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Category: Ministry Resources

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

Hillsong Kids DVD – Can You Believe It!? {Review and Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips

Hillsong Kids "Can You Believe It" Review and Giveaway

If you’re like me, finding great music for your kidmin can sometimes be a challenge, depending on what you’re looking for.  For our elementary areas in particular, I usually stick with upbeat music that sounds up to date with voices that aren’t too childish (if children are singing the tracks).  Last year, I purchased a Spotify premium subscription (to eliminate ads that might be inappropriate) and created playlists for Sunday mornings and special events.  (In my opinion, this is a well-spent expense.)

Before we moved over to Spotify, I used some Hillsong Kids CDs for our kids’ worship (thankfully, they are on Spotify, so we’re able to enjoy our favorites).  The music was exactly what I was looking for – upbeat, relevant and fresh.  Recently, I was provided a chance to review their newest release and I couldn’t wait to take a listen.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON HILLSONG KIDS

Hillsong believes that teaching children to love God and others takes place in both the home and in the church. For this reason they seek to partner with parents (the greatest teachers of all!) and with church pastors and leaders, equipping them with great resources. Through fun experiences, meaningful music and ministry that encourages kids to participate, Hillsong Kids presents Jesus Christ and His Church in a relevant way, creating moments which children will never forget.

Their new kids’ worship DVD DOES NOT disappoint!!

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

“Can You Believe It!? – Songs of Truth” is both a question and a challenge… a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of faith. Classic songs like “My Best Friend”, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” and “What A Beautiful Name” join brand new declarations of faith such as “As The World Shakes” & “Heaven Is Our Home”. We pray that this collection of fun and vibrant songs, help children around the world to declare biblical truths about God’s love and grace for them.

Check out this promo video!

WHAT I LOVED

The DVD featured upbeat songs and catchy beats, colorful and eye-catching graphics that will capture the attention of your elementary-age kiddos.  I think preteens will especially love it because it’s not baby-ish at all!  Some of the tracks are songs sung in ‘big church’ and played on Christian radio, so many of your kids might recognize them (even though they have slightly different arrangements).  The DVD features a good balance of praise and worship songs, allowing you the flexibility to offer both songs kids can move to as well as songs that can quiet them and focus them.

The DVD also includes music videos for the songs.  I’m not sure how I would use these in my context but I’m sure there are ways that you could incorporate them.  What I loved about the videos was that there was a lot of diversity represented – so glad to see that!

WHAT I FELT WAS MISSING

As great as the DVD is, it’s missing hand motions, so if you’re kids like doing hand motions during worship, you’ll need to add your own.  Also, navigating the DVD main menu was a little tricky at first but I eventually got the hang of it.  In addition, if you use the music videos, there are no lyrics that go along with that.

Overall, “Can You Believe It!?” is a perfect complement for Sunday mornings or midweek programming.  You will not be disappointed with this well-done, high quality product!

You can purchase the DVD here, BUT…

I am giving away a free copy!!

Enter to win a copy of the new Hillsong Kids DVD, “Can You Believe It!?” by emailing me at kidminspiration@gmail.com.  All entries should be received by 11:59 pm on this Thursday, November 22.  You’ll definitely want this in your music arsenal!

You can also enter to win by tweeting about the giveaway:

Enter to win Hillsong Kids’ new music DVD, “Can You Believe It!?”

Click To Tweet

The winner of this giveaway will be contacted via email and announced on our Facebook page on Friday, November 23.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and 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.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Freebie Friday: Recruiting and Training New Nursery Volunteers

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

Church nurseries are often the first place where parents leave their babies for the first time, so it’s very important to ensure that this ministry area is particularly top notch.  As a kidmin leader, you have the responsibility of recruiting the right people and thoroughly training them to serve in your Nursery.  Where do you start?

Earlier this fall, I wrote a training piece for Sparkhouse’s Frolic Online to assist kidmin leaders with this task.

Recruiting and Training New Kidmin Nursery Volunteers

You can download the free guide here.  Happy Friday!

Family Honor Plate and Table Thyme Discussion Cards {Product Review}

Kathie Phillips

I recently had the privilege of reviewing a fun keepsake product and discipleship tool with the help of two of my favorite people: my daughter (Kennedy, age 18) and my niece (Raigan, age 10).  It was definitely a sweet moment to watch the two of them work together on this project.

PRODUCT DETAILS

The Family Honor Plate, created by Michelle Weber, starts as a DIY ceramics-painting project you get to create and bake at home.

The plate can be used in two ways:

~As a family craft:  Paint and bake your plate and use it to create your new family tradition.

Family Honor Plate

~As a parenting discipleship tool:  

Step #1 MOM AND DAD – BE THE EXAMPLE. BE THE ROLE-MODEL:

The virtues are listed in the center of the plate for mom and dad to use as their anchor, their moral compass to guide them in how they need to show up for and to their children (based on the Fruit of the Spirit as written in Galatians 5:22).  This is how our children learn what character (Christ’s character) is, what it looks like, what it feels like. Our children are watching us and learning from us.

