RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

In their annual report, Scholastic shared what kids want in books.  The findings provide key insights that children's ministry leaders should take note of as we look for ways to effectively communicate God's Word to kids.

Here are the top things that kids look for and connect with in books.

HUMOR.  70% of kids want books that make them laugh.

IMAGINATION.  54% of kids like books that let them use their imaginations.

MADE-UP STORY.  48% of kids like made-up stories.  Better yet...we have true stories that are even better than made-up stories.

SMART, BRAVE OR STRONG CHARACTERS THEY WANT TO BE LIKE.  43% of kids like reading about characters they want to be like.

TEACHES THEM SOMETHING NEW.  43% of kids like to read books that teach them something new.

A MYSTERY OR PROBLEM TO SOLVE.  41% like a mystery or problem they have to solve.

Want to see kids more engaged with your lessons?  73% of kids in the survey said they would read more if they could find books that incorporated the above elements.  The same thing applies to your lessons.  Bring these elements into your lesson experience and you will see kids excited about coming to your children's ministry.

There's a song you remember.  When you read the name of it below, the song lyric will pop in your head.

What's the song?  It's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from Wizard of Oz.

But why do you know this song?  Why has this song wedged its way into your long-term memory?  It's not by accident or chance.  There's a method behind it.

Composer Rob Kapilow recently gave an in-depth look at the song and why it has resonated with so many people over the years.  If you take a closer look at the song, you'll discover 3 keys to placing something into a person's long-term memory.  Here they are.

Key #1 - Talk about where people are.  This can be found in the first note and word of the song. The first note is a low note C.  The first word is "SOME".  It represents her present troubled reality.  Kansas.  Troubles.  Boredom.  Struggles.  Unhappiness.

When you are teaching, talk about where people are.  Step into their shoes.  Feel their pain.  When you speak to people who are hurting, going through struggles and broken...you will have a tuned in audience.

Key #2 - Show people hope.  The second note of the song jumps an entire octave to high C as she sings the second word of the compound - "WHERE."  This represents the yearning for a place where there is happiness and hope.  It touches on this yearning for hope again with the words "WAY UP HIGH."  The song continues to circle back to this yearning for hope.

When you are teaching, show people the hope that can be found in God and His Word.  When you offer people hope and help for their situation...you will have a tuned in audience.

Key #3 - Help them find transformation.  As she finishes out the song, the melody rises as she sings, "If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why can't I?"  Where does she finally arrive?  Oz.  From low C to high C...from Kansas to Oz...her transformation is complete.

When you're teaching, show people the transformation Christ can bring to their life.  Show them how God can transform not just their situation...but them as a person as well...which is His ultimate plan.

Bottom Line:
Why do you and I remember "Somewhere Over the Rainbow?"  Because it offers us the opportunity to go somewhere that will change us and our world in wonderful ways.  Offer this to people when you are teaching and they won't forget it.

Want to see the 3 keys in action?  Check out the song.

In a recent article, we shared that only 20% of parents are actually engaged in their child's spiritual growth.  This is based on the assumption that it parallels parent's involvement in their child's academic growth at school.

Here are the percentages of engaged parents.

• 20% engaged
• 57% indifferent
• 23% disengaged 

Let's look at 5 more keys to engaging parents in their child's spiritual growth and seeing the 20% increase in your ministry.  These are based on another study that asked parents what would motivate them to get more involved.

Key #1 - Leadership
Parents are looking for leaders who are in touch with the needs of their family and can provide them with helpful pathways and resources.  How can you find out what those needs are?  Ask them.  One way to do this is to regularly host a parent focus group.  You can get more information about this here.

Key #2 - Commitment to Teaching God's Word
Parents are seeking churches that are committed to teaching their children God's Word.  They want their children to be challenged to grow spiritually.  When parents see their child is excited about what they learned at church, they're be more likely to engage with them at home.  Think about ways you can more effectively communicate with parents what their child is learning.

Key #3 - Safety and Security
Seems an odd one for this list, doesn't it?  But in an era when 30% of parents worry about their child's safety, parents are focused on this.  Parents are more likely to engage when they feel confident their child is safe and secure in the environment.  Think about ways you can more effectively communicate and demonstrate the safety and security measures you have in place.

