Walk With Me Blog

It’s Curriculum Reorder Time—Save 20% Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Save 20% on orders for the Fall 2012-Spring 2013 year that ship by May 31, 2012. Other discounts are available. Call us at 1-800-333-8300 to order or learn more!

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Looking for Ideas and Inspiration?

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:09:00 +0000

You’ve come to the right spot! This blog is FULL of both. Just scroll down and you’ll see a loooong list of topics on the right side of the screen. Click on one that sounds helpful to you and read on. Then post a comment of your own to add to the conversation!

I’m taking a break from posting new articles for a few months as we make plans to launch a new interactive website that will take the place of this one.

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Protecting the Kids You Lead

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:00:00 +0000

This Valentine’s Day, show the kids and families in your community how much you love them by providing a safe place for them to grow in faith.

For Leaders
It’s a tough world for kids these days. The evening news is full of frightening accounts of domestic violence, gang activity, online predators, and clergy abuse charges. Your Walk With Me group needs to be a safe place where kids can connect with God, with each other, and with caring adults who seek the best for them. Consider these ways to make that happen.

Nip Bullying in the Bud
Help your group come up with clear guidelines for how to treat and talk to one another. Tell your kids that if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable you want to know about it.

Follow Your Church’s Safety Policy
Many churches have rules in place that limit one-to-one contact between kids and adults, or require more than one adult to be present when working with kids. These policies may seem inconvenient at times, but the effort is worthwhile to ensure the safety of kids. Guidelines also help parents and caregivers feel comfortable sending their kids to your program.

Be Prepared to Help
Sign up for church—or community—sponsored training workshops that focus on identifying symptoms of child abuse, developing awareness of abuse, reporting suspected child abuse, and understanding the dynamics of abuse. As an adult who cares, you may be the one who helps protect a kid from a dangerous situation.

Listen and RespondIf a child shares a story of abuse, listen compassionately without expressing fear, disgust, or disbelief. Offer support and let the child know you care. Reassure him that it was good that he told you and remind him that what happened was not his fault. Don’t frighten him by talking about police or medical exams; instead, simply let the kid know that other adults need to hear what happened in order to make things better.

If you hear a story of abuse or are concerned for a child’s safety, speak to the Sunday school director or a church leader immediately. Don’t doubt your instincts or second-guess the story you heard. The coordinator will help you minister to the kid and family, as well as take steps to protect the child by reporting the abuse.

For Coordinators
As the person who recruits, trains, and assigns children’s ministry volunteers, you have a significant role to play in protecting kids. Use the following tips to partner with parents, council members, and volunteers to make safety a priority in your church.

Abuse Prevention
Frequently review and update your church’s abuse prevention policies.

Outline processes for screening staff and volunteers, for reporting abuse, and for reducing the risks of one-to-one contact.
Look for ways to improve your meeting spaces and make them more visible (by adding new windows, doors etc.).
Provide teachers with a clear discipline policy that specifies appropriate and inappropriate methods of discipline.

Volunteer Training
Provide your volunteers, and all adults in your congregation, with annual training in abuse prevention by a qualified individual.

Contact your denominational office to learn about the training options they provide.
The Office of Abuse Prevention in the Christian Reformed Church offers on-site training along with resources and conferences.
The Reformed Church in America recommends many excellent tools for training and prevention.
Local training may be available through community centers, child protection agencies, counseling centers, the police department and schools.

Abuse AwarenessHelp your kids learn that they are image-bearers of God who deserve to be treated with love and respect. Use Faith Alive’s two-session Safekeeping curriculum or other awareness curricula to teach kids to recognize abusive behaviors and help them discover ways to protect themselves and identify trusted adults who can help.

Prayer
Trust the Lord for the protection of the kids in your program. It’s frightening to imagine that abuse could happen in your church or in the homes of kids in your ministry. But as you tweak policies and supervise volunteers, remember that God is the source of all provision and protection. Ask him not only for protection, but also for eyes to see any danger that’s there so that you can intervene to help a child in need.

Recommended Resources

Safekeeping: Session Plans for Developing Abuse Awareness in Kids is designed to equip children and youth with an awareness of abuse and to provide strategies to deal with potentially dangerous situations.

Preventing Child Abuse: Creating a Safe Place will help your church set in place a comprehensive child abuse prevention program. Inside you’ll find general prevention policies, screening procedures for volunteers and staff, signs and symptoms of child abuse, guidelines for responding to a child's report of abuse, and much more.

Responding to Domestic Violence: A Resource for Church Leaders helps pastors and other church leaders respond to and prevent domestic violence. Includes resources for premarital counseling, addressing legal issues, and a variety of other areas.

New Year’s Reflections

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Whether you celebrate New Year’s with a toast and a kiss or snugly tucked into bed with a good book, there is no denying that something changes after December 31. Like God’s mercies that are new every morning, January 1 marks the threshold of a new year—the chance for new beginnings!

For Teachers
When you’re faith-walking with kids you’re bound to encounter joys of the journey and bumps along the road. Give yourself a moment to sit back, sip a cup of Joe, and reflect.

Joys of the Journey
Recall the beaming faces, the happy hugs, and the “aha!” moments of the last year. Offer a prayer of gratitude for the children God has placed in your life. Savor the memories of stories shared, songs sung, and the Spirit’s work in your midst!

Bumps on the Road
Ask the Lord for wisdom in areas of struggle. Perhaps it’s a family crisis in the life of a child, or scheduling overload in your own family. Cast your cares on Jesus, and bring before him the names of children who require extra care or patience. Take comfort in the words of Christ, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Visions of the Future
Wonder about the kids in your group. What plans might God have for them? What talents and gifts of the Spirit do you see in them? What experiences are shaping them on their faith journey? Pray that God’s perfect plan will unfold in their lives, and trust that “he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory!” (Eph. 3:20-21).

For CoordinatorsFor you, New Year’s brings a sigh of relief… ahhhh, you’re halfway there! You’ve survived the fall recruiting crunch, the kick-off chaos, and the Christmas celebration. Like a Sabbath on the first day of the week, you have a little time to catch your breath and regroup. Here are some helpful things to think about and do before diving into 2008 programming.

Purge the PilesYou’ve stacked and stashed for several months—now you can take time to sift and sort.

Replenish the supply closet with new glue sticks, crayons, scissors, and tape. Dump things that are broken or used up.
Reorganize shelves or drawers to provide easy access to the most important items.
If teachers have returned extra take-home papers to you, label them in bundles and store them in a safe location for future use.
Make room on walls and bulletin boards for a new year of student art.

Listen to LeadersCatch the ear of your teachers by phone, by email, or in person. Are they riding the wave of Christmas excitement, or looking for shelter from the storm?

