resources. Most curricula provide additional teaching tips and resources to help leaders prepare. Use these to either deepen what you already know or, perhaps, to broaden your focus for that session.

THURSDAY: Read additional Bible translations and commentaries. By this time, you should have a good grasp of what you are covering this week and how best to cover it. So it’s time to put the curriculum resources aside again. Read at least the focal passage in a few different translations (the Internet and Bible apps make this so easy these days). When I study, I like to use the CSB, ESV, NASB, and at least one paraphrase that is more thought-for-thought like the NIV. This is also a great time to read through some commentaries on the passage, especially if anything is not quite clear to you. Even if you are studying an aspect that you are pretty sure you will not cover with your kids, it is important you dig into it so that you have the confidence you need—and you never know where the Holy Spirit might guide the conversation with your kids.

FRIDAY: Collect supplies. It’s time to get practical and collect the supplies that you will need for the session. As you do, review the activity, game, or craft that the supplies are for to be sure you understand it and how those supplies will work.

SATURDAY: Review and connect. Spend some time reviewing the session, focusing on any rougher spots that you are not as comfortable with. Try to touch base with your kids and/or their families to share that you are looking forward to seeing them the next day.

SUNDAY: Rely on God. Be sure to get a good night’s rest and wake up with plenty of time for your morning routine. As you go through your morning ritual, pray for your session and each kid by name. Arrive on time, ready to greet your kids and their families and then enjoy watching God use your time of preparation for His glory.

Brian Dembowczyk served in the local church ministry for over 16 years. 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 family live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Fun, Sunday School, Teaching Kids

August 20, 2021

Fun Friday: The Gospel Project Activity Page

By Kids Ministry 101

Download this free Activity Page for preschoolers from The Gospel Project for Kids! Learn more and get free samples of The Gospel Project’s Fall 2021 curriculum at https://www.gospelproject.com/kids/.

Kids Ministry, Sunday School, Teaching Kids

December 28, 2020

Have I Got the Perfect Illustration!

By Brian Dembowczyk

You have it! The perfect illustration. It’s fun. It’s memorable. You can pull it off. It’s absolutely perfect.

Now what?

You might feel tempted to force that illustration into your next kids lesson no matter what. Or perhaps even to design a talk around it. It’s so good!

Don’t.

I know you mean well and you are excited about the potential impact of the illustration, but we cannot allow illustrations to drive our teaching. God’s Word, and God’s Word alone, should do that. Illustrations illustrate core truths of the Bible. Don’t flip this and make the Bible illustrate an illustration. Beyond that, if you force the illustration where it doesn’t really fit, you lessen its impact. Don’t turn that “10” illustration into a “7” or “8” because the connection is shaky.

So what do you do? Add it to your database.

You don’t have a database of illustrations? Then this is the time to start. It’s one of the easier things you can do in ministry, but it has a huge payoff.

First, choose the medium for your database. You could go the simple route and use a word processing document or spreadsheet. Or, you can go the more elaborate route and use an app like Evernote. Then, you have the over-the-top route of an app like Scrivener that would also help you write your lessons, sermons, and so forth, too.

Once you have your medium, start dropping in all of the illustrations, jokes, quotes, and stories you have jotted down on sticky notes through the years. Beyond that, consider spending some time searching the Internet for more. Just be sure to attribute the sources.

You will also want to create a tagging system to make it easy to find the illustration you need. Create tags based on themes—e.g. money, anger, family, Christmas—and also Bible passage. If you are using a word processing app or spreadsheet, you might just want to put each tag in brackets and then search the document or sheet for that bracketed tag, such as “[love]”. If you use an app like Evernote or Scrivener, the ability to tag is built right in.

Once your database is built and going, you would then add content as you come across it. This is when it would help if the database is accessible on your smartphone. If you see an illustration, you can open it right up and drop it in.

When you use an item from the database, make a note of the date it was used so you avoid reusing the same content repeatedly. If you teach or speak to different groups, you might want to also add a note of how well the content worked in your talk. That might help you refine it and make it even better for the next time.

One final note is worth mentioning: sometimes the best illustration is the one you don’t use. There are times when an illustration—any illustration—actually hinders teaching rather than helping it. For example, any illustration attempting to explain the Triune nature of God is going to hurt more than it helps. They all quickly and easily lapse into theological error. Using any of them—eggs, water, roles of a man—will make a wrong teaching of the Trinity clear. Exactly what we don’t want: error sticking in the minds of our kids. Illustrations often help, but not always. Sometimes it is best to let the more challenging teachings of God be a little more challenging.

