Walk With Me Blog

Looking for Ideas and Inspiration?

2011-09-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

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 the next few months as we make plans to launch a new interactive website that will take the place of this one. It will feature tons more ministry ideas to support all of the leaders and coordinators using Faith Alive curriculum (not just Walk With Me, but also Kid Connection, Dwell, and WE!). Don’t worry, the new site will still include some Walk With Me specific tips to help you make the most out of each session!

Sign up here to receive the Faith Alive Newsletter and be updated when the new site is ready to roll!

Protecting the Kids You Lead

2011-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-09-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

“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?

2010-03-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

"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!

2010-02-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-22T06:04:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

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.

Tips on Including Kids with Disabilities

2009-06-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

We can provide a warm and welcoming environment in our church school programs for children with disabilities. It's a wonderful opportunity to affirm that every child can receive God's covenant promises and serve in God's kingdom.

Your own acceptance of the child with disabilities is the most important factor in helping the child to be accepted by the group. It's natural to have some feelings of uneasiness about working with children who have special needs, but these fears will quickly disappear as you gain some experience. Seeking the advice and help of the child's family is a first critical step. Family members and other resourceful people in your church family can help you meet the child's needs with sensitivity.

Here are some general tips:

Get to know the child as a unique person—you'll soon realize the child is more like other children than different. Eye-level contact and a warm smile can communicate an open invitation to get acquainted.
Use age-appropriate language and activities.
Don't do anything with the group that one child has no chance to do successfully.
Don't feel sorry for the child. Respect the child's need to develop independence; be patient and praise the child's best effort.
Talk to the whole group about the person with special needs. Consider whether this is best done in the child's presence or absence, but stress that it's okay to be different, and talk about how everyone can be loving and kind.
Keep communication open and honest between you and the child's family. Request information from the family and offer your support.
We've included some additional suggestions below for ministering to the special needs of young children with four types of disabilities. Just keep in mind that each child is an individual, and that you and the child will discover together what works best.

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities affect a person's ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, or do mathematical calculations. Preschool and kindergarten children need lots of encouragement and praise so they can experience the joy of learning new basic skills.

In your group avoid putting an individual child in the spotlight. For instance, rather than asking each child to recite memory work, call on small groups (of varying ability) to say it together. Pair up children to help each other on tasks that may prove difficult to one of them alone.

Allow plenty of time for a child with learning disabilities to respond to a question, and provide visual prompts, if necessary. Use contrasting backgrounds to display visuals. Avoid distracting background noise. Repeat directions and memory work often and in short sections.

For younger children, provide individual help with tasks that require eye-hand coordination; use large colors and markers for drawing. Guide the child during physical activities. Use bags to organize the child's take-home paper and any other projects.

For older children, it's also helpful to break tasks into smaller steps. Repeat directions or write them on a chalkboard. Provide reading markers (notecards, bookmarks, or rulers) to focus on the text, and let the child read along while listening to a taped story. Introduce the key points of a story, and repeat these points during the summary time. Offer a choice of activities.

Attention Disorders

Children with attention disorders may be hyperactive, easily distracted, or impulsive. The terms Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be used to describe the child's difficulty with staying on task. Many of the things that help the child with a attention disorder will benefit all children: smaller classes, quieter classrooms, routines, limited distractions, praise rather than criticism, friendship, peer helpers.

If your group is large, consider dividing it. If this isn't feasible, ask for an adult volunteer so that you can work in smaller groups (or one-to-one if necessary) for some of the activities.

Establish regular patterns and routines. The four-part Walk With Me sessions will help you establish these routines. Younger children will benefit from using the same song to open your session or repeating the same greeting to introduce story time. Listen to stories on the cassette or tell them to the children yourself. See the session plans for additional ideas. Keep instructions and rules simple, and then be firm about your expectations. Try to maintain face-to-face contact with the hyperactive child, especially when moving from one activity to another. Remember to keep your attitude positive—this will encourage the other children in your group to accept the hyperactive child too.

Mental Impairments

Mental impairments cause delays in most areas of development, including development of intellectual and social skills. Techniques suggested for the child with learning disabilities will also help the child with mental impairments. Repetition of songs, memory work, key points in the story, names of others in the group, and routine directions will help the child learn and become a part of the group.

Motion activities can be fun for the whole group to practice over and over and can reach the nonverbal child. Find other simple ways—such as pointing and nodding—to communicate with the nonverbal child, or learn some of the basic signing language the child may also be learning. (You'll find that signing instructions are included for some of the songs listed in the sessions.) Mainstreaming of the young child often works best with the help of another adult and is recommended until the child is about age ten.

The older elementary-age child may benefit more from a program such as Friendship, which is designed especially for children with mental impairments.

Older children may be somewhat self-conscious about talking or asking questions about a disability and will need your help in finding a comfortable way to break down barriers. Encourage the child with a disability to become the "expert" teacher to help others understand and to give you tips for helping him or her learn in the least restrictive way possible. We trust you will find much joy in reaching out to welcome the child with special needs. Each child can experience God's unconditional love through your faith in action.

Physical Disabilities

A wide variety of conditions and diseases challenge children with physical disabilities. Some are present at birth; others are a result of disease or injury. The impairment may interfere with performance in some important area of development.

Since this group of children can present such a wide range of needs, it's especially important to work with the family to understand specific needs. You can start by providing a safe physical environment and lots of encouragement for the child to be as independent as possible. Enlarge visuals; sign some of the songs. Be aware of food allergies or diabetes when serving snacks. Direct the young child's natural curiosity about wheelchairs or other adaptive devices by letting children touch the special equipment, or ask the user to demonstrate how it works.

Helping Kids Include Kids With Disabilities

This wonderful how-to manual for teachers of children in church programs offers practical suggestions and short sessions plans for helping groups of elementary-age children understand and welcome into their group a child with a particular disability. Don’t miss it!

Leading a Child to Jesus

2009-05-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

As churches become more intentional about evangelism, Sunday school leaders like you disciple more and more children who are at the very beginning of their Christian journey. When the Holy Spirit works in their hearts, these children begin to respond to the call of the gospel. Covenant children too commit their lives to the Lord, for every covenant has two parts: God’s promises and our faithful, obedient response. Paul’s words in Romans 10:9 are true for every child: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

As a Sunday school leader, what is your role in this miraculous, God-initiated process? The following questions and answers will encourage you to make the most of the opportunities that God’s Spirit provides.
Every child’s spiritual journey is unique. Every leader’s relationship with his or her children is different. No “how-to” formula will replace the leading of God’s Spirit in your own heart as you prayerfully seek to follow Jesus’ command “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14).

Q. Is it my job as a church school teacher to lead a child to Jesus?

A. Yes! That’s your main purpose for teaching church school. Through all you do in the classroom, you are seeking to bring children into a living, growing relationship with Jesus, recognizing always that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convince a child to respond to the gospel message you present. But note these specifics:

It may be important for you to follow up with individual children—particularly if you notice from their participation in the class that they may be ready to take another step in their faith journey.
Nurturing children’s faith is first and foremost the task of believing parents. In the case of children from a Christian home, your role is to support, reinforce, and enrich what happens there, fulfilling a promise your church family made at the child’s baptism.
If a child comes from a non-Christian home, you may have to take more initiative in guiding the child’s faith journey. But be sure to include the family as much as you can. Invite parents or family members to participate when you talk with the child. Or encourage the child to share her initial commitment to Jesus with her family.
Enlist the support of the pastor or other church leaders and mentors as well. Keep them informed so that they can encourage the child in the step she has taken.

Q. Should I encourage a child to make a specific commitment to Christ?

A. Possibly. It depends on the age level of the child and on the child’s sincerity. In seeking a specific commitment, we can make two mistakes:

We can manipulate children to make a commitment they are not ready to make. For example, young children are eager to please their leaders. If you ask them to make a commitment to Jesus, they will readily do what they think you want them to do. Keep in mind that doing so before they are ready will be meaningless because they will not understand what they are doing.
We can ignore clear signs of a child’s desire to express his commitment to Jesus. By doing so we miss a God-given opportunity to direct him in taking this next, crucial step of verbalizing, in an age-appropriate way, his commitment to Christ.

Q. Should I try to convert the child?

A. No way! You couldn’t if you tried! Conversion comes by way of the regenerating work of God’s Holy Spirit in the child’s heart. You can present God’s Word in a way that is meaningful to the child. You can show the way by modeling your own faith. But only God’s mysterious work can give a child saving faith. What you can do, when appropriate, is

pray for the child.
present the gospel to the child in an age-appropriate way.
answer the child’s questions.
clear up any misunderstandings.
help the child understand and respond to the Spirit’s work within him.
allow the child to express her desire to belong to Jesus and personally accept Jesus’ saving work for her.
help the child to pray.
help the child to follow up on her commitment.

Q. How do I know when a child is ready to make a commitment to Jesus?

A. Pray, observe, and ask questions.

Pray that the Lord will

empower you, through your teaching to the entire group, to nurture every child’s love for Jesus.
lead you to the specific child or children who need your personal attention.
provide you with the opportunity to meet the child’s need.

Observe which child

knows very little about the Bible or the Christian faith.
shows a keen interest in learning more.
ponders what you say and asks carefully thought-out questions.
peppers you with questions you don’t have time to answer in class.
is eager to talk to you before or after class.
professes a desire to know Jesus better or to “join the church.”
struggles with doubts or fears about his relationship with God.

Ask questions to help you gauge the child’s relationship to God. This allows you to draw alongside the child at her unique place on her spiritual journey. You may wish to talk to her after class or at some other church function. If you do, make sure you do so in a safe, public place where you will not frighten the child or create a suspicion of impropriety. Even better, arrange for a visit in the child’s home, where you can get to know her family as well.

The questions you ask should be age-appropriate and based as much as possible on your prior observations of where the child is in her spiritual life. For young children, you might want to ask questions based on a Bible story about Jesus. Reinforce what you teach in class: Jesus loves us, Jesus is good, we can always trust Jesus, Jesus wants us to follow him. Reviewing a favorite story or song will communicate much more effectively than a thematic presentation of the way of salvation. Remember, you are building the foundation on which a mature commitment will one day rest.

Older children will be more aware of their relationship with the Lord and may be able to respond to more specific questions like these:

What do you find exciting about getting to know Jesus?
Do you know what you have to do to follow Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus wants to be your Savior? How can that happen?
Do you want to give your life to Jesus? Why?

Q. What do I do if a child is far enough along in his spiritual journey to want to commit his life to Jesus?

A. Review, pray, point, and celebrate.

Review with the child the heart of our faith with simple and personal statements like these:
God loves us very much and made us very good.
We sinned and deserve to be punished.
God sent Jesus into the world to die for our sins.
Jesus rose from the dead so that we can live with God forever.
Through Jesus we are children of God. We can live forever in love and obedience to him.
God gave us the Holy Spirit to make us able to live that way.
God will always remain faithful to us, even if we don’t do the things God wants us to do.
When we die, God will take us to live with him forever in perfect happiness and holiness.

Put this brief review in your own words, and talk it through with the child to be sure he “gets” it. Clear up any misunderstandings, and allow time for some questions.

Pray when you know the child is ready to make a verbal commitment. Encourage him to say a prayer asking Jesus to be his Savior and Lord. Ask him if he wants to have a parent, other family member, or friend present for that prayer as well. If not, do encourage the child to tell his family about his commitment later, or if possible, go with the child to share the good news about the child’s decision.

Offer to help young children pray a prayer along these lines:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for loving me. I know that I disobey you and do wrong things. I am sorry for my sins. I know that God loves me and forgives my sins. I want to love you more. Amen.

Older children may want to write down what they want to pray so that they can think about it carefully. Or they may want you to suggest words for them to use. If they are really shy or simply don’t know how to pray, offer to pray with them, but ask what they would like you to pray about. Here’s an example:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross to take away my sin. Thank you for making me God’s child. I know that I don’t deserve that, because I’ve done lots of things that don't please you. But I trust your promise, and I want to live my life for you. Please come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. Show me how to live, and give me your Spirit so I’ll do what you want me to do. Help me when I do the things that you do not want me to do. Keep me trusting you every day. Amen.

Then point out the road ahead in some of the following ways:

Give younger children a storybook that reinforces the good news of Jesus’ love for them. Or suggest a Bible storybook the child’s family could use for family devotions.
Explain to older children how they can continue to grow in their faith and build on their commitment. Encourage them to spend time with Jesus by reading their Bible and praying. (You might give them a Bible if they don’t have one or a devotional book to get them started.) Ask them to attend worship (even if they don’t always “get” it) and church school faithfully. As they grow in their faith, they’ll have the opportunity to share their commitment to Jesus with others as well.
If the child has already been baptized, suggest that she consider making her commitment to Jesus known to the church. That’s called making a public profession of faith. If the child is responsive to your suggestion, ask the pastor or an elder to visit the child and her family. If she hasn’t been baptized and would like to join the church, ask for a similar visit to discuss this with the child’s family. Public profession and baptism are joyous occasions where the child can share God’s goodness in her life with God’s family.

Celebrate! Express your happiness and joy and assure the child that Jesus receives him in love. Make this an ongoing celebration, using every opportunity to remind the child how blessed you were to share in his commitment. Ask how he’s doing, and encourage him to keep on growing. Assure him that you will continue to pray for him—and that you’ll do so long after you stop being his church school leader. A phone call or note of encouragement from you can mean a lot over the years.

Help the child understand that a lifelong walk with Jesus will have its ups and downs. Many, many recommitments will be required during his lifetime. But assure him that Jesus will always be there, ready to forgive and to move on. For Jesus truly is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by him” (John 14:6).

Beyond Babysitting

2009-04-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever had to defend your budget or been asked to “do something with the kids” during a meeting planned for adults, you can probably relate to this note I received from Beth, a children’s ministry director.

I was sitting at my desk having one of those mental conversations, trying to convince parents that we’re not just babysitting their kids on Sunday morning so they can worship in peace. And I found myself asking (myself)—so, what are we doing? We’ve got one hour with kids every Sunday morning—if we aren’t babysitting, what are we hoping for out of this time?

This email sparked quite a discussion among our children’s ministry network! Responses started coming in only minutes after Beth sent the note to all of us. Below are my thoughts mixed in with highlights from the discussion thread. You’ll also find talking points to consider with your teaching team, co-leader, or education committee.

By God’s grace, we can offer kids:

A Great Gospel

My pastor loves to say, “God put himself on a shelf where we could reach him.” It’s an Advent image, but it’s also perfect for children’s ministry leaders who know that Jesus isn’t out of reach for tiny hands! Kids develop differently than adults and teens, but their faith is no less real or important. Jesus’ words, “let the little ones come to me,” are as significant today as they were 2000 years ago!

Jeff Gilbert, district director of children’s ministry for the Wesleyan church in West Michigan put it this way, “Moses wasn’t just messing around when he said we need to talk about what God has done with our children when we’re walking, lying down, and so on (Deut 6). He knew that when kids grow up, they become less moldable. If we aren’t doing our job when the kids are younger, pointing kids to Christ, then we’re missing THE prime opportunity to point our kids to God. According to statistics published by The Barna Group, the large majority of people who embrace Christ do so by the age of thirteen! By the age of thirteen, many kids have formed the core of their belief system.”

Each week as we share Bible stories, kids encounter the God who is all-powerful, mysterious, loving, holy, and good. They discover what it means to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, to connect with God in prayer, and to respond to God in service and worship. This nurture in the younger years becomes a firm foundation for a lifelong journey with Christ!

Marcia Floding, children’s ministry director of Third Reformed Church, is very intentional about laying that foundation. She defines children’s ministry as “loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” In Sunday school at Third, kids discover that God has worked with his people in history and today. The knowledge of God through Scripture is the “mind” aspect of the ministry, but teachers also relationally nurture kids’ faith as they model the kingdom in their behavior.

Worship is the “heart” and “soul” aspect of the ministry at Third. Marcia’s church offers the Children and Worship program, where kids express their love and praise for God in age-appropriate ways. They also have a Wednesday night program that focuses on Scripture memory through song and involves kids in two service projects each semester. “The ‘strength’ comes through in what the kids do to offer God’s love to others,” says Marcia.

Talking Points

How can we help our church, especially the parents, get excited about passing on faith to kids?

How do we define our children’s ministry? How are we laying a foundation for lifelong faith growth?

How are we helping kids express their faith and offer their gifts to God?

A Sense of Belonging

“We are doing much more than making sure the kids don't get hurt and stay out of trouble for an hour,” says Laura Keeley, director of children’s ministries at 14th Street CRC. “We are introducing them to God and to God's people.”

Laura loves to remind her congregation of the covenant promises of God, offered to our children in baptism: “The kids in our care and in our classrooms are not just potential Christians; they are already members of the family of God! Just as the daffodils starting to pop up in my front yard are already daffodils (they just need water and sunshine to develop into full flowers), so the children we work with are already God's people. We just supply some of the water and sunshine for an hour each week.”

That hour once a week provides a safe place for kids who have grown up in the church and also for those who are just getting started to discover and explore what it means to be part of God’s big family!

Talking Points

How do we let kids at our church know that they belong?

In what ways do we introduce our kids to God’s people, old and young?

A Springboard for Faith Talk

When it comes to living out their faith, families are all over the map. For some, faith is the guiding force of life, and passing on faith is a daily joy; for others faith (or talking about faith) is a brand new experience. Our ministries echo the lessons learned at home and plant seeds for further faith talk. Families need our support to growing in faith together!

At Victory Point Ministries, says children’s pastor Dawn Verbrugge, “our vision is to make followers of Jesus Christ committed to a lifelong pursuit of loving God and loving people. This happens best in close relationship with other followers of Christ. For adults it happens in life-groups. For kids, it happens in the family. That’s what drives our family ministry philosophy of encouraging and equipping parents to raise their kids to be followers of Jesus Christ. Helping parents understand that we’re doing so much more than babysitting is really important if we hope to encourage and equip them to continue the conversations at home!”

Connecting with home looks a little different when parents aren’t interested in faith. Instead of reinforcing a faith modeled at home, some of our kids have the opportunity to share Christ with siblings, parents, and caregivers by retelling the Bible stories they hear each week!

Talking Points

What do we offer parents, caregivers, and siblings to set them up for faith talk at home?

What faith building events or activities do we offer to help whole households grow together?

How can we reach out to the parents and caregivers who aren’t involved in church?

Try this!

Include the Bible lessons in the church bulletin, so families can track what their kids are studying.

Put a question of the week on a board or in the bulletin, something like, “What did you like about church when you were six?” “Who are the people at church you admire and why?” “What was God’s message to you this Sunday?” or “Who did you meet this week?” Families can use this as a way to share faith stories.

Encourage parents to learn from each other by posting the names of storybooks, devotions, and prayer practices that they use.

Encourage parents to sign up for the Pray With Me webinar, or download the workshop and present it at your church.

Tell parents about the devotional section on the back of the Nurture newsletter!

What are your thoughts on Beth’s question? What sort of mental conversations do you have after parents meetings or busy Sunday mornings? Send your thoughts my way! And be encouraged—God is doing GREAT things through your kid’s ministry!

Eager for Easter

2009-03-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

On Monday mornings at Faith Alive, we spend some time praying for one another and for our work. This week, along with celebrating the joys of a new baby, a new house, and an upcoming birthday, we sought God’s mercy for a friend who is in a comma, a family who has lost their mother, a hurting infant, and an aging father.

It always seems like death draws near during Lent. As we reflect on being but dust and ash and follow Christ’s journey to the cross, we’re reminded of how much we need the resurrection. Though it’s tempting to rush ahead to Easter and bask in the celebration of the risen Lord Jesus, Lent reminds us of what we’re hoping for, and prepares us to experience the glory of an empty tomb.

For Teachers

Hope for the Hurting

As Easter approaches, make prayer a more prominent part of your time together. Make space for kids to ask for and offer prayer for the people they love; as they do, draw attention to the Easter implications of their requests. Encourage them to talk about how sad it feels to lose someone we love, or to see a friend sick and hurting. Wonder with them about why people die, what happens when they die, and how God feels about it. Discuss how our bodies wear out over time, from sickness and injury, and how God promises that one day we’ll have new bodies that will never wear out. Talk about Jesus’ own death and the hope it gives us to know that Jesus isn’t dead anymore, and that the loved ones we miss are already with him in heaven!