As you talk with teachers, listen for signs of burnout and boredom—it’s not too late to recruit extra helpers or rearrange teaching schedules if necessary.
Compile a list of classroom troubles and triumphs to bring before the Lord and to serve as fuel for 2008 planning and training.
Look for ways to encourage leaders through the winter blues with affirming words, notes, and tokens of appreciation.

Dream Big Dreams
Walk through the hallways of your church and prayerfully consider your children’s ministry.

Praise God for kids and leaders growing in Christ in 2007!
Imagine all that could happen in the coming year—what might be in store for 2008? What goals will you strive toward? What changes do you hope to see?
Bend a knee to the Lord and begin this ministry year with a familiar prayer: “Thy will be done, thy kingdom come.”

Starting the Season--All Aboard!

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:25:00 +0000

By Karen De Boer, children's ministry leader and editor for Faith Alive.

Each fall my hometown hosts an Oktoberfest parade. For eighteen years we’ve watched from the same downtown corner and then driven to the same farmer’s field to prop the kids up among the pumpkins and snap their picture. When we began this annual event we had one child smiling among a sea of orange, now we’ve got four and have to tilt the camera to include some of their six-foot frames.

I’d like to say they’ve always been as excited about our annual pilgrimage as I have, but for many years I had to roll some of them out of bed, bribe them with promises of donuts and coffee, or, if all else failed, slip shoes and sweaters on their sleeping bodies and haul them into the van myself. (And that was just my husband.) Getting them on board wasn’t always easy, but now they wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Getting folks on board with your church’s children’s ministry program can be a struggle too. And often it’s the “Two P’s” (Pastors and Parents) that can be the toughest group to catch your passion. Although a little sweet-talking with donuts and coffee can bring some success, I’ve got a few other ideas you might want to try this fall.

Pastors: Children’s ministry leaders often tell me that their pastor “doesn’t have a clue” about what happens each week in the church’s children’s ministry program. One of the best ways for your pastor to catch the vision for kid’s ministry is by seeing it in action. Ask your pastor to stop by your program for a short visit. (Aim for once in the fall and then again in winter and spring.) Make connections during large group with an up close and personal interview—using your curling iron microphone of course! Find out the things your kids really want to know about their pastor by asking questions like:

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Who do you hope will win the World Series?
What hockey team do you cheer for?
What did you collect when you were a kid?
Was there anything you didn’t like about church when you were a kid?
Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?
What was your favorite thing to do at recess?
What’s your favorite Bible story?
How do you know God loves you?

After the interview invite you pastor to stay and see what happens during a typical week in your program. Chances are your pastor will enjoy the residual results of the visit—like suddenly being greeted by kids in the halls! If you’re a teacher, consider making your pastor the recipient of a craft/card/poster kids make in class during the year or inviting your pastor to be a special guest sometime.

Parents: Have a simple ten- to fifteen-minute open house at the end of one of the year’s first Sunday school sessions and invite families who are picking up their kids to come in and see what you do each week. Run a shortened version of your lesson by re-telling the Bible story and sing a song. Allow time for parents to meet each of their kid’s leaders and find out what happening at various grade levels. Tip: This would be a great time for leaders to show parents the take home pieces of the curriculum and offer ideas for using them at home.

Getting others on board your ministry wagon takes time but the final destination is always worth the effort!

Adapted from an article posted on the Connect Blog on Sept. 1, 2008. Used with permission.

Sunday Worship in the Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:53:00 +0000

In many churches some portion of the children’s ministry program happens during the worship service. When summer break comes the Sunday morning service is crowded with kids! If that’s your church, what do you do to help them engage in worship and offer their gifts in service?

With a little coaching and practice many kids are happy to read the Scripture text before the sermon, greet visitors and pass out bulletins, escort new families to the nursery, or assist the ushers in seating people.

Some churches put together weekly children’s bulletins based on the sermon text, songs that will be sung, and other elements of the worship service. I like to keep a stash of children’s Bibles and storybooks like the God Loves Me series by Pat Nederveld and the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones at the back of the sanctuary, for kids to use. We also try to incorporate more of the songs sung during children’s church, into our morning worship service, and the kids often help lead the congregation in learning the motions.

The harder trick is to help kids engage in the quieter, more reflective parts of the service. Encouraging them to raise their hand to offer a prayer request, or open the Bible to read along in the call to worship. That takes the personal attention of a parent, sibling, or caring adult to help them flip through the pages of the Bible to find the verse, or whisper a prayer request idea, or hold the hymnal open at kid’s eye level, and point to the words so they can sing along.

How does your church include the youngest worshippers? Please post your ideas below!

Snapshots of a Child-Friendly Church

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:34:00 +0000

At my little church, even the youngest kids usually join us in worship until after the singing. A few weeks ago, as one of the deacons was passing the offering plate, he came to the aisle where his family was sitting. His two-year-old son climbed out of his seat and reached for dad’s hand. Then his three-year-old daughter took hold of her brother’s hand, and together they walked down the isle, linked together like a little train, each one trailing behind the other, until they reached the front. Then the two kids stood with their dad, next to the other deacons as they prayed for the morning offering.

It’s easy to notice the things that should change in a church. As the children’s education coordinator, I’m sensitive to the times when kids are overlooked, left out, or underestimated. When I see that happening, I try to influence change.

But lately I’ve noticed that I’m not as vocal about times when kids are fully included and embraced. I might smile to myself and send up a prayer of gratitude, but I rarely seek people out to highlight the positive. We have a shared memory of two little ones walking down the isle with the deacons, but after church that day, I missed the chance to mention to anyone how special that moment was.

About a year ago I attended a workshop by Mark DeVries, author of Family Based Youth Ministry and Sustainable Youth Ministry. He talked about motivating leaders and the entire congregation by broadcasting snapshots of the church at its best. He said that he looks for opportunities to hold up a mirror to the congregation and say, “Look, this is who we are! This is what God is doing among us!” He watches what is happening in ministry and the life of the church, and then shares stories with parents, leaders, the council, and the ministry leaders.

These might be big or small stories—the leader who showed up at a student’s athletic event to cheer her on and get to know her parents. The adult who noticed that one of the kids always comes to church alone, and invited him to sit with their family. The child who welcomed the newcomer with a friendly warm smile.

I think Mark was really on to something. No one likes to be nagged and scolded about changing their attitudes or behaviors. But we like to hear good stories and good news. By sharing stories of the best of what’s happening in our church, we call out the best in each other. We are inspired to become more like the stories we hear!

What snapshots do you have to share? How can you let people in your church know about the good things God is doing in your midst?

Faith Modeling

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:08:00 +0000

What does it mean to be a faith model?

If the chorus of R.E.M.’s song “Shiny, Happy People” springs to mind, you’re not alone. Sadly, what we think of as faith modeling is often little more than pretending. Instead of reflecting the reality of life with God (which includes its share of ups and downs, as the psalmists testify), it’s tempting to put on a smile and pretend like everything is peachy all the time.

