Kathie Phillips, Author at Kathie Phillips

A Resource Box for Families to Teach God’s Word at Home {Review}

01/11/201601/13/2016 Kathie Phillips

I have noticed a recent trend in ministry resource boxes lately. There are a few out there but today I wanted to share my thoughts on SproutBox.

SproutBox

SproutBox Description (according to their print material):

Launched in September 2015, SproutBox is a monthly box subscription designed to create unforgettable family-based Bible experiences with AR technology, interactive curriculum, and easy-to-follow parent guides to facilitate faith-shaping conversation with your kids (ages 4-10).

Its mission is to help parents and kids engage God’s Word in new creative ways.

My Sample Box

I reviewed the “Creation” theme box, which came with:

step-by-step instructions
a baseball card-size character card
a 20-piece creation puzzle (marked with a number “1”)
an 11-page storybook (marked with a number “2”)
a 7-piece Parents Guide (marked with a number “3”)
a make-your-own flowerpot craft (marked with a number “4”)

Using the resources in the box required four easy steps:

Step One (Captivate)

Before using the box, I needed to download the free SproutBox App. Then I put the creation puzzle together. Next, I opened the SproutBox app, pressing the camera icon and pointing my phone (you could also use your tablet) at the puzzle. What happened next was very cool – the Bible story came to life! Omari, our storyteller, popped up on the screen and told the creation story. The story itself was not too short and not too long, making it work for younger AND older children. Not only did Omari tell the story, but he asked me to be part of it by swiping the screen to see more beautiful images. The images were high-quality – they were colorful and clear. Well done!

Step Two (Explore)

The storybook, called “The Master Plan”, brilliantly told the creation story on a child’s level through the use of simple (but not babyish) language and eye-catching illustrations. The book featured Omari and introduced me to his two friends, Gideon and Danya. Their conversation exchange was simply delightful.

Step Three (Guide)

This step was by far my favorite step. Why? Because it equips parents to continue the conversation beyond the Bible story so that children can apply what they’ve read to their everyday lives. I love that SproutBox provides a resource to make that happen!

The parent guide offers fun activities, Bible readings, discussion questions, and a prayer for parents to use. Not only that but the guide provided a “Did You Know Facts” section. I thought this was brilliant because many parents today didn’t grow up in a Christian household and may not be familiar with the Bible stories they are teaching their children. Outstanding, SproutBox!

Step Four (Experience)

I LOVE hands-on projects for children, especially ones that encourage children to use their imaginations and be creative! The experience provided for the creation box included 3 small cardboard flowerpots, 3 soil pods, seeds, paints, paintbrushes, instructions, and blank note cards. What a great way for the children to create a tangible reminder of the awesomeness and beauty of God’s creation!

My Thoughts

Overall, I think this idea is a great way to equip busy parents to share God’s Word at home with their children. Having everything in one box removes barriers that could keep parents from feeling ill-equipped on what to do and what resources to use.

At $24.99/month, the box could be financially out-of-reach for some families, so I’d recommend that SproutBox include more at-home activities in the Parent Guide. Doing this would stretch the discussions out longer over the course of the month, thus making it more appealing for some parents to pay that amount of money. It would also be great to see some sort of family service project included in the Parent Guide.

Find out more about SproutBox by visiting them on:

Website: http://sproutboxkids.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sproutboxkids

Twitter: @SproutBoxKids

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sproutboxkids/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sproutboxkids

Keep the conversation going! Have you used SproutBox Kids or another resource box to help your families or families in your ministry have spiritual conversation at home?

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample to review and offered my honest opinion without compensation.

A Conversation About Teaching Kids the Gospel

01/11/201601/11/2016 Kathie Phillips

teaching kids the Gospel

There are so many things that kidmin leaders want said about the ministries they lead. We want ministries that are safe, age-appropriate, growing, engaging, fun, innovative, all-inclusive, reaching families, healthy, dynamic, just to name a few.

Each week, we spend hours in the details – writing/editing curriculum, gathering supplies, emailing lessons, making sure volunteers are in place, and meeting with our teams to ensure we’re all on the same page. This can become second nature to us, almost something we could do with our eyes closed.

