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Category: Ministry Resources

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

Great Resources for Lent

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

This Wednesday, February 18th, is the first day of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, is the time when we mark the time when Jesus is sent into the wilderness.  While there, He prayed and prepared for what was ahead of Him.  Likewise, the season of Lent can be presented to children as a time to pause, pray and prepare for what lies ahead of us.  Each year, we provide our church families with a family friendly devotional to encourage faith conversations at home during this time.

If you are looking for materials for your family or for yourself, here are a few I’d recommend.

FAMILY RESOURCES

A Sense of the Resurrection

Blogger Amanda White, who wrote the popular Advent devotional Truth in the Tinsel, has written a resource for Lent.  A Sense of the Resurrection contains 12 fun, hands-on, easy, meaningful activities to help your kids come face to face with the Easter story.

Sense of the resurrection image

 

Family Lenten Practices Calendar

This free downloadable calendar written by blogger Traci Smith shares either a prayer, service or fasting activity each day.  The activities can be adapted for children of all ages.  In addition, she offers an adult calendar for purchase.

lentenpracticescalendar20151Holy Week Devotional

According to the What’s In the Bible? website, this devotional contains an 8-day family Bible reading and devotional plan designed to guide your family into a deeper understanding of the days of Holy Week and prepare your hearts to celebrate on Resurrection Sunday!

Each day includes 1-2 short Bible readings and a conversation-starting discussion guide, as well as a coloring page that illustrates the day’s Bible story. The Holy Week Devotional Download Pack will engage your kids in discussion, prayer and creative expression in the week leading up to Easter.

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RESOURCES JUST FOR YOU

Bible Gateway

Bible Gateway offers a free devotional delivered straight to your inbox.  Get more details here.

Margaret Feinberg

Join author Margaret Feinberg as she reads through the Gospels this Lenten season.

margaret feinberg lent challenge 2015

{Book Review} “Children’s Games From Around the World”

Kathie Phillips

One of the things that makes our Children’s Ministry unique is that we offer a missions-emphasis program for our preschoolers, elementary-age children and preteens.  Second Sunday for the World, offered on the second Sunday of each month October – June, exposes children to other cultures, introduces them to church-supported missionaries, and allows them to pray for people around the world. They learn to have God’s heart for the world by serving others locally and globally.

I always keep an eye out for missions resources for children.  Many of my ideas come from Pinterest.  (You can check out my KidMin Missions board here.)

My friend Steven Knight has compiled a new resource that I was thrilled to take a look at.  Children’s Games from Around the World provides 23 fun games from 22 different countries.  These games are great complements to Sunday lessons, VBS, and missions programs.

About the book:
 
-eBook
-45 pages
-includes interesting facts about each country
 
What I Liked:

I love that many of the games are active – they get the children up and moving.  This is especially important to our ministry because we have an abundance of boys who like to throw balls (and each other occasionally!), run and jump.  I also love that the countries are listed alphabetically in the table of contents, making finding a game for a particular place fairly easy.

Each game’s directions are clearly laid out, so it’s easy to follow, even spur-of-the moment if needed.  I was also grateful to see that several interesting facts follow each country’s game.  The games can be fun & informative!

What I Think Was Missing:

It would have been great if each country could have been identified by its flag or location on a map (again, educating the children).  Some had identification; some did not.  It also would’ve been helpful if each game was categorized as “high energy” or “low energy”.  That information is useful to me when selecting a game.  Lastly, a list of needed supplies would make selecting and prepping for a game super easy.  This is also something that I take into consideration when selecting a game.

My Recommendation:

This resource is a good one to have in your arsenal.  If you’re like me, you’ll refer to it regularly.  For a limited time, Steven is offering this downloadable eBook free of charge to everyone who subscribes to his blog, KidMin Tools.  I encourage you to check it out!

Two New & Exciting Projects!

Kathie Phillips 10 Comments

I am really bad at keeping a secret!  Really!  When I receive good news, I want to share it with EVERYONE!  For the past several months, I have had two big secrets that I wanted to desperately share with all of you but couldn’t until now.  Let me fill you in:

PROJECT #1

Earlier this year, I was asked to be part of Kidology‘s new e-book resource for Children’s Ministry leaders and volunteers.  Bright Ideas for Children’s Ministry – Volume 1 is a collection of highly practical “bright ideas” that you can immediately implement in your ministry.  Who doesn’t love practical, easily implemented ideas from fellow Children’s Ministry leaders?!  You’ll find ideas for object lessons, games, crafts, leadership, technology, missions and so much more – it’ll become a trusted go-to resource.

Bright Ideas for Children’s Ministry – Volume 1 is regularly priced at $16.99.  If you are a Kidology Premium Member, the regular price is $14.99.  But I have more good news – my friends at Kidology have allowed me to offer a special deal for my blog readers.  Simply click here to order and enter promo code “SAVE5KP” when you check out – you’ll save $5!  Check it out and let me know what you think!

PROJECT #2

childrensminmag2

I am also excited to share that I will be Children’s Ministry Magazine’s newest columnist, beginning with the January/February 2015 issue!  In each issue, I will share ideas specifically for younger elementary children (ages 6-9).  This is new territory for me but I am excited to venture into this project.  The folks at Group (who publishes the magazine) have been so kind to me – I’m really looking forward to working with them. 🙂

Whew–I feel so much better now that the secrets are out of the bag!  God is doing some pretty amazing things in my life and I’m sure you have some awesome things going on with you too!

Keep the conversation going!  Tell me what’s going new in your neck of the woods.  What are you working on?

{Easter Resource & Giveaway}: Resurrection Clue Hunt

Kathie Phillips 4 Comments

I love to research ideas to make familiar Bible stories come to life in new, fresh ways, especially around holidays.  Today I’ll share a resource that might be a great activity to have children in your elementary ministry do this Easter.

Overview

Kidology’s Resurrection Clue Hunt is an adaptation of the classic deduction game, Clue. Designed for children ages 7-13, it is a lesson-based game that helps to uncover the many aspects of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

During the game, players (in groups of 4-6) must discover which PEOPLE clue is missing, what LOCATION clue is unknown, and which OBJECT clue is needed to complete the set.  As the children hunt for clues, biblical investigation and devotionals illustrate how the clues fit together to shape the resurrection story.

My Thoughts 

Initially I thought the game was more like an actual scavenger hunt than a game played in a small group or family setting.  (Now ideas are running through my head as to how we might adapt it that way!)  I love that the game is interactive while also helping children understand the crucifixion and resurrection in a new way.  I also love how the game is not only designed for fun but also incorporates learning through scripture and discussion.  The game is also a great family night activity!

I think that children, teachers and families would enjoy playing Resurrection Clue Hunt this Easter. The PDF game download includes:

  • Detailed Instruction Guide
  • Original, eye-catching artwork
  • Printable set of 20 cards (color and b/w versions)
  • Printable “Explorer Notebooks”
  • 20 “Fact Sheet” devotionals
  • Additional access to fact sheets via QR code

Kidology has graciously offered a complimentary game download (regularly priced at $18.99, Kidology Premium Members $13.99) to one of our readers.  You can enter to win by leaving a comment below, telling me how you’d use this resource in your home or ministry. The deadline to enter is 11:59pm on Sunday, March 30th.  I will randomly select and announce one winner and on Monday, March 31st.

So…how would you use this resource in your home or ministry?  Leave me a comment below and you’ll be entered to win!

Kidology provided me a free download in exchange for an honest review.

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