The Gospel Project for Kids

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Levels of Biblical Learning, Preschoolers, Sunday School

July 1, 2016

The Gospel Project for Preschoolers and the Levels of Biblical Learning

Welcome guest blogger, Karen Jones:

We are in a season of change over here in Nashville at the Lifeway corporate headquarters. Solid walls and office doors are a thing of the past, and those of us on the Lifeway Kids team are learning the joys of cubicle life. Bill Emeott recently stopped in his tracks as he walked by my cubicle and saw a Levels of Biblical Learning poster hanging on one of my cubicle walls. Why was he so surprised to see this staple of Lifeway Kids Ministry Publishing on display in my workspace? Because I am the Preschool Content Editor for The Gospel Project for Kids.

The Gospel Project for Kids has a reputation for taking a little different approach from the other Lifeway Kids curriculum family members. We tackle Bible stories that others tend to avoid for preschoolers. We jump at the chance to teach little ones bigger words and deeper theological concepts, but as is the case with most families, despite our differences we share many of the same characteristics.

Think of a puzzle. Some people find all the corners and edge pieces first. Then work on filling in the middle by assembling one section at a time. Other people dump all the pieces out and dive in. Either way, the puzzle gets assembled. The Levels of Biblical Learning teaches preschoolers biblical concepts in a way that builds and gives them what they need as they need it. The Gospel Project for Preschoolers believes in introducing preschoolers to deep truths at an earlier age than usual so they will have a framework in place when they are ready to put those truths together. Either way, kids learn that the Bible tells that God sent a Savior to rescue people from sin.

I have been using Lifeway preschool and children’s curriculum for more than 15 years, so I am no stranger to the Levels of Biblical Learning. I know the Levels of Biblical Learning were thoughtfully crafted by experienced educators, so when I am struggling with how to word something in a way preschoolers can understand, I often turn around and look at my Levels of Biblical Learning poster for direction and inspiration. I will often ask editors serving on other teams who use The Levels of Biblical Learning daily for their feedback on age-appropriateness, hear how they treat a certain Bible story, or get advice on activities.

So while The Gospel Project for Kids is not designed around the Levels of Biblical Learning, it is certainly informed by it. We may have a slightly different methodology, but we have the same aim: to see kids transformed by the life-changing truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Karen Jones is the preschool content editor for The Gospel Project for Kids. Karen came to Lifeway in 2014 with over 15 years experience in preschool and children’s ministry. Karen earned an M.A. in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Karen loves living minutes from downtown Nashville and teaching preschoolers at Immanuel Church.

Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Kids Ministry Curriculum, Leadership, Parent Helps, Parenting, Sunday School

June 8, 2016

Helping Kids Use Those Family Resources

By Tim Pollard

If you are like me, you find it difficult sometimes to have those family devotion times together. Life sometimes gets in the way, but it is always easy for you to connect with your family, even if for a few minutes each night.

My church uses Explore the Bible as their main teaching curriculum each week. With Explore the Bible my children come home each week with a Family Card that has an object that my kids learned about in class and the card also has three content related questions that will help us connect to the content they studied. This card is also helpful for my children who can use it to remember the Bible story they heard in class that morning.

If your church is using another Lifeway Kids curriculum line, each comes with a family resource page that will help you connect with your kids about what they studied. Bible Studies For Life has a One Conversation page that gives parents and kids a common point of conversation between what mom and dad studied and the study your kids learned about when they were in church that same day. Bible Studies For Life also has a fun new resource called Take-Home Cards. These neat cards have fun facts and trivia about Bible people, places, and things that kids can use to quiz parents about their own Bible knowledge.

The Gospel Project has an activity page that goes home each week that contains suggestions for a family time that connects with what everyone in the family studied that day. These pages give a point of connection for the entire family if your church uses The Gospel Project for the entire family.

Each of these lines also comes with an app you can download which will give your kids learning activities and games they can play to continue their learning at home. No matter what Lifeway Kids resource you use, there is a family element that is integrated into that resource. If you notice your kids are not bringing home some of those resources, connect with your kids ministry leader and ask about helping your family connect.