Symbols of the Season

If your church uses symbols and colors during the Lenten season, bring them into your classroom and ask the kids if they know the stories behind the anointing oil, the palm branches, the ashes, the cross, the crown of thorns, and the purple cloth. Encourage the kids to look for these symbols during the worship service, and help them understand how the stories you’re sharing right now in Sunday school connect with the Easter story.

Sounds of the Story

Holy week begins with cheers and swishing palm branches, then tables crashing in the temple. Next the crack of broken alabaster, and the Lord’s supper—with clanging cups and splashing water, then soft snores of sleeping disciples. Soon come the thump, thump of approaching soldiers, the smack of a kiss, the crow of a rooster, the jeering guards, the condemning crowd, the crack of a whip, the pounding of nails, the cries of a mother, the words “It is finished,” the tearing of the temple curtain, and a rumble like thunder as the ground split apart. . . .

Then silence, and sorrow.

Until the third day—CELEBRATION!

The gasp of recognition! The squeal of delight! The sound of running feet! Eager voices sharing good news. . . .

The holy week was a whirlwind of noise, energy, and emotion! As the week arrives, help your kids wonder about the sights and sounds of this story, the central story in Scripture—the story of God’s AMAZING power and love! More than any other time of year Easter gives us a reason to shout and sing for joy! Jesus is ALIVE! Death has been defeated! God welcomes us in love!

Make the most of the special music in each Walk With Me Easter book, as well as the Lent and Easter sections of the Sing With Me Children's Songbook. Create music more boisterous than ever by incorporating clapping, snapping, and musical instruments! Make homemade cymbals, drums, tambourines, and shakers. Have your kids think of motions and dances that express the excitement of Easter. Invite the congregational worship leader to teach kids some of the special songs that will be sung during morning worship, adding motions for those as well!

For Coordinators

Anticipating Easter

Help your church get excited about sharing the good news of the risen Savior with your community. Encourage kids, teens, and adults to invite friends and neighbors to hear the story of Easter.

Invitation Station

Set up an invitation station near the Sunday school rooms. Encourage kids to spend time decorating and personalizing cards that include the holy week schedule with plenty of space for drawing. Dedicate some Sunday school time for the project, or have kids stop by before or after class. Tip: If you include paint, glitter, glue, or markers it’s wise to have a supervisor handy!

Make postcard-sized information cards that include holy week details and a map of the church location for teens and adults to share with friends.

Parade of Palms

Coordinate with your outreach committee to plan a church-wide effort to connect with the community on Palm Sunday. Invite kids, teens, and adults to stay after church to spend an hour passing out palm branches in the neighborhood. Begin with a word of prayer and a few minutes of practicing how to greet neighbors without pestering them, how to ask for prayer requests (if that’s something you’re comfortable doing), and what to say as you invite neighbors to worship, a holy week service, or an Easter program.

Split into small teams that include people of all ages (families make great teams!). Give each team a map with their section of the neighborhood highlighted, and have all the kids carry (and wave) the palm branches. Kid’s love to give—after a few houses they may feel comfortable offering the palm branch and extending the invitation themselves!

Extending Easter

Give visitors a casual way to connect with church members and build new friendships by planning a fun family activity within the two weeks following Easter. Make information about ministries, services, and upcoming events visible and easy for guests to grab!

I’d love to hear how your children’s ministry observes Lent and celebrates Easter! Send me a note with ideas for Easter as well as the next exciting challenge: summer programs.

Recommended Resources

Here are some great gift ideas for parents and grandparents looking for meaningful Easter gifts that will nurture the faith of kids and families.

The Jesus Storybook Bible demonstrates how all of the stories of Scripture contribute to the one awesome story we celebrate at Easter—the redemption and restoration of the world through Jesus Christ!

The God Loves Me Easter pack includes three colorful storybooks for preschoolers: Hosannah!; The Best Day Ever!; and Goodbye—for Now! Each book includes learning-through-play activities and family time ideas.

The Nurture Newsletter is the perfect gift for parents, caregivers, grandparents, or mentors. It offers devotional ideas for sharing faith at home and spending time together in service. Read a sample here.

Sunday School on a Shoestring

2009-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

While we might debate about whether or not a stimulus package will boost the economy, one thing’s certain—there’s no bailout for Sunday school spending. Tight times like these remind us to prioritize, take stewardship seriously, and trim back on everything but the essentials.

For Teachers

Stretching Our Faith and Funds
It’s not easy to ignore the growing anxiety, the mounting bills, and the uncertainty of the job market . . . even if you’re only six years old. Chances are the kids in our lives are hearing nervous chatter from relatives, teachers, and friends, both at home and at school. So while they’re at church, let’s assure them that God is still present and is watching over their family. And let’s offer them some concrete ways to pitch in and make a difference by doing a couple things.

Connecting the Word to the World
Talk about current events as you share God’s stories! Let’s not miss this opportunity to make the connection between today’s tough times and the tough times in Scripture. Nearly every story we share highlights God’s faithfulness, provision, and care. God is still at work, delivering his people and calling us to trust him in every situation. Listening to our kid’s worries and concerns and lifting them up together in prayer helps us cultivate that kind of trust.

Challenging Kids to Be Good Stewards
God delights in the creation, and the creation declares God’s glory and goodness! Our kids should hear about how to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much from us as they do from their school teachers. Being green isn’t just civil and trendy; it’s also godly and cost effective!

Brainstorm with your kids about how to stretch your supplies and waste less.
Look for ways to collaborate more, working on projects in pairs or as a group.
Assign kid supervisors for each supply to make sure crayons are collected, pencils are sharpened, and large scraps of paper are saved neatly for next week.
Skip the snack, if you serve one. Send a note home to let families know you’ll be making a change.
Get crafty and make your own Play-doh and paste—the Internet is full of easy recipes, and you can save your empty store-bought containers to refill with the home-made rendition.
Celebrate small acts of stewardship by thanking the kids you catch using supplies well.

For Coordinators

Programming on Pennies

In many churches these days, budget cuts are cutting deep—into hours and salaries as well as line items and programs. It’s time for some creative problem solving to help slow our spending and boost our budgets. Try these ideas, and send yours my way so I can pass them along to others!

Paperless Publicity

Challenge your congregation with a paper-free campaign to cut back on postage, paper, and ink by eliminating bulletin inserts, postcards, fliers, and brochures. Instead,

Create one information station that’s centrally located at church and contains a large, up-to-date calendar of all church activities and events.
Capitalize on Internet resources like the church website, Facebook, Google Groups, meetingwizard.com, Evite.com, or regular email and phone messaging. Use these tools to post schedules, send invites, and spread the word about upcoming events. If these techy tools seem overwhelming, recruit a communications coordinator to keep everyone in the loop for you—or bravely tackle one program at a time with help from someone in your congregation!

Careful Counting

Curriculum is one programming key that you can’t afford to cut. But placing a standing order, or ordering Walk With Me by quarter rather than unit, will reduce costs. And don’t forget to encourage your teachers to turn in all extra materials so that you can ship them back for a refund.

Travel-Free Training

Big conferences are great for team-building and sharpening skills, but between registration, travel, and lodging they can be quite expensive. If you need to take a year off to balance the budget, consider these excellent options:

Check out one of our new webinars in a range of topics—new ones will be coming out nearly every month. It’s free training that’s just a click and a phone call away!
Download one of our many workshops for use with your team of teachers.
Team up with other churches in your area to offer your own training event, or connect with me about bringing in a Faith Alive speaker to your church.

Community Connections

With VBS right around the corner, now is the perfect time to collaborate with churches in your community. Connecting with other educators is a great way to share ideas, gain encouragement, and stretch your resources!

Find out who else in your area may be using a Walk With Me summer unit and work together to build and buy stage props or decorations.
Order general supplies together, like t-shirts, felt squares, or name tags and holders, to boost your numbers for a better bulk rate.
Consider hosting a joint VBS and sharing all planning and expenses!

As we wade through this economic downturn, Faith Alive is also looking for ways to spend wisely and cut costs. That means traveling less and providing more support and training through Internet and electronic resources. Stay tuned for details about Walk With Me website updates that will include videos, recorded webinars, and more!

GPS, Ministry Style

2009-01-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

Some people are born with an internal compass, but I’m not one of them. You can imagine my delight at the great invention of GPS. No more apologizing for arriving late! No more stopping three times for new directions! No more giant maps with tiny wordsor so I thought.

I was halfway to Hamilton, Ontario, from Grand Rapids, Mich., when I noticed that I wasn’t on the highway anymore. Instead, my GPS pal was taking me on a twisting trail through small towns on country roads. It was time to recalculate the route.

For Teachers

Now that you’re almost midway through the school year, it’s time to check on some key areas to make sure you’re set for the second half of the season!

Motivation

September to December is packed with high points and holidays—it’s enough to wear out even the most enthusiastic educator! Try these ideas for reenergizing your spirit:

Seek a Sabbath: If you teach the whole year, secure a substitute for a week or two of rest. Spend the extra time journaling, praying, and seeking Christ in Scripture.

Consider each kid: Take a picture of each kid in your group, or write their names on index cards; then carry one or two with you every day for a week. Pause occasionally during the day to consider the personality, gifts, and areas of growth you’ve witnessed in this child over time, and send up a prayer as you do.

Catch the vision: While children’s ministry is sometimes overlooked and taken for granted, nothing could be further from the truth in the kingdom. You follow Christ’s example as you welcome kids, and you take up Christ’s mission as you make young disciples! Barna Group research confirms what you already intuitively know: childhood is the most critical period of faith development, laying the foundation for everything to come.

Preparation

It’s easy to spend less time prepping as the year goes on, but planning and prayer are critical to sharing a great lesson. If you associate planning with panic and procrastination, try these tips to help you skip the stress.

Save the date: Put planning on your schedule and honor it as you would any other appointment.

Keep it consistent: Blocking off the same time(s) each week makes planning a habit instead of a headache.

Meditate on the message: This story is for us, too! When I’m most tempted to rush through planning time, it’s the first page in the leader’s guide that slows me down. Soaking up the Word Search and spending time in prayer will get you excited about the story and its meaning for kids’ lives and your life, too!

Participation

In Walk With Me, lecture-style teaching goes out the window and participation becomes the key word. Kids learn best when they can explore and discover through a variety of activities. That’s why it’s so important to create a small group environment that’s safe and affirming.

Lead with love: Sunday school is not just about content and information; it’s about inviting God to shape us and change us as we explore his Word. As you invite kids into your class, and into each story, welcome them as God welcomes us,with loving, open arms!

Lead with energy: Kids have endless energy, wonder, and curiosity! They love it when we dive into the action with them and do the projects, play the games, and make the crafts that explore the lesson. Instead of being the timekeeper or designated helper, pick up a crayon and get to work!

For Coordinators

In August you knew how many kids, teachers, and classes would be in your programs. You knew what the budget would look like. You were focused and ready for the journey. Now it’s midway through the season and a lot has changed—time to take a fresh look at the itinerary and course correct as necessary!

Detour ahead!

Avoid potential pitfalls by looking ahead in these areas:

Scope & sequence: Between snow days and special events your Sunday school might be lagging a little behind schedule (mine is!). Take a look at the calendar and the WWM Scope and Sequence to determine where you are and where you’d like to be before the year is done. Now is the perfect time to select the dates for VBS or summer Sunday school and start exploring the options.

Space: Check in with kids and teachers to find out how their space is suiting them. It’s not too late to swap rooms or set up a few extra tables if class sizes have fluctuated. If you opt to swap, send home a note with kids and make a nice big sign pointing the way to the new space. If possible, set aside time for kids to transfer their projects or room art to the new place and write a group note to the kids or adults moving in.

Staffing: Winter is a great time to begin planting seeds for next year’s Sunday school season. Look for potential leaders to recruit in January and February to serve as classroom aides or leaders-in-training once or twice a month. Pair these new helpers with your most experienced leaders to give them a taste of how great Sunday school ministry can be—and what their future might hold!

Dedication affirmed!

Your dedicated volunteers have made it through the Christmas crunch without crashing! Now it’s time to offer them encouragement and equip them with new tools as they forge ahead.

Stop by to pray: Pop into one room a week, for just five minutes, to pray for the leader or leaders. Encourage the kids to join you in thanking God for the gifts of this person and asking for God’s blessing.

Snap a photo: Post an informal photo board in a high traffic area of the church. Include the heading, “Thank You for Nurturing the Faith of Our Kids!” and fill it with pictures of teachers in action. Slip into classrooms and snap a few photos, then e-mail the pics to a local store for processing and pick up. Costco, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart and Walgreens are among the many stores that offer online service at a reasonable rate.

Set up training: Let your leaders know their ministry is valuable by offering training workshops that sharpen their skills. Download workshops you can lead on topics like Goodbye Classroom Chaos! and Tell It Again!: Telling God’s Story to Young Children from the Walk With Me website, or encourage your leaders to sign up for free Webinars (short online seminars) by visiting www.WalkWithMeOnline.org/Webinars.

Send a note: Besides Christmas cards, when was the last time you received a piece of snail mail? Nothing beats a handwritten note for affirmation and encouragement!

Start smiling: Your leaders aren’t the only ones that need encouragement. Just in case you haven’t heard it lately, let me say thank you. THANK YOU!!!!! All of your prayers, plans, and programs are precious to the Lord and to the whole body of Christ! I hope you smile as you reflect on 2008 and the way you’ve seen God’s faithfulness at work as kids and families grow in faith.

Hi ho, hi ho, It’s off to worship we go!

2008-12-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be driving through Clifton, New Jersey, this month, swing by the municipal building and take a peek at the holiday display. You may notice a few extra wise guys making their way toward the manger!

I admit I was surprised the first time I saw Dopey, Grumpy, Doc, Sneezy, Bashful, Sleepy, and Happy sharing lawn space with the Lord. I suppose Sleeping Beauty might pass as an angel, but the other figures seem a bit out of place. To be fair, the holiday display also includes a menorah and many other symbols, both secular and religious. And the seven are usually some distance from the stable—though there was the year that Sneezy seemed to sneak a little close....

I chuckled the first time I passed by this corner, amused by the bold colorful hats and bearded faces. But the second time I mounted my high horse and wondered if my faith should share the stage with a fairy tale. After all, I thought, the Christ child is more than just a cartoon or storybook character! He’s not make-believe, he’s REAL! He’s not ordinary, he’s SPECIAL!

And that’s when it hit me. Jesus feels right at home with all the Dopeys, Sleepys, and Grumpys of our world. He chose a rocking horse over the high horse when he entered a world full of ordinary, needy, and sometimes difficult people like us! He did it to offer us a better story—a story we would never outgrow. It’s a story that sweeps us into the plot and gives new meaning to everything. And it’s the story we share with our kids every week.

So gather ‘round, Happy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Doc—there’s room at the manger for you! This is a tale you won’t want to miss.

P.S. I’m grateful to the mayor and city council members who help make Clifton a friendly place for everyone to live, work, and worship!

Faith & Fear

2008-11-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

We were two weeks into Summer Sunday school and wondering about how the Israelites might have felt as they fled Egypt with an army hot on their trail. The song “When I am Afraid I Will Trust in You” played softly in the background as we scrawled pictures of things that scare us (mostly monsters). Seven-year-old Justice was eager to talk about her picture—a scene from a movie she’d seen on TV. “The man was running to get these people,” she said, eyes wide, and voice getting louder with each word. “And you know what he did!?!” Her sister remembered what came next in the film. She clamped her hands over her ears and shouted “NO! Don’t say it!” The other five-, six-, and seven-year-olds reached for their ears and began shaking their heads. But before I could stop her, Justice blurted out, “HE ATE THEIR HEARTS!!!”

Yikes!

Scary as they are, fictional films aren’t the most frightening things kids and families face today: job losses, foreclosures, abuse, family feuds, illness. How can we help kids handle the spooky shadows as well as the real turbulence of troubled times?

We have to help kids get to know a mysterious God who loves us, and whose giant plan we can’t always understand, says author and Calvin College professor Robert Keeley. At the Grow Conference in October Dr. Keeley encouraged kids’ ministry leaders to share God’s stories and trust in the Holy Spirit to apply their meaning. Too often, he cautioned, we pin a single purpose on a story, or try to attach a moral ending like Aesop’s fables. He encouraged us instead to ask questions, to wonder, and to help kids explore Bible stories from many different angles—putting themselves in the shoes of the people we meet in Scripture. Through these stories our kids get to know a great God who sees them, knows them, loves them, and calls them! In Helping Our Children Grow in Faith, Keeley writes, “If we live with these stories as part of the ebb and flow of our lives, we can see that God is working in our lives in the same way that he worked in the lives of Joseph, David, and Samson.”

It just so happens that there are LOTS of scary times recorded in Scripture. Think of Joseph, Moses, David, Elijah, Gideon, Esther, Job, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Stephen, Paul, and Jesus . . . just to name a few. There is hardly anyone in Scripture that didn’t face trying times! (Which is a good reminder to us that we can expect our share too). God saw each of them and was with them—listening, providing, comforting, guiding, challenging, strengthening, protecting, and delivering. These stories tell us something about the way God will take care of us and our kids when we’re shaking in our boots, or called to a challenging task.

We can help kids wonder their way into each story by focusing on feelings. Though we don’t read about facial expressions and stomachs tied in knots in the words of Scripture, that doesn’t mean they weren’t there! As we share stories we can ask kid’s how Peter’s face might have looked when he heard the rooster crow, and imagine what he might have been thinking as he watched Jesus from a distance. Although kids don’t connect with early Roman culture, many can relate to the feeling of disappointing someone, being betrayed or abandoned, caught in a lie, or put on the spot. They have experienced a taste of the confusion and fear Peter felt that night. And they need us to help them walk with Peter through the rest of the story, to discover as he did that Jesus won’t abandon them and will never stop loving them.

Try these ideas to help your kids discover their place in each story:

Play by Play
As you’re telling the story, pause to make sure kids are tracking with you. Briefly summarize the passage and ask questions like these:

What do you think will happen next?
Why would he/she do that?
What is God doing here?
Have something like this ever happened to you?
Then jump back into the action!

Something to Say
Kids always bring their experiences and imagination into stories. All we have to do is start them started! These are a few of my favorite question starters:

Have you ever felt . . .
I wonder why God . . .
What would you be thinking if you were . . .
When have you seen God do something like . . .
What surprised you about . . .
What do you think is important about . . .

Leaders and Learners
Kids aren’t the only ones who need an assurance of God’s presence and love! Every day we face new lists, bills, chores, and challenges. So, which Bible stories comfort you when you face fear and find yourself worrying? When you feel inadequate, do you think of God’s words to Moses, “I will be with you”? Can you see yourself in his endless excuses? Do you hope that maybe God will send you an Aaron, too? (I do!) We pass on both faith and fear to the kids in our lives. So when we find ourselves swimming in stress we need to soak up the stories of God’s faithfulness. And when we can’t see the path forward, we can look to the God of the Israelites—who parted the sea and led his people across dry land! One of the best ways that you as a leader can help kids discover their place in each story is by looking for yours. So saturate yourself in Scripture and remind yourself of God’s incredible promise to you!

Faith, Family, and Friends

2008-10-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

I can’t get enough of Christmas. I start decking the halls long before American Thanksgiving and leave my tree up until Valentines Day—those shiny red bulbs still look festive in February! For me, Christmas is about three of my favorite things: faith, family, and friends. So who can blame me for stretching the season?

On to a few of my favorite things!

Faith
Packed with traditions and symbols, Christmas is prime time for sharing your faith! Try one of these suggestions for helping your congregation share in The Story.

Trade Traditions
During Advent invite church members to share simple ways they celebrate the savior at Christmas. Create a bulletin board where people can post ideas for others to try at home, or encourage families to share two minute testimonies during worship.

Study Songs
I love the song “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emanuel,” but I was a teenager before I understood what “ransom captive Israel” meant! Boost kid’s faith vocabulary by taking a minute to unpack the unfamiliar terms in the special songs of the season. You’ll see kids key in to worship when they understand the words!

Share Stories
Storytelling draws people of all generations together and gives kids (and adults!) the chance to see the genuine faith of others. If your church uses an Advent wreath in worship, consider the wonderful storytelling ideas from this Reformed Worship article by Robert and Laura Keeley (authors of The Quick and Easy Christmas Dramas).

