RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

I'm giving away a curriculum series. 

Connect12 curriculum is an elementary curriculum that can be used for weekend services, Bible clubs, small groups, mid-week programming, and more.

Connect12 helps kids connect with 12 key discipleship truths. It takes kids from salvation all the way to spiritual leadership.

Connect12 uses videos, hands-on activities, active learning, relevant music, Bible memory, learning styles, experimental lessons, and more to communicate with today's kids.

This link will take you to the series. Pick which series you would like and email me.  Next week, I will pick one person to win. 

Here is a video overview of Connect12.

We only have a short window of time to teach children about God and His Word.  

From first to fifth grade there are only 260 weekends and with the attendance patterns of your average family, you are only left with 100 - 130 opportunities to help kids get a solid faith foundation.  

What are you going to focus on during those weeks?  

What will your teaching strategy be? 

What key passages of Scripture will you have kids memorize?

I have spent hundreds of hours talking about and brainstorming what we should teach children in their elementary years. With the help of other leaders, we were able to narrow it down to 12 key topics.  Here is what I recommend we teach children in their elementary years. 

Salvation

Identity in Christ

Worship

Spiritual Growth

Obedience to God

The Bible / Apologetics

Purpose

Relationships

Stewardship

Wisdom

Sharing Your Faith

Spiritual Leadership 

I have curriculum series for each of these.  Below is an overview. Each series is 4-5 weeks.  You can get more information about ordering these at these link. They are available monthly or yearly. 

Try out one of these series on a weekend or mid-week program.  There are highly interactive and capture kids' attention.  

More importantly, they teach kids key Biblical truths that they can use for the rest of their life.

Have you noticed that kids love to watch the same show or episode over and over again? Have you noticed they love to hear the same story read again and again? 

There are reasons for this and we need to focus on this.

Repetition obviously has great benefits for children’s learning and well being. 

We know that repetition is a key part of learning.  

The Bible confirms this. Look what it says in Deuteronomy 6:7. 

"Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up." 

Children are constantly searching for the occurrence of regularities and patterns in their lives. It makes sense that children’s brains search for repetition because it helps them learn.

Repetition helps kids feel competent and in control. We know that kids are constantly being challenged to grow and learn.  They are always being stretched.  When they are able to master challenges through repetition, it helps them feel competent. They feel a sense of control which is very important for children.

"When children return to watch the same show, what they are doing, whether they know it or not, is driven by a desire to detect and consolidate the patterns in what they are watching, hearing or reading."           Eric Smalley 

Repetition provides children with a source of comfort and security that buffers against the stress and uncertainty of the many messages and challenges coming their way.

Here's an example. Well-known stimuli, such as that TV episode they’ve already watched many times, can provide a source of comfort and security that buffers against stress and uncertainty.  

Are you using repetition when teaching kids?  

Are you being strategic by intentionally including repetition in your lesson plans?

Do you know the value of repetition?

Did you know that if a child hears something once a month that their retention rate will only be about 10%?  But if a child hears something 6 times in a month that their retention rate goes up to 90%? 

If you want your teaching to make a long-term impact in kids' lives then you need to use repetition.

Think with me about the difference between short-term memory and long-term memory.  Obviously short-term memory teaching doesn't stick with kids for a lifetime.  Long-term memory does.  

John 15:16 says this...

"...but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last."

Repetition is one of the key ways that you can see fruit remain in the lives of children into adulthood and for the rest of their lives.

I know that you want to see your fruit remain.  Truth that is repeated is truth that will remain.  

As I design curriculum, I make sure that repetition is a big factor in it.  The key truth in each teaching series is repeated dozens of times. This helps kids remember the key truths for the rest of their life. 

Here is my guarantee to you.  Try one of my curriculum teaching series. If the kids don't remember the key truth of the series, then I will give you a full refund.  Yes...you read that correctly. I will give you a full refund if the kids can't remember the key truths 6 months from now...a year from now...for the rest of their life. 

I have designed the curriculum with 12 key truths.  12 key truths that are the foundation for a child growing in their faith and sticking with the faith for a lifetime. 

You can see and check out the curriculum at this link.  

Feel free to contact me if you have questions at dale@buildingchildrensministry.com.

Repeat...repeat...repeat...repeat...repeat. It is crucial. 

You can teach children a lot of different things from the Bible. 

There are also a lot of different curriculums to choose from.

For many years, I have brainstormed, researched and looked for curriculum that would have key elements that kids need to know before they graduate out of children's ministry. 