Key #4 - Personal Relationships
Parents are looking for a children's ministry where the staff and volunteers know their child individually.  When a child is connected to a caring leader who knows them personally, not only does the child become more engaged, but the parents as well.  Cast vision with your volunteers about this.  Help them see the vital role they play in engaging parents and provide them with pathways to do this.

Key #5 - Communication
Communication must move beyond an occasional email or newsletter.  Parents want meaningful communication.  They are looking for feedback about their child.  Feedback that invites them to become actively involved in the child's spiritual growth.  Think of ways you can provide parents with a "spiritual report card" so-to-speak for their child.
 
Research shows when you do at least 1 of these 5 keys well, 58% of parents become fully engaged.  When you do all 5 well, 84% of parents become fully engaged.  Consider each of these keys, work to improve them in your ministry and you will see an increased percentage of parents engaged in their child's spiritual growth.

What do the kids who walk through the doors of your church need?  Here's five key things to focus on.  If you can give kids these five things, you'll see their lives impacted.

Kids need to be known.  They need to hear their name spoken.  They need to be asked how their week went.  They need to be missed when they are absent.  They need relationship. 

Kids need to hear God's Word.  If their faith is going to grow, they must hear the Word of God taught in an engaging, relevant way.  Romans 10;17 tells us that, "Faith comes by hearing and the message is heard through the Word."  Kids need the Word embedded in their long term memory and be taught how to apply it to their life.

Kids need their parents to be equipped to lead them spiritually.  Kids need a ministry that will be intentional about providing their parents with spiritual growth tools and resources.  Kids need a ministry that will partner with their parents to celebrate their spiritual journey.

Kids need the investment and example of a godly leader.  Kids need a leader who will care about them, pray with them, teach them and show them what it means to follow Jesus.  One godly leader can make the difference in a child's life.

Kids need to have fun.  Kids need a place where they can laugh, giggle, play games, move around and talk.  Kids need a place where they will be able to answer "Yes" when their parents pick them up and ask those famous words, "Did you have fun today?"

Take a look at your ministry.  Are you providing kids with these 5 things?  How can you do a better job?  What do you need to start doing?  What do you need to change or do differently? 

Summer is winding down and fall is fast approaching.  Do you want to make it your best ministry season ever?  Here's how to build a powerful children's ministry over the next few months.

Powerful - Prayer
There is power in prayer. You see, nothing of eternal significance happens without prayer.  Increase your prayer time individually and corporately and watch God move.

Now this is not always easy to do.  Our first instinct is to plan more...try to work things up in our own strength...copy what's working somewhere else.  But what we need to do first is get on our faces before God and call out to Him for wisdom and a fresh anointing.

God can accomplish more in 1 second than we can accomplish in 3 months of our own strength. 

pOwerful - Outward focus
Over time, if you are not intentional, the focus of the ministry can shift completely inward.  This is when the holy huddle forms.  The needs of those inside the ministry take precedent over the lostness of those outside the ministry.

You can't spell the Gospel without "go."  2/3 of God's name is Go.  Get outside the walls of your church and out into the community.  Love.  Serve.  Invest.  Care.  Share.

What is on the heart of Jesus?  The children and families in your community who don't know Him.  It's why He came...to seek and to save those who are lost.  When you make His mission your primary mission, He will pour His power out on your ministry.

poWerful - Word of God
The word of God is powerful...sharper than a two-edged sword.  The power is not in fun games...not in cool environments...not in flashy videos...not in edgy music.  I am not against those things..I use them...but they cannot be the center of our ministry.

Our ministry must be centered on teaching kids God's Word and our curriculum must be grounded in it.  Kids must walk out the door with the truth of God's Word embedded in their heart or we have failed them.

powErful - Excellence
Depending first and foremost on prayer and the Word of God isn't an excuse to be lackadaisical.  God expects us to give our best.  He tells us that whatever we do should be done with all our might.  Excellence is found in the details.  When you pay fantastic attention to the details, they will add up to powerful results.   

powerRful - Raise up volunteers
A powerful ministry is powered by a dynamic volunteer team.  How many new volunteers do you need to add to take your ministry to the next level?  Set a goal for the next four months and start inviting people.  New volunteers will bring energy and excitement to your ministry.

powerFul - Focus
The more focused your ministry is the more powerful your ministry will be.  You can do a lot of things nominally or do a few things powerfully.  Focus your volunteers.  Focus your time.  Focus your budget.  Focus your vision. 

powerfUl - Understand the culture
You won't reach the kids and families of 2015 with a ministry that is operating like it's still 1985.  Learn today's kids.  Learn how young millennial parents think.