But what about the most important stuff? You know, like what we’re teaching the kids? Are we teaching them a list of ‘right things to do’ or are we teaching them how God wants them to live and the why behind it? Are we watering down the Gospel because we think kids aren’t ready for it?

Are kids encouraged to dig deep into Scripture on their own or do they just take our word for it because they aren’t opening up their bibles? Are we encouraging kids to memorize scripture and spend time with God each day? Are we teaching them that God’s Word is one big story vs just a collection of stories?

By teaching kids and showing them how the whole Bible is one entire story, we’re getting them to understand and love Jesus, coming to that place where they’re making decisions to be a Christ follower.

Click To Tweet

A few weeks ago, I was honored to be part of a round-table discussion with Ed Stetzer, Jeffrey Reed and five other kidmin leaders around the country to talk about this very important topic. Our conversation was converted into a transcript to be made available for Christianity Today readers. I’ve listed the links below for your convenience:

Part 1: The Importance of the Big Story

Part 2: The Importance of Leading Kids to Love Jesus

Part 3: The Importance of Teaching Kids the Hard Stuff of Scripture

Part 4: The Importance of Gospel-Centered Teaching in Children’s Ministry

My goal is to not give children in our ministry a faith that they would have to come back to, but a relationship that would keep them connected to him their whole life.

My goal is to not give children a faith that they would have to come back to, but a relationship that would keep them connected to him their whole life.

Click To Tweet

Keep the conversation going by leaving me a comment. What are your thoughts about this important issue?

Resolve Conflicts With L.O.V.E

01/05/201601/05/2016 Kathie Phillips

CM Magazine Jan-Feb16

In the January/February 2016 issue of Children’s Ministry Magazine, I wrote about training children to resolving conflict in a God-honoring way. I thought I’d share a behind-the-scenes insight into why I wrote about this important task.

This month, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led the Civil Rights movement from the mid-1950’s until he was assassinated in 1968. Through all of this efforts toward peace, Dr. King’s platform was based on nonviolence.

Children today are exposed to more violent images than ever before. Sadly, these images are everywhere our children are: television, movies, phone and tablet screens, and video games. What breaks my heart even more is that many children experience violence first-hand in their own homes and communities day after day.

I believe that helping children resolve conflict in a healthy way will help them work through down the road. Whenever my own children have had sibling squabbles or see my husband and I disagree about something, I remind them that healthy conflict resolution will serve them well in relationships with family members, friends, bosses, and their future spouse and children.

Our churches (and homes) are fertile training soil for us to build on. In the current issue, I share 4 ways that we can do that. If you are a subscriber, you’ll find my column on page 30. (There is even a very cute printable bookmark that you can download online.) If you’re not a subscriber, consider becoming one. You can find out you can save 70% off here.

Let’s help our children resolve conflicts with love!

16 Books on My 2016 Reading List

01/04/201601/04/2016 Kathie Phillips

2016 reading list

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you’ve had a great (albeit short) start to 2016!

A new year brings so many possibilities, doesn’t it? It’s a time most of us reflect on what we’ve done, what we’d like to do. Many of us aim to do more of this, less of that…

I have always loved to read. Whether for pleasure or professional development, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies since I was a teenager. In 2015, I read more than I have in recent years. Not because I had more time (I didn’t) but because I made it more of a priority. Every day.

One of my goals for 2016 is to continue to feed my soul through books.

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” ― Harry S. Truman

Click To Tweet

I have chosen 16 books to read in 2016:

For The Love by Jen Hatmaker (I started this book in 2015 – looking forward to finishing)

Move: Nine Conversations to Build Your Kids Ministry by Brannon Marshall

Leading & Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives and Women in Leadership by Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson

Team Up! The Family Ministry Playbook for Partnering with Parents by Phil Bell

Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids With Special Needs by Katie Wetherbee and Jolene Philo

Do Over by Jon Acuff

The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner

Teams That Thrive by Kal Otis and Michelle Marx