Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples
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Trevin Wax, Lifeway’s Bible and Reference Publisher and managing editor of The Gospel Project, joins us on this episode to talk about why bible reading is often viewed as a difficult task and how we can raise kids to love God’s Word and discover Bible reading as an act of worship and obedience, not as an act of obligation.
Yesterday we looked at the purpose and history of Bible Drill. Today we will look at what Bible Drill will look like in 2017-18, but first, let’s talk about how Bible Drill has changed.
How has Bible Drill changed?
Ask experienced Bible Drill leaders about the biggest changes, and they will say the versions of the Bible have changed over the years. Currently, we are entering another time of transition as Bible Drill changes from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) version to the new 2017 Christian Standard Bible (CSB). HCSB Drill Bibles are set to go out of print when current stock runs out, and the new CSB Drill Bibles will release on August 1. The King James Version of the Bible has remained a consistent option through the years and will continue to be offered.
Bible Drill 2017-18
Lifeway recommends that churches finish the 2017-18 Red Cycle Drill year with the HCSB. You can see all the Red Cycle products HERE. New resources featuring the CSB will release with an updated Blue Cycle in May 2018 and Green Cycle in May 2019. Check with your local state convention to see their plans for the 2018 Drills.
What products does Lifeway offer?
Lifeway offers the following resources to help churches prepare for Bible Drill:
The BSDT Leader Guide comes with a helpful CD filled with printables to make your teaching easier. You also have the option to purchase Verse Cards, Activity Books, and a Digital Leader Pack with extra printables to support each volume. Although children in Grades 1-3 don’t formally drill in association and state drills, they will learn foundational Bible skills and 12 of the 25 Bible Drill verses.
Bible Drill Competition Guide — For churches who start Bible Drill later in the year or want to focus only on the books and divisions of the Bible and the 25 verses each year, we have the Bible Drill Competition Guide. All three years of Bible Drill activities are together in this one volume.
King James Version Verse Cards
Holman Christian Standard Bible Verse Cards
Verse cards are a must for kids studying for Children’s Bible Drill! Verse Cards contain all 25 verses that children will memorize and locate in their Bibles, including the portion of the verse they will be given in the completion portion of the Drill. (Children are given the underlined portion of the verse and must complete the remainder of the verse from memory). Verse Cards also contain the 10 Key Passages for which children must learn titles and references and be able to locate in their Bibles.
Getting Started
No matter the size of your group, you can start a Bible Drill program! For more information, contact your association or state convention so that you know the rules in your area. Your kids will be forever blessed by this opportunity to hide God’s Word in their hearts!
William Summey is the Publishing Team Leader for ParentLife, kids devotionals, and short-term products. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt University. William lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Christy, and two boys.
Bible Drill is a tradition in my family. Not only did my wife and I grow up competing in Bible Drill, our two sons also participated. Bible Drill is an important part of our churches and state conventions, and at Lifeway, we are proud to contribute by providing resources that churches can use to prepare for their state drills. Read on for a closer look at the history and future of this time-honored tradition!
What is the purpose of Children’s Bible Drill?
Children’s Bible Drill is a discipleship program for children (grades 4-6) with a long history of helping churches be intentional about developing Bible skills to aid in turning our kids into passionate followers of Christ. The goal of Bible Drill is to help children increase in their knowledge of the Bible by
Getting children excited about and comfortable with using the Bible lays a foundation for the study of God’s Word as they continue to grow. The techniques used in Bible Drill will stay with children for the rest of their lives.
How did Children’s Bible Drill begin?
Bible Drill has a long history. In fact, we don’t know exactly when it started In the earliest days of our country, children learned to read in order to read the Bible, so it only makes sense that kids were taught to quickly find passages in the Bible. Through personal correspondence, we have written evidence of what were often referred to as “Sword Drills” as early as the 1890s!
By the mid-twentieth century, Baptist churches, and then state conventions, organized what we now call Bible Drill. I have talked personally with people who were involved in youth Bible Drills in Texas and North Carolina in the 1950s. Children’s Bible Drill seemed to arise naturally out of youth drill and became commonplace in the 1960s. Church and state convention Bible Drill leaders brought the need for standardized materials to Lifeway, and we started producing curriculum at their request as part of Discipleship Training in the 1970’s and Children’s Bible Drill products in the 1980’s.
Today each state has its own guidelines for Children’s Bible Drill. Lifeway tries to meet the needs of these churches and states with products preparing children for drill. You can find your local association and state convention by searching here: http://www.sbc.net/stateconventionsearch.
What about middle school and high school youth?
Many states also have a youth Bible Drill and a high school Bible Drill that go deeper into Scripture knowledge and Bible skills and offer a speakers’ tournament, where entrants write and deliver 4-6 minute speeches on selected topics. Each year, these age groups also have a tournament, where state winners from across the USA compete for a national title. You can find out more about this competition annually at https://nationalbibledrill.wordpress.com.
