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Category: Ministry Resources

Covers resources that Children’s Ministry and Next Gen Ministry leaders can use in their programs

Putting Together a Mobile Sensory Cart

Kathie Phillips Leave a comment

Earlier this year, my friend Kim Botto published a blog post that talked about helpful sensory items for kids who need extra support. (In fact, her ministry is centered around creating safe, inclusive spaces for every child. Check out her website here.)

In the post referenced above, Kim wrote that leaders don’t need a big budget or a dedicated room to provide special needs ministry. “Start with a cart” was one takeaway I gleaned. So that got me thinking…

My Little Friend

We have a handful of children who benefit from a short break from the larger group environment. I’ve observed that these breaks are most needed after a transition time or during a circle or rug activity. On one recent occasion, one little friend took a walk with me and I pulled a preschool-friendly Bible to read the story that he would miss. He was quite engaged and we had a delightful conversation about it. Shortly after our time together, he was able to rejoin his class, ready for the final few activities.

That encounter reminded me of Kim (who I texted that afternoon to share details) and the post that I’ve referenced. I had the preschool Bible readily available and thought, “What if I had other resources readily available as well? What do we have? What do we need?” These questions prompted me to begin gathering supplies for our mobile sensory cart.

Let’s Get Started

I decided to start with items we already had. We had a cart that wasn’t being used. We had Bibles, blank copy paper, large crayons, and markers. Facial tissue, dot markers, magnetic drawing boards, play dough, and a few stuffed teddy bears were also in our inventory. Our curriculum provides a special needs component, so I downloaded and laminated a feelings chart.

I did a little research and purchased other items that I thought would be useful. Here’s a link to a list with the items on our cart.

The Finished Product

Here are a few pictures of the finished product:

Mobile sensory cart
Books
Bibles
Feelings chart
Sensory toys and bubble wrap
More sensory toys
Noise cancelling headphones

I still have a few additional resources that I’ll add, but for now, I’m pretty pleased with the way it turned out. Our cart is mobile but sits in our volunteer refreshment room for easy access.

Thank you again to my friend Kim Botto, who regularly reminds me that kids ministry should be welcoming and inclusive to all. Check out her website to learn more and take advantage of the resources she provides – many are free of charge!

Now it’s your turn…how do you create safe, inclusive spaces for kids? What sensory items have you purchased?

Plan Year-Round Family Ministry Events With Ease

Kathie Phillips

If you’re like many Children’s Ministry leaders, you’re probably thinking through and planning your yearly ministry calendar. Events such as VBS, camps, baptisms, dedications, game nights, retreats, parent workshops, and many more are probably some that you’ve included.

Thinking about an entire year’s worth of events can be a daunting task, let alone planning them. The challenge is even greater when you want your events to be more than just events. You want them to be intentional discipleship events that engages the whole family and provides lasting memories. If that’s something you’re looking to create, then Team Family: Book Three, a newly-released resource from Group Publishing, might be an answer to your prayers!

Product description from Group’s website:

Team Family Book Three will help you and your church effectively reach and engage families of all shapes and sizes! You’ll get a practical year-round strategy (formatted around the four seasons) for partnering with today’s families to strengthen their faith and their relationships with each other, with you, and with Jesus.

The resource includes four seasonal themes: Calm & Bright (Christmas), Forgiven (Easter), Humble Heroes (Summer), and Here 4 You (Fall).

Here are a few things that I love about it:

  • Each theme incorporates not only an event for the entire family but also an outreach component.
  • The ideas for each theme also include easy-to-follow instructions and basic supplies that you likely have on hand, making them cost-effective.
  • There is a section for notes so that you can customize the material to fit your church’s context and budget.
  • Supplemental take-home resources that reinforce each theme are available for an additional purchase. Many come in packs of 10, which again keeps it cost-effective.
  • The guide includes an access code to download the resources in a digital format.

My daughter and I have had the honor of contributing to Team Family Book Two as well as Team Family Book Three, so I stand behind this product. (Disclaimer: This post is not a paid promotion. I just really love this resource!)

Be sure to check out Team Family Book Three and see what might work for you.