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.

Kids Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Sunday School

March 18, 2016

Finding Jesus in the Shadows of the Old Testament

By Kids Ministry 101

The Bible is one big story of Jesus, but we have to be careful to resist the temptation to find Jesus in every single detail of the Old Testament—which would mean we are then reading the Bible as allegory, where the basic meaning of the text is set-aside for a hidden, often mysterious meaning underneath of it.

So how do we show that all of the Bible is about Jesus without going too far? Here are four ways to see Jesus in the Old Testament correctly.

Messianic Prophecies
When most people think of where Jesus is in the Old Testament, this is what they think of. Messianic prophecies can be considered the clearest and safest way to see Jesus in the Old Testament because they are affirmed in the New Testament.

EXAMPLE: The prophecy of the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) is affirmed in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-35.

Images of Jesus
God gave us a multitude of pictures that foreshadow Jesus in the Old Testament. Unlike prophecies, these images do not point directly to something about the life and ministry of Jesus (such as the virgin birth), but they do reveal part of God’s plan for Jesus. Many Old Testament images of Jesus are affirmed in the New Testament, but not all are. Be careful when you come across what you believe is an image of Jesus that is not supported in the New Testament. Make sure there is a clear, biblically sound, connection to Jesus. Also, do not minimize the importance of the straight-forward meaning of the Old Testament account.

EXAMPLE: Abraham’s test to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22) is a picture of God sacrificing His Son, Jesus.

Gospel Truths
Many passages do not point directly to Jesus, but indirectly by clarifying the core nature of the gospel and our need for and God’s provision of Jesus. At times, we see how deeply sin has ruined us and the helplessness of our sin condition. At other times, we see God’s holiness, purity, grace, mercy, and kindness. Still at other times, we see what a right relationship with God can look like. All of these help us to develop a Christ-centered theology of the gospel.

EXAMPLE: The law shows us our inability to meet God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:20).

Redemptive History
We cannot forget that the Bible is a book of history. God promised Adam and Eve that someone was coming (the Messiah, Jesus) who would crush Satan. Much of the Old Testament advances this narrative and leads us directly to the manger in Bethlehem, the cross on Calvary, and the empty tomb in the garden.

EXAMPLE: The establishment of the kingdom point us to King Jesus who was coming.

Brian Dembowczyk is the team leader for The Gospel Project for Kids. Brian earned an M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Brian, his wife and their three children live in Murfreesboro, TN, where Brian enjoys drinking coffee and teaching 1st-3rd graders at City Church.

Kids Ministry, kids101

June 17, 2015

5 Reasons to Go Back to the Beginning with The Gospel Project for Kids

By Kids Ministry 101

by Brian Dembowczyk

So you’re about to wrap up your three-year journey through the Bible using The Gospel Project® for Kids and are wondering if you should roll into the new three-year cycle or not. Here are five reasons to go back to the beginning and start on another three-year journey through the Bible using The Gospel Project:

Repetition aids in learning. That is why athletes and musicians practice over and over again. You cannot pick up a golf club or violin and master it in an afternoon. It takes hours, weeks, and years of repetition. It’s the same way for the Bible. It takes reading and studying stories many times to fully understand them.
Your kids are now at different developmental stages. Let’s say that you have a third grader who was a kindergartener when she began the first journey through the Bible. That means she learned about creation and covenants when she was still learning how to read. Studying them again now as a 3rd grader will be a completely different experience for her.
There are new stories to learn. While many of the same stories will be covered in the new three-year plan, many others will be brand new—especially when we get to the New Testament letters. But even the stories that we covered the first time will include all new activities, videos, and music making them fresh for the kids and your leaders.
The Gospel Project is better than ever. The new Babies and Toddlers leader guide will get your smallest ones learning, and the new-look preschool videos will really help preschoolers connect with the Bible stories and songs. Family discussion and activity ideas on the activity pages, a new missions emphasis in the worship hour, and so many other improvements should help you point your kids to Christ even better than you did the first time.
The Gospel transforms. I saved the best reason for last. Rolling into the new three-year cycle of The Gospel Project means that your kids once again will hear the gospel message every week for the next three years. And that is precisely what they need to hear. The gospel is what saves and transforms. There is no better way that you can equip your kids for a lifetime of following Jesus than to implant the gospel deep, deep within their hearts.