Step #2 BE ON THE LOOKOUT:

Look for the good choices and attitude your kids/spouse are making and showing throughout the day. Track it back to the virtues and character it shows.

Step #3 CELEBRATE THEIR CHARACTER:

Turn dinnertime into a celebration when you catch someone making good choices and showing good character and present their meal on the FAMILY HONOR PLATE.  This is when you:

  • Talk about the choices they made and the virtues and character that it showed (Be specific).
  • Talk about how they made everyone involved feel and the impact they had on people and how that is POWERFUL and BEAUTIFUL.
The Family Honor Plate can be used with Table Thyme Discussion Cards.  Table Thyme Discussion CardsThese cards take conversations to a deeper level and teach everyone in the family how to articulate and share special memories, learn how to voice their opinions, and for some, how to even have an opinion. These are skills required for success in relationships and careers.  This is a fun way for children to learn these skills in a relaxed environment.
Some of the questions included are:
  • What is your favorite thing about your best friend?  Why?
  • Do you prefer to play inside or outside?  Why?
  • If your friend were upset, what would you do to help them feel better?  Why?

Every question is followed up with “Why?” to take everyone’s answers to a deeper more intimate level.

GETTING STARTED

Just about everything you need to complete the project is included in the box, with the exception of Isopropyl Alcohol (which is used to remove any oily residue from the plate before you paint it).

The kit includes: 

  • 1 ceramic honor plate
  • 8 paint pots
  • 3 paint brushes
  • 7 discussion starters
  • Painter’s palette
  • Plate stand

 

 

The instructions for painting are pretty simple:

  1. Clean the Honor Plate with the alcohol to remove oily residue.  Protect your work space with craft paper or newspaper.
  2. Paint the plate with whatever design your choose.  (There are suggestions on the product’s website). It is recommended to keep designs to cover just the plate’s rim.
  3. Place the plate in a cold oven, turn it to 350 degrees, bake for 30 minutes, turn the oven off and let the plate cool.

THOUGHTS ON THE PRODUCT

My daughter and my niece worked on the painting part together and they offered some feedback.  They felt the paint was very thick and that made it more difficult for them to use.  They thought more rounded paintbrushes would’ve worked better instead of the square tipped brushes provided.  My niece also mentioned that it would have been better if the plate rim was wider so that she could paint more.  Lastly, the paint did not come off of our hands easily; we had to wash at least twice for it to be completely removed.

All in all, I loved the concept of the plate as a craft and then as a discipleship tool for families.  I love that it comes with discussion starters to aid in this.  I think it’s definitely something for families to check out.

LEARN MORE

Here is a video that walks you through it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKmFVPbyfCg

Here is another video from the owner, Michelle Weber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwLlnS3t0LI&t=3s

Find out more about Michelle: (https://honorplate.com/pages/about-us)

This is a great item to give (or purchase) for Christmas!  There are discounts available of 10-20% off in their online store.  Check it out!

*The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.  I was not compensated in any way.

Night Night Farm {Book Review & Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips

Recently, I was asked to review a bedtime book for preschool-aged children and it brought back many precious memories. When my children were younger, either my husband or I read to them…every night.  It was woven into our nightly bedtime ritual and it was one of my favorite times of the day to snuggle with my little ones (who are not so little anymore!).

Night Night Farm

About the Book:
Moo moo, cows! Baa baa, sheep! When the sun sinks low down on the farm, the animals are all tuckered out from the day’s adventures. Join these adorable farm animals in pajamas as they say night night to the farm, to their mommies and daddies, and to God. Your little ones will sleep until the rooster crows knowing that the God who made them loves them too.

Night night, farm!

About Amy Parker:

Amy Parker’s children’s books have sold more than 800,000 copies including two Christian Retailing’s Best award-winning books and the bestselling A Night Night Prayer. She lives outside Nashville with her husband and two children.

My Thoughts:
The pictures are fabulous and the striking colors are captivating. Because it’s a board book, it’s sturdy and easy for little hands to hold. The animals and words are familiar and encourages interaction (with animal sounds). The rhymes are fun and simple for young children to understand.
Night Night Farm is a great read to end the day with your preschooler.  It’s sure to capture the attention of the preschooler in your life and become one of their favorites!
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SOCIAL • CORNER
Official website to purchase: http://bit.ly/Blogging-NNF
Facebook: @AmyParkerAuthor

Facebook: @TommyNelsonBooks

Twitter: @AmyParker

Twitter: @TommyNelson

Instagram:  @TommyNelsonBooks

Pinterest: Tommy-Nelson-Books

Enter to win a copy of Night Night Farm!!
I am giving away one copy of Night Night Farm to one of my readers.
Here’s how you can enter (3 ways to win):
1. Email me and tell me your favorite children’s book to read at bedtime.
3. Leave a comment on our Facebook Page.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 pm on Thursday, September 8th.
The winner will be announced on our Facebook Page on Friday, September 9th.
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**Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and 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. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
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