Leave me a comment and let me know what events are on your ministry calendar for the upcoming year!

Great Back to School Resources For Kids & Families

Kathie Phillips

Back-to-school season is one of my favorite times of the ministry year. I love shopping the sales (my children are grown but I shop sales for ministry-related items) and the start of a new school year brings a reset of schedules and rhythms.

This season is a very good time to provide practical resources for our families as they settle back into post-summer rhythms. I love the process of looking at resources and deciding which ones we’ll provide to our families is one I enjoy.

Children in our area of the country are returning to school as early as next week, so I thought I’d share what we’re providing to our kids and families. These items will be provided in person (on our Back-to School Sunday) and digitally (with links to purchase or download) through our September family newsletter. (I have linked ones that are available. Email me if you’d like me to send one that’s no longer available.)

Preschool Family Resources

  • “Creating a New Back to School Rhythm – Preschool” handout (this is an old resource from Parent Cue – it is no longer in print but one that I really like)
  • Lunch box notes that I found online (we’ve done a mix of scripture-based as well as just-for-fun ones)

Elementary Family Resources

  • “Creating a New Back to School Rhythm – Elementary” handout (this is an old resource from Parent Cue – it is no longer in print but one that I really like)
  • “Bullying Conversation Guide for Parents” from Parent Cue (no longer in print)
  • “Anxiety Conversation Guide” from Parent Cue (no longer in print)
  • Back-to-School Scripture Fighting Cards from LifeWay

Additional Family Resources

For Kindergarteners – 3rd Graders

For 4th & 5th Graders

In previous years, we’ve provided backpack tags, journals, leftover widgets from our curriculum provider, and other small toys. Every year looks different, but the goal is to provide quality, Christ-centered resources for parents and some sort of scripture-based items for the kids.

What items are you providing for your kids and families? I’m always on the hunt for great resources, so share them with me!

CSB Explorer Bible for Kids {Review and Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

I was recently invited to review Lifeway’s new CSB Explorer Bible for Kids. I always enjoy taking a look at Bibles designed for kids because it’s one of the most-requested asks of parents at my church.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Front of Bible
Back of Bible

With fun facts, timelines, photography, and more, kids will see the Bible as real, exciting, and life-changing truth. QR codes even bring engaging videos, discussion questions and activity pages to life, applying the truths and imagery of the Bible to kids’ real world experiences! Available in hardcover and (4) leathertouch editions.

Some unique features include:

• Easy-to-read 8.5 pt text and full-color design connect with kids’ natural curiosity and help them experience the wonder and truth of the Bible.
• Two Table of Contents — one in order and one sorted alphabetically — as well as the topical concordance and index of Bible stories give kids the tools to find their way around God’s Word.

MY THOUGHTS

Bibles designed for kids are easy to spot. They usually have fun, color pictures, interesting facts, in-depth information about people and places and background information on each book. This Bible definitely has all of those elements. Each book is color-coded by type (i.e. Genesis – Law). I think that’s a cool feature to help kids strengthen their Bible literacy skills.

I also really liked the QR codes located throughout the Bible. Once scanned, you’ll see a full-color, quality video and discussion questions. This great for kids studying on their own. It’s also helpful for parents or Sunday school leaders to further engage the children in faith conversations.

Some features I didn’t like were the font, font size, and the amount of white space on the pages. It seemed to be a lot of white space, which made the words run together. I also thought the paragraphs were a bit boxy – it really wasn’t pleasing to my eye.

If you are looking for a Bible that will grow with an older elementary child, this is a good option. The content is mature and the full-color pictures and graphics aren’t too babyish. It’s perfect for kids in 4th grade and older.

ENTER TO WIN

Enter to win a copy of Lifeway’s CSB Explorer Bible for Kids by emailing me at kidminspiration@gmail.com. All entries should be received by 11:59 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022. One winner will be randomly selected on Friday, December 16, 2022 and notified by email.

SAVE 50% ON YOUR PURCHASE

Get 50% off your copy of the Explorer Bible for Kids today off at Lifeway.com using the code EXPLORERGIFT50!

Disclosure:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

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