I often use the illustration of a McDonald's kid's meal.  The food has remained pretty much the same over the years...hamburger, fries and drink.  But the box that contains the food is changed to stay relevant to the culture.  If Superman is popular, then the box will reflect that.  If Minions are popular, then the box will reflect that.  Can you imagine if the box today had Captain Kangaroo on it (I just dated myself).  Kids would be saying, "What is that?  I can't relate to that."

Our ministry must be like this.  The food...God's Word...never changes, but the container we place it in must change to speak the language of the current culture.  We must be anchored to the truth but geared for the times.

powerfuL - Leadership
Powerful leadership brings powerful ministry.  A ministry will never rise above it's leadership.  If you want a 7 ministry, then you've got to be a 7 leader.  If you want a 10 ministry, then you've got to be a 10 leader.  What areas of your leadership do you want to improve?  Improve you and you will improve the ministry. 

May we ponder these things.  May we practice these things.  May we put these things into action.  If we will, I believe God will pour out His blessings on our ministries in the next few months.

Here's 10 staples you'll find in a great children's ministry.

Exceptional guest services.  New families are made to feel welcome, comfortable and cared for.  You can read more about how to create this here.

Solid volunteer team.  Behind every great children's ministry is a solid volunteer team.  Without them, there is no children's ministry.  You can read more about how to build a solid volunteer team here.

Focus.  They are focused on their mission and everything they do has been strategically placed to help them accomplish it.  More about this here.

Strong leadership.  Everything rises and falls on leadership.  Behind great children's ministry is great leadership.  Here's how to improve your leadership.

Commitment to God's Word.  The curriculum they use is Bible-centered and grounds kids in God's Word.  More about this here.                                                     

Parent partnerships.  They actively engage parents and equip them to lead their children spiritually.  Here's tips on how to do this.

Engaging programs.  Kids enjoy the programs because they are designed with kids in mind.  The environments are exciting, the lessons capture their attention and the atmosphere is fun.  More tips on this here. 

Solid safety and security processes.  Parents feel safe leaving their children.  Check-in and check-out systems are in place and followed rigorously.  Here's how to meet parent's expectations in this area.

Clear spiritual growth steps.  Spiritual growth steps have been thought through and are in place.  Kids are moved toward spiritual maturity.  More on this here.                                                                  
Prayer.  Everything is under girded with prayer.  There is a humble dependance on God that says, "nothing of eternal value will be accomplished without God."  More about teaching kids about prayer and fasting here.

The floor is yours.  What are some other staples of a great children's ministry?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

I recently heard a pastor say, "We do not live in a Christian nation.  We live in a nation that has some Christians in it...but it is not a Christian nation."

Whether you agree with that statement or not, it is evident that we are quickly sliding away from being able to classify ourselves as a "Christian nation."  Yes...it still says "In God We Trust" on our currency, but fewer people seem to actually be trusting in God. 

Consider this...

• 4% do not believe in God
• 8% identify as agnostic or atheist
• 13% disagree that faith is important
• 18% do not pray
• 27% have never made a commitment to Jesus
• 29% disagree that the Bible is accurate
• 32% have not donated money to a church
• 33% have not attended a church
• 41% agree that Jesus committed sins
• 47% do not feel a responsibility to share their faith
• 57% have not read the Bible
• 79% have not volunteered at church
• 81% have not attended "Sunday School"
• 81% have not attended a small group
• 89% have not participated in a house church

The startling realization is that each generation is becoming more post-Christian.  The Mosaics (ages 18-28) are 48% post-Christian compared to the Busters (ages 29-47) who are at 40%.  If this pattern continues, the generation of kids we are trying to reach will be even more post-Christian.

Don't let these stats depress you.  God is still at work...in an amazing way.  Some of the greatest churches in the history of our nation are being built right now and they are doing it by reaching post-Christians.

Here's what it takes...

Authenticity
Unbelievers want to see Christians that are genuine.  Not perfect...but with a sincere faith that translates into every area of their lives.  Nothing validates a person's faith more than living it out every day.

Attractiveness
No one wants to give their lives to misery.  When believers look like they were baptized in pickle juice, who would want to be a Christ-follower?  We must let the joy of the Lord rule our hearts so people can see it in our faces and be attracted to it.