But kids don’t learn how to offer and receive forgiveness, or how to trust God through hard times by watching us put on a brave face. In their book, Celebrating the Milestones of Faith (Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2009), Laura Keeley and Robert J. Keeley write, “Children and teens need to see adult people of faith who are deepening their relationship with God. They need to know how adults pray. They need to see them in times of sorrow and doubt, and in times of sadness and joy. We cannot expect children to grow into mature disciples unless they see how other followers of Christ live a life of faith.”

This year for Good Friday, I attended a solemn service with a friend. On Easter Sunday my church was alive with joy and song in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. In-between the two services was Saturday, which turned out to be a pretty ordinary day for me. But it was far from ordinary for the first disciples. Imagine their despair and confusion in that time between Friday and Sunday—when they couldn’t yet see that the dawn would bring new hope, and they didn’t understand why Christ had died.

That lull exists in our lives, too. There are times when we’re right in the midst of the action—we see God’s hand at work, we sense God’s leading, we feel a close connection with Christ. And then there are times when we don’t understand God’s plan, we can’t see the way forward, or we feel the pain and shame of our failures. Can we really model faith for kids and teens if we still struggle like this?

We can if we don’t mind the company of people like Moses, David, and Job. Only Jesus can offer a picture of perfection. What we can do is demonstrate that hard times don’t disqualify our faith. We model what it means to have faith in a God who is bigger than our doubts, diseases, fears, and failures when we ask God the hard questions, when we pray the same prayers over and over again and wait for an answer, when we get help for an addiction, when we ask others to pray for us or with us, when we cry with someone who is mourning, and when we get away from the crowd every now and then to find refreshment in God.

We may actually model the essence of faith best when we don’t have all the answers, when we know our great need for God, and when we are open to the encouragement and wisdom of other believers.

Our kids face trouble too, and they need to know that God is there with them. They need to see that God’s Word still speaks to us in everyday situations, giving us guidance, strength, and conviction. They need to see us admit our mistakes and ask for forgiveness—because Christ’s forgiveness is strong enough to restore us to God and each other every time we fail. These aren’t always things that are taught in a lesson, but they are evident in our actions, our attitudes, and our prayers.

Faith modeling is simply about living our faith with kids—praying with them and for them, sharing conversations and stories about faith, and talking about how God is at work in our own lives.

I want to be able to say with Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). But I identify more with Peter, who loved Christ imperfectly as he tried to serve him with all his heart. He walked on water with Jesus, he witnessed the transfiguration, and he preached boldly on Pentecost. He also denied Jesus three times and was forgiven and restored. That part of Peter’s life tells me something very important about God’s grace and about faith—it gives me hope that Jesus will hold onto me too, no matter what. And that he’ll somehow use both the shiny, happy times in my life as well as the weak, painful times to testify to his goodness and grace.

Sing Along Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:30:00 +0000

“Let us sing the books of Moses, of Moses, of Moses,
Let us sing the books of Moses, for he wrote the Law.”

Believe it or not, these are the opening lines to a song I learned in college. The professor of Old Testament Survey passed out lyrics set to the tune “Did you ever see a Lassie” to help us remember the Old Testament books and classifications.

It gave us a good laugh, but it also worked. Whether you’re a 9-year-old at Sunday school or a 19-year-old at college, setting the books to song is still the best way to remember them—and the song selections keep getting better!

In a recent You Tube search I found three that I just had to pass along.

The first, from The Bigsby Show, has a tune that’s radio-worthy.

The Books of the Bible Rap by MarshPointProductions includes an echo that makes it easy to use with kids.

Finally, a version from Go Fish—always a favorite with kids!

Too Many Stories?

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:33:00 +0000

"I don't send my kids to Sunday School, because they already hear so many Bible stories. My kids hear a lesson at school, during children and worship, and again during their groups (such as GEMS, Cadets, etc.). It is just too much for my kids!"

It’s true that many stories swirl around in our minds, sometimes all jumbled together. Right now, when I close my eyes, my mind sees a flurry of images—the face of someone I passed in the hall a few minutes ago, the circle of friends from last night’s Bible study, the setting of the book I’m reading, a painting that recently caught my attention. Along with the images is the chorus from a Jars of Clay song I listened to this morning—“This is the one thing, the one thing, the one thing that I know . . .” With all of these snippets floating around in my mind, is there any room for another story?

Mine isn’t the only brain that’s swirling with stories. Characters like Blue, Dora, Arthur, Hannah Montana, Raven, Suga Mama, and Danny Phantom come in daily and weekly doses. Kids might see back-to-back episodes of the same shows from several different seasons, or several different shows in a given week. But, sequential thinking doesn’t begin until about the fourth grade, so this kind of jumping around doesn’t confuse kids. The star character is the connection between every episode.

The same is true of Scripture, but the stories of Scripture are true and lasting, with God at the center connecting them all. Our brains love this! They are always looking for connections—questioning whether new information is important and looking for ways to link with something we’ve already experienced or learned. According to Sarah Armstrong, author of Teaching Smarter with the Brain in Focus, our brains need to encounter each new piece of information multiple times and understand how it fits into the big picture in order to fully learn or memorize it.

If kids don’t remember every story they hear this week, that’s okay! They will be hearing these stories for the rest of their lives. And with every encounter they’ll discover more about God and themselves. Though they might not see all the ways each story fits together now, we can trust that in time the sequence will become clear, and the one big story of God’s redemption and restoration of the world through Jesus Christ will emerge as the heart of each episode.

In the meantime we can help kids get a glimpse of the big picture by talking about what the Bible means to us, by saying things like, “This story is from the Bible—a special book that tells us about God and about God’s plan for the world and for us.” Neurologist John Medina talks about the big picture—the schema—in his book Brain Rules. A schema is a system that organizes smaller details under broad categories. Schemas help us learn by grouping connected information—in this case, the multiple Bible stories our kids hear each week.

The God Loves Me series of Bible storybooks offers a wonderful Bible schema that links each story for preschool brains. They all begin with, “This is a story from God’s Book, the Bible. It’s for (child’s name), and it’s for me too.” The schema, “Stories from God’s Book, the Bible,” becomes a giant treasure chest in a child’s brain that opens up to receive each new story!

That little phrase, “It’s for (child’s name), and it’s for me too,” also does something very important when it comes to learning—it identifies value. This story is for ME! Things that personally connect to us, especially when they connect emotionally—with laughter or sorrow, surprise or excitement—are much more likely to find a home in our memory.