Brian Dembowczyk is the team leader for The Gospel Project for Kids. He served in local church ministry before coming to Lifeway in 2014. He and his wife, Tara, and their three children live in Murfreesboro, TN, where Brian enjoys drinking coffee and teaching 1st-3rd graders at City Church.

Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Preschool, Resources, Small Groups

March 30, 2015

Share the Story of Redemption through This 5-Minute Video

By Cristy Whitlock

I read a fact one time that stated the average adult must hear the gospel seven times before making a faith decision. If this is true, we must never waste an opportunity to share Jesus. The gospel will never be boring or repetitive. It will always be the greatest love story, the greatest rescue, the greatest message for humanity, the greatest need for restless souls. When I watch the newest content from The Gospel Project, I’m reminded of the power of the gospel and overwhelmed with excitement for kids who will hear and grasp ahold of grace. Watch the video below to see how all of Scripture points to Jesus. Let yourself get wrapped up in the story of redemption, and then go share it with others.

Missions

March 3, 2014

Raising Kids to Care About Missions

By Jana Magruder

How can we equip kids to obey Christ in working to fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus gave in Matthew 28:18-20? Alyssa Jones shares three ways to do just that. — Jana Magruder

The Great Commission is still a work in progress. According to the U.S. Center for World Mission’s Joshua Project, 2.91 billion people in the world are considered “unreached.” Unreached is defined as “a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group.”

People die every day not knowing the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the consequences are eternal. Pastor John Piper said, “Christians care about all suffering, especially eternal suffering.” The need for believers to go to the nations – to the ends of the world – and share the gospel is urgent.

At the first annual CROSS Conference – a student missions conference in Louisville, Kentucky – evangelical leaders such as John Piper, Thabiti Anyabwile, Michael Oh, Matt Chandler, and David Platt spoke to college students about world missions. The conference was an historical event for mobilizing students to send and go, but what about kids?

How do we raise children to care about world missions? How do we lead kids to be senders or go-ers, bringing the good news about Jesus to the nations? The truths these speakers shared can help us better equip children to become students passionate about Christ and His gospel mission.

1. Teach kids the gospel.

The gospel is the message believers are to take to the nations. The reality of our status before God apart from Christ is bad news. Unbelievers are under the wrath of God. (See Rom. 1:13-18.) This is essential gospel doctrine. Only Jesus turns away God’s wrath. (Rom. 3:25) Make sure kids know the good news about Jesus. (See Rom. 5:8-9)

Thabiti Anyabwile: “If we mitigate the harshness of God’s wrath, we will minimize the urgency of God’s mission.”

Conrad Mwebe: “Jesus purchased our redemption by suffering on the cross as a substitute for sinners to satisfy a holy God.”

2. Help kids treasure Christ.

In Philippians 1:21, the apostle Paul said that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Kids will treasure Christ when they know His greatness and love Him. Any other motivation for missions is doomed to fail. When we truly understand who Christ is and treasure Him, we can joyfully and obediently take the gospel to the nations.

Matt Chandler: “Until Christ is our treasure, any other motivation we have to suffer for him is a fool’s errand.”

Richard Chin: “To take up your cross is to consider it better to die than to live for something other than Jesus.”

3. Motivate kids with “Big God” theology.

God is sovereign over the work of missions. He is our hope for success. We must reject Satan’s lie that obedience to God will make us miserable. We may have a few days of regret over earthly losses, but we will spend eternity rejoicing in God’s work.

Kevin DeYoung: “We have the impossible task of calling dead people to live. It is entirely possible for God.”