Family
Christmas isn’t all plumb pudding and parties. For many kids and families this season is full of sad memories, strained relationships, and serious stress. Look for simple ways to help them feel at home with their faith family this season.

Cultivate Community
Consider pairing kids up with an adult or teen secret pals who will leave notes and treats leading up to Christmas. The special attention will make the season exciting and might spark a lasting friendship between generations. Prep the pals to pray for their kids and to keep gifts small and faith-focused.

Skip the Solos
Look for simple ways to bring everyone together during Christmas. Are the youth working on a special project? Ask what the kids can do to help. Is there garland to be hung? Create Advent art together. Casting for the Christmas play? Enlist leaders and single adults—what kid wouldn’t want to share the spotlight with the pastor? Notice someone missing? Gather carolers to sing some cheer to homebound church members.

Friends
Christmas is also a great time to connect with your community through service and celebrations that cultivate Christian compassion in your kids.

Celebrate Christ with a Cause
A few years ago the GEMS girls’ club at my church threw a baby shower to build anticipation for the coming of the King! They invited everyone in the congregation to bring baby gifts and to celebrate with cake and games. The presents were given to a center for women in transition, where new moms felt Christ’s love in a very practical way.

Try a teddy bear drive to collect cuddly friends to pass on to kids going through tough times. Police officers often keep bears in their cars to comfort kids they encounter in traffic accidents or a domestic disputes. Check with your local police department, children’s hospital, and Ronald McDonald house to see how you might help. Kids get most excited about causes they connect with!

Give a Global Gift
Connect kids to the world by collecting coins during Advent to save for a special Christmas gift. Check out the new gift catalog from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee or Heifer International and encourage your kids to challenge the whole congregation to help them send a sheep, cow, or pig to a family far away!

I hope one of these ideas will spark your excitement for the season to come!

A Smart Start

2008-09-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

For Teachers
Ever wonder why Sammy sings her heart out during praise time, but hardly talks when there’s a group activity? It’s because she’s smart! And did you notice the way Gabe’s eye’s lit up as he worked on the matching-the-picture game? He’s smart, too!

Know Your Kids!
The kids in your small group learn best in a variety of ways. That’s why it’s important that you study your students to discover which activities really connect. When you know how your kids are wired, you can select options that you know they’re going to love!

Identify the ways your kids learn best. But don’t rely solely on this test to tell you how your kids tick—watch their expressions each week as they act out stories, create collages, solve puzzles, do experiments, and more. Use the multiple intelligence icons to take note of which kinds of activities really engage your kids’ attention.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Yourself!
You’ve got your own set of ‘smarts’—so while some of the Hello, Know, Grow, and Show exercises will inspire you, others will seem a little strange. Don’t limit your session to the activities that reflect your smarts! Consider your kids and stretch yourself to try something new. Check out the “Using Volunteers” box at the beginning of each leader’s guide. You’ll find tips for recruiting occasional helpers to lend their smarts to your sessions.

A well-planned session will include a balance of activities that reflects a variety of learning styles. Chances are your group has a mixture of all the smarts, so use this session planning sheet (.pdf) to help craft a lesson that will connect with everyone!

For Coordinators
When is the Christmas program?
Is there Sunday school the weekend of Thanksgiving?
Which unit am I teaching next month?

As you settle into this year’s schedule, consider how you’ll stay connected with your team.

Email Etiquette
Everyone suffers from email overload, but no one denies its convenience. If your leaders are online, consider these tips for making your ministry messages short, snappy and specific.

Coordinate schedules quickly and skip the never-ending which-date-works-for-you emails by using a free online tool like http://www.meetingwizard.com/ for events or meetings. This amazing time-saver allows you to suggest several dates and then creates a graph that shows you who is available when.
Save leaders time by sticking to one topic per email, and using the subject line to highlight useful information like the time and date of an event—Re: 6:00pm Christmas Meeting 11/10/08.
Create several specific groups in your address book so that you can quickly key in “K-1 Teachers” instead of searching for individual addresses. Include only the people that really need to know what’s in the message.
Offer words of encouragement in every email, along with one or two contact numbers for support.

Sensing Support
Keystrokes will never replace conversation. Even with excellent emails your leaders may feel like they’re flying solo each Sunday as they meet with their own small groups of kids. So help your team sense your support by

Praying together 15 minutes before Sunday school starts, weekly or monthly. If your program occurs during the service, encourage everyone to arrive at church a little early. Emphasize prayer as an important part of preparation and welcome spouses and kids to join in.
Posting teacher’s names, photos, and grade levels along with the Sunday school schedule on a bulletin board where kids, teachers, and parents can see them.
Passing through the halls a few minutes before class begins and after it ends to check in with teachers, answer questions, and lend a hand.

Recommended Resources

Equip your Sunday school teachers to start off the year right! Three new teacher training workshops you can lead are now available for free download or for purchase. Each training book includes a full script, instructions for the trainer, and reproducible handouts. Here are quick summaries of each new workshop:

Tell it Again! Telling God's Story to Young Children: Explores how teachers and families can tell The Story to little ones in ways that will make them want to hear it again and again and to live it day in and day out.
Goodbye Classroom Chaos: Offers proactive strategies you can use or share with your Sunday school team to create nurturing environments for sharing God's word.
Pray With Me!: Explores the role of prayer in shaping one's faith and strengthening one's relationship with God.

Looking for ways to support the families in your congregation as they nurture the faith of kids and teens? Check out Nurture, the new parent newsletter that includes short articles in regular columns like Ages & Stages, Fear Factor, and Faith Talk.

Tips from Mary Poppins

2008-08-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

For Teachers
Clever Carpet Bags

I love the moment in Mary Poppins when Mary reaches into her small carpet bag and pulls out a giant lamp and mirror! Wouldn’t it be great to have a clever carpet bag for your kid’s ministry? No more missing scissors or too-few glue sticks. Your kid would watch with wonder as you pulled out an extra chair or table, or maybe a few goats to set the stage for your story!

All magic aside, it’s always good to have a sack full of handy essentials for prep-time and in-the-moment ideas. So grab your Walk With Me tote or one of those sturdy cloth bags from the grocery store. Then raid your church supply closet and create a portable prep pack for your teaching convenience.

Here’s what’s in mine:

My leader’s guide
My music CD
A note pad
A small Bible
An NIrV picture Bible
Several pens
A highlighter
A skein of yarn
A roll of masking tape
A mini stapler (with extra staples)
A package of crayons
A small stack of construction paper
A few paper plates
A permanent marker
A small section of newspaper
A glue stick
A pair of kid scissors
A few band aids

For Coordinators
A Spoonful of Sugar

Snap! Supplies fly into place on their cabinets.

Snap! Family calendars are clear for the children’s ministry hour.

Snap! Teachers line up to volunteer.

Not every task you undertake in kid’s ministry becomes a piece of cake! As you tackle planning, budgeting, recruiting, training, equipping, and encouraging volunteers, consider these links our “spoonful of sugar” for you! Just click on a link to download the resources (sorry, as of January 2009, these links to resources are no longer available).

A supply closet checklist from the Walk With Me Coordinator’s Handbook.
A sample staff chart from the Preparation 101 Workshop.
A commissioning litany for the new church school season from Reformed Worship, June 2008.
A budget worksheet from the book Sunday School That Really Works by Jessie Schut.
Workshops you can download to use for teacher training. Mark this page as a favorite

Wishing you a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Sunday school season!

Singing With Kids

2008-07-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, the kids’ song leader strummed the first chord on her guitar and said, “If you can’t remember the actions, just watch Ms. Jola.” With all eyes turned toward me, my clapping and toe-tapping went more and more off-beat with every quick chorus. Fortunately nine-year-old Samantha stood at my side executing every action with perfection.

Take it from me; you don’t have to love the spotlight to sing with kids! Just keep these tips in mind:

Move to the Music!
Kids express themselves with their entire bodies (do you happen to recall the last tantrum you witnessed?). Young children especially will be more engaged if their hands can move along with their lips. Keep the motions simple (you don’t want more puzzlement than praise) and enlist the help of your music- and body-smart kids to add new actions and help you lead!

Talk About the Tunes!
Walk With Me and Sing With Me songs aren’t just catchy, they’re packed with powerful truths! As we quietly sing, “When I am afraid I will trust in you,” we can talk with kids about what it means for them to trust in God when there’s a big monster under the bed or scary news about Mom’s job. As we shout, “What a mighty God we serve!” we can name the amazing things God did in the day’s lesson as well as the great things he’s doing in our world and our lives today!

Prepare to Praise!
Have you ever noticed that song intros don’t always sound like the chorus? Avoid that awkward is this the right song? moment by writing down the CD track numbers of the songs you plan to use. Take the tunes with you so you can soak up the songs while you sit in traffic.

Disregard Your Decorum!
If David can dance for the Lord like a fool before all of Israel, you can lead an audience of eight year olds! When your off-key voice is the loudest in the crowd, just tell yourself, It’s not about me, it’s about God! As preteens roll their eyes while you dance the Pharaoh’s dance and shout, “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” just remember, they’ll NEVER forget that song or God’s story behind it.

Happy harmonizing!

Summer Outreach Prep

2008-06-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

While visiting friends recently, I munched on chocolate-covered pretzels while I listened to Benji, age three, tell me about his new bike and his plans to swim in the BIG KID pool this summer. We were laughing and sharing stories as we ate pretzel after pretzel. When the pile was down to the last one, Ben paused mid-sentence, pointed to the bowl, and said, “That one is for you, JoJo.”

“Wow!” I thought, “This pretzel-wielding preschooler has the gift of hospitality—how can I get him on my VBS team?”

For Teachers

Coach Your Kids

Outreach programs are awesome, but your connections with the community won’t last beyond the season unless you have a few people like Benji on board! So coach your kids in hospitality, reminding them of how God welcomes us into his family and calls us to welcome others.

Talk with your group about what it feels like to be the “new kid.”
Brainstorm ideas for making guests feel special and included in every activity.
Role-play your ideas, practice introductions, or split your kids into teams to create fun skits about greeting visitors.
Pray together and anticipate that God will send new kids to your group who will become part of God’s “forever family”!

Know Names

Calling kids by name sends them the message that they aren’t just one of the crowd, but are known and valued individually (not only by you, but also by God).

Here’s a memory trick: the first time you meet a kid, make a point to use his or her name three times throughout your class time.
Listen closely to how kids pronounce their own names. Kids with unusual names (like Jolanda, for example), are used to responding to all sorts of inaccurate enunciations, so it’s a great relief when someone gets it right!
Play name games to help all the kids get to know each other and you. Have kids share their names and add a motion, a favorite animal, a rhyming word, or anything else that will get a few giggles and get stuck in your head.

For Coordinators

Key Connections

Scan your summer church calendar with an eye for other ministries that might intersect with kids. Might the healthy marriage class attract some moms and dads? Might the Gospel Fest involve little ones? Chances are there are many people in your pews that will send kids your way if you keep them in the loop.

Collect stories of kids’ growth and spiritual insight from teachers, volunteers, and parents. Keep these stories on the tip of your tongue when you catch the ear of the senior pastor, council members, and ministry team leaders.
Put kids’ ministry on the radar of leaders of your church’s women and men’s ministries. Explore ways you can provide support for each other’s ministry this summer. Slip them fliers with notes attached to help them direct parents to programs their kids might enjoy. Celebrate together the ways God is reaching the hearts of adults and kids.
Connect with church members who are also well-known in the community. Mrs. Marceline, a member of Hope church, lives about eight houses down from the church and knows EVERY kid and parent on the block! Make sure you keep the Mrs. Marcelines in your congregation up to date on the kids’ calander.

Connecting these dots in your congregation may mean a more wholistic witness to your community this summer!

Summer Fun for Families

2008-05-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

Childhood summers felt like heaven to me. I spent long sunny days swimming in the neighbors’ pool or running barefoot to catch the ice-cream truck. On warm summer evenings my family watched baseball on TV with the sound of crickets drifting in through the windows. And the crowning joy, the highlight of every summer, was family vacation at Lake Michigan. Seven days of digging in the sand, splashing in the waves, and telling stories around the campfire with my parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and siblings.

While leisurely summer days might not be the reality for today’s busy kids, family time is still a precious commodity that’s worth preserving (and promoting)! Every study points to the dramatic difference family time and faith-talk make in the spiritual growth of kids and teens. So try some of these fun ideas for boosting the bond between the generations this summer.

A Worship Map
Ever wonder where everyone goes in the summer? A worship map is a great way to satisfy your curiosity and encourage families to make time with God part of their travel plans. Here’s how it works:

Post a huge map on a bulletin board in a central location at church.
Provide push-pins and lots of space on either side of the map.
Encourage families to pinpoint their vacation destination and post a bulletin from the worship service they attend.

By the end of the summer you’ll have an awesome display of the worshiping body of Christ spread across the continent—or maybe even across the entire globe!

Vacation Bags
Fill a few travel sacks with items that kids and parents can use on road trips and cross-country adventures. Be creative, including things like:

A journal for recording funny stories (about siblings, of course!).
A “Flat Stanley”-style laminated photo of your senior pastor and a disposable camera.
Junior will love pulling out Flat Pastor to pose for photos at zoos, monuments, and amusement parks. By the end of the trip the pastor in the pulpit will feel like part of the family!
Several blank stamped postcards addressed to homebound folks in your congregation. Kid-printed notes from far away always bring joy to the heart!
Guess What! family magazines (click here to download a pdf sample) from Faith Alive—the games, jokes, quizzes, and puzzles will keep the kids too busy to ask, “Are we there yet?” Parents will appreciate the devotional suggestions and family worship page.

Have families sign up to check a bag out, and encourage them to return the bags with one small souvenir for the next family to enjoy. Be sure to restock bags as they come back in!

These great ideas come from Anne Wilson, director of ministries to children and families at Northwoods Presbyterian Church. I attended Anne’s marvelous workshop at APCE’s Annual Event in January! If you have great ideas for summer or year-round activities for families, post a comment below!

The World of Middle School

2008-05-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

Following the pattern of many day-schools, Walk With Me combines grades 6-8, offering three years of material. All units are four sessions long.

Year 1 covers topics that matter the most to kids: how to make good decisions; how to build relationships; how to pray; how to read the Bible; how to talk about their faith; Christians and culture; sexuality; stewardship; diversity.

Year 2 follows the pattern of a simplified catechism, teaching the basic beliefs of the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition.

Year 3 focuses on the church and its history, worship, and work; also included are studies of such biblical concepts as covenant, kingdom, justice, and end times.

As you teach this material to kids, you’ll soon get to know what they’re like. But even veteran leaders find it hard to analyze and categorize this age group. One reason is that kids in this age group are in transition from childhood to adulthood. Somewhere, probably at widely different points on the developmental continuum, you’ll find each of your students taking halting lunges forward and painful slips backward. The kids in your group can vary all the way from the boys who profess to hate the opposite sex to the sophisticated young teen whose thoughts have turned to make-up and boys. The differences in physical maturation alone can be stunning. And physical changes are matched by intellectual, social, and spiritual changes that are every bit as dramatic.

Here are a few reminders for you to consider as you prepare to teach your middle schoolers.

Intellectual Characteristics

Children at this age

are gradually acquiring the ability to think abstractly and are no longer limited to “concrete” experiences from which to draw conclusions; older “middlers” have a developing ability to conceptualize, understand metaphor; think logically, speculate about ideas and propositions, and entertain lots of questions while toying with a variety of answers. However, keep in mind that many middle schoolers are just beginning this process. Some may still need very concrete examples to help them cross the bridge to more abstract thinking.
like to flex their new-found mental muscles by pointing out inconsistencies in what they’ve seen, heard, and learned about their faith.
are becoming increasingly capable of working out their own system of beliefs and values.
need a lot of variety and “hands on” learning experiences to maintain interest and attention; are willing to explore many different ways of learning; most are visual rather than auditory learners; respond best to frequent changes in pace, activities.

Tips for Leaders

Be aware that youth may be at widely differing places in their ability to handle abstract thinking; include some questions and activities that these youths can successfully handle; at the same time; move your teaching beyond facts and information—you need to help students move from childlike thinking into adult understanding.
Ask questions that help youth put information into concepts that reflect their opinions; give them plenty of opportunities to draw conclusions from Scripture, to raise questions of their own, to apply the insights gained from Bible study to the way they live from day to day.
Establish a personal relationship with your kids; be there to stimulate, challenge, and lovingly guide them as they challenge old assumptions and entertain new ideas; create a warm, friendly environment for learning where kids are free to ask questions and be themselves.
Make a strong effort to vary your teaching approach and methods; use activities that cover the range of all eight intelligences (see introduction to your leader’s guide and individual sessions).
Avoid lecturing as much as possible; try some of the more unusual and creative activities suggested in your leader’s guide; frequently change pace and activities.

Social Characteristics

Children at this age

struggle with the task of establishing their own identities; many tend to move away from families and teachers toward their own peer group, who help them shape their beliefs, test their values, and provide support.
may show their identity struggle in ways that startle and irritate adults (garish trends, abrasive music, exclusive groupings), but out of it will eventually emerge a healthy self-consciousness.
often feel an almost desperate need for acceptance, especially by their peers; friends become all-important, though research shows that families continue to play a vital role in influencing the values and beliefs of this age group.
ride an emotional roller-coaster, with unpredictable ups and downs; can be spirited, reckless, energetic, especially in small groups; may also experience for the first time the low feelings of isolation and loneliness (despite hectic schedules and much busyness); need much affirmation, acceptance, and support.
may occasionally behave in disruptive ways to gain peer approval; girls may giggle and whisper; boys may be loud and argumentative. You’ll have to judge just how much noise is detrimental to learning, how much bothers the group, how much bothers you.
are often hugely concerned with their appearance; some may become self-conscious, especially girls who may tower over some of the boys in the group; many are sensitive to their strengths and weaknesses; they don’t want to be embarrassed.
may appear totally self-absorbed but they are now able to take the perspective of other people; this new ability gets a good workout as the kids try to see themselves as others do; eventually this will blossom into a an adult-like sensitivity to others.
may spend long hours playing video games, going online, instant messaging, watching TV.

Tips for Leaders

Build relationships; let kids know you like them, enjoy their company, and want to be with them; listen to them; let them know you take them seriously; if possible, try to attend at least some of their games, concerts, plays, and other special events.
Emphasize the positive; look for opportunities to affirm individuals privately (public praise can embarrass them); avoid sarcasm and criticism; help kids feel loved, accepted, and valued.
Work with the kids to create classroom rules and consequences (rule #1 is that nobody laughs at or makes fun of anyone else—kids need to feel safe to question assumptions); be fair but flexible, consistent but caring; deal with individual rule-breakers individually, apart from the group.
Avoid disruptive behavior by making learning fun, by varying the pace and activities, by building personal relationships.
Provide lots of opportunity for group interaction and working together on assignments or projects; make sure no one is left out or feels rejected; soften the impact of cliques by varying the make-up of small groups.
Be patient with the kids and with yourself!
Provide clear instruction for projects and activities, while encouraging kids to be creative. They need to have some idea of what’s expected of them, some parameters within which to work, without squelching creativity.

Spiritual Characteristics

Children at this age

are moving from “doing good” simply to avoid punishment or to return a favor to the “conventional” level of faith and morality, where the key is conforming to what the group or culture defines as “normal” and acceptable; kids are developing their own beliefs and values but do so in the context of peers, school, media, and church; belonging to the church and participating in its rituals and ministry become increasingly important.
are able to commit themselves to Christ and to understand what it means to live a life of Christian gratitude and service; public profession of faith is a very real possibility as some have arrived at the place of making commitments in their own right, apart from peers and parents.
are able to deal with moral questions in terms of motives as well as consequences; can think about questions of ethics and morality in the context of love, loyalty, promises, and so on.
are idealists, quick to point out faults and failures at home and in the world, quick to spot injustice, eager to become involved in worthy causes; need to know they’re important to God and to the church right now.
often admire and seek to imitate adult faith-models as a way of establishing their own identity.
may well be struggling with doubts and questions about their faith, feelings that often intensify with older adolescents; some reject the faith of their parents and teachers out of rebellion or a wish to think for themselves.
can find it difficult to integrate their religious beliefs with their everyday attitudes and behaviors; dealing with their failures in this regard often becomes a heavy load—living Christianly can seem impossible.