With each story we share we can help kids see the value by asking ourselves some questions: What will my kids relate to in this story? How will I draw them in to those aspects? What does this story mean to me? What examples can I share of how God is shaping me through this story? We can also pray that the Holy Spirit will work inside the brains of our kids, helping each story find a home among the neurons—a place of connection with their hopes, fears, dreams, questions, and everyday experiences.

Can there be too many Bible stories in one week? I don’t know. One thing I do know is that God meets us in the stories of Scripture, and I want my kids to meet with God every day of the week.

Extreme Website Makeover!

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:59:00 +0000

Check out our fresh new look on the Walk With Me website! The new design makes it easier than ever to find the scope and sequence, music, training resources, and more. Let us know what you think!

Top Ten Reasons to Walk With Me

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:04:00 +0000

Here is a little inspiration for dedicated teachers who occasionally wonder what they've gotten themselves into! Why do we walk in faith with kids?

God calls us. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deut. 6:6-7). God’s plan for passing on the good news of salvation has always been to tell the story person to person, from generation to generation. You’re part of God’s grand plan!

It’s what Jesus would do. Jesus picked out a small ragtag group of followers and taught them the Way. And they went out and did the same . . . and so on and so on. If each one reaches some and teaches some, the kingdom of God will spread on earth!

The church needs you. In fact, the church needs all its members to do what God has gifted them to do, from stoking the furnace to preaching the Word. If you have been gifted with a love of children and an ability to communicate with them, the church needs you to do your job of ministering to its youngest members!

The kids need you. Today’s kids have such busy, stimulating lives that there’s hardly room for God. Can God compete with exciting stuff like computer games and videos, basketball and marching band? But you know a secret: our God is so big, so strong, and so mighty, there’s nothing our God cannot do. That’s your story, and you’re sticking to it. That’s the story kids need to hear.

You need this experience. True, nobody said the job would be easy. Neither is backpacking around Europe or trekking in the Himalayas. Anyone who’s traveled, however, knows that such challenges broaden your horizons, strengthen your backbone, and create lifelong memories. The experience of teaching children enriches you in ways that you can’t imagine right now.

Society needs you. “You are the salt of the world,” said Jesus to his followers. And what the world desperately needs right now is a generous sprinkling of salt to preserve what’s good and keep it from spoiling. God’s message of love and forgiveness is that kind of salt. The more Christians spread that message, the stronger and healthier our society will be.

You’re part of a very big picture. One person being used by God can change the world . . . just think of godly leaders like Tony Campolo and Dwight Moody. A good Sunday school teacher led each one of them to the Lord, and they in turn taught thousands more. You may never know what a difference your words and love made, but God knows the big picture.

To teach is to learn twice. Wondering if you’re really “spiritual” enough to teach others? God has a funny cure for that: if you want to grow spiritually, don’t run away from teaching, commit yourself to it. As you prepare your lessons and then speak of what you learned, God will do a number on you! You’re going to be blessed.

Childhood is the teachable time. Tobacco companies know if they can get kids hooked on cigarettes early, there’s a huge chance they’ll stay hooked. Statistics for church use are similar. A study by Barna Research Institute shows that most decisions to follow Christ are made before age twelve. After age eighteen, there is only a 4 percent chance that a person will become a committed Christian. Childhood is the teachable time, and you have the privilege of being there!

You are making a whole lot of new friends. The Sunday school coordinator/superintendent thinks you’re the best thing going because you serve. Parents love you because you’re showing an interest in their kids. The church appreciates you because you’re using your gifts. Kids you never knew before now grin and wave at you in church. And it can’t get a lot better than that!

Change

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:11:00 +0000

2009 held a BIG change for my little church. A change that was carefully thought out, prayed over, and discussed. A change that meant rerouting the church van and reorganizing the whole Sunday schedule. A change that required two congregational meetings, the approval of the council, and the vote of church members. It wasn't easy and it wasn't quick, but it happened: our Sunday school hour moved from Sunday evenings to Sunday mornings!

Here are three things to keep in mind if you're planning a change in 2010.

Pray before proceeding. Most changes in church are a long time in coming. Why? Because the church is a pillar of stability in a chaotic world. The routine might really need refreshing, but for many people what's familiar is what's comfortable. Even good change comes with growing pains, so seeking God's wisdom and direction and laying our motives before Christ is always the best way to begin.

Cast the vision with care. When you're convinced that a change could strengthen the ministry, and you see the many possibilities it would open up, you're ready to start casting the vision.

Start with those who would be most directly affected--the teachers, the church leaders and pastor(s), and parents.
Don't forget to talk with those members whose voices tend to rise above the rest. They may not have a vested interest in the change you're proposing, but when they speak up, everyone listens. So it's important that they hear about the potential change from you, and have the chance to offer you their advice.
Anticipate the aspects of the change that would be most exciting and most intimidating for each person you talk with. As you share, start with what's exciting, and offer solutions for the potential problems you foresee.
Share your ideas with humility, and ask for feedback. Be ready to reshape the vision many times as others catch on and offer their insights.

Be patient. Trust the Lord's timing more than your own, and remember that change happens slowly. Even the smallest churches are made up of many people who have dozens of opinions and ideas about how best to lead and serve. When discouragement comes (and it will), refer back to step one and continue to pray for and wait on God's leading. If the proposed change will build up the community of faith, carry forward God's mission of redemption, and bring God praise and honor, then you can trust God to make it happen!

And if, for some mysterious reason, it doesn't happen, fight the urge to take it personally or to dole out blame. Instead, take heart in knowing that God's wisdom is higher than your own. And find humor in the fact that God's people (including even you) have always been a stubborn bunch. Some things never change.

The Hue of Heavenly Hosts

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:15:00 +0000

With carols playing in the background we busily worked to create ornaments for our Promise Trees (from the WWM Promise Keeper Christmas book). We glued sequins to tiny globes and applied glitter to the angels wings as we talked about stories of promise that point us to Christ.

Reaching for a crayon, one of the girls sitting near me said, "I'm going to color my angels with white faces--like the color of God."

Like the color of God? The comment startled me. I sputtered something I can't fully remember now-- Something about how God is not white, or black, or brown like people are, and Jesus was from the Middle East, and God created and loves people of all different races. . . I babbled what I hoped were clarifying, affirming words. I wondered how she felt about her cinnamon skin as she imagined a light-skinned God surrounded by a choir full of Caucasian angels.

Since that class two weeks ago, I've been thinking about Biblical art. Not long ago I posted about the power of images in shaping our faith and how important it is that kids (and adults) have a visual vocabulary of faith that helps them explore and understand God. Now I know how very true that is. Art takes liberty in putting shape to words and filling in unwritten elements of the story like posture, gestures, facial expression, skin tone, age--even the twinkle of an eye. In doing so it can expand or narrow our vision of God. It can make us feel closer or more distant to the God of love.

