Author: Kathie Phillips

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible For Girls Gift Set {Review}

Kathie Phillips

One of the greatest things I can do as a Children’s Ministry leader is to put a copy of God’s Word into the hands of a child. There are so many Bibles out there to choose from based on the age of the recipient. Storybook or picture book type Bibles are very popular for the younger set but as a child grows, they look for a something a little more grown up that may (or may not) have a child-friendly element.

Bible journaling has become very popular over the years and now elementary and preteen girls have an option for a coloring Bible.

Recently, I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls Gift Set. Here is product description from the publisher:

Created especially for girls ages 8 to 12, this beautiful Bible, sticker sheets and coloring pencil set provides the tools for young artists to express themselves. 

Girls will get creative through coloring and journaling in the NIV Beautiful Word™ Coloring Bible for Girls. Included are pencils to color, blend and shade the detailed line art surrounding hundreds of inspiring verses. This Bible gift set is perfect for the special young girl in your life and will become a cherished keepsake full of personalized creative expressions of faith.

Features include:

  • Complete text of the accurate, readable and clear New International Version (NIV)
  • Over 600 verses illustrated in ready-to-color line art
  • Four colored pencils
  • Six sheets of stickers designed for girls
  • Thick white paper for writing and doodling
  • Lined, wide margins for notes and reflections
  • Satin ribbon marker
  • Beautifully debossed and screen-printed cover
  • Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface in a readable 8-point print size 

The Bible itself is a beautiful color and despite the added images inside, isn’t too bulky or heavy. The images are varied in design, sizes and fonts, allowing each girl to customize her Bible just the way she wants. What I also love is that there are blank lines in the sidebar for notes or added doodles.

My 13-year old niece loved the set, especially the pencils and sticker sheets!

The set comes in a sturdy and beautiful box, which makes it perfect for gift-giving.

*Get a closer look insider here: https://www.zondervan.com/p/beautiful-word-bible-for-girls/coloring/#new

*Purchase this Bible, currently on sale, here.

*Downloadable Sampler here: https://joom.ag/pjMC

*Find Downloadable Coloring Sheets here: https://d3iqwsql9z4qvn.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/11185457/Coloring-Sheets.pdf

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):

Many thanks to Telling Ministries LLC and HCCP for providing this product/product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

10 Tips for Kidmin Leaders Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

The recent COVID-19 pandemic is not only impacting the way we worship but also the way we work. If you’re like me, you may be working remotely for the next few weeks. For some of you, the thought of working remotely brings a bag of mixed emotions:

  • bittersweet relief, because you were in need of respite;
  • terror, because you’re an extrovert and being away from people for so long seems unfathomable and isolating;
  • panic, because you may have to adopt a new, temporary way of doing ministry; and
  • disillusionment, because you’re just not sure what to do or where to start.

I thought I’d share a few suggestions dealing with the last point because despite all of the things beyond our control right now, we can use the time at home to our benefit.

  1. Develop a plan for when services/ministry resumes.
    • What safety measures are you taking? (For example, I read a suggestion to toss used play doh. I’ve already ordered a new supply.)
    • What needs to be communicated to volunteers and parents?
    • What supplies, if any, need to be ordered?
  2. Think through how you can keep families connected and engaged while in-person services are put on hold. Consider using social media, email and other platforms to share resources that families can use at home.
  3. Be available for meetings via platforms such as Zoom or Google Hangouts. While your in-person meetings may be temporarily suspended, there are platforms to keep you connected and allow you to plan and strategize for the weeks to come.
  4. Listen to podcasts. I don’t know about you, but I don’t always make time for listening to podcasts. Looking for great ones to check out? Here are a few suggestions:
  5. Read. If you have been meaning to read ‘that’ book, now is a good time. I am currently reading a few but Dale Hudson’s Lead Well in Children’s Ministry has given me lots of golden nuggets recently.
  6. Catch up on email. It’s easy to let our inboxes overflow so now’s a great time to work toward a zero inbox.
  7. Get ahead in your planning. Get a head start on lesson planning, ordering needed supplies, summer camp/VBS or even next ministry year. Do what you can and plan as best as you can.
  8. Collaborate with staff, ministry leaders and community leaders about ways to meet felt needs of those in your church and community. School closures because of COVID-19 means parents might be in need of childcare support and meals. Vulnerable neighbors might not be able to pick up prescriptions, make it to the grocery store, or walk their dogs. How can you help with that?
  9. Use your social media platform to provide encouraging words, scriptures and prayer. With all that’s happening, fear and anxiety levels are high. Your presence can be comfort to families who need it.
  10. Rest. Every day life patterns are being disrupted. Children are asking questions that parents may feel ill-equipped to answer. Supplies are in short supply. Take time to turn off the noise (TV and social media) to just rest. Pray about what’s happening. Pray for those guiding us. Pray for ways you can support those around you. Pray for your own peace of mind and for peace that passes all understanding. Remember, God is still in control.