Tips for Leaders

Involve kids in active ministry through service projects you do as a group (many are offered as part of the Walk With Me curriculum); encourage kids to participate in your church’s worship services and outreach ministries.
Gently encourage those who express an interest in publicly professing their faith; offer to talk with kids individually about their faith and any questions they have about the process of confessing their faith before your congregation; take care not to pressure kids in any way; you may want to contact your denominational office for materials aimed specifically at welcoming and guiding young believers.
Help kids think through moral issues, give reasons for their choices, get beyond “group think” to think for themselves; use lots of examples from their lives—true case studies can be an effective approach for teaching ethics to older kids; honest, open discussion is the goal.
Build on their idealism by encouraging them to protest the injustice and inequality they see at school or in their community; encourage them to resist the clique mentality and think inclusively when it comes to selecting friends and joining groups.
Think of yourself as a “faith model” for the kids; know what you believe and live it openly; admit to difficulties and struggles that you experience; then work hard to listen, accept, guide, and correct—and keep your sense of humor!
Assure kids who are struggling with their faith or with their failures that God does not expect or reward perfection; God’s grace is a gift through Christ . . . a comforting truth for insecure, self-searching adolescents.
Encourage kids to have regular devotions at home; explore various forms of participatory prayers in your weekly sessions.

Growing on the Go

2008-04-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

Driving skills came slowly to me when I was a teen. Though I aced the written test, getting behind the wheel was a different story. Merging onto the highway was especially terrifying: “I’m supposed to speed up to drive into 70 mile-an-hour traffic—are you kidding me!?!”

The back roads worked just fine . . . that is, until I left the suburbs and had to learn how to maneuver a huge white church van full of giggling preteens through narrow city streets and across busy highway overpasses. Looking at me, wide-eyed and white-knuckled, I doubt one would have sensed the Spirit at work. Yet those drives were moments of growth and deep spiritual surrender!

Children’s ministry is no different. We jump behind the wheel—some of us well-trained and confident, others unsure and reluctant, and before we know it we’re sailing through lesson planning, teacher training, and the many speed bumps of ministry. We grow as we go, with God as the navigator and source of strength for the journey. And if we’re wise, we make a pit stop every once in a while to tune up and refuel.

That’s why I’m excited to invite you to the GROW Conference—it’s the perfect place to pull over and take a look under the hood!

Mark Your Maps

I hope you’ll join me and children’s ministry leaders from across North America as we GROW together on August 1-2 in Orland Park, Illinois and October 17-18 in Langley, British Columbia!

Why GROW?

You’ll learn from leaders like Bob Keeley, keynote speaker and author of Helping Our Children Grow in Faith: Nurturing the Spiritual Development of Kids. You might recognize Bob’s sense of humor if you’ve ever used one of the Quick and Easy Christmas Dramas!
You’ll choose GROW sessions that will stretch you to dig deeper and reach wider on topics like praying with kids, dealing with discipline, reaching your neighborhood, feeding your soul, marking faith milestones, making music with kids, and connecting with families.
You can explore Walk With Me and Kid Connection in fun workshops designed to help you and your kids get the most out of each session.
You’ll laugh and sing along as kids share drama and songs while their leaders offer how-to tips for your program.
You can swap ideas with teachers and ministry directors from across North America, and plug in to local networks for ongoing support.

So pick the GROW location nearest you, and buckle up for the adventure! Visit www.FaithAliveResources.org/grow for all you need to know about GROW.

Hope to see you there!

The World of Fourth and Fifth Graders

2008-04-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Once you get to know the children in your group, you’ll be amazed at how different they are! No two of these image-bearers are alike, that’s for sure. Still, most children in this age group are beginning to establish a sense of identity, of who they are. And some of this identity comes through joining groups of one kind or another.

Being aware of these patterns of development can help you understand and minister to the unique persons God has placed in your care for these few weeks and months. Below are few reminders of the world of fourth and fifth graders.

Intellectual Characteristics

Children at this age

are proficient readers, though reading ability varies considerably; are learning how to read and study the Bible, with an emphasis on learning the facts; memorizing is easier now than later.
love to gather and classify facts and dig into a subject; have a growing sense of time and space, cause and effect; can deal with timelines and maps; are often interested in historical stories or heroes of the past. (At this grade level Walk with Me again takes children on a chronological journey through the Bible, this time taking different stories at a deeper level than during the previous two years.)
are still “concrete thinkers” and are unable to reason with these facts in an adult way—to do logical analysis, to “think about thinking;” it’s easier for them to talk about things than about ideas.
tend to have thinking that is anchored in personal experience (“You said it was impossible; well, I know someone who did it”); their thinking also colored by emotion and by a sense of fair play.
are identifying their preferences for certain learning styles; you may recognize budding artists or writers or musicians in your group; some children in this age group have a fairly strong sense of what they’re good at and may be somewhat self-conscious when asked to do things they don’t do well.
still love to learn by doing—participating in games, dramas, role plays, group projects, art projects, service projects, etc.
often have a strong interest in nature, the environment, animals.

Tips for Leaders

Continue to be sensitive to children who struggle with reading; ask for volunteers to read aloud or assign shorter/simpler pieces to weaker readers.
Read some of the books your kids are reading, watch some of the movies/TV shows they enjoy so you can refer to these for examples and illustrations.
Recognize each child’s strengths; structure your sessions so they give each child a chance to do something he or she really enjoys and does well; at the same time, encourage kids to be try activities that may challenge them a bit (music, art, drama, dance, role play); let the group know that you have strengths and weaknesses of your own, and learn to laugh at your own attempts to try something at which one of the children excels. This can help set the stage for accepting everyone’s best efforts.
Recognize that while these children can concentrate for longer periods of time and become involved in a topic, they also have a great need for movement. Shift activities frequently or add physical activity to the learning time so kids don’t become antsy.
Respect the mental boundaries of this age-group by staying away from theological arguments and analysis but encourage their mental growth by asking why they feel as they do or have a certain opinion, by taking them into the nonliteral world of parables, by moving them into the discussion of ideas as well as things, and by using the anecdotal lives of heroes—including biblical heroes—to teach more abstract concepts such as faithfulness, love, covenant, and so on.
Take advantage of nice-weather days and occasionally go outside to work on an activity.

Social Characteristics

Children at this age

are developing a sense of individual value and worth; are forming a sense of personal identity that includes statements about what they believe; need a sense of individual value and encouragement for their efforts in work and learning; can be very sensitive to criticism.
may place impossible expectations on themselves, tearing up stories they’ve written or pictures they’ve drawn because they don’t think they’re good enough.
are spending more and more time with their peers; form clubs or groups with children of their own gender; opinions of friends may be more important to them than opinions of parents; group identity is stronger now than at any other time in childhood.
are becoming more responsible and caring to each other and to adults.
are developing a communal sense about God’s family, the church; often want to be part of the church or children’s group within the church.
are quick to sense when one child is favored or given special privileges; respect a leader who is fair.

Tips for Leaders

Encourage and support the children’s efforts in work and in learning; make sure they know that their work is acceptable and you are not looking for “perfection;” (when they become self-critical, it’s hard for them to participate because they feel can’t do anything right).
Encourage group work of all sorts; stress cooperation, not competition; avoid formation of cliques by assigning children to small groups.
Give children responsibility for working effectively with others in groups and for working independently on some projects; let them know that you trust them.
Tell some of the “faith stories” that come out of your local congregation; encourage participation in such church activities as children’s choir, special programs and events; help kids develop a sense of belonging to the community of believers.
Work to avoid favoritism.

Spiritual Characteristics

Children at this age

are developing a conscience—a personal sense of right and wrong that often expresses itself in judgments of what’s “unfair” or unjust; may be critical of adults who appear to be insincere in their faith.
may be able to deal—in a limited way—with moral questions in terms of motives as well as consequences; are beginning to think about questions of ethics and morality in the context of love, loyalty, promises, and so on.
may show an increasing concern about people who are hungry, homeless, or poor.
are often open to learning about other cultures; becoming more accepting of differences in others (Walk With Me offers a number of units that incorporate the faith-traditions of Christians in other countries and cultures).
understand why we pray; may make up spontaneous prayers and litanies.
are more inclined to look inward than younger children; may ask questions and wonder about making a commitment to Christ.

Tips for Leaders

When discussing moral/ethical issues, try getting into areas of motivation/intentions of those involved; give guidance in making ethical decisions and encourage children to recognize the authority of Scripture; examples from life are useful in helping children develop morally.
Offer some service projects that children can do as a group.
Watch for opportunities to point out the contributions of different cultures to music, worship, prayer, and so on.
Watch for questions and statements that indicate an interest in making a commitment; while never forcing commitment, do what you can to help the children explore their faith and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ; for a few, this may mean providing the necessary guidance to help them take the steps toward a public commitment.

Listen Up!

2008-03-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

For Teachers
Listening involves more than the ears. It also involves the heart, mind, and will. In a “Family Circus” cartoon, the little girl is looking at her daddy, who is reading the newspaper. She tugs at his sweater and says, “Daddy, you need to listen to me with your eyes as well as your ears.”

Listen to me, say your kids. Listen to my worries, my fears, my joys, my anger, my questions. Listen—really listen! When you listen to me you tell me I am important. When you listen to me, you show me God’s gracious listening ears. You show me that God listens when I pray. When you listen to me—really listen to me—you give me permission to ask important questions and explore my faith.

Listening does not come naturally to most of us. But it is a skill that can be learned. Here are some important elements of active listening:

1. Listen with your whole body.
Maintain eye contact. Gesture, nod, smile; lean into the conversation. Do whatever you can to show the child you are engaged with her. Kids need to know that all of you is listening, and that you’re listening not only to their words but also to their hearts.

2. Watch for body language.
Only a small part of communication is revealed through words. Drooping shoulders and folded arms reflect more than what the child is saying. Sparkling eyes and dancing toes speak volumes.

3. Give kids permission to talk.
Begin conversations with open-ended starters, “Tell me about your day” or “I wonder how you feel about your sick dog.” Often children need to be encouraged to talk, to know that you are really interested.

4. Don’t interrupt.
Listening takes patience. Children have a more limited vocabulary and take longer to express themselves than adults. Also, speaking about their concerns makes them vulnerable; an interruption may squash their hesitant attempts to share their ideas or thoughts.

5. Don’t formulate your response while the child is still talking.
Children can read eyes and body language very quickly. . . they’ll know if you’ve tuned out.

6. Ask clarifying questions.
Make sure you’re hearing the essence of what the child is saying. Rephrase what you think you’re hearing, then ask, “Is this what you’re saying, or am I getting it wrong?”

7. Reflect children’s feelings.
Often children can’t name their feelings with words, or are afraid to name them. You can help. When you say, “It sounds like you are sad that your friend has found a new buddy to hang out with,” your expression may bring relief that an unspoken feeling has been validated.

8. Ask for kids’ opinions regularly. (They definitely have them!)
Ask questions like “What do you think is the most important problem world leaders should solve?” When you ask for their opinions, it shows you respect their ideas. Bonus: you learn a lot about your children.

9. Share your own questions and problems. (In age-appropriate ways, of course)
“Can anyone explain the rules of soccer to me? I’m trying to learn the game.”

10. Ask good questions.
Extend conversations by asking good questions that reveal more about the child’s world.

When adults model good listening, children learn essential communication skills. The greatest audience a child can have is a caring, thoughtful, interested adult who is important to them. That’s you!

—from Trail Mix: Good Stuff for Walk With Me Teachers by Jessie Schut. Check out the book for other helpful teaching tips!

For Coordinators
At Faith Alive we think listening is crucial. We need to know all about the churches we serve in order to provide relevant resources. In February a Faith Alive team set out on a listening tour across the US and Canada. We heard stories and ideas from children’s ministry leaders, church educators, pastors, and lay leaders. Though we spanned two countries, we couldn’t go everywhere!

We Want to Hear from You
If we missed your town it’s not too late for you to add your input! We want to hear about your resource needs and ideas—what’s working and what’s not? Take a minute to fill out our quick online survey or send us an e-mail at editors@faithaliveresources.org. Your input will help us shape curricula and resources that will meet your church’s needs.

Plan Your Own Listening Tour
Connect with the volunteers, parents, kids, and teens in your church to hear how people are growing and to look for new possibilities. Compiles stories and suggestions to share with the congregation and talk over with the education team. It may spark a renewed interest in education within your congregation and help you find ways to strengthen your faith formation programs.

Recommended Resources
Great for new teachers as well as experienced ones, Trail Mix: Good Stuff for Walk With Me Teachers offers inspiration and encouragement from experienced Sunday school teachers. This book provides helpful tips and problem-solving ideas and offers practical information that can help you get maximum benefit from Walk With Me.

WWM summer units will make your summer sizzle! Each offers five easy-prep sessions that help kids grow in their faith while they’re having fun! Use them for a week of VBS or for five weeks of Sunday school. Best of all, everything you need is in ONE book.

The World of Second and Third Graders

2008-03-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

As you prepare to lead second and third graders, Walk With Me invites you to enter their world, to remind yourself of who these delightful children are. There’s much more to be said than what is stated here and, of course, each child is unique. The best way to get to know the children is to observe them from week to week, listening to what they have to say and being their friend as well as their leader.

Having survived learning the basics of reading and writing, children in this age group are (usually!) eager learners. And their thought processes are also advancing, enabling them, for example, to grasp a simple chronology of Bible stories. That’s why at this grade level Walk With Me offers two years of sequential Bible stories, grouped in four-session units.

Here, then, are a few “typical” characteristics of this age group.

Intellectual Characteristics

Children at this age

are becoming capable of thinking logically (simple classification, grouping, and ordering) but they are not yet able to reason abstractly; they still need specific, “concrete” representations to tie their thinking to.
are reading well above grade level in some cases; others are still struggling to learn the basics; some are able to read from the Bible.
are beginning to understand the use of religious rituals and symbolism (as in the sacraments).
are developing the ability to think in sequence and to understand cause and effect.
have a growing sense of time and space; are able to differentiate between now and long ago, between fantasy and reality.
are great collectors of just about anything you can name.
enjoy listening to well-told stories, making up stories, retelling and reenacting stories, and comparing one story with another.

Tips for Leaders

Be sensitive to the wide variety in reading abilities; to avoid embarrassing weaker readers, ask for volunteers to read aloud; give individual, quiet help to those who are having difficulty reading silently; include weaker readers in a group of good readers to help them cope.
Nurture each child’s strengths and continue to provide learning experiences that appeal to different kinds of intelligences (word smart, number smart, picture smart, music smart, and so on. See the introduction to your leader’s guide and individual sessions for examples).
Build on the desire to collect and categorize things by going on nature “treasure hunts,” by setting up display tables, by being “detectives” and finding out information, by making lists, and so on.
Emphasize that Bible stories are true stories from God’s Word; help them to begin to develop a simple chronology of what happened when in the Bible; occasionally have volunteers read directly from simple passages in the Bible.
Continue to avoid most analogies and figures of speech to explain religious truths; however, basic religious symbols—such as the cross and the elements of the sacraments—may be explained to the children.

Social Characteristics

Children at this age

are gradually moving from being totally self-centered to being others-centered; are developing acceptable ways of functioning within a group.
take a more active role in worship services (singing, praying, listening) and have a stronger sense of church as God’s family.
are making friends and are discovering what it means to be kind to each other.
value rules and expect them to be followed; have a developing sense of justice and fair play.
enjoy showing off their new abilities; need to know that their abilities and gifts are valued.

Tips for Leaders

Give children opportunities to work together in groups; vary the make-up of the groups (kids will often pick the same partners if you give them the choice).
Take time to remind the children that they are a valuable part of the church, that the church cares for them, that they can contribute to the worship service by singing, praying, etc.
Try to model fairness in the way you deal with the children; from time to time remind children of the rules your group has agreed to observe.
Invite the kids to help you with tasks, such as cleaning up the room or passing out materials; give them small responsibilities and praise their efforts.

Spiritual Characteristics

Children at this age

are capable of understanding basic salvation concepts and making a commitment to Jesus (but may do so simply out of a desire to please you or parents).
often express opinions and feelings about God and church; enjoy asking a great many “why” and “how” questions.
often include prayer in their daily routines; prayers frequently self-centered but are sincere and offered in faith.
often still see issues in black and white. However, they are aware of the struggle between good and evil in the world and sometimes also in their own lives.

Tips for Leaders

Provide opportunities for children to express—in their own age-appropriate way—their commitment to Christ, but avoid any sense of manipulation.
Pay close attention to the questions the children ask; help them discover the answer rather than tell it to them.
Involve the children in different kinds of prayer experiences; guide them to include thanks/praise and requests for others in their prayers.
Challenge children to widen their understanding of the world; help children process their fears and guilt feelings about not living up to God’s expectations.

The World of Kindergartners and First Graders

2008-02-01T08:49:00.000-08:00

The sight of a yellow school bus picking up her child from the corner can pull at parental heartstrings like few other things can. Going to school—either part-time or all day—marks a tremendous change in the lives of these little ones, a change that’s felt not only in the home but in the church school as well.

What follows here is a brief description of some of the characteristics you’ll see in children in kindergarten and first grade. It leaves much unsaid—and is certainly no substitute for getting to know your group firsthand.
But we do hope it will give you some insight into what you may anticipate from children in this age group.

At this level, Walk With Me offers two years of Bible stories, arranged in four-session units according to themes. Sample themes include: I Love and Obey God; God Cares for People; Jesus Loves Children; Jesus Heals; Forgiveness; Jesus Is Alive; Thank You, God, for Your World; Thank You, God, for People.

Intellectual Characteristics

Children at this age

are beginning to enter the exciting world of symbols: numbers, letters , words.
are dealing with the complex process of learning to read and write; expect wide variations in ability levels; Walk With Me builds on these developing verbal skills, but does not base activities on the ability to read or write.
still depend very much on concrete experiences; continue to learn with their whole bodies: love to touch, taste, feel, smell, explore, watch—and wonder; learning best through doing.
are still many years away from being able to deal with abstract faith concepts along logical lines; still interpret what they see, hear, and experience in a very literal way.
enjoy listening to stories and retelling or reenacting them; listen with more discernment than preschoolers.
have an increasing attention span but still need to move frequently from one task to another.

Tips for Leaders

Share the excitement of learning to read and write; use these emerging skills as tools for asking faith questions and for helping children make personal responses.
Don’t assume that because children are learning to read and write, they can use these skills effectively; be patient and encouraging when asking children to count or to recognize letters or copy words; adapt each session to best meet the needs and abilities of your children.
Plan your sessions to give children frequent opportunity to change activities and move around; balance active participation with some quieter activities.
Plan learning experiences that appeal to different kinds of intelligences (word smart, number smart, picture smart, music smart, and so on. See the introduction to your leader’s guide and individual sessions for examples).
Avoid using figures of speech, symbolism, and analogies to explain faith concepts.
Continue to relate learning to experiences the children have already had or to new experiences you can share with them.

Social Characteristics

Children at this age

are still largely shaped by home and family; trust learned at home helps shapes their concept of God and the faith community.
are also experiencing an ever-widening social world through attendance at school, either part-time or full-time; here they are learning new skills and making adjustments to many new and important people in their lives.
are beginning to learn how to play with others, though still strongly egocentric, how to cooperate, how to behave in group settings; they are more open to learning about communal concepts (like the church as God’s family).

Tips for Leaders

Establish a good relationship with the home, when possible; include many home- and family-related illustrations when talking together about faith concepts; encourage families to read the children’s take-home papers to them.
Draw on children’s common experiences in school for illustrations and guidelines for behavior.
Watch for opportunities to build community among the children; Walk With Me will give you plenty of chances to do things together, to trust each other, to pray together, to grow together in the faith.
Look for teachable moments to help kids sense the diversity among themselves and among all of God’s people.
Remember that the children look to you as someone they love and trust; you are an important “flesh and blood” example of faith in their young lives.

Spiritual Characteristics

Children at this age

have a very real spiritual nature, a strong sense of who God is; often relate to Jesus as their friend.
are aware of right and wrong, but are still likely to define “wrong” in terms of its immediate consequence (“Taking cookies is wrong if Mom catches me!); can begin to understand the joy that comes with forgiveness.
understand God’s love and our response within the context of everyday experiences and, to some extent, within the context of God’s family, the church.
can be delighted and awed by Bible stories; use imagination to ask questions about the Bible and God.
can express their love for Jesus in their own words and actions.