I incorporate a couple different children's storybook Bibles into our children's church and Sunday school programs. These are Bibles that I like because the people are not so pale as they are in many kids' Bibles. But with one of them there is a bold exception: the angels. They all look the same--fashioned after Fabio. They are tall with cartoon muscles, sparkling teeth, and gleaming blond hair. But I'm very careful to make sure that every time we read a story that includes these angels we pause and wonder what angels really look like. We talk about how God's people are black and white, and brown, and so God's angels probably are too.

No matter how well-intended those conversations are, now I see that they don't change the images that remain in kid's minds as I turn the pages and close the book. They are pictures that work against the powerful meaning of Christmas! Instead of celebrating a God who is with us, who in Christ became one of us, these images lead to questions like, is there anyone in heaven like me? Do I belong there? Does God love me, too?

I'm paying much closer attention to art now, because none of our kids should have to wonder these things. The next time you're at a Christian bookstore, brouse the shelf of young children's bibles and see what you find. How many pictures include heavenly hosts in hues of brown? How many depict Christ in a way that's faithful to his heritage? Which child gets to sit on Jesus' lap as he welcomes the children? The answer won't go unnoticed by little eyes.

Sharpen Your Storytelling Skills!

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0000

I listen to stories as I clean each Saturday. I start in the kitchen and a new book drifts through my earbuds. Mysteries, novels, autobiographies--the characters and plot swirl through my mind as I scrub the stove and start the dishwasher. It's the story that holds my attention, but the skill of the reader draws me in. Subtle changes in voice distinguish the characters, words infused with emotion bring the plot to life--I hardly notice my hands finishing the housework. My little gray cells are too busy counting the clues with detective Poirot!

That kind of rapt attention is hard to gain with a young audience--even when you're telling the most exciting Scripture stories! That's why I love this video from editor and storyteller Karen De Boer. It's full of storytelling tips and ideas that I try to put into action each time I share a story with my giggling group. I hope you find it helpful too!

Telling Great Stories

Story Partners

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:50:00 +0000

Some of my favorite story times are ones that allow kids to take center stage. I'm a body smart person, and it turns out most of my kids are too. We love to jump in and become part of the story. When we imagine we're the disciples in the boat as Jesus comes walking across the water, we pull Peter and Jesus into our boat made of chairs shouting, "Wow--you really are the Son of God!" and then we go back to fishing for a little while. Someone throws Peter a pretend towel or shows Jesus the latest catch, and then we cast out our lines again. Those are my favorite times as a teacher. When a story engages our imaginations, it sticks with us long after the lesson.

There are three things I keep in mind each time I tell a story with partners:

Casting
Instead of asking "who wants to be . . . ?" I pass out the parts myself. This moves things along more quickly, and allows me to prepare at home by jotting down names of kids who might be well suited for various parts. I also include non-speaking parts to involve everyone in my group (and add a little comic relief). Kids might be sheep, trees, rocks, members of a crowd, or anything else that helps tell the story.

Context
As we look over scripts, or brainstorm a dramatic retelling, I help kids imagine their way into the roles: You are an undefeated warrior--a giant compared to the puny guy that's challenging you. There's a cheering crowd watching your every move. How would you stand? What would your face look like; your voice sound like? What are you carrying?

Culmination
I've found that two times is the charm. Whether we're creating an unscripted drama or carefully reading lines, we all need a practice round. The first time we get used to our role, practice hard words, know where to stand, and get our giggles out. By the second time we're ready to focus on what's really happening in the story. . . and when we know the story, we're free to improvise what might have happened after!

A Flu-Proof Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:00 +0000

When I think of autumn, I imagine crisp apples, colorful leaves, cool weather, carving pumpkins . . . but this year, H1N1 is stealing the show. Hand sanitizer is as plentiful as pumpkins, and even an apple a day can't keep the doctor away. Every sniffle is scrutinized, every ache causes alarm. Flu-fear is spoiling our fall!

So what can you do to flu-proof your church, and fight the flu-fear that's spreading more quickly than the virus? Here are a few ideas:

Prevention
Staying Home is OK!
Send home a note to parents and caregivers letting them know they can have a free pass on perfect attendance if they keep their kids home when they're feeling sick. Assure them that protecting their kids from catching a cold or the flu is your priority too, so sniffling kids will be asked to stay with parents instead of entering the nursery or Sunday school programs.

If you communicate with families via email, or have space on your church website, link this music video from Dr. Clarke to inspire kids and parents to stay healthy:

Disinfecting at the door
Supply each room with hand wipes and a pump hand sanitizer for kids to use as they enter the class/nursery. Use hand wipes with small children and keep the pump out of reach from the kids except when it's time to use it. Remind teachers to encourage kids to wash/sanitize their hands after they blow their nose and to avoid touching their nose, mouth, and eyes as much as possible.

Keeping clean
Before and after kids arrive and after they leave, wipe down surfaces and doorknobs with a household cleaner, and wash all the toys that have been in toddlers' mouths.

Planning
Scheduling substitutes
Remind your teaching team who to call if they're sick when they're scheduled to serve. Let everyone know about plan C--a video, a combined class activity, or a way to cancel class--in case subs can't be secured. Decide what would happen if schools close for sickness in your area--would that mean church programs would close as well? How would that be communicated to families?

Communication station
Partner with a doctor or nurse from your congregation or a local clinic to get information you can use to set up a billboard or booth for families. Post helpful fliers and handouts on how to stay healthy as the flu season approaches, and highlight the worship, church school, and nursery policies involving illness.

Perspective
The flu doesn't have the final word!
With all this talk of sickness it's hard not to feel anxious about H1N1! That's when it's time to take a deep breath, whisper a prayer, and reset our focus. The God who knows every hair on our head is still in control--which means precaution is necessary, but paranoia is not. After all, not even the flu can separate us from the love of God--"neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Playing by the Rules

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:18:00 +0000

As an arrow whizzed passed my ear--much too close for comfort--I turned to face whatever kid had broken the archery rule I had just finished explaining. Unfortunately, it wasn't a kid. It was my co-leader. The co-leader who was supposed to be helping me lead archery and keep kids safe was now giving me a shrug and a casual "oops" expression.

Have you ever had one of those moments? You're trying to lead a class and your so-called helper is causing more chaos than the kids. You're the bad guy for enforcing reasonable rules because last week's leader let the group go wild. Few things cause more frustration than team teachers who are not on the same page!

If you pair up with another leader to share a class or rotate by unit or quarter, consider having a conversation about these key concerns:

1) Expectations--Walk With Me's approach of teaching to the multiple intelligences means that kids won't be quiet and seated all hour. But even active "body smart" activities can be done with respect for the leader and for each other. Walk through a lesson with your co-leader and talk about what expectations you have for kids as they enter the room, participate in the session, and exit. Come up with a few key rules that you both agree on, and make your discussion practical by talking about ways to redirect specific behaviors you've seen in the past.