Anointing
The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts of sin and draws people to the Father.  As we spend time with God, His anointing falls upon our lives and empowers us to reach people.  Take a look at some of the churches that are effectively reaching people and you will see that it's not because of their talent or cool music or hip pastors...it's because of the anointing of God resting upon their ministry.  Above  all else, beg...beg...beg...beg...beg...beg for God to anoint your ministry.

Acceptance
Are you willing to accept people where they are?  Can alcoholics, adulterers, people living together, homosexuals, drug addicts, agnostics, prostitutes, thieves, etc. come and feel loved and welcome?  Will you give them time and space to belong before they believe?  Notice I didn't say "approve" but "accept."  There is a difference.

Acquainting
In past generations, the public in general had some knowledge of the Bible.  But as we move farther and farther away from Christianity as a nation, you will find that people have little to no knowledge of God's Word.  You will have to start at square one, teaching them who God is and how He sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem us.

As the culture around us gets darker with each passing generation, the brighter the light of the Gospel can shine.  The Gospel is what changes lives.  It is the hope for the world!  Our greatest opportunities to share the Gospel and reach people area ahead.

The Post-Christian Generation...yes...you can reach them.  The Gospel still works if we will acquaint people with it.

Do you find yourself constantly telling kids to "sit still and be quiet?"

Do you feel like you're always on the verge of losing control of your classroom?

Is "ssshhhhh" your go-to -sound while you're teaching? 

If the answer is "yes" then don't worry, you're not a bad teacher.  You're simply asking kids to do something that they're not wired to do.

What do kids really need to get God's Word embedded in their hearts?  What do kids really need to move truth from their short term memory to their long term memory?

The standard answer would be to put them in chairs, keep them as organized as possible and try to keep a lid on their natural enthusiasm.  Basically a riot-controlled situation.  Welcome to a kids' class in the average church.

But a group of child education leaders in Japan had a different idea.  They realized that kids get anxious when they feel walled-in or constrained.  They realized that kids thrive in environments where there is a lot of noise.  They realized that kids learn best when they are allowed to move and explore. 

Based on this thought, they created the most radical learning environment I've ever seen.  It's the total opposite of "sit still and be quiet."  And the results have been outstanding.  Want to know what they did?  Watch the video below and prepare to be amazed.  It's worth every second of the 9:52.  Below the video are some of my initial thoughts about how this could translate into children's ministry.

My thoughts...

• We are forcing kids to sit still which is the opposite of their natural wiring.  This causes them to disengage and get bored.  Then we accuse them of "misbehaving."  It's not their fault...it's ours.

• Effective teaching incorporates lots of active learning.  You can read more about this in the article "The More They Wiggle...the More They Learn."

• Boxing kids in hinders their learning.  What if children's ministries swapped out their chairs for wide open rooms with lots of learning options for kids to choose from?

• Quiet classrooms are not effective classrooms.  Just because a child is sitting quietly doesn't mean he or she is learning.  In fact, the opposite is usually happening.

• We've made learning too safe.  Kids want challenge and exploration that takes them out of their comfort zone.

• Video certainly has it's place in learning, but nothing is a substitute for hands on learning.   Curriculum that is predominately video based is missing a vital part of learning.

Bottom line.  When we start creating church learning environments that allow kids to move and explore, we'll see them begin really grasping what we're teaching.

The floor is yours.  What are your thoughts? 

Last year, I shared in this post that preschoolers are leading the way in using touchscreen mobile devices.  38% of kids two and younger have used mobile devices, 47% of three to five-year-olds can navigate a smartphone and 57% can operate an app.

Nick Jr. recently released a new iPad app for preschoolers that's a huge hit.  It's a free app that has video episodes, learning activities, crafts and funny surprises.  You can get more info. about the app here. 

We are ministering to kids who are digital natives.  Who will lead the way in creating apps and content that will teach them God's Word?

Are there any apps out there that teach preschoolers God's Word?  If you are aware of any, share them with us in the comment section below.

Today I give thanks for children's ministry leaders everywhere.

Thank you...for your heart for serving.  You are an extension of the heart of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve.

Thank you...for working behind the scenes to prepare crafts, clean toys, buy goldfish crackers and put together curriculum.  Children's Ministry wouldn't happen without you.

Thank you...for seeing into the future of the church and investing in it's leaders.