Tips for Leaders

Continue to help the children realize that God loves them and cares for them.
Help the children sense that they are an important part of God’s family, the church.
Encourage the children to say their own prayers to God at home during the week and to be good listeners when God’s Word is read.
Let the children sense your own wonder and reverence about who God is and what God has done.
Continue to focus on attitudes and actions that exhibit faith, rather than on teaching complex religious concepts.
Invite the children to express their feelings for God in a variety of ways that allow them to be spontaneous and child-like in their praise and worship.

The World of the Preschool Child

2008-01-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

A significant reward that comes with teaching Walk With Me is the joy you’ll experience as you get to know each little one in your group—what he or she is thinking, feeling, imagining, believing. Not only will you have an opportunity to influence young minds and hearts, but you’ll also be influenced by your children’s simple, emerging faith.

What follows here is a brief description of some of the characteristics you’ll see in the children you lead and learn from. It leaves much unsaid—and is certainly no substitute for getting to know your group firsthand. But we do hope it will give you some insight into what you may anticipate from preschoolers—intellectually, socially, and spiritually.

At this age level, Walk With Me offers a selection of basic, age-appropriate Old Testament and New Testament Bible stories, arranged sequentially.

Intellectual Characteristics

Children at this age

think very concretely and literally, not abstractly or figuratively as youth and adults do; to a preschool child, things are as they appear to be.
are not capable of reasoning or organizing abstract faith concepts along logical lines.
learn through their experiences at home, church, preschool, caregivers.
learn with their whole bodies; love to taste, touch, move, explore, smell, watch, and wonder.
are just beginning to develop some literacy skills; some can write their own name, recognize the letters of the alphabet, and count to twenty.
love to use language to please adults; “right answers” do not necessarily indicate comprehension.
enjoy being told stories and read to; repetition an important way to learn.
are often easily distracted from staying “on task.”

Tips for Leaders

Try for a reasonable balance between times of quiet listening and active, “hands on” participation
Relate learning to the experiences children already have or to new experiences you can share with them.
Give your little ones plenty of opportunity to move around.
Keep games, stories, and other activities short, with transitional periods that enable movement from one part of the room to the other.
Provide a variety of learning experiences: stories, art, music, words, numbers, group interaction, etc.
Avoid using figures of speech, symbolism, analogies.
Remember that each child develops at his or her own pace; nurture each child’s strengths.

Social Characteristics

Children at this age

are blissfully egocentric; see the world through their own eyes.
are developmentally incapable of understanding another’s perspective or emotions.
are self-centered, yet are significantly influenced by others, especially mom, dad, teachers, other significant adults.
are on the verge of experiencing a wider world of people; many young children still want to play alone and must make a real effort to have any meaningful play with others.

Tips for Leaders

Accept the children’s developing concepts of themselves without judging their apparent egocentrism
Emphasize the theme that we are special to God: we’ve been created by God, belong to God, and are dearly loved by God.
Recognize that you are a role model for your little ones, someone who is a picture of God’s love and care.
Encourage cooperative play with others, while remaining sensitive to individual needs for attention and recognition.
Do your best to make the learning fun; make your room a “safe” and friendly place where kids will want to be every week.

Spiritual Characteristics

Children at this age

have a growing sense that God is very special and real rather than pretend.
tend to have a very literal concept of God, perhaps as a “grandfather” figure who lives “up there.”
readily accept what you say about God.
sense that God loves them and cares for them.
enjoy some Bible stories, especially about Jesus; want stories retold often.
can develop attitudes of love and trust toward Jesus and God.
do not yet have a built-in control (conscience) that nudges them toward right behavior for its own sake; do the “right thing” out of fear of punishment or to win approval.
sense that “church” is a good place to be..
recite simple prayers ; in some cases may add own ideas to “form” prayers.

Tips for Leaders

Above all, let the children know that God loves them and cares for them; teach this in the context of common childhood experiences with which the children can identify.
Let these little ones sense your own wonder and awe about who God is and what God has done.
Focus on attitudes and actions that exhibit faith.
When do you teach religious concepts, keep them simple and few: (God loves us; we love and obey God; God is good; Jesus is God’s own Son); repeat them often.
Nurture faith by giving your little ones a love for the stories of Scripture and by laying attitudinal foundations for later understanding of Scripture’s great truths.

Immanuel Has Come!

2007-12-01T10:09:00.000-08:00

My mother’s nativity figures were made of simple felt and stuffed with cotton. They weren’t fancy or out-of-reach like the porcelain dolls that stared down from a shelf, beautiful but distant. They sat on an end table where baby Jesus was close enough to touch.

I thought of the figures last week as I admired the Christmas displays at Global Gifts. I saw tall, skinny shepherds made of woven banana leaves from Uganda; Peruvian painted-clay wise men, round and colorfully dressed; sheep made of smooth-sanded olive wood from the strife-torn West Bank; a tiny stable scene carved from an Ecuadorian tago nut, and pastel-colored crocheted finger puppets from Vietnam. At the center of each scene lay Jesus, declaring in the many colors of his face that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us all.

These imported treasures, and the nativity figures of my childhood, highlight the most beautiful truth of Christmas: God has come to be close to us! Week after week in Sunday school we tell awe-inspiring stories of a mighty, sovereign God who is the great creator, provider, and promise keeper. At Christmas these stories find their balance in the small face of the baby lying in a manger. In this amazing story we find God walking among us, becoming one of us. He greets us as Jesus the baby, who will have parents, siblings, and school days. A God who knows just what it feels like to be small!

As we lead Walk With Me at Christmas, we draw kids into this powerful truth. We gather them around a manger to peek in at a Savior who came to dwell with the kids who sit still like little figurines and the ones who run circles around frayed teachers. He came to embrace those who wear new clothes and those who come to church in stained hand-me-downs. His arms extend to kids from families of all shapes and sizes, with skin reflecting many hues, whose experiences, gifts, and abilities are diverse. Christ’s presence on earth assures us that God sees us, knows us, and loves us.

As we celebrate again this baby in the manger, our prayer is that you and the kids in your life will experience the wonder of Christmas: the God who “is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).

Global Gifts is a church sponsored fair-trade store in West Michigan. If you’d like to see some of the nativity sets described above, you can view the Ten Thousand Villages catalog online (just type “nativity” in the search field).

Still scrambling to plan a Christmas program? It’s not too late to use one of these one rehearsal Quick & Easy Christmas Programs! Each program provides scripts and song suggestions that make planning a cinch. It's a special celebration with solid theology and simple preparation. Click here for more information.

Meetings that Matter

2007-11-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

"Whaa-whaa-whaa-whaa." You’re sitting in a Sunday school leaders’ meeting, but your thoughts wander, yawns come and go, and the speaker keeps on talking! Instead of gleaning the latest teaching tips, you wish you had stayed home. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Read on to find out how leaders and coordinators can both help nix the snooze-or-skip syndrome at your next Church Ed meeting.

For Teachers

Add Your Two Cents
Since leaders’ meetings are designed to benefit YOU and meet your needs as a teacher, YOUR input is valuable! Here’s how you can help your coordinator:

Offer a list of questions or topics that would be helpful to cover in upcoming meetings.
Bring your calendar and leave a copy of your “busy” days with the coordinator for future reference.
Inspire other leaders by sharing how you see God working in the kids in your class.
Change the venue—offer to host a leaders’ meeting at your home.
Give your coordinator post-meeting feedback (but be gentle!).

For Coordinators

Schedule Creatively

Use the “catch ‘em while they’re here” principle for planning. Marcia Flooding, director of children’s ministries at Third RCA of Holland, MI tackles the calendar crunch by holding leaders’ meetings during the regular Sunday school hour. She recruits special substitutes for the day.

When choosing an “off” day for your leaders’ meeting, scan church school schedules for conflicts.
If your Sunday school meets during the service, consider combining a leaders’ meeting with a morning breakfast or a post-service brunch.
Eat while you meet, but don’t let the food take over. Busy teachers may prefer light snacks to a sit-down meal if it means shorter meetings.

Promote the Purpose

Along with a personal invitation, use email, bulletin announcements, fliers, and mailers to broadcast the agenda and highlight the VITAL nature of your meeting. Consider these attendance incentives:

Meet at a favorite restaurant in town.
Reserve portions of the meeting for hearing leader’s celebrations and concerns.
Invite a well-known speaker.
Encourage some friendly competition with a game or challenge.
Provide an inspirational article to read in advance.
Present awards or acknowledgements.

Get to the Point

Every meeting you plan should be short and sweet. Poor Eutychus, “who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on” (Acts 20:9a) might have avoided a midnight fall had this principle been in place!

Plan an interactive meeting that gets the point across and incorporates a little laughter.
Use a short team-building exercise as an opener to get people talking.
If the majority of the meeting applies only to preschool teachers, deal with other items first, then send everyone but the preschool leaders home early.
If your agenda is short and a simple e-mail, newsletter, or phone call will do the trick, then skip the meeting and click “send” instead.

Make It Practical

Give leaders something they can use RIGHT AWAY:

session planning sheets
helpful website links from the Walk With Me website
a calendar with upcoming dates
a team-building game to use as kids arrive to class.
tips for discipline from last month's issue of WWM Talk
an easy-reading but inspirational article for continued growth

These nuts-and-bolts solutions are what teachers need for weekly ministry.

Recommended Resource

Learning Disabilities and the Church offers insight into teaching kids with learning disabilities, ADD, and AD/HD. This quick read includes a list of helpful websites and three short case studies with discussion questions you can use in leaders meetings.

Harmony in the House of the Lord

2007-10-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

It’s a cool, crisp October night and the football stands are packed with rowdy fans. The buzzer announces half-time and the marching band steps onto the field. The color guard, their flags shining under the floodlights, stands at attention. All eyes are on the drum major, who salutes ceremoniously before beginning the show. A lift of the hands, and the sound of brass and wind instruments erupts from the field. The drum major gestures dramatically as flags spin and musicians march in a stunning display of harmony and choreography.

It’s a thrilling picture, but harmony isn’t just for the band! Check out the following articles for tips on promoting harmony in your Walk With Me program.

For Teachers
Imagine a room full of wide-eyed kids, amazed by the stories of Scripture; their voices blending together melodiously as they learn and wonder about God! Activity, variety, and discovery choreographed seamlessly to form a lesson that captures the imagination and inspires! Consider these ideas for creating a steady rhythm in your room:

Be Proactive

The Boy Scouts are onto something with their motto, “Be Prepared.” Careful preparation allows you to focus on the kids and redirect them when you see trouble coming.
If you’ve ever arrived early at a party you know the awkwardness of wandering around as the host is still setting out the snacks. Kids who arrive early to Sunday school may feel the same way and may become restless before your lesson even begins. If you meet before or after church you might solve this potential problem by greeting kids as they arrive and directing them to begin the session “Overtime” activity, or interact with a learning station that reviews the previous week’s lesson. If your class begins midway through the worship service, have everything ready so you can dive into the lesson as soon as your group arrives.
Rules, expectations, requirements, regulations, laws . . . whatever you call them, every class needs them! Include kids in defining classroom expectations, then post those expectations for everyone to see. Tip: include Picture Smart kids and non-readers by choosing a symbol to represent each rule. An ear can stand for listening when others speak; a smiley face can stand for using kind words. Make the list of rules short and simple, reviewing it often: “What does the ear remind us to do?”
Create memorable classroom traditions: a special greeting, a closing blessing, a certain song played during cleanup or transitions. Ritual and structure help kids feel safe and comfortable in the classroom.
Use the multiple intelligence key to plan sessions (.pdf, 1 pp., .04 MB) that tap into your kids’ natural learning styles. Consider each kid in your class as you plan. When kids are engaged in a lesson that connects with them, they’ll be less likely to become restless.
Make each transition smooth—left with a void, kids find interesting ways to fill time! A mutiny may occur while you’re digging in your drawer, or pausing to read in your leader’s guide . . . Be aware that while variety is very important, moving from one activity to the next may be tough for some kids, especially those with learning disabilities or AD/HD. Be sensitive to the time it may take for some kids to switch gears. Prepare kids for change by giving a five-minute warning before a new activity or step is coming.
Set kids up for success by assigning seating when necessary. Seat kids who need more attention close to you so you can easily make eye contact with them.

Be Positive

Be GLAD to see your students each week! Let the love of Christ shine through you as you greet kids with a high-five and a BIG smile. Post a joke of the week, or save a little time at the end of class for kids to share jokes. Setting a positive tone in class and adding a little humor create a welcoming atmosphere that helps build relationships with kids.
When a problem occurs, take the child aside and be ready to listen for the root of the problem. Classroom discipline is about discipleship, not punishment. When kids are having a rough day (or month!), remember that your job is to teach and train.

Be Prayerful

Jesus reminds us in John 15:5 that he is the vine and we are the branches and that “apart from me you can do nothing.” Through prayer God shapes our attitudes and infuses us with loving-kindness. (And you might need a little loving-kindness when Sonia smacks her little brother or a play-doh blob goes flying through the air.)
It’s awesome to know that we have a God who loves us so deeply that he doesn’t reject us (or our kids) because of misbehavior. Rather, God pursues us in love and conquers sin and death on our behalf!

For Coordinators
As the Sunday School Coordinator, you have a huge role to play in helping teachers create calamity-free classrooms where faith nurture prospers. If classroom discipline seems to be a problem in your program, here are some tips to get you back on the track toward harmony.

Create a Plan

If your church doesn’t already have a discipline policy in place, consider these questions with your teaching team:

What is the goal of discipline in our classrooms?
Which forms of discipline are helpful and appropriate, and which are unacceptable?
How do we expect teachers to respond to discipline issues?
What steps might a teacher take to redirect students?
Have we trained teachers in how to handle classroom discipline?
In what situations should we have an extra teacher or helper in the classroom?
What can we do to involve parents in the discipline process?

Consider Consistency

Children thrive in stable environments. They need time to build trust, respect, and affection for the teachers in their lives.

Create consistency by encouraging teachers to teach the whole season, or one quarter of the season.
If your program rotates leadership, consider having the next teacher join the last session with the previous teacher. Kids benefit because they get to meet the new teacher and prepare for the change. The new teacher benefits from observing how the class is successfully led.

Communicate with Teachers

Frazzled teachers fizzle quickly! Here’s how to help:

Make sure your teachers have everything they need to succeed in the classroom: leader guides, student papers, supplies, music, etc.
Check in regularly to pray with teachers and hear how things are going in the classroom.
Respond quickly to requests for teacher assistance, training, or resources.

Connect with Parents

Let parents know that their kids are welcome and loved in your Sunday school program.
Encourage them to meet with you or partner with teachers if they have a concern or some ideas for how to help their child grow and learn.

Christmas—Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him

2007-09-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

You may not be dreaming of a white Christmas yet, but before you know it you’ll be knee-deep in gift-wrap and humming Christmas carols. Don’t panic, though—there’s still plenty of time to plan a meaningful and wonder-ful Christmas celebration!

For Teachers
Something Strange
Things were a little unusual around the time Jesus was born. A virgin delivered a child . . . . A star broke ranks and lingered over a manger . . . . Angels appeared and burst into song! It was strange enough to make a few wise men and some shepherds take notice!

Something Special
Celebrating Christmas in a Walk With Me class is also a little different than normal. Instead of telling the story to your group as you usually do, you’ll be joining all the other classes to experience the story as a drama in one large group. After the story and singing, classes meet as K-3 and 4-8 small groups rather than the usual graded groups. Teachers share the teaching, preteens share the story through drama, and all the kids focus on the same Scripture lesson.

Yes, it’s a little unusual, but this special break in the routine catches kids’ attention and helps them experience the wonder of the season. The message is loud and clear: Christmas is special. Jesus has come! Let’s celebrate together!

For Coordinators
Something Simple
Ever notice how those holiday jingles get stuck in your head? Here’s a new one for you to sing:

Busy kids, busy folks,
busy holiday. . .
Oh what fun it’d be to have
A ONE-REHEARSAL play! Hey!

Who doesn’t love a Christmas program? Faith Alive provides you with two great options for planning a special celebration:

WWM Christmas units provide all the ideas and music for helping your Sunday school sessions grow into a joyful service for the whole congregation.

The Quick & Easy Christmas Programs series provides scripts and song suggestions that make planning a cinch. At their church, authors Laura and Robert Keeley give the scripts to kids a week in advance so kids can read through their parts at home. Then they hold one rehearsal after the morning service and present the program that evening! A special celebration with solid theology and simple preparation—it’s enough to make you sing!

Speaking of singing. . .
Did you know the new Sing With Me Leader’s Guide is ready? Just in time for Christmas!

Sunday School Solutions

2007-08-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

For Teachers

Sessions without strife

So you’ve agreed to teach again, or maybe for the very first time. You’ve prayed about it and you feel God’s call. The Sunday school coordinator has confidence in you. As you greet each child with a smile, you’ll strive to create a loving and structured environment with clear expectations, consistency, compassion, and fairness. All of that sounds great . . . but will it work?

In sports, having a good defense can be the best offensive strategy. It keeps the other team from earning the points they need to win. Even the pros have a hard time scoring with a seven-footer standing between them and the basket! Thoughtful lesson planning is like a good defense for discipline problems in the classroom. As kids connect with the lessons that include a variety of interesting activities, they’ll be less likely to get off track. Walk With Me has this strategy built into the curriculum—here’s how you can make the most of it:

Pray

Set aside a consistent time each week to read the WORDSearch devotional for teachers and pray for your class before planning.

Pay attention

Notice what goes well as you teach. Do Caleb’s eyes light up when he learns the motions to a new song? Did he love last week’s obstacle course about trusting God? He might be body smart; moving around is how he learns. Refer to the Multiple Intelligence keys next to each step in your in lesson plan to find out which kinds of activities really connect with kids, and why.

Pick an option

Don’t let the “option” sections of your WWM leader’s guide overwhelm you. The options are there to make your classroom experience better! Simply imagine how your kids would respond to each option, then pick the one that best fits their personalities and the learning styles you’ve observed.

Participate

Join in the fun! When your third graders are making pinwheels to talk about Holy Spirit, don’t just stand there and watch, get to work! Let your kids know that you’re still a learner too.

Deliberate planning on your part is the best path toward peace in the classroom. Pray for wisdom as you prepare, asking God to make your class a place of wonder, discovery, and joy!

For Coordinators

Supporting staff

Enlist

Still looking for Mr. Right? If you’re having trouble finding teachers who will commit for the entire season of Sunday school, be creative about using people’s gifts and abilities even if their schedules are limited. Recruit leaders for units, quarters, or in pairs to share the teaching schedule for each year. You may know someone who is great at leading singing but who shares stories with the enthusiasm of a sleeping turtle. No problem! Pair that person up with a spunky partner so they can tackle each session together in manageable pieces that match their passions.

Equip

Teaching Sunday school is a ministry and a calling that your teachers won’t take lightly if they’ve been trained for the task. Consider one of the models listed below.

Supplies are often a concern for teachers who have busy schedules. You can free them to dedicate more time to planning by providing teachers with a form like this (.pdf, 1 pp., .06 MB) from the Preparation 101 Workshop. Recruit a supply coordinator, and have teachers put their lists in a box at church for the supply guy to pick up and gather throughout the week.

Encourage

Pray for and with your teachers regularly! Constantly remind them of the value of their ministry and the vision they are striving for. Kingdom work is tiring but fulfilling! Have a list of trained and willing substitutes so that you can give teachers a break when they need time off. Make yourself available for questions and concerns, and help them find an assistant if they need extra support in the classroom. Use e-mail to keep teachers up-to-date on everything that’s going on in faith formation—including stories of how God is wrapping kids in his love!

Sample Quarterly Training Schedule

Note: Click on a link below to download the training manual in PDF format. Visit the WWM support page to download the PowerPoint presentations that accompany the workshops below.

Year 1

Pre-Season Training (Saturday Morning)

9:00 a.m. Opening prayer & breakfast

9:30 a.m. Workshop: Welcome to Walk With Me (.pdf, 60 pp., 1.8 MB)

10:45 a.m. Prayer & share for the kids, teachers, and program

11:00 a.m. Planning for upcoming sessions. Teachers work on their own sessions, fill out supply lists, and leave whenever they are ready.