Matt Chandler: “When we join God in his plan for His global glory, we get to be a part of the cosmic take-your-kid-to-work day.”

Michael Oh: “Living for Christ does not mean you will miss out. You will gain more. More of Christ.”

For full videos and synopses check out the CROSS Conference resources pages.

Alyssa Jones is a member of Immanuel Church in Nashville. She has served as an editor for Lifeway Kids for five years. She is also a content editor for The Gospel Project for Kids.Alyssa and her husband, Nate, are serious about the gospel. They are expecting their first child in April.

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of Kids Ministry Publishing. Jana brings a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and curriculum writing. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children attend Forest Hills Baptist Church where she teaches The Gospel Project to preteen girls.

Encouragement, Fun, Resources

October 4, 2013

4 Things You Didn’t Realize Kids Love

By Jana Magruder

I’m a mom of 3 and have been working with kids in educational and ministry environments for two decades – but I still find myself amazed sometimes at what kids really love! Here’s what I’ve been discovering lately:

Kids want to be around their parents. I know there are exceptions to this in unhealthy families, but for the most part – kids want to hang out with their parents. Mine are constantly around my husband and me, to the point where we have to intentionally plan time alone. We are cherishing this because those of you who work with teens (or have them at your house) know that they really like their alone time! Encourage your families to enjoy this time of togetherness.
Kids love structure. This may surprise you because we think of kids wanting to be free in their play (and we certainly need to continue to provide free play time). But they also love to be led. I find that my 3 kids fuss at one another less when I get them started in a game or activity. They do their chores with less grumbling when I set goals for them. Give kids a healthy amount of structure.
Kids want to help others. The heart of a child is so precious. Encourage parents to help give them opportunities to serve a needy neighbor, volunteer at an organization that helps the poor, or invite a child who needs a friend over to your house and let your child host a special playdate.
Kids love learning. They may not necessarily want to do their homework, but they do love to learn! With all the special “apps” that are out, kids have access to a plethora of quality information. Try Lifeway apps for kids by searching for Bible Studies for Life (free) in the App Store and The Gospel Project for Kids (1.99) which includes one whole quarter free. Each of these has family devotionals and activities, games, music, and amazing videos. They’ll teach themselves and maybe even YOU a thing or two about Jesus, the Bible, and God’s plan for them.

What are some surprising things you’ve noticed about what kids love?

Leadership, Media, Resources

September 26, 2013

Another Tool

By Cristy Whitlock

Being a better dad is sort of like filling a toolbox.

When I first got married back in the…well…another decade, I remember that, in the midst of the gifts of crystal bowls, everyday china, and toaster(s) was one gift aimed primarily at me. It was a toolbox. I actually owned a few tools at the onset, but over time, when needs would arise, I would go out and purchase the needed tool until my toolbox had just about everything I needed for day-to-day maintenance in my home.

This is sort of what the process of being a good parent is like. When we have children we, for the most part, have an empty tool box. Many have things passed down from their parents, but most of us have to start filling that thing up with our own tools. Like a real tool box, there is always that unique challenge that requires us to go and find that special tool or skill that we can put in from time to time. Parenting tools are need for the day-to-day maintenance of our lives.

As a follower of Christ, my responsibility as a parent also extends into my role as a potential brother-in-Christ to my children. In other words, we can acknowledge that parents should give their kids skills for the general life ahead, but do we also consider that they have to equip them now for the more specific journey with Jesus? Paul calls it a race, (Hebrews 12:1-3) because a walk with Jesus implies a different pace and purpose than just getting through life.

Here’s the challenge. Though churches are critical in the process, parents or guardians also have to take the lead in the day-to-day nurturing in the life of a child. This is how a lasting impact is made. If I were going to pick one tool of interaction with my kids, apart from sitting down and reading the Bible, I would pick something that would connect with them culturally and would have the potential to be something that I could share with another family. (Don’t neighbors share tools all the time?)