What will 2017-18 Bible Drill look like? Great question! Check out Bible Drill Part 2 on Wednesday for the latest information!
William Summey is the Publishing Team Leader for ParentLife, kids devotionals, and short-term products. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt University. William lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Christy, and two boys.
Ten seconds. What can be done in ten seconds? Can you make a bed? Can you wash the dishes? Can you pay bills? Is there anything you can do in ten seconds that will impact the rest of your life? The ministry of Bible Drill helps children memorize Scripture and learn Bible skills. Over a span of three years, children learn seventy-five verses, sixty-six books of the Bible, and the location of thirty key passages Then, they are able to recite the Scripture and locate the books of the Bible and key passages all within ten seconds.
As I reflect over the years I’ve been involved in Bible Drill (as a child and an adult), I’m reminded of four ways the Lord has used this ministry in my life.
I’m thankful for the ministry of Bible drill. The impact in my life has been far greater than ten seconds. Scripture teaches us “The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (CSB)
Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with Lifeway Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.
What’s in a name? A whole lot! Think of how much parents tend to spend time picking a name for their child. They want options, and they try to find just the right fit for how they imagine their little one will be!
In the same way, you are particular about the name for your children’s ministry and activities at church. You want those names to communicate to the families in your church about the end result—that you are making children who are growing followers of Christ.
We have thought a lot about children’s discipleship and have recently re-launched our brand: TeamKID. TeamKID communicates a lot in and of itself. Each week there is a team theme, complete with coaches and lots of fun activities.
But what kind of team? That is hidden right in our name. KID stands for Kids in Discipleship! We want to be a midweek, Sunday night, or summer fun offering for your church that takes the kids deeper in their knowledge of and relationship with Jesus.
And this year, we want to Go Vertical! What do you think of when you hear that someone “went vertical”? You can hear announcers and fans talk about athletes going vertical to indicate they jumped their highest while making a tremendous play, whether a volleyball player blocking a shot, a basketball player’s amazing slam dunk, or a football player making a remarkable leap in catching the ball.
We love the name Going Vertical for the next TeamKID as a sports connection but also to imply the importance of growing closer to God (so a vertical connection with God) through studying His Word and in fellowship with others.
This year’s theme is a kid-friendly study of the Bible itself. Kids today are growing up in a culture where the Bible isn’t revered as a holy book, where they’re made fun of for believing truths that go against the grain of popular thought. Going Vertical will help kids understand the makeup and message of the Bible and why it’s important.
We hope that you will join us for this journey deeper in His Word and going vertical in our relationship with God!
William Summey is the Publishing Team Leader for ParentLife, kids devotionals, and short-term products. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt University. William lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Christy, and two boys.
For quite some time I’ve been thinking about the importance and value of teaching Bible skills to kids. In a previous blog titled “Why Bible Skills,” I shared why I think we need to be actively teaching Bible skills in order to change the trend of biblical illiteracy that has engulfed the current generation. I’m sure that understanding how to use the Bible is key to having a desire to read the Bible.
Recently, I had the opportunity to lead a training session titled Connecting the Dots: Bible Skills for Kids. We were fortunate to have that session recorded and edited for folks to view, reference, and use as part of their ministry’s on-going training.
Go online HERE and register to receive access to the free training then download the Bible Skills for Kids document to use while viewing the session. You’ll also find a listening sheet that goes along with the training that can be downloaded.
I hope you’ll join me in this crusade to change the trend. Together we can equip kids with the skills necessary to seek God daily through His written Word.
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.
Have you ever played, “Which One is Not Like the Others”? The title of this post may remind you of that game. Some of you may be thinking that “the Easter bunny” doesn’t belong in the list. Others may say that “the cross” shouldn’t be in the lineup.
Regardless of your perspective, churches are confronted this time of year with the question, “What do we do about preschoolers, the Easter bunny, and the cross?” The answer depends in part on your church’s context.
If hosting a community Easter egg hunt will help advance your church’s mission to make disciples, then maybe you should consider having one.
Some preschoolers learn about Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection at home. Others have never really heard how Jesus showed His love toward us by dying on the cross and being raised from the dead.
Easter can be a fun, celebratory, and memorable time at church and at home. Encourage parents to keep the cross and the bunny separate, and remind them that building spiritual foundations in their preschoolers’ lives takes time and needs to happen everyday, not just on Easter.
Landry Holmes is the Manager of Lifeway Kids Ministry Publishing, Nashville, TN. A graduate of Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Landry served on church staffs before coming to Lifeway. He is a church leader, writer, workshop facilitator, and publisher. Landry also teaches children at his church in Middle Tennessee. He and his wife Janetta are the parents of two adult sons and two daughters-in-law.
Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with author Brian Dembowczyk about his new book, Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry.
WS: Who did you have in mind when you wrote Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry?
BD: Kids pastors, ministers, and directors are the most natural audiences, but this is not a book just for them. I hope senior pastors would also read this book so they can embrace an enlarged vision for kids ministry. We need pastors to champion our kids ministries. At the same time, kids teachers and leaders in the trenches would benefit from reading it as well. That is one of the reasons we included questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each main section—we hope that this book serves as a helpful team-building resource.
WS: Why do we need another kids ministry book?
BD: I hope that this book stands out in how it encourages and motivates churches to raise the bar for kids ministry. I am concerned that while churches won’t say this, many act as if kids ministry is about keeping kids entertained while mixing in some good Bible teaching.
There’s nothing wrong with our kids having fun and certainly Bible teaching is critical, but I have to believe that God’s plan is far greater than that! I believe that God sees our kids as an essential part of the church right now—not just as the church of tomorrow. Our kids ministries need to reflect that. We need to grasp the weightiness of our kids ministries and remember that we are training our kids as missionaries in their context right now. I hope that Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry casts a compelling vision of what that looks like.
WS: What is the main idea of the book?
BD: Our kids desperately need the gospel. We need to teach our kids the fullness and beauty of the gospel in age-appropriate ways without watering it down and position them to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit as He transforms them by the gospel and sends them out to join Christ on His mission right now. This is what I believe we have missed too often resulting in the staggering dropout rate and rampant legalistic Christian moralism in the church.
WS: What are the distinctives of a gospel-centered ministry?
BD: There are five core distinctives of a gospel-centered ministry, which provide the basic structure of the book.
WS: What is your hope for this book?
BD: I almost walked away from the church in college because I grew up in a legalistic Christian moralism context. My hope is that kids leaders and pastors read this book and do whatever they can to anchor their ministries on the gospel so that no kid walks away again—because they see the beauty of Christ and want to follow Him with joy no matter what.
Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry is available for purchase HERE!
William Summey is the Publishing Team Leader for ParentLife, kids devotionals, and short-term products. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt University. William lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Christy, and two boys.
I thought this would be a fun article to write since this very thing seems to happen to me more often than most people. Maybe it’s just me, but I seem to get quite the odd collection of random questions from kids in my ministry. Just the other day I was reminiscing with some coworkers about myself as a preteen and have decided that many of these questions come my way because I myself asked many odd questions to my leaders. Take, for instance, this little gem. “So, if God and Jesus are the same, and Jesus was with God when the earth was created, why didn’t Jesus tell anybody the earth was round when He was here?” I honestly have no recollection of how my leader answered, but I’m sure he could have used some of this advice.
When your kids ask you questions that you cannot answer here are some tips for responding.
Kids are going to ask questions lots of times that you may not be prepared to answer, or feel qualified to answer. It’s OK for you to be you and tell them that’s something you struggle with too, or that you need some time to help answer their questions. Sometimes that might be all they need to hear.
Tim Pollard teaches 3rd 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.
I am very excited about the release of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). Today the release was made “official” in Lifeway Kids ongoing Bible study curriculum lines. Starting with our spring releases you’ll notice the use of the CSB in Bible Studies for Life, Explore the Bible, and The Gospel Project.
I want to share some quick FAQs and links to help answer your questions and get you started well with the CSB.
Why has Lifeway created a new translation? The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a revision of the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), updating translation and word choices in order to improve on the HCSB’s balance of faithfulness and clarity, as well as to enhance the shareability of the translation to new Christians or those reading the Bible for the first time. At Lifeway we are committed to improving the translation based on advances in biblical scholarship and input from Bible scholars, pastors, and readers. Taking each of these factors into consideration, the Christian Standard Bible has improved on the HCSB’s faithfulness to the original text and clarity for a modern audience.
What is the difference between the HCSB and the CSB? There are five major differences between the HCSB and the CSB. They are:
This page elaborates on these specific differences.
When can we get actual copies of the CSB for our kids? There are two kids Bibles releasing this month CSB Big Picture Interactive Bible and the CSB Kids Bible. The CSB Read to Me Bible will release in August. Other Bibles editions (not specific for kids) have been released and more will come in the days ahead. CLICK HERE to sign up for notifications regarding releases.
The CSB is available online but last week I went ahead and downloaded the free app (iTunes or Google Play) so that I could have it with me all the time.
Tell me more! Have more questions? CLICK HERE to find answers to more frequently asked questions.
By the way … Lifeway’s VBS resources will make the change to CSB in 2018 and the change in children’s Bible Drill will affect the 2019 drills.
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.