Ponder: what steps can you take to maximize your time at home if you’re working remotely? Leave me a comment below to let me know!

Win a One-Year Subscription to Sermons 4 Kids Plus!

Kathie Phillips

Hi Friends!

You may be familiar with Sermons 4 Kids. They’ve been around a long time, providing Old Testament and New Testament sermons for children, activity pages (such as word searches and crossword puzzles), and group activities to accompany the sermons. It’s a go-to site for me when I want to provide activity pages and ideas to supplement our elementary lessons.

Now, they have a monthly subscription service that provides many additional resources for busy kidmin leaders that has:

  • teacher how-to instruction videos
  • children’s sermon
  • interactive Bible experience
  • lesson videos
  • craft ideas
  • snack ideas
  • games
  • prayers
  • music
  • memory verses

Plus there’s tons of coloring pages, crosswords, word search, group activities and so much more! All lessons are available in English and Spanish and there are 2 versions, one for elementary and one for preschool. Wanna check it out? Here’s a link to 2 free lessons! https://web.sermons4kids.com/free-bible-lesson/?utm_source=kathie&utm_medium=blog

WANT TO WIN A FREE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION?
You can! Here’s how to win:
1. LIKE this post on our Facebook page.

2. Comment with the name of your favorite church on the Facebook page post.

You need to do these 2 things in order to be eligible. The winner will be randomly selected this Friday, Nov. 8.


*This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

What I’m Working On This Month

Kathie Phillips

Here’s What’s Happening In October!

After a very busy September (Promotion Sunday, Volunteer Kick-Off Party, and our 1st Preschool Family Experience for the new year), October looks to be a much more laid back month. However, there are some things that I’m looking forward to!

CURRICULUM

Each month, I edit our curriculum to fit our needs. During this process, we inventory our supplies and order any needed supplies. Thankfully, this month we had most of the supplies we needed! I did order these for our preschoolers, who are learning that God can help them be brave. Each preschooler will get to wear one home on the last Sunday of the month. I’m also excited that our preschoolers will hear one of my favorite Bible stories.

EVENTS

This month, we are celebrating one of our milestone events, 2nd Grade Bible Presentations. Each 2nd grader will receive a Bible (we present these) along with a handwritten note from one of our pastors. A few years ago, we moved this celebration to each of our worship services, which has allowed the entire congregation to celebrate with these precious kids and their families.

We are also preparing for another milestone celebration, our 3-week Communion Class. I will share more about that next month.

OUTREACH

One other thing I’m excited about is that our children (ages 2 – 5th grade) will get to be part of our all-church outreach focus – our annual clothing drive. Kids will be encouraged to be neighborhood heroes (which fits perfectly into our preschool superhero theme for October) by donating and collecting clothes for the giveaway. Our elementary children will help sort donations as part of their missions-emphasis Sunday next week. We love having our entire church be part of a missions project!

FREELANCE PROJECTS

In addition to my ministry work, I am working on a few freelance projects – writing preschool lessons for a curriculum company and writing devotions for a Children’s Ministry publication. I can’t wait to share more about these projects soon!

My second round of my online class through Institute for Discipleship begins next week. I will be teaching class #2 in their kidmin cohort, which will cover teaching theology to kids. It was a great class this past spring, and I’m hopeful for another positive experience.

That’s what’s happening in my neck of the woods. What are you up to this month? Let me know by leaving me a comment below!

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