After not finding what I needed, I decided to write my own curriculum.

I wanted a curriculum that would be laser-focused and teach the "must know" truths that kids need as they are growing up.

The curriculum I created is called Connect12.  Connect12 is laser-focused and teaches these key 12 truths.

The Bible is clear to say...Jesus is the only way. (salvation)

God made me and loves me totally. (identity in Christ)

This is my story...worshiping God and declaring His glory. (worship)

Jesus is my best friend...on Him I can depend. (growing relationship with Jesus)

I will obey God and follow His way. (obedience)

The Bible is true...I can trust it through and through. (apologetics)

I know and can see...God has a special plan for me. (purpose)

My relationships will grow when love and respect I show. (relationships)

I will live to give. (generosity, stewardship)

Listening to God's voice will help me make the right choice. (wisdom)

I will go and share my faith everywhere. (outreach)

God made me to impact the world for eternity. (leadership)

*Jesus rose from the dead...just as He said. (Easter bonus lesson)

*The Christmas Present (Christmas bonus lesson)

I believe if you teach children these 12 truths, it will lay a solid, spiritual foundation that will stick with them for a lifetime.

What are you teaching children?  Do you have a strategic plan for what you are sharing with them?  If you want them to grow up to follow Jesus, then it's a must to teach them solid truths and apologetics. 

I also created a grid that each lesson must pass through that insures the lessons incorporate learning styles, the senses, repetition, hands-on learning, Bible memorization, icebreakers and other vital factors.  The curriculum will burn these 12 truths into kids' long-term memory.

Below is a video overview of the curriculum.  Watch it to see how the curriculum will capture the attention of the children in your ministry. 

Get a month and see how it fits your ministry. You can see lesson samples and purchase it at this link.

If are reading this in an email, you can watch the video overview at this link. 

I spent time this past Sunday talking about trains.  Why trains?  Because there is a child in our children's ministry that loves trains.  

He is getting another train set for Christmas and he is so excited.  

One of the most impactful things I can do for him is to talk about trains. 

Why?

Because when I talk about trains with him, it shows him that I care about him and his world.  

Here's the deal.  Discipleship happens through relationship.  And one of the best ways to build a relationship with a child is to enter their world and talk about what they like.  For this kid...it's all about trains. 

Let me ask you question.  Do you know what the kids in your ministry like?  What their hobbies are? What movies they like?  What cartoon character is their favorite?  What their favorite flavor of ice cream is?  What sports they play?  When is their birthday?  What is their favorite subject at school?

Kids could care less that you are the "children's pastor" or "small group leader" or "teacher."  What they want to know is that you care about them.  

It's time we move past letting kids walk in and out of our services unnoticed.  It's time we are intentional about making sure every child is personally known and cared for.  

You can't do this by yourself.  You can only know and connect with so many kids individually.  This is where small group leaders or Sunday school teachers must step in and be the difference makers. Help them see that their role is first and foremost to connect with kids and make sure they hear their name spoken.  That they are personally prayed for.  That they are missed when they are not there. 

What will you talk about with the kids next time you serve?  Trains?  Comic books?  Dolls?  Video game systems?  Movies?  Sports?  

One of the best times to talk with kids is pre-service.  Instead of sitting back and looking at your phone, get in the middle of the kids and talk with them one at a time.

One way you can be intentional about this is to write in some ice breakers into your curriculum.  Ice breakers can help kids open up and talk.  My Connect 12 curriculum has ice breakers written into every lesson.  You can get more info. at this link.

When I am not traveling on weekends, I help in the children's ministry at my church as a volunteer.  Last week one of the kid's mothers said something that brought tears to my eyes.  Her girl came home and said "I liked the service today.  You can tell Mr. Dale really cares about us kids."

Talking about trains and other things with kids makes a difference.

When I was a kid, I enjoyed reading Richie Rich comic books and watching movies and television shows about him.

It was about a kid who had more money than He knew what to do with.  His parents were extremely wealthy and so Richie had an endless supply of money available. 

I sometimes thought about how cool it would be to have that much money available. 

Although Richie Rich was a fictional character at the time, his story could happen in today's culture and commerce flow.  

And it has happened and is happening now.  Kids are becoming millionaires thanks to an online company called "YouTube."  Unless you have been hibernating over the last few decades, you know about YouTube.

An example of kids becoming millionaires through YouTube is Ryan Kaji.  Ryan is the world's highest paid YouTube star.  Not only is he bringing in millions of dollars through YouTube, but his themed products are also being sold at Walmart, Target and other retailers.  His YouTube channel, Ryan's World, has 27.5 million subscribers.  These connections helped make him a millionaire before he could even count his age in double digits.