For future trainings, switch the 9:30 a.m. workshops:

End of October Training: Help! My Kids Are Having Too Much Fun! (.pdf, 43 pp., 1.7 MB)

End of January Training: Preparation 101 (.pdf, 50 pp., 1.4 MB)

Year 2

Recruit a veteran teacher(s) who heard the workshops last year to lead the year 1 workshops for new teachers. During the same time slot present a second workshop option for returning teachers:

Pre-Season: More than Storytelling (.pdf, 33 pp., 1.3 MB)

End of October: Welcome to My World (.pdf, 27 pp., 1.0 MB)

End of September: The World of Middle School Kids (.pdf, 21 pp., 1.1 MB)

Year 3

Use the year 2 schedule, but substitute the returning teacher’s workshops with new ones posted on the Walk With Me website.

Sample Annual Training Day

Note: Consider partnering together with churches in your area that are using Walk With Me so that each coordinator can present a workshop, and teachers at the same age level can talk with other teachers about ideas that have worked in their classrooms.

Year 1

Pre-Season Training:

9:00 a.m. Welcome & open in prayer

9:15-10:15 a.m. “Welcome to Walk With Me” workshop

10:15 a.m. Refreshments and a team building game

10:45-11:45 a.m. “Help! My Kids Are Having Too Much Fun!” workshop

11:30-12:15 p.m. Lunch

12:30-1:30 “Preparation 101” workshop

1:30 p.m. Closing worship & prayer

Years 2 and beyond: Offer other Faith Alive workshops, bring in guest speakers or specific training that is relevant to your setting, and consider recruiting others to lead workshop so that you can offer the year 1 beginner workshops for new teachers.

Sunday School Kickoff
Looking for a fun way to kick off Walk With Me this season? Order some of these extras (water bottles, etc.) to build enthusiasm in kids and families!

Faithwalking with Parents

2007-07-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

For Teachers

While most Sunday school teachers get a break during the summer, parents and caregivers are faith teachers 24-7! As you teach, you can help kids and parents faith-talk by tapping into kids’ natural curiosities and feeding them questions to ask parents, grandparents, or siblings after class.

When your class talks about how amazing it is that God kept his promise to give Abraham a family even when he and Sarah seemed impossibly old, encourage the kids to ask a grown-up in their house about a time when they saw God do something that seemed impossible.

As you wonder what Jacob felt like when he was tricked into working seven more years to marry Rachel, invite kids to ask their parents about a time when someone was mean to them but they knew God was still with them.

Simple questions like these can give parents opportunities to share stories that may shape the lives of their kids.

For Coordinators

Plan a Sunday school kickoff that sends the signal to families that your faith formation programs are a partnership between home and church. Invite parents and kids to an event they won’t want to miss: an ice-cream social after the worship service or a pancake breakfast before, a picnic in the park with games or a pool party at someone’s house. Use the event for family bonding and for communicating your vision for the year. Then support parents throughout the year with one of these ideas for encouraging family faith-talk:

Include a Walk With Me section in your church bulletin, updated weekly or monthly, that highlights the themes from the current units and offers some wondering questions to try at home, or suggests book and storybook ideas that deal with the same themes.

Post a “question of the week” on a bulletin board or send it out through e-mail. For example, What is your favorite hymn, and why? or Which person in the Bible do you most relate to?

Talk to your worship committee about incorporating family testimonies into worship. Whether it’s singing along to a WOW worship CD on the ride to school, or reviewing Bible verses over breakfast, encourage kids and parents to share their stories of how they connect with God in meaningful ways.

Resources for Families

Faith Alive’s new family magazine GUESS WHAT! is a great tool to provide for parents who are looking for ways to pass on faith to their kids.

Making a Home for Faith by Elizabeth F. Caldwell addresses the how-to's of being faithful parents who, in their words and actions, show what it means to live the Christian faith.

Preparing for Next Year

2007-06-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

Preplanning for next year . . . before the summer sails away!

Happy Endings

Another Sunday school year has gone by. It’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s continued faithfulness in your midst! As you stroll through empty classrooms, notice the stained carpet and crusty Play-Doh remnants. Smile at the drawers full of dry markers, knotted balls of yarn, and left-behind projects. These are signs of life and evidence of ministry—reasons to rejoice!

Fresh Starts

My vacation packing ritual always includes household chores. I can’t stand the thought of coming home from summer paradise to face dust bunnies and dirty dishes! As your faith formation programs switch gears for the season, consider these preplanning ideas to help you face the coming year with a smile.

Nuts and Bolts

To keep the ministry going . . .

Check on teachers: Is everyone still smiling and on board for next year?
Update the lists: Note the kids that have moved and check for changes in phone numbers or addresses.
Revise the forms: Does your church ed. registration form still say 1998? Update the paperwork and safety procedures to include the most current information for registrations, volunteer applications, and abuse prevention policies.
Enlist new leaders: Cast the vision for your programs by telling stories of the way God worked this year! Let people know that Sunday school is a vital ministry that has an eternal impact. Look for ways to include people in your summer programs who don’t usually serve in children’s ministry. They may just get hooked and stick around!
Order the materials: There’s nothing like the panic you feel when a teacher says, “Hey, doesn’t Sunday school start soon?” and you realize you haven’t ordered the new material! Those summer days sneak by quickly, so get this chore out of the way before you forget.
Count the cash: Peak at the books to make sure your records and spending are on track. You’ll need the numbers to put together next year’s budget proposal . . . and to convince the committee that Popsicle sticks are a worthy investment.
Save the date: Schedules fill up quickly, so choose dates for the Sunday school kick-off, parent orientation, and teacher training while there is still some room on the church calendar.
Restock the supplies. . . But make sure you keep them under lock and key during the summer ministry programs!

Dreams and Visions

To keep the ministry growing . . .

Remember: Set aside time to remember the highs and lows of this year. Wonder and imagine what God might have in mind for the next time around!
Reflect: Revisit your ministry goals—the ones you have written down and the ones deep within your heart. Do they still reflect your passions and your church’s sense of calling? Where have you seen progress? Where is there room for growth?
Receive: Begin to pray for God’s leading, direction, and provision for the new ministry season. God is able to do immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine!

Did you know that the Walk With Me website has a section for support that includes workshops you can download to use for teacher training? Check it out here.

Celebrating Teachers

2007-05-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

This month we thank God for Sunday school teachers whose paint-smudged faces beam joy. We salute the loving leaders who juggle paper cuts, potty brakes, and Play-Doh to nurture kids’ faith!

Thoughtful Thank Yous

Summer is on its way! The kids in your Sunday school program are starting to wiggle and giggle a little more these days…and so are the teachers! They know freedom is coming: time off from school or work, fun with the family, and even a little rest and relaxation. Before teachers head for the beach, let them know how much you appreciate them!

Last year, Rosewood Church in Bellflower thanked leaders by serving pizza, salad, soda, and cookies in a room decorated pizzeria style with checkered tablecloths. During the party they had a thank-you ceremony that included a gift for each leader. The pizzeria that catered donated the entire meal for more than fifty people!

Hope Church in Clifton photographs all of the children’s ministry groups and uses decorative paper and stickers along with magnetic plastic frames to make a keepsake portrait for each leader to display on the fridge.

Shawnee Park CRC in Grand Rapids thanks volunteers by hosting an annual family picnic. It’s a fun afternoon of appreciation, fellowship, and outdoor games, making it easy to thank everyone at once.

First Reformed Church in Grandville invites volunteers and their families to indulge in a Fiesta appreciation lunch including a taco bar complete with choco tacos for dessert!

Kids are great at expressing love! Involving kids in the process gives them a chance to think about the special ways their teachers have encouraged them and cultivates hearts of gratitude. Consider these ideas for involving kids and families:

Create thank-you books for teachers by giving a page to each child and his or her parents to decorate. This personalized page may include whatever best expresses the child’s (and parent’s) gratitude: a drawing, photo, note, prayer, or list of favorite Sunday school activities. Your book can be as simple as hole-punched construction paper tied together with yarn, or as elaborate as a scrapbook. Either way, these expressions of sincere love and appreciation will touch the heart of teachers.

Tip: Enlist the help of a parent for each classroom who can help you distribute, collect, and assemble the pages for this book.

Design a thank you mural by lining a bulletin board or wall with paper and using pictures from Sunday school to form a border. Write the words, “Thank you for all that you’ve taught us this year!” across the top and make crayons available for kids to write or draw pictures of things they’ve learned in Sunday school. Move this board to the location of your thank you event and read some of the quotes as you acknowledge teachers.

Tip: Begin this project a few weeks before your teacher appreciation celebration. Announce in Sunday school that the mural wall will be “open” 15 minutes before and after Sunday school or church. Choose volunteers (perhaps older kids) to stand near the paper-covered wall with crayons and provide helping hands as needed.

Put together a “Rest & Revive” basket for each teacher to enjoy at the end of the Sunday school season. Baskets may include items with a specific teacher in mind (one who likes coffee, tea, books, etc.), or general summer fun items like a devotional, sunscreen, flip-flops, a beach hat, sand bucket, and goggles!

Tip: Involve families by assigning each student an item to bring. Be sensitive to families who have many children, or whose family may not be able to afford extra expenses. Give these students the task of assembling the gift baskets in an attractive way

While blessing teachers, set aside time to honor the source of their strength. Thank God for the large and small miracles you’ve seen this year, and for God’s Spirit working through teachers to do great things! As you thank teachers in personal and memorable ways you’ll be spurring them on toward love and good deeds. And as you express gratitude to God you’ll be celebrating all that Sunday school has meant in the past year!

Books That Bless

If you’re looking for a small gift for leaders, Trail Mix is full of inspiration, ideas, and wisdom for Walk With Me teachers. .

The newly revised Sunday School that Really Works dedicates a whole section to training and supporting teachers. It’s full of ideas and resources like reproducible “Words of Encouragement” pages you can use to help your teachers keep smiling as they serve!

2007 Faith Alive Training Conferences

2007-04-01T17:11:00.000-07:00

Can you feel the excitement in the air? Over the last three years the Walk With Me Coordinator’s Conference has drawn eager crowds of creative church educators from all across the US and Canada. This year we’re expanding the size and scope of our training to inspire, encourage, and equip people from coast to coast! Here’s what’s exciting about 2007:

We’re introducing Kid Connection:

You’ve probably heard the buzz about Kid Connection over the last several months. It’s our newest curriculum that’s Reformed, Relational, and Relevant! This summer we are thrilled to launch it. Kid Connection was especially designed with small churches in mind, but it’s also perfect for larger churches with midweek and family programs. This summer there are three new workshops that focus on the key elements of Kid Connection: large group storytelling, small group mentoring, and family faith formation.

We’re including new workshops and presentations:

You’ll find fresh ideas and insights in the six new workshops featuring some of your favorite Faith Alive curriculum authors and editors. The topics range from nurturing a three-dimensional faith in kids, to connecting with families, to exploring Kid Connection and summer programs. The two-day conference in Grand Rapids, MI, will feature special presentations with kids involving drama, worship, and dance using techniques you can incorporate into your ministry.

We’re involving new locations:

Along with our annual two-day conference in Grand Rapids, this year’s training schedule will include three mini-conferences that feature mornings packed with workshops and a church educators’ lunch for sharing ideas. Thanks to the partnership of pastors and ministry leaders at Rosewood CRC in Bellflower, CA; Willoughby CRC in Langley, BC; and Wyckoff RCA in Wyckoff, NJ; we’re able to extend training across the map!

We’re inviting everyone:

We’ve changed the name of our conference from the Walk With Me Coordinator’s Conference to the Faith Alive Conferences. We changed the name to include the Kid Connection crowd, and to let ministry volunteers and teachers know they are welcome to join us! In the past our purpose was to equip church education directors with the resources to train teaching teams back in their home church. We still love the vision of church leaders equipping their own volunteers for service. We’re also inspired by the wide-eyed enthusiasm we see when a whole teaching team experiences the energy of a conference together!

Ten Great Reasons to Check Out a Faith Alive Conference

Experience new workshops and presentations that will challenge and inspire!

Give your teaching team an opportunity to have fun together as they grow!

Hear from some of the creative editors and authors who brought you Walk With Me!

Get the scoop on our exciting new curriculum: Kid Connection!

Hobnob with other coordinators and teachers who can offer insight, ideas, and encouragement!

Discover how to get the most out of the Walk With Me curriculum!

Learn about joining networks of church educators for ongoing support!

Receive resources for training your teachers, or sharing with parents!

Gain knowledge and skills that will bless your ministry!

Ignite a new passion for Christ and his work in the lives of kids

More Information…

FAITH ALIVE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE

Dates: August 10-11, 2007

Location: Kuyper College: 3333 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Cost: $50, includes registration fees, workshop materials, dinner on Friday, and three meals on Saturday

Workshops:

Introducing Kid Connection (NEW!)—An in-depth look at our newest curriculum

Welcome to Walk With Me—Introducing Walk With Me to teachers

Team Building (NEW!)—Growing a team that serves with passion

Helping Children Develop a Three-Dimensional Faith (NEW!)—Build a strong and resilient faith with kids in your home and congregation

More Than Storytelling—What makes Walk With Me and Kid Connection Reformed?

Connecting with Families (NEW!)—How to partner with families for faith growth in kids

Mentoring and Storytelling with Kid Connection(NEW!)—Engaging kids in exciting Bible stories and nurturing relationships.

Help! My Kids Are Having Too Much Fun!—Teaching to multiple intelligences

Summer Programs (NEW!)—Faith Alive resources for unforgettable summer programs

FAITH ALIVE MINI-CONFERENCES

Dates and locations:

June 9, 2007 at Rosewood Church: 10115 East Rose St., Bellflower, CA 90706

June 23, 2007 at Wyckoff Reformed Church: 580 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481

September 29, 2007 at Willoughby Church: 20525 72 Ave., Langley, BC V2Y 1T2

Cost: $25, includes registration fees, workshop training materials, and lunch on Saturday

Workshops:

Introducing Kid Connection (NEW!)—An in-depth look at our newest curriculum

Preparation 101—Tips for preparing to teach Walk With Me

Welcome to My World—Understanding kid culture

Help! My Kids Are Having Too Much Fun!—Teaching to multiple intelligences

More Than Storytelling—What makes a lesson Reformed?

The World of Middle School Kids—How to vitalize your ministry to young teens

Click here for conference schedules or to register!

Summer Program Planning

2007-03-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

The leaves aren’t even on the trees yet, so why should we start thinking about the summer program? Because before we know it we’ll be ankle deep in daisies and wondering where all those winter weeks have gone!

Read on for tips on getting the summer program ball rolling, then print and post this list to help keep you on track!

Start praying!

It’s never too early to start praying! John 15 reminds us that we can’t do anything without Christ. Since staying connected to the Vine is the key to bearing fruit, you’ll want to start seeking God’s direction in prayer and looking for his guidance as you begin the planning process.

Contact the “prayer warriors” in your church and ask them if they will commit to regular prayer for your upcoming program.

Give those who’ve promised to pray a list of your needs and update it as more needs arise or as prayers are answered!

Start scheduling dates!

Speak to key leaders and volunteers to get your program’s dates set and announced as early as possible. If you wait until your congregation starts planning vacations you may find yourself saying “Bon Voyage” to the summer program!

Set up a timeline for regular planning meetings. Tip: To maximize participation, avoid March Madness game days!

Make a list of specific steps your church will need to take to make the summer program a success and then assign dates to the steps to keep the planning team on track (i.e.: recruit drama team leader by April 20th, order curriculum by May 16th, distribute fliers by June 24th).

Start previewing curriculum!

One of our curriculum authors once told us that when she opened a VBS story that had Jesus driving a safari jeep she knew it was time to start writing her own stuff! The choices are vast—finding material that’s fun, budget-conscious, and theologically sound can be a challenge. Before you make a decision ask these questions:

Who are the children we hope to reach? (Church kids, community members, etc.)?

Will the kids identify with the characters, themes, and issues this material focuses on?

Is God’s redemptive plan at the heart of every lesson?

Will children who need to wiggle and love to move and sing feel included?

Does this material fit the size of our program, leadership, and budget?

Coordinator’s Tip: Narrow the curriculum options down to two excellent choices and have the team of volunteers give input into the final selection. Everyone will be more enthusiastic about a program they’ve helped select!

Start getting excited!

Summer programs often bring churches together. When else do you get to see Mrs. Weidemeyer in hip waders and a fishing vest, the pastor snacking on Rice Krispie treats with a group of four-year-olds, and sophisticated teens letting down their guard long enough to play hopscotch in the parking lot! Let folks know that VBS is a wonderful way to try something new, explore their gifts, and to get to know the people who sit beside them in church on a Sunday morning! Your excitement will be contagious; here are some ways to help you spread it!

Gather photos from last year to make a bulletin board or PowerPoint presentation of summer program highlights. Use it to invite the congregation to this year’s first prayer and planning meeting.

Get testimonies from last year’s team and include them in your weekly bulletin or any other recruiting you’ll be doing. Ask, “What was the coolest thing about VBS last year?” Tip: Ask a few kids to tell you one thing they learned last year and add their answers too!

Consider ways people of various ages, with different levels of ability, skills, and passions could fit into your program. Keep the list handy as you begin recruiting members of your congregation.

Make a special effort to include teens and/or preteens in the planning and leadership of your summer program. Young people are often eager to serve and have free time in the summer to devote to cutting out craft molds, painting backdrops, practicing a drama, or decorating the church for your program!

Tip: Many high schools now require a certain number of volunteer hours before graduation. Offer to keep track of volunteer time during the planning and program, and be prepared to address a simple note to the guidance counselor to vouch for the student’s remarkable service.

Start Seeing the Big Picture!

Like the Thanksgiving Day feast that took all day to prepare and ten minutes to devour, your summer program will fly by in a flash. And just as the guests disappear after the pie, some kids disappear when the last note is sung, never to be seen again until the following year! Here are some ideas to help you enfold new students into the life of your church:

Set up an enrollment system that includes a plan for passing on each new student’s contact information to the appropriate Sunday school teachers and children’s ministry leaders.

Encourage the summer ministry team to hand write “Great to have you!” notes to new students that include an invitation to fall church education programs.

End your summer program with an event that parents won’t want to miss (with sweet treats and presentations by their children). Include a short explanation of the children’s ministry along the lines of “If you thought this was great, come back for . . .”. Hand out colorful fliers with the list of dates and times as parents are walking out the door.

Prepare the members of your summer ministry team to meet, greet, and get to know kids’ parents. Many times the Lord draws whole families to himself through programs that are geared towards children!

Recommended Resources

The Walk With Me summer units give you lots of choices! Each of the six books in the series containsa complete themed curriculum for five large and small group sessions that are perfect for VBS or a once-a-week summer program. Inside you’ll find original dramas, craft and activities ideas, a CD of fun music, and lesson plans to make your program run smoothly.

Another great resource for summer day camps is WWJD Day Camp, an innovative summer program for kids (grades 1-6) that allows them to work at various service agencies in you community and learn about what Jesus would do—all in five action-packed days!

A Valentines Message

2007-02-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

A Heartfelt Message to You

All my daughter wanted for her birthday was a teddy bear. Seemed simple enough. Until I read the fine print from “Build-a-Bear Workshop.” A worldwide franchise that’s ten years old, Build-a-Bear is a store that lets you create a bear of your own. Determined not to buy into the savvy marketing of a store that calls its customers “guests” and its salespeople “pawsonal shoppers,”yet wanting to get my daughter the bear she desired, I reluctantly made my way to the mall.

I was welcomed at the door by a smiling “bear builder associate” who led me to a series of bins filled with lifeless, unstuffed bears. I pawed through the bins, holding up one saggy bear skin after another. Empty bear in hand, I made my way to the stuffing station, where a little white-haired lady opened her arms to hold my bear and asked me what its name was. “Uh…Chloe?” She smiled and promised to stuff Chloe so she’d be extra-cuddly, and when she was done, she let me squeeze Chloe to make sure she was just right.

“Now,” she said, “it’s time for the most important part—it’s time to choose the heart.” I reached down into the heart bin and pulled out a soft red heart. The bear builder told me that it was very important to get the heart ready before putting it inside my bear. First I had to rub it in the palm of my hand to make it warm. Next she showed me how to rub it on my nose so it could smell things, to hold it to my ears so it could hear things, to whisper to it so it would know things, to kiss it so it would feel love, and then to carefully tuck the precious heart inside.