Thank you...for loving kids even when they are having a bad day and are being difficult.  They feel your unconditional love and it marks their hearts forever.

Thank you...for being the arms of Jesus hugging a child whose parents are going through a divorce.

Thank you...for leading kids in worship.  You help them connect with their Heavenly Father.

Thank you...for making new families feel welcome.  Your smile is a big reason why they return.

Thank you...for serving when you've had a crazy week and are tired.  That's the weekend God uses you the most.

Thank you...for listening to prayer requests for dogs, cats, and goldfish.  You're showing kids that God cares about even the smallest details of our lives.

Thank you...for encouraging the single mom who's having a hard time balancing everything by herself.  Your encouragement means more than you know.

Thank you...for your passion to teach kids God's Word at the most critical time in their life.

Thank you...for choosing to teach the kid's class over sitting comfortably in an adult class.

Thank you...for changing diapers so a parent's life can be changed as he listens to the Gospel in the adult service for the first time.

Thank you...for staying 30 minutes longer than normal with a child after the service so his parents can talk with the pastor about struggles they are facing.

Thank you...for helping kids memorize God's Word.  It will pop back into their mind one day when they are in college and are about to make a moral decision.

Thank you...for your faithfulness to teach even when it seems the kids aren't listening.  God's Word never returns void.

Thank you...for investing in my kid's lives.  You are one of the reasons why they love Jesus now as adults.

Thank you...for speaking purpose and life into the child's life who is being bullied at school and feels worthless.

Thank you...for whispering a prayer over the baby you are holding in the nursery.  Your prayer makes an eternal difference.

Thank you...for reading my posts, sharing your wisdom through your comments and being my friend in ministry.  I am thankful for you!

May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with joy, good memories and love. 

The theory of evolution takes faith to believe.  Why?  It simply doesn't make sense.  And yet kids are being taught that it is the logical explanation of why we are here.

Logical?  Watch this video and you'll see why it makes no sense.



The church must teach kids the truth of God's Word.  We were created by a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants to have a relationship with us.

We recently created a kid's 4-week apologetics curriculum called "Mythbusting" where we tackle four key topics: Did God create us?  Is God real or not?  Is the Bible God's Word or not?  Is Jesus God's Son or not?

It will be available to other churches beginining this summer and comes with full media components.  Watch for more details coming soon.

LEGOS.  They have a long history in the realm of play.  Here's some interesting facts about the colorful little bricks.

• LEGOs were first created in Denmark in the 1940′s.
• The word LEGO comes from the Danish phrase “leg godt” which means “play well”. It is also loosely interpreted in Latin as “I put together”.
• If all the LEGO blocks ever produced were evenly distributed to all the people in the world, each person would have 62 bricks.
• About 18 bricks out of every million produced fail to meet the standard required.
• LEGO factories recycle all but about 1% of their plastic waste per year.
• About 36 billion LEGOs are produced every year, or 1140 elements per second.

I sometimes hear people in Children's Ministry say they don't believe in "entertaining" children at church.

I understand what they're saying.  They don't believe we should spend the small window of time we have doing things that do not directly teach kids to love God and His Word.

I agree...if that is your definition of entertainment at church.  Entertainment for entertainment sake alone is not what we are called to do.  Kids can be "entertained" at Disney World or at a movie or at home in front of a video game.

I think a word that better fits what we are should be doing is...engagement.  We want to see kids engaged in God's Word.

Kids should be entertained at church if the goal of the "entertainment" is to capture their attention and engage them with God's Word.

Let's make this simple and easy to understand.  We have the most important message in the world.  We must engage kids with it.  To do this, we must capture their attention.

"How" you capture their attention is not main issue.  If what you are doing is engaging kids and capturing their attention, then I'm all for it.  If that's a video, game, craft, drama, story, flannel-graph or whatever...then keep it up.

But...if what you are doing is boring kids to death and causing them to dread coming to church, then you should change and start "entertaining" them.  Remember...by entertaining I mean engaging.

I will say this.  Make sure you are using methods that connect with today's kids.  If you're still trying to teach kids the same way they did in 1960, then you may want to make some changes.  These are the kids of 2014...not the kids of 1960.

I think the criticism about "entertaining kids" usually comes from someone who sees people using different methods of engaging kids than they are using.  If it's not the way they do it, then it must just be "entertainment."