2) Consequences--Choices and consequences are the keys to setting high standards for your kids. Talk about the privileges kids have and which ones will be taken away as a result of poor choices. Agree on your approach to calling kids on misbehavior. How many times will you let things slide before you say something? What words and tone will you use? (For example: "Jenny, you can choose to turn around and finish your project, or to sit next to me until the other kids are finished. Which will it be?") What choices and consequences are fair for the behaviors you anticipate? If you're usually teaching together figure out how you will share roles so that one person isn't always "on duty" as the problem solver.

3) Consistency--The only way to gauge consistency is to check in with one another frequently. Talk by phone or email every few weeks to see how things are going, what needs to be tweaked, and how kids are responding. When boundaries are set and consistently kept the climate will become more positive for everyone!

If you're the Sunday school coordinator, having a clear discipline policy will make conversations like these between teachers much simpler. Consider posting expectations in each classroom--as much for leaders as for the kids--and going over general guidelines with parents and leaders about twice a year. If you're looking for a simple way to do that, download the Goodbye, Classroom Chaos! workshop from the Grow website to share with your leaders!

The Curriculum Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:18:00 +0000

My husband and I occasionally entertain ourselves with a Lego challenge. We purchase two identical sets and sit across from each other at the dining room table. On the count of three we break open the packages, dump out the contents, and start building.

The sneaky thing about about these little Lego sets is that the directions often contain several additional steps that are totally unrelated to the main design. It can be confusing if you don't know what you're looking for. You might find yourself off-track, searching your little pile for a piece that's not even included in the set!

For many teachers, curriculum directions can feel the same way. Sifting through the options seems confusing, and sorting out the pieces takes more time than expected. With Legos, most of the fun is in snapping together all those brightly colored pieces, but for teachers, assembling the lesson isn't as much fun as actually sharing God's word with kids.

So what can you do to make lesson planning a snap?

Consider the components
With every new unit, spend a little time figuring out how all the pieces fit together. Flip through your leader's guide to find these components:

A teacher's devotional and Bible background at the beginning of each session.
Step-by-step lesson plans throughout.
Leader's resources stapled into the middle (labeled by session in the top, right-hand corner).
Music and lyrics used during the unit, included in the back.
Reproducible pages in the back (labeled by session).
Notes for the family in the back, included among reproducible pages.

* If you're teaching preschool, your supplies are all neatly stashed in the preschool box.

Along with your leader's guide you'll use:

Student materials--these are new for every unit. The variety keeps kids interested.
A CD for the year (unless you're a musician, then you can lead the songs yourself).
Access to a supply cubboard, along with a few household items for lessons.

Have supplies handy
I keep construction paper, markers, crayons, scissors, tape, and glue in a bag along with my leader's guide, student materials, and CD at all times. This allows me to plan wherever I am since I already have most of what I need at my fingertips.

Break it into bits
Plan a little at a time throughout the week so that you aren't left with the complete lesson to plan on Saturday night. This also gives the Holy Spirit a little wiggle room to make this story an important part of your life before you share it with the kids.

Employ your imagination
Keep your kids in mind as you read each step and imagine how they'll respond to it. Ask yourself:

Who will really enjoy this step?
Who might need extra attention to make this work? What can I do to make that happen?
Is there any other way I should tweak this to make it fit my kids?
If there's an option, which is better for my kids--the original step or the option?

Plan with prayer
Planning is the perfect time to lift your kids up to the Lord. What are their concerns? What are your hopes for them? Ask God to make this story live in their hearts throughout the week!

Celebrate success
Our Lego Challenge usually ends with a bowl of ice cream for each of us. When you tackle the curriculum challenge--taking the time to pray and plan for a solid session--everyone wins! Instead of setting up last-minute props and stumbling through your notes, you'll be ready to greet each child and offer them the gift of God's word.

That's worth two scoops if you ask me!

Connected in Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Here's a neat way to help the kids in your class or program feel connected to the larger church community:

1) Create a weekly routine of introducing and praying for a member (or family) from your church

Start with yourself, and then spotlight one child a week until your whole small group (or program) has been introduced and prayed for. Then move on to a new member (or family) of your church each week.

Since other members of the church probably can't meet you in class each week, use questionnaires to learn more about them.

If your kids are old enough, brainstorm a set of questions together, then choose 3 or 4 favorite questions. Tip: Include a question about hobbies or interests that your kids can easily follow up on if they are curious.

Send the questions via email (or snail mail) to church people that your kids frequently see on a Sunday morning or during a midweek program. Include teachers, pastors, elders, worship leaders, children's church leaders, greeters, helpers, and the parents of their classmates.

If your church is HUGE stick with the kids and/or leaders of your children's ministry, or the main leaders of your church. Or, consider adopting another Sunday school class or small group to focus on for the year. Encourage that group to reciprocate by praying for someone in your class each week as well!

2) Collect questionnaires and photos from church members

If you're using paper questionnaires, have your kids distribute and collect them before and after a church service. For email, request digital photos along with replies. Create a special folder in your inbox for replies as they come in.

If you have a photo directory, check with the church administrator to see if you can use the digital images for your project. Otherwise use a digital camera to snap shots of your church family. Set up a photo corner in a visible area where people will be passing through, and encourage your kids to flag people down and help take the photos.

3) Create a photo display that fits your group's personality

Design a scrapbook of photos with enough space to add one per week.

Use butcher paper to draw a mural of your church with large open windows. Cut the photos around the edges to fashion heads peeking out windows or people waving and standing in front of the church. Tip: for this option try to be consistent about how close people stand to the camera. If individuals submit photos you may need to use a program like Adobe Photoshop to make the people in the pictures a consistent size.

Decorate your room, a wall, or a bulletin board with paper chain people, adding photo faces of the real people from your congregation. Include the heading "Faith Family" or "Connected by Christ" to remind kids that the church is a very special community.

Keep it simple by printing 4x6 photos and taping them to rectangles of colorful construction paper or cardstock. Then stick them on the wall with a little poster putty. Tip: arrange the photos to form a shape, like the outline of a church, a cross, the letters in your church name (if it's short). You can even build the shape in advance with the construction paper rectangles, and then watch the shape fill with people as the weeks go on!

4) Encourage your kids to build community

As kids "meet" a new person or family each week by seeing their picture, learning a little about them, and praying for them, encourage the kids to look for that person or family on Sunday morning.

Let kids know where they might see the person of the week (greeting at the door, preaching, passing around the offering plate, or checking kids into the nursery), and encourage them to introduce themselves.

If the individual, couple, or family is familiar to someone in your group, ask that child to tell something that they like about the featured person/family.