Brian Dembowczyk is the managing editor for The Gospel Project. He served in local church ministry for over 16 years before coming to Lifeway. 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 family live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Encouragement, Fun, Kids Ministry, Sunday School

June 18, 2019

Show Your Volunteers You Appreciate Them

By Heidi Brookens

Use these fun ideas to show your volunteers you appreciate them! Click links below to download PDFs.

Autumn Tea Party

Download invitations

Ginger Cider Break

Download invitations

Donut Bar

Download invitations

Kids Ministry, Sunday School

June 11, 2019

Fun Father’s Day Craft for Kids

By Heidi Brookens

Father’s Day is almost here and we have a fun DIY Father’s Day coupon book for kids to give their dad! Print out the instructions and a coupon book for each child. You’ll find a full-color version and a black and white version (where kids can get creative and color it themselves).

Instructions

Full-color coupon book

Black & white coupon book

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Sunday School, Volunteers

April 9, 2019

Volunteer Appreciation Ideas

By Heidi Brookens

Use these fun ideas to show your volunteers you appreciate them! Click links below to download PDFs.

You make our Kids Ministry sparkle!

Download tags
Instructions:
- Attach to a can or a bottle of chilled sparkling water and deliver to each volunteer

You are all that and a bag of chips!

Download tags
Instructions:
- Attach each tag to a bag of chips and hand-deliver to every volunteer

When it comes to teaching kids, you really take the cake!

Download tags
Instructions:
- Cut out, attach to snack cakes, and deliver to volunteers

Kids Ministry, Resources, Sunday School

March 21, 2019

Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day

By Joy Fisher

It’s March 21: World Down Syndrome Day! All over the world, people will be decked out in cool T-shirts and brightly-colored socks to raise awareness for the rights, inclusion, and well being of people with Down syndrome.

Today is a great day to remember that differently-abled children will be much better equipped to make the life-changing decision to become Christians when churches open their doors, arms, and hearts to them and their families. Special Buddies can help!

Special Buddies is designed for children in grades 1-6 who have intellectual and developmental special needs. It is part of the Bible Studies for Life curriculum line. One of the primary differences about Special Buddies is that a new Bible story is introduced every other week instead of every week. This enables kids to learn and grow at a gentle (and individualized) pace, allowing time for extended activities or repetition of meaningful activities over the two-week span.

A child with any of the following characteristics can thrive in an environment where the Special Buddies curriculum is taught:
• a child who would benefit from remaining in the same classroom with familiar teachers for several years in a row
• a child with social limitations
• a child who has minimal reading, writing, and verbal communication skills
• a child who needs individual attention and assistance to complete hands-on activities
• a child who is unable to tolerate typical classroom noise
• a child who requires an adapted physical environment

Special Buddies is versatile. Try one of these methods:
• Implement it in a self-contained classroom comprised of children with special needs.
• Use it with an individual child who receives one-on-one care at church while parents attend Bible study.
• Plug it in as a supplemental resource for a child with special needs who attends a typically-graded Bible study group but responds well to modified lessons and individualized attention.

Want to learn more? Visit TeachKids@Lifeway.com or contact William.Summey@lifeway.com for a free sample.

Register now for our Special Buddies Giveaway on March 25! You will have until 8 a.m. on 3/25 to follow this link and register here

To learn about Special Friends VBS, follow this link

Joy Fisher is Content Editor of Bible Studies for Life Special Buddies. Her 20-year-old son, Samuel, has Down syndrome.

Bible Study, Sunday School, Teaching Kids

March 4, 2019

Why Prepare? Is it really all that important?

By Bill Emeott

In 1 Corinthians 14:40 we read, “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” I’m convinced that the time we have with kids at church should be fitting and orderly. That certainly includes Bible study. After all, if it’s worth doing (and teaching kids the Bible is definitely worth doing) then it’s worth doing right! Preparation is the key. Here are five reasons why weekly preparation is important and vital to your success.

Preparation allows you the opportunity to hear from God. I’ve often said that God wants to speak to the kids in your class from the overflow of what He’s teaching you in your heart. Spiritual and biblical preparation allows God to use your “comings and goings” to bring the biblical text you’re teaching to life. No prep equals no opportunity for God to teach you. You’ll teach better when you’ve prepared the biblical content and taken the time to pray and meditate on the passage you’re teaching. Then, you’ll be teaching from the overflow.
Preparation ensures that you’ll accomplish your goals. It’s been said, (and I agree), “If you don’t know where you’re going, you won’t know if you get there.” Preparation helps you understand your session goals and gives you a path for which to teach toward and meet those goals.
Preparation says, “This is important.” We give time (or make time) for what we believe is important. What could be more important than teaching kids God’s story for them? We all live busy lives but giving prep time for your weekly Bible teaching needs to be a priority. Kids will notice, parents will notice, and you will notice.
Preparation cuts down on behavior problems. Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “A failure to plan is a plan to fail.” I would elaborate on that by saying a failure to plan almost always is a recipe for disaster. If you don’t have a plan, kids do… and it usually doesn’t include a biblical application.
Preparation reduces stress and allows you to sense the work of the Holy Spirit and join Him during your session. When you adequately prepare and are ready for the kids the minute they enter the room, you’ll be open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit at work around you. Often times God is at work around us but we’re too distracted by our lack of preparation to notice. Don’t miss the “still small voice” because you failed to prepare.

