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Category: Ministry Resources

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

4 New Bible Games for Your Ministry {Review}

Kathie Phillips

Games are an essential part for ministry to kids, especially games that have a Biblical focus. These types of games can be used anytime during ministry programming to reinforce Bible stories or to improve Bible skills and literacy.

I was delighted when the folks from Bible Games Central reached out to me about reviewing four new games available in their online store. Here are my thoughts on these games that you might want to add to your stash.

Parable Parade

Game description: In this exciting game, players must collect complete sets of Parable Cards. You can draw as many cards as you like, but be careful.
Draw an Oopsie! Card and you will pay the price! Will you be bold and fearless? Or will you be conservative and cautious?

Collect the Cards. Complete the Story. Capture the Point.

Video instructions for this game can be found here: https://biblegamescentral.com/shop/parable-parade/

My thoughts: This game would be a good option after a parable lesson series. I love that the game includes two-sided parable summary cards. One gives a summary of the actual parable (along with the scripture reference) and the other side offers an explanation of the parable. When playing this game at home, it took a while to read and comprehend the directions, so I would suggest making this a post-lesson activity versus an arrival activity. This will allow adequate time for game play. (Recommended age: Elementary and up)

Bible Bingo

Game description: Bible Bingo is a simple and fun game that also helps players become more familiar with the Bible. The Bingo cards you find in this game are specially designed to correspond to how the Bible is organized. They are divided into distinct, colored sections which match the sections of the Bible.

My thoughts: I love to play Bingo and so do the kids in our ministry. This one will be a hit for sure! As pointed out in the description, the game boards are divided into colored sections that match the sections of the Bible, which is an added bonus. There are 24 double-sided cards and plenty of plastic chips which will allow for many children to play at once. (Recommended age: Elementary and up)

Bible Memory Game

Game description: Each Bible Memory Game set contains 2 decks of 66 cards that are beautifully illustrated to reflect the 66 books of the Bible. A color bar at the bottom of each card indicates which section of the Bible it belongs to. This versatile Bible Memory Game can be as challenging or easy as you want it to be. Those who enjoy a demanding game can play with the full set of 66 pairs of cards. For an easier, quicker game, only use cards from the Old Testament, New Testament or selected sections of the Bible. (For example, Old Testament Law, New Testament Gospels, etc.)

My thoughts: Memory games are great to use as kids arrive and I think this one is a hit. There are a lot of cards, so I would definitely recommend varying the game by splitting it between Old and New Testament books. (Recommended age: Elementary and up)

Christmas Bingo

Game description: This festive game set is adorned with 24 colorful illustrations of the nativity scene, baby Jesus, the wise men, Christmas trees, gingerbread houses and more! Conveniently packaged with 24 unique, double-sided Christmas Bingo Cards and 400 plastic Bingo chips, this game requires no further preparation. Simply take the items out of the box to play with a group of 2 to 24 players of all ages!

My thoughts: Kids will enjoy this game at Christmas time. Note: This game includes Bible-based and general holiday images (such as Santa). One fun variation for older kids to change up how they can get a bingo, such as four corners or vertical only. (Recommended age: Older preschoolers – through Early Elementary)

Additional information on of these games can be found on https://biblegamescentral.com/shop/

Also, if you’re planning your Easter activities, check out these links:

Easter Games and Activities
10 Fun and Creative Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

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.

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!

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