Check in each week to see if anyone has seen or met one of the people or families you've been praying for, and make a game out of reviewing names as the weeks go on ("This morning I was greeted with a smile by one of the people on our prayer wall--can anyone guess who that was?").

Remind kids that prayer is an important ministry that they can be part of--we pray for people because we care about their lives and we trust God to take care of them.

As your kids become more familiar with the faces they see from week to week, they'll feel more at home in the congregation and more comfortable reaching out to help others feel welcome as well!

Time Savers for Leaders like Us

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:24:00 +0000

When I say “leaders like us” I don’t mean leaders who are looking for an easy way out. I mean BUSY leaders. Volunteers who say yes to more than they can manage. Teachers who wish there were eight days in every week. You know who you are.

Leaders usually have high hopes for the season, but can get overwhelmed unless they're organized.

Here is a quick tip for busy teachers:
Planning in Pieces
Consider your daily and weekly habits and find one to link with planning. On most mornings (when I have my act together), I like to sit in my favorite chair with a warm cup of tea and my Bible. This year I plan to add my leader’s guide as well. Walk With Me is perfect for planning in pieces:

Monday—read the Scripture passage and hunt for supplies (or make a shopping list)
Tuesday—explore the WORDSearch and pray for the kids
Wednesday—plan and pray about the HELLO step
Thursday—plan and pray about the KNOW step
Friday—plan and pray about the GROW step
Saturday—plan and pray about the SHOW step
Sunday—teach!

Decide how you’ll divide the lesson into portions you can tackle in ten minutes at a time. Then stick with it for 18 days before you decide whether it works for you—that’s how long it takes to establish a habit.

For coordinators, the countdown has begun:
The teaching team has been assembled, the materials handed out, the schedule set. Now you look to the kickoff date with nervous anticipation—wondering what you’ve forgotten.

For me, it’s always the little details that slip through the cracks. The misplaced phone number right when I need it, the scheduling typo that nobody catches. This year, technology will be my time-saving tool:

Schedule Solutions
Is there a cure for the “I-just-can’t-be-there-and-couldn’t-find-a-replacement” phone calls on Saturday nights (or Sunday mornings)? I use www.meetingwizard.com to send out invites to all my teachers and leaders to find out which Sundays they’ll be away each quarter. The best part is that Meeting Wizard sets up a graph that allows me AND the teachers who share a classroom to see who is available on which Sundays so we all can make adjustments BEFORE Saturday night. Tip: include parents in the invites for teen leaders—they are more likely to list the sporting events, school breaks, and family vacations that may cause your teen leaders to be unavailable on some Sundays.

Mobile Access
My lunch hour is the perfect time to leave a quick voicemail for a leader. Unless, of course, I forget to grab the Sunday school schedule and phone list off of the kitchen counter as I leave the house for work. The last time this happened I punched every digit into my cell phone and emailed myself (and all the other leaders) the full phone number directory along with the schedule. I should have done that a LONG time ago—paper copies are bound to get lost. Now I have all my info, wherever I happen to be.

We all learn from trial and error—as well as from the experience of others. So what are your scheduling solutions? Planning tips? Communication strategies? Help us out by sharing your ideas below!

The Stories We Tell

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:43:00 +0000

This afternoon, as I was scanning the MediaWise website and reading an article on the pros and cons of emerging technology (who doesn't need help keeping up with endless electronic advances and understanding their effect on children?), I notice a quote that caught my attention:

"Whoever tells the stories defines the culture."

The article went on to encourage parents to be the storytellers in their kids' lives, rather than relinquishing that role to the media. It made me wonder about which stories live in the imaginations of our kids. Which stories shape their view of the world, of God, of people, of themselves?

Our kids live in a YouTube world where their best friend’s video camera can make them famous. Reality TV isn't just an adult phenomenon. Endurance, a show on the Discovery Kid's channel, puts real teens and preteens into challenging situations where they (and their viewing audience) learn to look out for number one, make alliances they later break, and betray friends if that’s what it takes to win. First-person-shooter video games allow kids to imagine dangerous scenarios and either problem solve or conquer using violence.

Every day kids are absorbing these stories from our culture. Stories that say that airtime equals importance, that self should be valued over community, that violence is entertainment.
Are these the stories that will define their lives?

Our kids need a better story! A Story that puts God at the center, and gives them an important role. A Story that provides them with a big context for their lives and helps them put all the other stories into perspective. As we begin a new Sunday school season, let's dive into the Story of Scripture with new passion and joy. Let's help kids discover the Bible as the unfolding story of God that begins in Genesis and continues with our lives today. Let's approach the old, old story with new awe for a Savior whose love has the power to define us as God's people and shape a new generation.

This song by Sarah Groves is my prayer for the season ahead.

Children’s Ministry in a Picture Smart World

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Visual Vocabulary
From Blues Clues to box office hits, video games to McDonald’s bags, our kids are encountering an explosion of eye-catching images every day. How does that affect the way they explore and express their faith?
In a recent workshop I attended, Gretchen Wolff Pritchard, author of Offering the Gospel to Children, shocked me with this statement: “In our visual society, our kids are almost mute [when it comes to expressing faith].” According to Pritchard, kids today have too few images to draw on to help them think about God or share God’s story with others—they need to develop a “visual vocabulary of faith.”
In Walk With Me, kids build that vocabulary as they use student papers and picture smart ideas to share, explore, and apply Bible stories. If what Pritchard says is true, it’s more important than ever for us take advantage of picture smart options and to try ideas like these to spark kid’s image-ination:
Symbols that Speak
Rack your brain and scour your sanctuary for Christian symbols to bring into your classroom. Think beyond the cross and the manger—what about the baptismal font, the cup and bread, a crown of thorns, a basin of water and a towel, a pile of stones, a burning bush? (Okay, that might be going a little too far!)
Art can offer insights and raise questions; it can help us wonder about God or about the people in God’s story—their intentions, their hopes, or their fears. It can help us relate to the story and respond to it. So be on the lookout for portable treasures, like the lovely little pottery sculpture of Jesus that sits on the end table in my living room. Pull those pieces off the shelf, or borrow them from a friend for various lessons or seasons throughout the year. Then ask kids questions like these:

What catches your attention in this piece?
Does it make you think of anything new?
What do you think of the expressions on each person’s face?
Is this how you imagine the story/scene?
What would you change?

