Category: KidMin Leadership

A Conversation About Teaching Kids the Gospel

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.

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.

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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.

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

Resolve Conflicts With L.O.V.E

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!

Inside INCM Dispatch – Volume 3

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

Weeks ago I received my beloved Dispatch box in the mail, but things have been a little busy and I haven’t been able to share with you all of the goodies contained within!

As with the two previous Dispatch boxes, Volume 3 did not disappoint!  What I particularly love is the focus for this set of materials – team and curriculum resources.  If you’re in kidmin, you know how vital these two areas are for our ministries!

Here are a few things included in this box:

The Gospel Truth about Children’s Ministry

 

ICB “Big Red” Bible

 

7 Family Ministry Essentials

 

Jonah comic

 

Strong in Me CD

 

Growing in Grace CD

 

Instant Bible Lessons for Toddlers

Have you read or used any of these resources?  What’s your favorite?

 

Money-Saving KidMin Black Friday Bargains

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

Black Friday bargains

 

Every kidmin leader I know wants to (and often needs to) stretch their ministry dollars.  I’ve scoured the internet for awesome Black Friday deals that will help you do just that.  Here’s what I found:

WORSHIP RESOURCES

WorshipHouse Kids is a go-to for kidmin leaders looking for affordable, high-quality worship media resources.  If you’re looking for worship videos, motion backgrounds, or seasonal countdowns for short videos to complement your lessons, this is the place to shop.  Black Friday specials include $2.98 motion backgrounds and $4.98 kids’ videos.

Yancy is well-known in kidmin circles for the great worship music she provides for children.  Her website is filled with great deals on devotionals, CDs, videos, even apparel.

PRETEENS/YOUTH MINISTRY

I love using youth ministry games with our preteens!  Download Youth Ministry (DYM) is one of the places I’ve found them.  DYM is offering a coupon for 40% off anything in their store.  Just use coupon code thanks.

iShine is offering a Tween Central Resource kit (filled with music, books, bibles, videos, t-shirts, and trinkets) for just $48 (it’s normally priced at $149.99).

CURRICULUM/BIBLES/BOOKS

Standard Publishing is offering 25% off online orders today – curriculum, bibles, books and more!  Use promo code 1DAY15.

What’s in the Bible? is offering up 30% off orders over $30.  Stock up on curriculum, church bundles and DVD gift sets.  *Note: This is an affiliate link.

Children’s Ministry Deals is where I’ve found free seasonal Minute-to-Win-It games and printables, along with curriculum bundles.  Today, they’re offering bundle deals on curriculum.  (You can grab free downloads, too!)

LifeWay is offering sales on kids’ books, DVDs, and Veggie Tales toys.  Shop online or in the store.

Group Publishing is offering a clearance sale on all sorts of goodies.  You don’t want to pass this up!

VBS

Regular Baptist Press is offering deals on VBS kits and nursery curriculum plus get free shipping on pre-paid orders of $125 or more.  Use promo code SALE15.

ALL-IN-ONE BUNDLES

Kidzmatter Pro is offering over $10,000 worth of kidmin resources for only $99/yr!  You’ll receive conference videos, games, curriculum, videos, countdowns, worship music, and more.

CRAFT SUPPLIES (AND MORE!)

If you’re in kidmin, I’m sure you’re very familiar with Oriental Trading!  Today, they’re offering free shipping plus $10 off orders of $59 or more.  Use promo code CE155080.

Lakeshore Learning (a teacher’s paradise) has great bargains in-store and online.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

If you’re looking for coaching that can help you lead your ministry better, Ryan Frank’s Inner Circle is the program for you.  You’ll receive personal coaching, access to online material and participation with other others in an online community.  Launching in January 2016, this opportunity will be offered for $249/yr.  However, if you grab it today, you’ll only pay $99/yr!  Check it out.

I have never attended the Children’s Pastors’ Conference (CPC) but I have friends who have and they love it!  Save up to 50% off your 2016 registration fee today!

Jim Wideman has provided resources for kidmin leaders for over 30 years.  He is offering an additional 10% off his books through the end of November.  He is also offering 10% off his personal coaching sessions (more info about that here).  Use coupon code GET10.

What did I miss?  What great bargains did YOU find?  Share them in the comments below!