Chloe was sewn shut and we were led to a “shower” area where I could clean and fluff her before a “pawsonal shopper” helped me choose the perfect outfit. Finally, Chloe’s name was entered into a computer and an identification tag was tucked inside her so that if she was ever lost, she’ be able to find her way home.

And as I waited under the “Guest Services” sign to pay for my bear, I thought of you—the Sunday school teachers and coordinators and helpers and leaders who gently lead our kids each week, receiving them with gentle hands and a warm smile, breathing life into God’s stories, teaching them the things God wants them to know so that someday, if they ever get lost, they’ll be able to find their way home again. Thank you for the love you show to the Davids and Tamikas and Stefans and the Chloes that God sends you each week. Thanks for appreciating the unique qualities of each child in your group (and thanks for praying about those unique qualities that can be hard to appreciate!). Thanks for devoting your time and energy into the lives of kids—so that they can know LOVE. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Introducing Kid Connection

2007-01-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

We’ve got BIG NEWS!

Over the years many of you in smaller Sunday school programs have called to share the challenge of making curriculum “fit” your situation. Others have been asking for an exciting midweek program they can use with church kids and as an outreach to community kids. First of all—thanks for the feedback! As you’ll see in a moment, your input is invaluable when it comes to shaping curriculum.

We’re proud to introduce Kid Connection! It’s a new K-6 curriculum for small Sunday schools and midweek programs!

As we designed Kid Connection we kept your needs in mind. We knew Kid Connection had to

work in churches with small Sunday school programs.

be exciting to use and easy to prepare for midweek programs.

use Reformed theology.

work with kids from diverse backgrounds.

encourage and support families.

be FUN!

We’re thrilled to report that we were able to check off everything on our list—and more! Here’s how we did it:

We chose a large group/small group format—flexible enough for both small Sunday schools and midweek programs. During the large group time all ages are combined for worship, an attention-grabbing introduction, and an exciting presentation of the day’s Bible story. For the second half of the lesson kids break off into smaller, graded groups (K–3 and 4–6) to connect with their leaders and dive deeper into the Bible story. We’ve even provided mentoring tips with each lesson for those of you working with just one child!

We wove Reformed theology into every lesson. We believe that every story in the Bible tells us about God and must be understood as part of the one story of God’s redemption and restoration of this fallen world through Jesus Christ. Each session of Kid Connection is designed to relevantly reach kids without compromising the message of the Bible.

Each child who attends your Sunday school or midweek program is unique. Whether kids attend Christian schools or public schools, are raised by one parent or two, read the Bible every day or are learning about God for the first time, Kid Connection connects. We incorporated different learning styles and added fun games, engaging Bible story presentations, and thought-provoking discussion questions to provide you with all the tools you need to present the Bible in a meaningful way to every child who attends your program. (And we mean every child—each lesson also contains tips for involving preteens!)

Let’s face it—although the job you do with kids each week is an important part of their faith development, studies show that the people with the most significant religious influence on a child’s life are parents. And parents—believers and unbelievers—need your support! Kid Connection provides you with a wonderful way to partner with the families of the kids who attend your program. Guess What! is a monthly family/student magazine designed to link the Bible stories taught at church with what happens at home. Kids will love the games, jokes, crafts, recipes and other activities, while parents will appreciate the suggestions for family devotions, monthly activity calendars, and “Parent Connection” pages filled with practical ideas every family can use. Every issue is designed to be accessible to each of the families whose kids attend your program, regardless of biblical background!

We think that kids and their teachers should LOVE learning about God together. So we’ve built smiles and laughter into every Kid Connection lesson, along with meaningful music, conversation, and prayer. The lesson format is the same each week; the teaching methods vary just enough to keep kids on their toes and coming back for more! Beware—kids will probably start inviting their friends to come too!

As you can tell, we’re really excited about Kid Connection! And although you have to wait until Fall 2007 to start teaching it, you can view sample materials online at http://www.kidconnectiononline.org/. While you’re there, be sure to sign up for the new Kid Connection E-newsletter!

Questions? Call 1-800-333-8300 or e-mail Editors@FaithAliveResources.org to talk to a Kid Connection editor. We’d love to connect with you!

Guess What! We think reaching out to families is so important that we’ve made our new monthly family/student magazine available for purchase by all churches! So, whether you use Kid Connection, Walk With Me, LiFE or another curriculum, you can help families connect with God and with each other as they read and do the activities in each issue of Guess What! family/student magazine.

New Year, New Beginnings

2006-12-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

While folks in New York are dropping a ball at midnight, families in Holland are eating donuts, and friends in Denmark are throwing dishes at each other’s houses, Sunday school coordinators across North America are celebrating the New Year with a prayer of thanks, a sense of accomplishment, and a deep sleep!
By January 1st you’ll be almost halfway through the educational year, and you’ll have tackled some of your most labor-intensive months. (Stop reading and give yourself a hug from us!) But since there’s still work to be done, we’ve prepared a little list to help you get the New Year off to a smooth start!
Review the Budget. See how much is left and plan accordingly. Make notes about those “surprise” costs you’ve incurred so they can be included in next year’s budget. And start your “wish list” for the coming year now!
Clean the Closet. Restock the supplies. Toss the dried-out markers and the empty glue sticks. Stack the paper, line up the songbooks, and label everything! Better yet, ask for help from someone with administrative gifts or hire a teen for two hours of assistance.
Set Some Dates. Flip through the calendar and plan ahead. Selecting dates now for kid’s ministry team meetings, Easter program and lesson plans, church school graduation, and other events will help you get better attendance and participation later. Photocopy those calendar pages and post them in a prominent place at church. (Tip: Hang them in that supply closet you’ve just cleaned!)
Evaluate your ministry. Do your teachers feel frazzled? Are the kids engaged in what they are learning? Is your Sunday school a fun and nurturing place to be? Hang out in the hallways this month and find out how things are going!

Tip: Make a point of passing on a positive comment to a teacher each week; mark it down in your planner if you have to! Hearing things like, “I noticed your kids were really engaged this week—you must have been doing something that grabbed their attention!” or “I always appreciate the time you take to make visiting kids feel welcome?you have such a gift of hospitality” are music to a volunteer’s ears!
Encourage and Challenge Take time to pass on tips to your teachers. Click here to read “Funky Funday School.” Then print out a copy for each of your teachers, roll it into a scroll, tie it with a ribbon, tie on a tea bag, and add a card that says, “Thanks for all your hard work . . . have a cup of tea on me!
Keep Everyone in the Loop. Let families and other church members know about the exciting things that are happening each week. Take your minister on a tour and share what’s going in with the kids in the congregation! Take pictures and post them in the halls. Encourage teachers to hang kids’ work where everyone can see it. Add a note or teacher/kid quote to the church bulletin. Will everyone take notice? Probably not! But some will! Besides, it’s a great way to demonstrate that your church is a place that values kids!
Breathe. Pray. Be Still. Listen. Read. Take them time to stay in touch with God this year. Too often in the busyness of making sure everyone else has the opportunity to connect with God, you forget to take that opportunity for yourself.
It’s our New Year’s prayer that the kids, teachers, helpers, and you will continue grow in faith together in the coming year. Happy 2007!

Beating the Christmas Program Blues

2006-11-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

Question: What has a headache, glazed eyes, and a serious lack of joy?

Answer: A Sunday school coordinator in December.

Sound familiar? Sound like you last year? Trying to please parents, teachers, and the worship committee while conveying the true meaning of Christmas to kids and cooking a turkey for extended family is a sure way to zap the zest out of your Christmas celebration! Read on for a few ideas to help you balance Christmas program responsibilities and still experience the joy of Christmas.

Determine the Focus

What do you want kids to take away with them at the end of December? Do you want them to leave with a sense of awe about God’s gift of Jesus? Do you want to inspire in them the desire to share the good news of Jesus birth with others? Creating an elaborate Christmas program is wonderful if it enhances what you are trying to teach the kids—if it doesn’t, maybe it’s time to look for something else!

Keep It Simple

Choose what you can manage based on volunteer help, kids’ schedules, and parents’ support. Here are some resources and ideas to get you started:

Walk With Me Holiday Units contain complete Christmas programs with dramas, a variety of song suggestions, costume ideas and other helpful tips. Pick and choose the ideas that will work in your setting. (They also include plans for two lessons in the Christmas season.)

Quick and Easy Christmas Dramas. It doesn’t get much simpler than this! Older kids are assigned speaking parts and obtain the script one week before the program so they can read through their lines once a day while younger kids learn a few songs in the weeks leading up to the program. Meet for one rehearsal to help kids nail down details like where to stand and how to speak into a microphone—authors Bob and Laura Keeley hold one rehearsal on Sunday morning after church and put on the drama that evening!

Make a Movie. During this summer’s WWM Conference several coordinators shared how they gathered all the kids one day in December and videotaped their Christmas play inside a local barn. Another church videotaped their kids singing carols and talking about the real meaning of Christmas. Although advance organization was required for both of these “programs,” everyone was able to sit back and relax on Christmas when the video was shown in church.

Tip: You’ll want a few extra copies on hand for parents to purchase!

Set the Stage. Invite kids to illustrate different parts of the Christmas story or to create pictures that go with the songs you’ll be singing. Use PowerPoint® to flash the images behind kids as they are singing or reading the story.

Tip: Be sure to show the kids the finished product before the church presentation or they’ll spend their time turning around to see it!

Celebrate Together. Have a Christ-centered Christmas program with your kids instead of for their parents. Shorten a Sunday school session and gather together for a time of celebration where kids can belt out some Christmas songs together, read the Christmas story, decorate some cookies, and make a card to tell someone else what’s so exciting about Christmas!

Divide and Conquer

Create a detailed list of what needs to be done to pull off your program, including everything from supplies to song leaders. Send the list around via e-mail or in person and ask folks to check off which opportunity looks like something they can do.

Breathe! Smile! And accept less than perfect results! After all, if we were perfect we wouldn’t need the gift of Christmas.

Sunday School Support

2006-10-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Preparing for the Unpredictable

Several Sundays into the church school season and things are running smoothly. The supply cupboard is stocked, teachers are trained, and classrooms are filled with smiling kids. Or not. When you’re in charge of a children’s ministry program, you have to be prepared for the unpredictable—everything from disappearing scissors to AWOL volunteers to church services that go into sudden overtime! Everyone looks to you for answers, but where do you go when you have questions?
First of all, go to God. Talk. Listen. Dive into the Bible. Ask God for wisdom to make decisions, patience when things don’t go as planned, and joy to make the journey easier.
Go to Your Bookshelf. In the Walk With Me Coordinator’s Handbook you’ll find answers to coordinators’ questions, charts, checklists, workshops and more! If you don’t own, a copy, order one today!
A book to put on your “must read” list is Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions by George Barna. According to evangelist Steve Russo, this book “reveals how we can be a vital part of the single most strategic ministry in God’s kingdom.” WOW! The work you are doing matters—it has life-changing potential and eternal significance. Isn’t that exciting?
Go to Your Computer. We’ve found some wonderful websites to encourage you in your ministry and give you guidance. Check them out!

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has created an outstanding model to help churches set up a Children’s Ministry Network in which children’s ministry folks like you can get together to exchange ideas, develop relationships, and support each other. Click here for more information or paste this link into your browser: www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/mnf/children/index.asp
The website for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators features information about upcoming conferences (their annual conference is GREAT!), educational courses, and job postings. Become a member and you’ll receive their quarterly newsletter filled with relevant resources and insightful articles. Click here for more information or visit http://www.apcenet.org/
The Association for Christian Reformed Educators sends out informational e-mails to educators in the U.S. and Canada. For information on this group, click here or visit http://www.churcheducators.org/
CERCA (Christian Educators, Reformed Church in America) is a self-governing association of RCA paid full- or part-time Christian educators and others involved in the church’s teaching ministry. Members of CERCA receive the RCA Educator as well as the APCE Advocate. Check out or subscribe to the RCA’s “Still Learning for Life” educator’s e-newsletter by clicking here or paste this link into your browser: www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=1696&srcid=2370
For WWM curriculum workshops you can download for FREE and use to train teachers in your church, click here or visit http://www.walkwithmeonline.org/ and click on the “Support” link.

Pick Up the Phone. Our WWM editors and friendly customer service representatives are just a phone call away and they are happy to help! Give us a call at 1-800-333-8300.
Give Yourself a Pat on the Back from Us! Okay, so back-patting doesn’t really answer questions—but it’s our way of saying thanks because we believe that what you do matters. It matters to us, it matters to God, and it matters to the lives of the kids and volunteers you are leading. Remember that the next time a teacher tells you that the markers are missing!
P.S. Looking for a way to give your teaching team a pat on the back? Download and encourage them with a list of Top Ten Reasons to Walk With Me—just one of the many inspiring devotions from Trail Mix by Jessie Schut.
What do you do? We’d love to hear about the places you go for support and inspiration! E-mail us and let us know what helps you!

Planning a Great Meeting

2006-09-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Ever plan a meeting and discover that the only person who could make it was the custodian—and that’s because she had to unlock the doors to the church? Handing out materials, training teachers, sharing ideas, and team building are all great things to do—but all of them take precious time! We’ve got some tips to help you and your team make the most out of your meeting time together.

Set the dates early. Provide team members with a one-year schedule of meeting dates and training sessions as early as possible.

Tip: Some coordinators hold their meetings before or after church on a Sunday since so many team members are already in the building!

Make an agenda. Create a detailed agenda that includes everything you’ll be doing. Include the time you’ll spend on each item, and stick to it!

Tip: Delivering the agenda in person or by e-mail at least one week before the meeting is a great way to remind folks of the meeting and find out how many people plan to attend.

Start and end on time. People are busy. One way you can show your teachers how much you value their time is by not taking up too much of it! If you said you would begin at 8:00, begin at 8:00 whether everyone is there or not. It’s your way of thanking those who came on time.

Tip: Ask someone to be your timekeeper and let you know how much time is left for each item or if you are going overtime. On the rare occasion that your meeting requires an extra inning, decide how much longer you’ll need and get the okay from your team before continuing.

Limit the length. If you can’t accomplish something in 1-1½ hours, you are trying to do too much! Take something off the agenda or defer it to the next meeting. And be sure you don’t take up group time dealing with individual issues.
Add hospitality. Keep it simple but make it friendly. Brew coffee or pour pitchers of ice water. Lynn Setsma, hospitality queen on the Faith Alive team, adds a fun touch to meetings by sprinkling a handful of candies onto a basketful of cookies or serving up some mini-candy bars in colorful plastic bowls.

Tip: If you to want to provide people with time to socialize before the meeting begins, indicate it on the agenda.

Mix it up! Some coordinators add variety to their meeting schedule by alternating teacher-training sessions with more general meetings. Others try to include some fun team-building events into each meeting or add a time for sharing and support. Ask for feedback to help determine which approach works best in your setting.

Tip: Regardless of how you spend your time together, estimate your time in advance and stay on schedule.

Include and Encourage. People want to be part of a team that has a goal—as the “coach” your job is to remind them of ministry goals and help them stay in the game. Take a few minutes at every meeting to share the vision and to tell your team that the work they’re doing matters to God, to the kids, and to you!

Equipping Your Staff

2006-08-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

Whether you’ve been idling this summer or kept it in gear, it’s almost time to rev up your children’s ministry engines for the fall season. Before you begin, pull up to the Walk With Me Window for some take-out tips and super-sized suggestions:

Hi, can I take your order, please? If you haven’t already spoken to our friendly customer service team, now’s the time! These folks will walk you through the ordering process and are happy to answer any questions you have! Call them at 1-800-333-8300.

Bonnie will be helping you today. As the Family Ministries Pastor at Rosewood Church in Bellflower, California, Bonnie Mulder-Behnia knows a lot about program planning. She suggests equipping your team by

Providing them with their WWM materials well in advance so they’ll have enough prep time.

Giving them Sunday morning access to a photocopier.

Making sure the supply closet is well stocked. Tip: Invite someone with great organizational skills to join your team as supply manager!

Supporting them with rooms that are clean and set up for class each week.

Taking time to observe them in action and giving them frequent praise and encouragement.

Keeping in touch with them all year long, not just at the beginning and end of the season. Pop a card into their mailboxes, send a heartfelt (not forwarded) e-mail; stop by the classroom and smile! Tip: Make a schedule in advance for thank-you notes, cards, and contacts, and then follow it. It’s an easy thing to forget if you aren’t intentional about it!

Overwhelmed by choices and unsure where to begin?

We recommend the Walk With Me Coordinator's Handbook. It’s chock full of great ideas and tips on everything from stocking a supply closet, sending home letters, finding and keeping your ministry team, teacher training, planning charts, registration forms and more!

Would you like a side order of music with that?

Today’s special is a copy of Sing With Me, the new children’s songbook, for only $5.00 when you place a Walk With Me order! It’s a great way to preview our latest songbook, packed with 250 Walk With Me songs, including praise songs, modern hymns, and global music! An awesome leader’s guide is coming in 2007!

2006 Walk With Me Coordinators Conference

2006-07-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

Ah, summer! Lemonade and ice cream, sunshine and shade, good books and the favorite summertime destination of children’s ministry leaders everywhere—the FREE WWM Coordinators Conference! Wondering if you should attend? Take our one-minute quiz and find out!

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Quiz

Which of the following statements are true for you?

I have used or will be using Walk With Me in my church.

I want to equip and encourage my children’s ministry team and provide them with effective ways to communicate God’s love to kids.

I am busy.

All of the above.

If you answered yes to either “a,” “b,” or “c,” consider attending the FREE Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 11–12, 2006. If you answered yes to “d” you’ll want to call and register today!

At the FREE WWM Coordinators Conference you’ll attend your choice of workshops AND you’ll receive a complete training manual for each workshop to bring home and use to train your team!

Workshops include the following:

Welcome to my World: Understanding kid culture.

Preparation 101: Tips to make preparation a snap!

The Wacky and Wonderful Middle School Years: How to vitalize your ministry to young teens.

Welcome to Walk With Me! Introducing WWM to your teachers.

Help! My Kids Are Having Too Much Fun! Teaching to the multiple intelligences.

More Than Storytelling: What makes WWM “Reformed”?

You won’t want to miss:

Making Music with Kids

Quick and Easy Christmas Dramas

Saturday Night Alive! Celebration dinner, dessert, and door prizes!

Oh, did we mention that all the food is free too? That’s right! We’ll feed you on Friday night and all day Saturday! If you need lodging we can reserve rooms for you at discounted rates.

“Wow” Moments and Encouraging Your Staff

2006-06-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

In our last issue we asked you to share some of those “wow” moments you’ve experienced as you watch God at work in the lives of children. As you read the stories below, we’re sure you’ll be as blessed as we were!

If you’re a children’s ministry coordinator, you might want to encourage your teachers either by e-mailing them this newsletter, posting it in your children’s ministry area, or sharing one or two of the stories at your next team meeting.

Tip: At your next gathering, ask teachers to come with a story to share from the past year!

David G. and Goliath

Dawn shared the connection her son made after a Sunday school lesson on David and Goliath.

Being named after the world’s most famous shepherd with a slingshot, little David G. has always been partial to the story of David and Goliath. One Sunday night as he was being tucked into bed, he said, “Mom, when David killed Goliath, it was God who did most of the work.” Expecting another request for a slingshot or a vivid description of the giant hitting the ground, his mother reminded him that the shepherd boy also had to do his part. There was a slight pause before David replied, “That’s what I mean, Mom. Our part is to trust God.”

God Is God

Nellie shared a time when a preteen’s statement taught her class something about the mystery of God.

A group of grade 6 kids recently spent some time wondering aloud about why God chooses to do or not to do certain things and whether or not people can really know God. Realizing there were no easy answers, the kids became frustrated. The conversation began to dwindle until one of the boys piped up from the back of the room, “People want to figure out God because God is so mysterious and so much bigger than us, but the thing is, God will always be mysterious . . . that’s why he’s God.

Jesus Knows

Sherri shared what a little girl taught her about Jesus.