Connections Kids See

Consistent Costumes
If your kids enjoy options that include acting out the story, boost your costume box with a few special pieces that identify regular characters. Incorporate items like a megaphone for angels, plain sashes for disciples, shiny sashes for kings, and a crown for Jesus. Simple props make it easy for kids to keep track of common figures or ideas. They also help kids make connections between people like David, the great king who wears a golden sash, and Jesus, the greatest king, who wears both the golden sash and the crown!
Motions that Match
Singing with kids is another great place to help kids see connections. Try to use the same movements or gestures every time you sing common words like praise, love, joy, God, Jesus, follow, power, see, me/I, and so on. The simplest way to do this is by using sign language or choosing motions that mirror the meaning of important words.
As repeated words stand out in each song, kids will have a growing understanding of their meaning and importance. And, if you choose common gestures, they just might find themselves humming the songs throughout the week as they notice someone looking up, pointing to themselves, or flexing their muscles! Added bonus: if you keep key words consistent, you’ll be ahead of the game each time you introduce a new song!
I’d love to pass on your ideas for building a visual vocabulary of faith—send me a note at training@faithaliveresources.org!
Resources that Relate
Visuals for Worship
If you’re interested in art that will inspire worship and reflection for the 6-8 WWM level, try this book of beautiful wood-cut images.
The God Loves Me Series
This series presents the Bible in 52 storybooks for preschool children. These illustrated books begin and end with a photo of a real child to let kids know that each of God’s stories is for them!
Sing With Me Leader’s Edition
This songbook for children’s worship leaders includes a sign language index as well as indexes for songs that correlate with certain Scripture passages, vocal options, and languages.

Tips for Using Music with Your Middle Schoolers

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:47:00 +0000

Since most kids in middle school are beginning to develop varying (and sometimes quite sophisticated!) tastes in music, it can be a challenge to find music they will respond to in the church school setting. Keeping up with constantly changing trends in their music can also be a challenge. So here are a few pointers that may be helpful for getting to know their music and using it in your sessions.

Check out local Christian pop and rock stations. Call in or check their websites for the top ten songs by Christian artists. Listen to the stations’ broadcasts in your car to find what your middle schoolers may be listening to. Learn the stations’ call letters, talk with the kids about these stations, and encourage them to check them out, if they haven’t already.
Go to your local Christian bookstore and listen to sample recordings of current pop and rock songs. Many music stores will also have a “contemporary Christian” section with song samples you can listen to.
Many Christian bookstores also sell magazines that feature music, musicians, concert information, and more. Some of your middle schoolers might know of these magazines or appreciate paging through some when you have extra time in your sessions.
You can also search the Internet for Christian music stores, radio station websites, and artists’ websites. Most of the music store sites will offer clips of songs that you can download and listen to, and many of the radio stations offer live-feeds so that you can listen to their programming online. The artists’ sites usually offer news and background about the artists, downloadable song clips, and current concert information.
A good CD to own is the yearly WOW CD, which includes the past year’s top 30 Christian pop and rock songs. Another good one is the annual Dove Awards album. You may be able to plug a number of the songs from these CDs into the sessions you teach.
Of course, there are many contemporary worship and Scripture songs that your kids will know and that some of them will also respond to. You’ll find suggestions for using these kinds of songs here and there in Walk With Me sessions. Keeping up with WOW Worship and WOW Gospel CDs may also help you plug additional songs into your sessions.
Remember that middle school kids probably won’t sit in your room and sing together. Most of them don’t think that’s a cool thing to do! They’ll be much more apt to listen to CDs you bring in and to discuss what you’ve listened to as a group.
If the kids do sing, their singing will be pretty soft. That’s OK. Be encouraged that they may be thinking about the words.
Encourage your group of middle schoolers to bring their own Christian CDs and to share them with each other. I’ve found that many of the kids like what’s currently popular, even if they’re not familiar with some of the artists (many of whom sound like their secular counterparts). The more kids you can turn on to Christian music, the better! One way to do so may be to play CDs as background music during activity times.

There’s lots of good Christian music coming out all the time, and your middle schoolers will appreciate your efforts to listen and learn along with them.

—Sherry Merz, music editor

Serving With Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Welcome to summer! It’s the season of sunshine, snow cones, and—for many churches—service. Teens and adults take off for weeklong adventures: building houses, leading vacation Bible school, meeting new people, and discovering their gifts.

But what about the kids? Though too small to wield a hammer and too young to travel far, kids are still social agents who have a mission in God’s world! Consider these ways your kids can care for others and share Christ’s compassion:

Give Globally

Global giving projects can open the world to children and help them see how important their contribution is. Check out three projects I love:

Loose Change to Loosen Chains—a project from the International Justice Mission that involves children in freeing modern-day slaves all over the world.
The Micah Challenge for Kids—gives children a role in a worldwide Christian movement to cut global poverty in half by 2015.
Water of Life—This educational and fundraising project focuses on the human need for water—both the water we drink and the Living Water we receive in Christ.

As kids hear stories of real children a continent away their world expands, and so does their awareness of how to live in it. Projects like these help kids and families take practical steps to stand up against injustice and stand in solidarity with those in need. With a little publicity and the passion of your kids, these projects can inspire action in the whole community!

Loose Change to Loosen Chains from International Justice Mission on Vimeo.

Serve Side By Side

Something special happens when people from different generations rub elbows as they serve together. They find common ground where they hadn’t known it existed before! A sixty-year-old and seven-year-old become something more than a grandparent and child, or a Sunday school teacher and student—they become ministry partners! Stories are shared as faith is experienced and modeled, practiced and affirmed.

At the most recent Children’s Spirituality Conference, featured presenter Marcia Bunge ranked “participating in service projects with parents or other caring adults” among the top ten best practices for nurturing the moral and spiritual lives of kids.

Consider these ways your congregation can start serving intergenerationally:

Expanding the Team

If your church has calling elders or pastoral outreach teams, include a child on the team to pray and read Scripture with those who are homebound or hospitalized.

Passing on Skills

Does someone in your congregation sew or knit? Create an intergenerational team to sew dolls or stuffed animals, or knits scarves and sweaters for children at local shelters or a Ronald McDonald House.

Choosing Kid-Friendly Projects

Pregnancy resource centers love kids! They often need volunteers to help sort items that are donated and organize the bottles used for fundraising campaigns.
Food pantries and thrift store donation centers need year-round support stocking shelves and sorting clothes or canned goods.
Most cities have adopt-a-road programs that your church can get involved with. Schedule a Saturday morning 4-6 times a year when adults, kids, and teens can meet at the curb to pick up trash, greet neighbors, plant flowers, rake, or pull weeds.

Take advantage of these warm summer months to serve side by side with the kids in your congregation, and you’ll see a lasting spiritual impact on their lives!

Looking for more service-oriented ideas for summer or to sprinkle throughout the year? Check out the WWJD Summer Day Camp book!

The 2009 Grow Conference for children’s ministry leaders is happening in Edmonton, Alberta, on October 17 this year! As you nurture the faith of God’s youngest disciples, this one-day event will help your team prepare for the practical challenges of ministry. Registration and details will be available on the Grow website, www.faithaliveresources.org/GROW, beginning in late-July.