Don’t underestimate the power of a great family-app. It’s akin to that $250 rechargeable all-purpose power tool that everyone needs. A family app provides a great way for families to interact with Scripture, with each other, and, if planned well, with content that stems from lessons taught in church. If it’s free, it’s also something that you can easily share with a neighbor…or that mom who is sitting in the doctor’s office with her very loud child…or that parent sitting next to you while you wait for your kids rehearsal or practice to end.

Lifeway Family Apps. Tools for your parenting toolbox. Download and open them with your kids. Use them. Share Them.

For information on Bible Studies for Life: Kids Family App, click here.

For information on The Gospel Project for Kids Family App, click here.

Bibles, Leadership, Resources, Sunday School, Training

September 11, 2013

All on the Same Page

By Cristy Whitlock

Although the saying might be a bit cliché, being “all on the same page” is critical in most areas where teamwork is involved. Financial analysts need to be on the same page AND the same column, or their numbers won’t add up. A teacher has to ensure that every student is reading the same content, or the follow-up discussion won’t make sense. A football team has to make sure that every player understands the playbook, or a game could be lost by a few wrong steps.

Why is it that we segment the greatest team to which we all belong? Why do we worship at church, attend a small group or class, or teach a lesson, but make no effort to be “on the same page”? If it’s important in other areas of life, it should be important here. Churches are, in essence, the teams that God has placed in communities across the world.

I fully understand the cultural importance of kids meeting with kids, teens meeting with teens, adult, singles, etc. (And I know that there are some who propose that families should stay together and worship together all of the time…that’s another blog post, perhaps in the future.) I’m not talking about environments. I’m talking about content in our studies or curriculum.

What would it look like if families and members of churches were actually studying the same content? That’s alignment. We would not only be in the same book, God’s Word, we would actually be on the same page! Groups in the church would actually be tackling the same issues, reading the same or related passages, and considering the theological implications of the words on that page!

What if parents didn’t have to ask “What did you learn in church today?” because they already know the answer? Imagine the impact on your family when you begin discussing the day’s passage where you all already know the context. God conversations become deeper. Families become closer, especially if you have these discussions in the home instead of just in the car after church. Curriculum alignment really is, everyone being “on the same page” in every sense of those words. Consider this option for your church, and you’ll see an immediate impact in how your team plays.

Fun

August 15, 2013

Classroom of the Week: Ballardsville Baptist Church

By Katie DeCillo

Starting this week, we’ll begin featuring real kids ministry classrooms on Kids Ministry 101. Send us photos and tell us why you LOVE your classroom and you might get featured on the blog, too!

Today’s post is from Elizabeth Horne, Children’s Minister at Ballardsville Baptist Church in Crestwood, KY.

“This is our Kid’z Zone Children’s Church room where I do the extended session of The Gospel Project with Kindergarten through 2nd grade. This is my favorite room in all of our children’s ministry because everything is so interactive for the kids and brightly colored. They can see the progression of how much they have learned and where we are in our study of the Bible on the timeline map. We post all of the Big Picture questions, teaching pictures, and verses so they can follow each unit. Our kids enjoy having enough room to play the games and interact with each other so we remove all the chairs from the space. I love working with our children and seeing them light up as they learn more of God’s Word.

The Gospel Project has been a blessing to our ministry as it engages our kids in every learning style from audio visual to hands on! Reaching our children with the gospel is a great privilege, and keeping them engaged means keeping them moving through an interactive space that points everything back to the lesson.”

Love your classroom? Send a picture and a short description of why to cristy.whitlock@lifeway.com!

The Gospel Project for Preschoolers and the Levels of Biblical Learning

Helping Kids Use Those Family Resources

Finding Jesus in the Shadows of the Old Testament

5 Reasons to Go Back to the Beginning with The Gospel Project for Kids

Share the Story of Redemption through This 5-Minute Video

Raising Kids to Care About Missions

4 Things You Didn’t Realize Kids Love

Another Tool

All on the Same Page

Classroom of the Week: Ballardsville Baptist Church

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