Entertaining and engaging...when it comes down to it these two words mean the same thing in my opinion.  Whatever you call what you are doing with kids, just make sure it's working.

Okay.  Your turn.  What are your thoughts about "entertaining" kids at church?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

A recent Gallup poll reveals that over 60% of Americans believe in evolution. 

The battle for the heart of the next generation continues.

On February 6, Ken Ham, a well known Christian apologist and outspoken evolutionist, Bill Nye, will meet for a public creation-versus-evolution debate.

Nye was the popular host of the children’s TV show Bill Nye the Science Guy, which was produced by Disney during the 1990s. An outspoken evolutionist, Nye was also featured in a YouTube video last year titled “Bill Nye: Creationism Is Not Appropriate For Children.”  You can watch the video at this link. 

Nye says, “in another couple centuries,” the creationist worldview “just won’t exist,” saying “there’s no evidence for it.”
 
Ken Ham, who is the founder of the Creationist Museum, says that Bill Nye has an agenda to teach children not to believe in God. 

The battle for the hearts and minds of the next generation begins long before kids enter a high school or college biology class.

So how do we effectively help kids get a Biblical foundation of the origin of man that will stay with them through their high school and college years?

First, we must teach kids that the Bible is God's Word and you can trust it completely.  We must show them that creation is true because the Bible is true.  Does the curriculum / teaching plan you are using regularly emphasis that the Bible is God's Word. 

Secondly, we must teach kids that creation is the origin of the world and mankind.  If you want to drive out darkness, then the best way is to shine a bright light.  Does the curriculum you are using teach kids the Biblical account of creation?

I am excited to announce that we are releasing elementary kid's curriculum in the next few weeks that will help you teach kids about Creationism.  It is a series called "Mythbusting."  One of the myths that will be busted will be "We came from monkeys."  This series will be available for other churches as well.  Stay tuned for more details.

Thirdly, we must help kids develop critical thinking skills.  The tendency is to completely shelter kids from the theory of evolution.  Then we wonder why they get swayed into accepting it as fact once they walk into a college classroom.

We must must equip them to think critically and see through the lies.

YouVersion just released The Bible App for Kids.  It's a free app that will help kids fall in love with God's Word.

It contains...

Animated storybook for smartphones and tablets.

Colorful illustrations with touch-activated animations.

Games and activities that help kids remember what they learn.

Kid-friendly navigation.

Here's more info.



You can download it for free at...
iTunes
Google Play
Amazon

How do you look at your volunteers?

As a teacher?

As a person to fill an empty spot?

As someone who can help you accomplish your goals?

As an awesome worship leader for kids?

As someone who is good at calming crying babies?

As a father figure for boys who come from single parent homes?

As a great leader who can invest in kids?

I want to challenge you to see your volunteers in another way.  Not as above...but as a someone God has called you to disciple.

You are not called to make volunteers.  You are called to make disciples.  (Matthew 28:19-20)

Volunteering is a key component of discipleship.  And when you pour into your volunteers, you're playing a key role in their discipleship.

You are called to disciple the adults that serve in your ministry just as much as you are called to disciple the kids in your ministry.  

When you see your volunteers in this light...it will change the way you look at them.

You'll invest in them not just so the children's ministry can grow...but so they can grow in their faith.

You'll train them not just so they can become better teachers...but so they can love God's Word more.

You'll pray for them not just they'll show up for their preschool class...but you'll pray they will find and fulfill God's purpose for their life.

How are you looking at your volunteers? 

Awana has been helping churches and parents raise children and youth to know, love and serve Christ for more than 50 years.  Each week, nearly 2 million kids take part in Awana worldwide through more than 26,000 churches.

Whether it's through Bible verse memorization drills or crafts, Awana helps children build their faith in Christ on a solid biblical foundation, enabling them to face the tween and teen years through a strong Christian walk.

92.7 percent of Awana alumni continue to regularly attend church as adults, and only 1.8 percent said they had dropped out of church since high school, according to an Awana alumni survey conducted in 2007.

Awana recently announced a partnership with Crossway to release a newly updated ESV (English Standard Version) curriculum.  I recently reviewed the Cubbies (preschooler) kit you see pictured above.  Here are some highlights that stood out to me.

• Appleseed Teaching Cards - beautifully illustrated these teach vital topics such as God is our Creator, God's Word is Truth, God Keeps His Promises, and more.  It also comes with PDFs that you can use to project the images for large format viewing.

