One of the most important things you do in children's ministry is helping kids and families make the Bible a central part of their lives. The Bible is the foundation on which our faith stands. The Bible should be the starting point of every lesson we teach, every song we sing, every activity we do, every game we play and every discussion we have.
The Bible says it is alive and active. And how true that is. I have seen peoples' lives changed as they make the Bible a priority in their lives. One of our main responsibilities as children's ministry leaders is to help kids and families engage with the Bible.
Let's look at a few ways we can see the Bible come alive for kids and families.
Ask the Holy Spirit to impact kids and families lives as they engage with it. Before you teach God's Word, ask the Holy Spirit to use it in the lives of the people you are ministering to.
Hebrews 4:12 goes on to say, "It is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Answers. The Bible has the answer to every question kids and families may ask. We must not rely on our own limited knowledge, but rather point people to the Word of God for answers. Kids can ask some very deep questions. The Bible has the answers to those questions.
If you don't know the answer to one of those questions, be honest and tell them. But also tell them that you will research it in God's Word and next week have the answer for them.
Attention. You may be thinking this.
"How can I make the Bible come alive for kids and families? Their attention is pulled a thousand different directions. And they have a short attention span that runs out after a minute or two of my lesson."
That's a great question. How do you hold kids' attention as you teach them God's Word? Here are some more articles that will help you with this.
Active Learning vs. Passive Learning...No Contest
The Formula for Keeping Kids' Attention
Why Kids Should NOT Sit Still at Church
ACT out Bible Stories. Rather than just reading about the stories in the Bible, have kids also act out the Bible stories as you read them. Get as many kids involved as possible. An example would be the story of Jesus walking on the water. You can have kids make sound effects of a storm.
Audio. Play audio clips at the appropriate time in the lesson. Teaching about Daniel and the Lions' Den? Play an audio clip of a lion roaring at the appropriate time.
Amazing. The Bible contains the most amazing stories ever told. Noah's ark. David and Goliath. Moses and the Red Sea. Jesus healing the blind man. Jesus rising from the dead. Get excited about sharing these stories with kids and families. When kids see you are excited about the amazing stories in the Bible, they will get excited.
Ability. Work to grow in your ability to teach the Bible. Have people watch you and then ask them for feedback. Video tape yourself and replay. Make notes of times you lost the kids' attention and times they were really engaged. Then go back and tweak your teaching skills based on this feedback.
Absolute truth. In a day of no absolute truth, the Bible stands as absolute truth. Kids will face challenges against the Bible as they get older. Kids will feel the pressure of cutting out parts of the Bible that the culture doesn't want to live by. We must teach kids that the Bible is absolute truth and they can build their life upon it.
The kids and families in your church and community need the Bible more than ever. Be the person and ministry that brings it to them. If you do, their lives will be changed forever. And yours will too.