The best session is a prepared session. The best teacher is a prepared teacher. Be the best you can be. Offer to your kids the best you can give and they deserve. Practice the gift of preparation.

Here’s a prayer I dare you to pray: “Lord, bless me according to my preparation.”

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Sunday School

February 26, 2019

See, Show, Share, and Compare Lifeway Kids Curriculum

By Chuck Peters

Comparing Lifeway Kids curriculum resources is easier than ever thanks to a brand new collection of easy-access resource guides available online now at teachkids.lifeway.com. The new TeachKids webpage lets you quickly and easily see, show, share, and compare leader guide samples, scope-and-sequence study plans, and the underlying philosophy-of-ministry frameworks for Bible Studies for Life: Kids, Explore the Bible Kids and The Gospel Project for Kids. These fast and simple samples are formatted as digital flipbooks that you can instantly review, reference, compare, and share using your smartphone or computer without filling out a form or downloading files.

Curriculum Sampler

Each resource includes a digital flipbook that lets you instantly flip through curriculum samples for Kids and Preschool versions, including teacher guides, activity pages, family resources, and worship options so you can examine and evaluate each resource on-demand. Pages inside each flipbook contain embedded links that connect you directly to product pages on lifeway.com where you can see product details and prices.

Study Plan

Quick access to Study Plan flipbooks allows you to quickly assess the scope and sequence of each resource so you can know exactly what kids and preschoolers will study throughout each three-year study cycle. Here you’ll find suggested use dates, the key Scripture passages for each session, and volume, unit and Bible story titles.

Framework

Each Lifeway Kids curriculum resource is informed by an underlying philosophical framework that influences the writing and editing of every session. These frameworks are not curriculum; they are foundational approaches to teaching biblical truth to kids that are designed to inform teachers and parents of the learning strategies upon which each resource is built. Once you determine which of these three distinct approaches to teaching you prefer, you will have an easy time choosing the curriculum resource that aligns with your preferred philosophy. Details on each of these frameworks as well as printables, apps, and training videos are available free from Lifeway Kids.

Bible Studies for Life: Kids is based on the Levels of Biblical Learning®; a scholarly guide based on the idea that kids learn and comprehend concepts differently as they grow in maturity, therefore, we must teach biblical truths in well informed age-appropriate ways. The Levels of Biblical Learning outlines how children can best understand 10 different biblical concepts at different age levels.

Check out the Levels of Biblical Learning flipbook now at http://teachkids.lifeway.com/bsfl-framework/ or view the Levels of Biblical Learning details page at http://LifeWay.com/LOBL

Bible Skills for Kids is all about the promotion of biblical literacy and Bible familiarity and informs the Explore the Bible Kids resource. Bible Skills for Kids identifies various Bible skills that children can grasp and master at various stages of development, such as identifying Old and New Testament books, memorizing the books of the Bible, matching people in the Bible to the book in which they appear, and memorizing a wide range of scripture verses.

Check out the Bible Skills for Kids flipbook now at http://teachkids.lifeway.com/etb-framework/ or view the Bible Skills for Kids details page at http://LifeWay.com/bibleskillsforkids

Big Picture Questions and Answers for Kids undergirds the Gospel Project for Kids. It outlines 76 theological concepts in six overarching categories formatted using a systematic easy-to-understand question-and-answer approach and includes a “Seeing Jesus in the Bible” section that explains how the whole Bible is one big story that’s all about Jesus and the Gospel. Check out the Big Picture Questions and Answers for Kids flipbook now at http://teachkids.lifeway.com/tgp-framework/ or view the Big Picture Questions and Answers details page at http://LifeWay.com/BPQA

The Quiz

If you want help determining which resource best matches your personal study style you can take the What Kind of Kids Minister Are You? quiz. This 5-question quiz helps direct you to the resource that teaches the way you like to teach.

The new TeachKids webpage was designed with you in mind, making it easier than ever to compare curriculum samples, study plans and foundational frameworks for Bible Studies for Life: Kids, Explore the Bible Kids, and The Gospel Project for Kids. Now you can see, show, share and compare these trustworthy resources from one easy-to-find place: TeachKids.LifeWay.com. Check it out today and share the link with your teachers, volunteers and partners in ministry as you evaluate which Lifeway Kids curriculum you’ll choose to use.