• The student books do an excellent job in partnering with parents to extend the lessons and memory verses into the home.  Each lesson equips parents to lead their children spiritually through hands on activities, discussion starters, and a CD.

• The leader shirts are comfortable and will be appealing to your volunteers.  The kids' shirts have the "fun" factor that your preschoolers will love.

• There are great tools that leaders can use to connect with kids and parents including birthday cards, postcards, and more.

• Kids love puppets and there are 3 puppets included to capture kid's attention.

• I love gadgets and this kit has one of the coolest I've seen in awhile.  It's a fan that lights up and shares the gospel when you turn it on.  

My friends at Awana will be giving away a kit to one of our readers.  This is a $300 value.  You can enter by emailing me (dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com.  I will announce the winner next Friday, August 16, here on this site.

Here's a promo video with more information about this great new resource.

Today's post is from my long-time friend, Rob Brooks.  Rob has served in Children's Ministry for over 20 years in local churches.  I've had him speak at several of our kid's camps and he always does an amazing job.  In this post, he shares about Plowing and Planting in Children's Ministry.

My wife and I spent the weekend “playing in the dirt again”, plowing up a small plot on our property and planting fruits, vegetables and flowers.  I still have dirt under my fingernails. 

Lisa loves doing this every spring, and though I’m not much into gardening, I enjoy the time spent with her, doing something she loves.  It’s hard work, running the tiller through the soil, pulling up rocks, hacking through roots, and yanking out weeds. 

But then Lisa organizes the plot, allocating different sections to various types of plantings.  Hopefully, over the next several months, as we tend the garden, we’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.

I’m reminded of the many times Jesus used farming analogies in His parables.  There are so many parallels to life, to following God, and to training children in the Word. 

I think about my years in children’s ministry, as well as raising our own two daughters.  From the earliest years, our goal has been to plant God’s Word in the hearts and minds of children, our own, and those we taught in churches. 

Proverbs 22:6 teaches us to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  I believe if we are intentional about instructing children in God’s Word and ways, and are backing it up by living what we teach, our children may wander and make their own mistakes (as in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son), but sooner or later, they will “boomerang” back to the truth that was planted in their young lives. 

Our job is to follow the model presented in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.  Teach our children at every possible opportunity, making the most of every teachable moment.  And model in our own lives, what we want them to become in theirs.  That combination will surely bring a harvest of godliness in the next generation. 

You can connect with Rob at www.rtbrooks.wordpress.com or at www.linkedin.com/in/rtbrooks.  He is available for camps, children's ministry conferences, volunteer training, consulting, and ministry coaching.

"Jesus had 12 disciples."

"It rained 40 days and nights during the flood."

"There are 66 books in the Bible."

"David killed Goliath."

"Saul's name was changed to Paul."

"Jonah was swallowed by a big fish."

These are all important facts...but these facts alone won't instill in children a passion to know Jesus and follow Him.

If we are going to see children love Jesus with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind...we must teach beyond the facts.

How do you teach beyond the facts?

Teach beyond the facts to reveal who God is.  His nature.  His character.  His heart.

Teach beyond the facts to reveal the big picture.  The facts are all part of the big story of a God who loves them and wants to have a relationship with them. 

Teach beyond the facts to show kids how to live out the truth of God's Word.  Information without life application leads to head knowledge without heart transformation.

Teach beyond the facts to show kids how to serve others.  The end goal of the facts is not for kids to become a Biblical encyclopedia sitting in an ivory tower of knowledge.  It's for equipping them to share salvation and hope in the streets of everyday life.

Check your curriculum.
Check the message you have planned for this weekend.
Check the Bible study you are preparing.

Are you teaching beyond the facts?

C  Cleanliness.  Keep the children's environments clean.  Especially the nursery.
R  Return phone calls and emails within 24 hours.
E  Excellence.  Be committed to it and let it show through in what you do.
D  Don't require them to serve in Children's Ministry.
I    Invite their feedback and ideas to improve the ministry.
B  Be there for their family when they go through tough times.
I    Invest in them.  Help them become better parents.
L  Lead with integrity.  Be a person of character.  Keep your word.
I   Intercede for their family in prayer.
T  Teach their children how to live out the truth of God's Word.
Y  Yell at yourself, but not at their kids.