His YouTube show is a mix of cute, educational family-friendly themes like a make-your-own Playdough tutorial, DIY science experiments and playtime with his twin sisters.   This helps promote some 5,000 Ryan-themed products that generate more than $200 million at retail annually. 

Kaji’s cut makes up more than half of the $29.5 million payday that put him at the top of the 2020 Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid YouTube Stars. Yes...and at 9 years of age he is making $30 million for toy reviews and generating over $200 million in annual retail sales.  

As I think about the success this 9-year-old is having in the world of business, it reminds me to never discount what a child, even before the age of 10, can do when people believe in him or her and give them a chance to use their talents.  

It's time we started giving kids the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.  Kids can serve now.  Kids can make a difference now.  Kids can make significant impact now.  Kids can change the world now.  

Kids just need someone to believe in them and the talents God has given them.  They don't have to wait until they are adults to make a difference, they can make a difference now.  

You may have some "spiritual millionaires" sitting in your class or group or living in your house.  Will you give them an opportunity to change the world?

Worship is such an important part of children's ministry.  We know that God inhabits the praises of His people.

And that includes the worship that children offer up to Jesus.

In fact, check out what is says in Matthew 21.

The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them. But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise'?"

In this passage, we see that children led the way in praising Jesus. 

Each week you have the opportunity to help kids enter the presence of Jesus through their praises.

That being said, let me ask you a question.  Are the kids in your ministry actually singing during worship time?  As I visit different churches across the country, I often see kids just standing there during worship time.  Especially the older boys in the group. 

If you can get the older boys to sing, then you will see all the kids engage in worship.  Younger kids look up to bigger kids. When they see the older kids singing, they will jump in and worship as well.  

Good, quality worship songs written with kids in mind are hard to come by these days.  Instead of creating songs that are first and foremost for kids, churches often make the mistake of trying to bring down songs that were written for adults.  

Another mistake I see is asking kids to sing songs that are too long.  When you drag out the last few words of a song and repeat them over and over and over, kids begin to check out.  

With these things in mind, that's why we created twelve original worship songs written and produced first and foremost for kids.  No need "bringing these songs down to kids' level.  They are already there.  Ready for kids to sing and worship with.

These 12 songs were written by an amazing artist named "Travis August."  Travis is a former kindergarten teacher and he knows how to relate to kids.  He produces songs that have the sounds that today's kids love.  Here's an upcoming event that Travis is going to be a part of. 

Recently, a children's pastor in NYC started using the songs and wrote to us about it.  She says it's just the kind of music that her kids love to hear and sing.

You will see this as you listen to his songs. They are intentionally shorter songs to capture kids' attention and hold it through the end of the song. 

The 12 songs are full of strong Biblical messages that will help your kids grow in their faith. They are written to compliment our Connect12 curriculum.

You can order the songs and get them as an instant download.  Includes the audio with and without vocals and the worship video with and without vocals.  

The price is right. You can get the whole album of 12 songs with audio and video for only $39.99 or single songs for only $9.99.  Click here for more info. and more sample songs.

Check out a few of the songs below and get your praise on! 

Those little footprints that follow in your steps?  One day they will be large footprints that make a huge impact in God's kingdom. 

You have been given the incredible responsibility to help lead and guide those footprints in the way they should go. 

We must always keep in mind that there is another generation that is following us.  Watching.  Inquiring.  Absorbing.  Imitating.

Your success will not be based on something that you pass along to the next generation.  Rather, it will be someone you passed on to the next generation. 

Guide them carefully.  Share wisdom from God with them.  Spend time praying for them and with them.  Help them get on a path that leads to Jesus. 

And always remember...there are a small set of footprints following you.  How does that inspire you and what action does that compel you toward?

Don't forget this Friday, Nov. 27th, I am starting our big Christmas sale.  Sale runs from Nov.27 - Dec.15. Huge savings on curriculum, milestone classes, worship songs, books and so much more.  30-50% discount on many resources.

Sale will be at our sister site - www.buildingchildrensministry.com.

Everything you need to get ready for 2021.  Here are a few examples...

Curriculum was $79 - sale price $49

Lead Well book was $19 - sale price $15

Parent & Child Dedication milestone was $49 - sale price is $29

and much, much, much more. 

Be sure to put it on your calendar and check out the great savings starting on Friday.