Month: March 2014

Great Questions for Small Group Discussion

Kathie Phillips
Photo Credit: secretan.com
Photo Credit: secretan.com

 

This past Sunday, I sat in on one of our elementary small groups.  For the next few weeks, I will be coaching one of our leaders on how to effectively lead her group by (1) best utilizing her time – she has 30 minutes, (2) redirecting behavior, and (3) facilitating discussion.  I thought I’d share the highlights of how I encouraged her to facilitate discussion with her group.  I really want to see this leader succeed but she told me, “I really want the children to succeed, too.”

One challenge of teaching elementary children is that there is a good chance that they’ve heard the Bible story that is being taught on any given Sunday.  So how can you make it come alive in fresh, engaging ways?  Since the context of our conversation was pertaining to small groups vs large group teaching time, the question became how can we help these children see and process the story in more meaningful, personal ways?

I gave this sweet leader some tips on how to do this.  When it’s time to review or discuss the Bible story, ask:

  • Was there anything that surprised you in today’s story?
  • Did you learn anything new?
  • If you could ask God one question about today’s story, what would you ask?
  • What do you think is the most important thing you should remember about this story?
  • How does this story make you feel closer to God?
  • Is there anything you need to start/stop doing because of this story?
  • What did you feel as you read/heard/saw/acted out this Bible story?

These questions go beyond children giving the ‘right’ answers and help them really think about what the story means to them.

You can also find creative ways to ask those questions.

  • Put questions on a cube or spinner, have kids draw a number and those whose number matches the one the teacher calls gets to roll or spin.
  • Place 2 or 3 colors in a bag.  Have kids draw a color and then their color will dictate what to do activity-wise.
  • Review/discuss and get the wiggles out by tossing around a beach ball with questions written or taped on them.

Kidmin Leaders: How do you coach your small group leaders to facilitate discussion?

Small Group Leaders:  What questions do you ask to help children process and apply the Bible story to their lives?

{Book Review} “The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids”

Kathie Phillips

I love reviewing devotionals for kids!  But a devotional that is combined with Bible trivia?  I couldn’t resist.

Today, I’ll share my thoughts regarding The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids by Katrina Cassel.  The book was released in September 2013 by Tyndale House Publishers.

About the Book

“Have you ever wondered…How many days did God take to create the world and everything in it?  Where did Moses get water for the Israelites to drink?  Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem?  The answers are inside this devotional!  Learning about the Bible can be fun – especially with The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids.  Each devotion is based on a trivia question from the Bible.  The devotion explains the story around the question, gives the answer, and then shares what it means for you.  One question a day will open your eyes to biblical truths.  Learning about the Bible has never been so much fun!  Bonus: You can find out how much your family knows about the Bible!  Ask them the question of the day.”

What I Liked

The book contains 365 devotions, one for each day of the year.  Each devotional contains a creative title, trivia question, 3 possible answers, a brief devotional (which includes some modern-day examples), personal application points, the trivia question answer and the corresponding Bible passage.  The scripture passages were taken from the New Living Translation, which I think makes God’s Word easily understood by older elementary children and preteens.

Since the devotions weren’t topical, they were mostly chronologically from Genesis – Revelation.  Since the devotions were mostly chronological, I loved that the book highlights how the Bible is divided (Books of the Law, Books of History, etc.).  I also loved how a scripture index was included, making it easy to locate a particular scripture verse/passage.

What I Think Was Missing

I am a visual person, so having more color throughout the book, especially when trying to appeal to kids, would have been a plus.

My Recommendation

Overall, I think the book is a great option for older elementary children & preteens.  The content was solid and written in a relevant way.  I think adding trivia into a Bible reading and devotional will be well-received by kids, who might be able to teach their parents a thing or two!

Have you read The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids?  What were your thoughts?

Tyndale House Publishers provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5 Reasons Why Every Leader Needs an Inner Circle

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment
Photo Credit: thenextweb.com
Photo Credit: thenextweb.com

When I started out in kidmin, I likened myself to a sponge.  I wanted to soak up as much knowledge as I could.  I also deeply craved being around other leaders who did what I did.  I learned so much from listening to and engaging with other leaders – many of my own ideas were birthed as a result of being in such environments.

As the years have passed, the desire to be around other kidmin leaders hasn’t waned.  In fact, it has increased!  While I still love to learn and swap ideas, I now listen more intently to the heart of the leaders.  We share the same challenges and disappointments.  We are all trusting God to do big things through us for His glory.  We are just trying to survive week to week!

Having my circle around me has made me a better leader.  One piece of advice I always give to new ministry leaders or those having a rough time is GET AROUND OTHERS WHO DO WHAT YOU DO.  Having a circle of support doesn’t mean you’re a weak leader; it helps make you a stronger one.

How?

1. You can share in a safe place.  Every leader needs a safe place to share frustrations, challenges and tears.

2. You can bounce ideas off of other brains.  Some of my best ideas have come from a brainstorming session.

3. You can be supported in prayer.  Ministry is hard work and can often be lonely.  Having prayer support will be invaluable.

4. You can be affirmed.  Sometimes when you hear what others are going through, you realize that your situation is not all that bad.

5. You can be challenged.  You’ll hear other points of view and be challenged to think outside of the box.  You might even be encouraged to take a risk.  Being challenged might help you take the next step as a leader.

If you don’t know where to find that inner circle, here are a few suggestions:

Look within your church.  There are people in your church who are passionate about kidmin, love and support you or both. This group might not ‘do what you do’ but they can be a great source of support for you.  Keep them updated on ministry and personal needs.

Look within your community.  Are there church leaders in your community who you can network with?  I strongly believe that having a support system of like-minded people will be of great benefit to you.  I am part of a network of leaders who meet quarterly but out of that group, I have connected with one leader in particular who meets with me once a month for lunch and fellowship.  She is my kidmin sister and I always look forward to getting together with her.  Don’t have a group nearby?  Start one!

Look on social media.  Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and CM Connect provides platforms for you to connect with other kidmin leaders.

Look within your denomination, if you’re part of one.  Many denominations have Christian Education groups that meet regularly.  If not, start one!

Look for discussion forums within other websites, like Kidology.  You might also be able to find discussion forums for the curriculum that you use.  Visit their website to see if one exists.

What have been effective ways for you to connect with other kidmin leaders?