One day in Sunday school, a shy little girl tentatively raised her hand and asked, “Why do bad things happen to people who really do love Jesus?” As the teacher desperately tried to come up with the perfect response to such a deep theological question, the little girl spoke again, and, with the stunning faith of a child said, “That's all right. I don't have to know. Jesus does.”

A Grace-full Response

Karen shared the following lesson on grace.

Before dividing up for small group Sunday school, the kids at Community Church gather together for a time of worship. One Sunday, after the worship leader talked about the importance of telling God we ’re sorry, 7-year-old Micah raised his hand with a prayer request, “Tell God that I’m sorry for hitting my brother Keegan in the head with a rock.” Without hesitation, the hand of Keegan, age 4, shot up from where he sat in the front row. “Yes, Keegan?” the leader asked. “I forgive my brother Micah for throwing the rock.”

Singing with Kids

2006-05-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

For Coordinators

Are the halls alive with the sound of music during your children’s ministry program? Or are you more likely to hear the sounds of silence? For many adults, singing is the scariest part of leading Sunday school. As a result, they may be tempted to skip the singing portion of the lesson—which is a shame because most kids love to sing! Share the musical notes below with your staff, and encourage your teaching team to lift their voices! If your program includes a large group time, these tips will come in handy for you (or your music leader) too.

And stay tuned. Sing With Me, a fresh, new children’s hymnal that contains much of the music of Walk With Me is coming soon! The Children's Songbook and Leader's Edition will be available this fall. Place your advanced order today!

Equip Your Volunteers!

“Singing with Kids” is just one of the fun workshop options at the FREE third annual Walk With Me Coordinators Conference this August 11 and 12. If you’ve joined us before, we hope you’ll return this year for three exciting new workshops.

If you’ve never attended, we’d love to have you join us at this energizing conference. You’ll meet some great people who face many of the same challenges you face. And you’ll leave with lots of free ideas, workshops, and materials you can use to inspire your team for a new season!

What Do You Do?

How do you incorporate music into your programs? We’d love to hear from you! E-mail us.

For Teachers

Music for the Unmusical

Let’s face it, most of us wouldn’t even make it to Round One of American Idol! The good news is, when it comes to singing with kids, your vocal talents don’t matter. Kids are looking for smiles, sincerity, eye contact, and movement—they’re not assessing your vocal range! So relax, breathe in, and check out the following tips to turn musical challenges into songs of blessings:

Make this your motto: “It’s not about me, it’s about God.” Singing with kids is not about how you look or sound, but all about bringing them one step closer to God.

Sing in the shower. Learn the songs before you lead them. Belt out a song while stuck in traffic and croon a tune while you work in the garden. Then, when it’s time to sing with the kids, you’ll be able to relax, make eye contact, and have fun as you praise God together!

Include kids in the process. If you’re directing a large group, invite some kids to stand beside you and help you lead. Before teaching a new song, see if anyone else knows it and would like to sing it with you. Encourage kids to teach you some of their favorite praise songs!

Add the actions. Even you won’t have time to pay attention to yourself when you’re busy clapping, snapping, and toe tapping! Your willingness to look silly will put the older kids—the mumblers—at ease. They’re probably mumbling because they feel the same way you used to feel!

Tip: Let them in on your “It’s not about me, it’s about God” motto!

Turn up the volume. Play the CD as you sing together—it will help you focus on the song, not yourself, and will help the kids keep the beat.

Tip: Before teaching a new song, play it as background music while the kids are doing an activity. You’ll be amazed at how much of the song seeps into their memory!

Make friends with a musician. Invite a musical guest occasionally to sing with you. Grab the guy with the guitar in the hallway, scoop up the kid with the tambourine, or ask the praise band drummer to drop by with some rhythm sticks. It’s great for kids to be up close and personal with the folks they see “up front” during the worship service.

Connecting with Kids and Preparing for Next Year

2006-04-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

If you’re a kid, spring means marbles, puddles, kites, and bikes. If you’re a children’s ministry leader, spring might mean Easter celebrations and for many, the approaching end of regular weekly programs. Whether you’re closing up shop for the summer or just taking a deep breath before you jump in for more, read on for ideas teachers and co-coordinators can use to encourage kids and celebrate God’s goodness over the past year.

Teacher Tips

Picture This

Take a photo of your class now and have it ready to give to kids on the last day you’re together.

Tip: If you’re team teaching, you’ll want to include both teachers and any helpers.

Glue photos on top of a piece of cardstock to form a “frame” around the picture. Spend time at the end of class autographing each other’s frame!

Tip: Print out a short memory verse you’ve learned together for kids to glue onto their frame.

Postcard Pals

Show kids you care by providing each child with a pre-stamped postcard addressed to you! Encourage kids to write you a note and mail it during the summer to let you know how things are going. Be sure to pop a postcard in the mail to them too!

Prayer Prints

Trace the hand of each child onto a separate sheet of paper. Invite kids to sign their names inside their handprint and to add any prayer requests they have. As you collect the handprints, promise to pray for each child over the summer. Let kids know that as you pray for them, you’ll be placing your hand over theirs!

Coordinators’ Corner

Faith Milestones

Celebrate church school graduates with a simple ceremony. Use a computer to create a “Celebration Certificate” and ask a church member with great penmanship to write the kid’s names. Include a Bible verse teachers have chosen for each child.

Present graduates with a cool kids’ devotional, a Bible, or a gift certificate to a Christian bookstore. Remind kids that graduating doesn’t mean they have reached the end of their faith journey . . . they are just beginning a lifetime walk with God!

Great Graffiti

Hang a large strip of butcher paper or posterboard on a prominent wall in your children’s ministry area. Attach pencils to lengths of string and dangle them from the wall. Add a caption like “God Is Good Graffiti” and invite teachers and kids to doodle.

Teachers can praise God for classroom blessings, brag about their great kids, and post photos of the past year. Kids can use pictures or words to share a church school memory, a Bible verse they ’ve learned, or to thank their teacher.

Tip: Invite church members to add encouraging words too!

See You in September!

Get a head start on planning for fall by sending teachers a simple fill-in-the-blank note on which they can indicate whether or not they’d like to be on the children’s ministry team next term. Invite them to share any recommendations about placement of kids in classes and provide space for feedback and suggestions for next year.

Now is also the time to begin writing each member of your children ’s ministry team a personal note of thanks!

More Great Ideas

John, a WWM Talk subscriber, told us about “Encounter,” a fun night that marks the end of the year and welcomes the new grade 6 kids to the junior high program. Kids play games, do devotions, and feast on spaghetti (with no utensils) and rain gutter sundaes (no hands)!

Wanted: Memorable Moments!

We want to hear about those wonderful moments of grace you’ve experienced in kid’s ministry: listening to the heartfelt prayer of a child, seeing God’s love in action as kids run with a service project, watching one child minister to another, having a child whisper in your ear, “Last night I asked Jesus to live in my heart. E-mail us to share the memorable moments God sent your way as you ministered to his kids!

What Do You Do?

We want to serve you in the best possible way with these newsletters, so let us know how we can help! What are some issues those of you in the trenches would like to know more about? Don’t be shy! We LOVE hearing from you! E-mail us.

Encouraging Words

2006-03-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

Looking for ways to let your children’s ministry team know how important they are to your church’s ministry? Check out the following ideas for simple and effective ways to let your team know they’re valued.

Just say it! Although it’s fun to get rolls of LifeSavers and teacher survival kits, nothing is sweeter than hearing a sincere “thank you.” Give teachers a hug or a handshake, pop a hand-written note in their mailboxes, or send a personal e-mail.

Tip: Mention specific things you’ve noticed about a teacher’s class or teaching style. For example, “Thanks for making the little guy who was visiting feel so welcome—you’re such a caring teacher!” or “You really made the Bible story come alive for the kids yesterday. Thanks for all the time you put into preparing your lessons!”

Thank them publicly. Brag about them in front of other people! Take their pictures and post photos in the hallway with a big sign that says, “If you see these amazing teachers, pat them on the back!”

Encourage them to grow in faith. Folks involved in children’s ministry may have to miss worship services or may be so busy preparing great lessons that they’re left with little personal devotional time. Inspire them by e-mailing a Bible passage or mini-devotional. Buy them a book of short devotions for teachers like Trail Mix by Jessie Schut. Pay for them to attend a spiritual retreat.

Ask and listen. Ask individual team members how they are doing. Find out if they need help in any areas or if they have any suggestions or concerns. Listen to their responses. Some folks appreciate the opportunity to vent, others appreciate knowing you care and knowing they’re not alone.

Provide and pay. Offer training events to equip team members. Check out our great WWM workshops. Plan to attend our Coordinator’s Conference next summer so that you’ll feel equipped to lead these workshops. (Watch for details on our website!)

Or look for training events in your area and pay for your team members to attend.

Have fun together! You’re already a team and have a common interest—nurturing the faith of kids—so look for ways you can have fun together and get to know each other better. Go for pizza. Bring in coffee and donuts some Sunday morning. Send out a “Yay, Team!” e-mail once in a while. Set up a make-your-own-Sundae bar at your next planning meeting. Ask everyone to bring their favorite “knock knock” joke to your next meeting!

Share the vision. Let teachers know that what they do has eternal value in the lives of kids. When you let your team members in on the goal of your children’s ministry—to bring kids one step closer to God, to be the highlight of a child’s week, to provide a safe, accepting, loving, and FUN environment where kids can learn more about God—it makes them aware they are a valuable part of a team that’s working together to impact kids.

Teacher Talk

You may be wondering, “Just who are these kids I’m teaching?” If you were to create a composite snapshot of a “typical” kid in your group, you’d have to start with this reality: he or she lives in a postmodern world where truth is relative, authority is questioned, change is exponential, and life is assumed to be messy and unpredictable.

Preparation 101

2006-02-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

It’s Saturday night and somewhere in the world a church school teacher just realized that tomorrow’s lesson calls for five maple leaves—but there are two feet of snow outside. Elsewhere, a leader and his family are trying to drink their way through twelve cans of pop because he’s discovered a dozen empty cans are required for the morning lesson. Sound familiar?

We’re passionate about the kids we teach and we’re enthusiastic about the lessons we’re teaching. But prep time? Not so exciting! Although we know the materials we use to teach our lessons help make Scripture come alive for kids, sometimes we get bogged down with the details. Take heart—it doesn’t have to be that way! Read on for tips to make preparing each session a snap!

Embrace the options! After years of teaching curriculum with few choices, the many options in WWM can seem overwhelming! The truth is, the variety of activities in WWM make teaching less work and more fun because you get to teach what works in your own church setting. Choose activities based on what your kids like to do, how you like to teach, and the amount of time you have, and you’ll create a session that works! Remember, no one (or at least almost no one!) can do all the activities in WWM sessions. You get to choose the ones that will work best for you.

Meet God every Monday. Pour yourself a coffee, put on music, put up your feet, and spend some time with God. Read the WWM devotional. Pray. Then let the Holy Spirit get to work, providing you with what you need to make your lesson soar.

Check it out and check it off! Go through the leader’s guide, check out the different options, and check off the ones that will work best for you and your kids—it’s that simple!

Tip: Create your checklist on Monday and you’ll have a week to gather supplies and prepare your lesson!

Go stand in the closet! Knowing what is and isn’t in the supply closet will help you avoid planning an activity and arriving on a Sunday morning only to discover that someone else just grabbed the last glue stick.

Tip: Many churches use a supply coordinator—someone with great organizational and administrative gifts—to gather supplies for leaders each week.

Tote things along. Purchase an inexpensive tote bag and fill it with standard supplies like scissors, stickers, markers, crayons, pencils, glue sticks, CDs, and a Bible. You’ll be the first to know if you’re running out of something, and it will save you from frantic Sunday morning supply searches!

Ask the kids! Sometimes the kids in your group might have easier access to a prop than you do. Maybe you need a doll, some building blocks, or several pillows. Call your kids and ask if they could bring in the needed items. Kids love to contribute!

Get ready, set, go! Arrive each week ahead of your class so you have time to get your supplies ready, get your room set, and go greet your kids! The extra ten minutes you give yourself to prepare your room will allow you enjoy the session as much as the kids do!

Be flexible. OK, so you messed up! You waited until Saturday night, you forgot to look in the supply closet, and now you don’t have the dowels needed for a flag making activity. Think outside the box—could you use pencils or Popsicle sticks? Is someone else teaching the same lesson? Could you choose a simpler option that requires no prep? Look for ways to solve the problem creatively, learn from your mistakes, and then go back and re-read the tips in this newsletter!

Beat the Winter Blahs

2006-01-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

You’ve packed away the Christmas props and programs, rung in the New Year, and begun the new season. By now the weekly pace has returned and order has been restored. Although everyone appreciates peace after a busy holiday season, by February things can seem a bit too quiet! Break up the long winter weeks by incorporating a “Beat the Winter Blahs” day into your season! Why? Because it’s a great way to connect as a teaching team, kids love to see adults having fun in unexpected ways, and experiencing joy at church always makes sense!

Read through the following ideas and choose the ones that would work for your program, select a date, and invite teachers and kids to participate. (You can still teach the regularly scheduled lesson; you’ve just added more smiles!)

Decorate your rooms:

Place plastic picnic tablecloths on your tables.

Put crayons and markers in plastic beach pails.

Hang streamers in the doorway to your classroom.

Purchase a paper palm tree from the dollar store to hang on the wall.

Lay a beach blanket or beach towels on the floor of your classroom.

Teach in a lawn chair!

Smell the scent of a sea breeze! Place an air freshener in your class before the kids arrive! (Check that there are no perfume allergies first!)

Decorate yourselves:

Pass out leis (available at dollar stores) as kids enter.

Dress like a tourist: shorts, sandals, and sunglasses!

Carry your teaching supplies in a beach bag or cooler.

Taste the sunshine:

Buy some paper mini-umbrellas at a dollar store and a package of oatmeal or sugar cookies. Insert the end of the umbrella into each cookie to create an edible beach scene!

Eat ice cream sandwiches. Squish a scoop of ice cream between two graham crackers, freeze and serve.

Make fruit kabobs. Have a selection of fruit—strawberries, bananas, and grapes are easiest to prepare—and have kids slide them onto skewers. Tip: While you’re snacking, see how many different fruits you can name—and then thank God for them!

Tip: Promote your upcoming “Beat the Winter Blahs” day by inviting kids and your teaching team to bring in favorite photos of them selves in the summer or at the beach. Hang these in the hallway on the week before your day. Ask your pastor to contribute a childhood at the beach shot--kids will love it!

Down South? Enjoying balmy weather? Have fun doing things backwards! Invite kids to wear hats, gloves, and scarves. Decorate your room with a cozy blanket or quilt blanket spread on the floor, a portable electric fireplace and paper snowflakes dangling from the ceiling! Make snow-ka-bobs by alternating pieces of fruit with mini-marshmallows on skewers or toothpicks and serve hot chocolate.

Teacher Talk

Why all the fuss about learning styles? Why all the different types of activities and materials in WWM? Studies have shown that people learn in different ways. If what we teach is going to impact kids, we need to pay attention to how we teach. Each session of WWM contains activities designed to reach kids using a variety of learning styles. The result? More fun for kids, less discipline problems for teachers, and greater opportunity for life-changing ministry!

Is this just a kid thing? No! Discover your learning style with our quick quiz!

Rate the following activity list on a scale of 1-8, using all 8 numbers. For example, place a 1 beside the activity you’d enjoy most and find easiest to do and an 8 beside the activity you don’t enjoy and would find difficult. When you’re through, check out the chart below to reveal how you learn best!

A. _______ Spend time gardening, taking care of pets, hiking in the woods, camping in a wilderness area.

B. ________ Sing, hum, whistle, play an instrument, or listen to music

C. ________ Balance a checkbook, develop computer programs, work on logic puzzles, create charts and time lines

D. ________Be with other people, work on a group project or game, participate in discussions

E. ________ Exercise, dance, swim, play an active game, run, take part in a drama

F. _________ Read, do word puzzles, write letters, spend time on e-mail, practice tongue twisters and limericks, tell and listen to stories

G. ________ Spend time alone thinking or reflecting, keep a journal or diary, work on personal growth, socially or spiritually

H. ________ Doodle, draw maps, paint or draw pictures, take photographs, watch movies or TV

How do you learn best?

Find the letter beside which you placed a 1 and read the description to discover your best personal learning style. The letters to which you assigned 2 and 3 are also ways you enjoy learning. Number 8 is the way it’s most difficult for you to learn.

A. You’re “earth smart” and learn best through activities connected to living things and nature.

B. You’re “music smart.” When it comes to sound, music, and rhythm, you’ve got the beat!

C. You’re “number smart.” Problem solving, logical puzzles, games, patterns, and graphs all add up to fun for you!

D. You’re “people smart” and learn best when you interact with others.

E. You’re “body smart.” When it comes to learning, you put your whole self in and enjoy hands-on experiences.

F. You’re “word smart” and love language. Listening, reading, and speaking are the ways you learn best.

G. You’re “self smart.” You like to think things through and are an independent learner.

H. You’re “picture smart” and learn best by visualizing concepts. A picture really is worth a thousand words to you!

Tip: Quiz your family members, friends, and students and determine how they learn best!

What's in a Name?

2005-12-01T18:38:00.000-08:00

If you've ever named a child or pet you'll know what a daunting task that can be. Why? Because a name says a lot! A well-chosen name makes a great first impression and helps shape identity. That's why marketers spend thousands developing the perfect name for a new product. Churches play the “name game” too! Once upon a time it was common practice to name a church after a number, street, or descriptive word: First Baptist Church, Beech Street Presbyterian Church, or Grace Christian Fellowship. These days, though, new churches are more aware of the image they want to project and are likely to select community-friendly names like The Annex, Oasis, or The Journey.

Church school programs are also jumping on the name wagon. We know the terms “Sunday School” and “church school” are easy to recognize, but do they accurately represent the faith building, fellowship, and fun that occur each week? Do they make a child who will spend the majority of the week in class eager to come to church for more “school”?

Of course, choosing and using a great program (like Walk With Me) must be your first priority, because—just like the name of a person, pet, or product—a first impression only goes so far! But if you're considering a name change for your children’s ministry to build excitement within your church and community, check out some of the following names for inspiration!

Faith Walkers

Treasure Land

Discovery Club

Kids’ Journey

Kids’ Kingdom

Bible Adventures

Grace Land

Faith Explorers

Discovery Zone

Kids’ Zone

Pam Schmidt, a coordinator from Calvary CRC in Medina, Minnesota, shares this news about names in their children's program:

We call our preschool program "Discovery Trek" and our K-5 program "Adventure Trek." The junior high program is called "Trek 13." So this all flows well together, and Walk With Me goes well with all these Treks!

Merry Christmas!

All of us at WWM would like to send you a big e-pat on the back for all you do to bring God's great news to kids! Our prayer is that each of you will have the opportunity to experience the awe and wonder of Christmas for yourselves!

Here are three great Christmas ideas we just had to pass along:

You've Got Mail!

Kids love to get mail! Make it easy for teachers to bless kids this Christmas. Buy some inexpensive Christmas cards, divide them up for each class, and give them to your teaching team. Teachers can add personal messages, sign cards, and pop them into the appropriate church mail slot. For an extra surprise--stick on postage stamps and attach a list of addresses before you pass them to the teachers so they can mail the cards!

Tip: If your church is blessed with an office administrator, enlist his or her help--ask for a print-out of home addresses . . . on labels please!

No Program? No Problem!

Even if plans for a church school Christmas program didn't get off the ground this year, all is not lost! Diane Letsche of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto reports that her church is holding a “Cushion Concert” for their Christmas event. Kids bring a cushion to sit on, hear the Christmas story, and participate with instruments and activities as the message unfolds. Even the church choir performs!

If your church is blessed with a great storyteller or musician(s), invite them to share the Christmas message during your own “cushion concert.” Can't find any storytellers or musicians? Arrange for a Christmas cushion concert where your group entertains itself! Sing Christmas songs together and invite some kids and teachers to read portions of Luke 2 or share their favorite Christmas memories. Don't forget the Christmas cookies!

Gifts that Keep on Giving

Want to do something this year that will help the children in your group connect with and give to kids in other part of the world? Check with your denomination's relief agency for some great ideas of ways you can give gifts that will make a difference in the lives of other children and their families. Then find a way to raise the money together to give that gift!

Some gifts you might consider:

A goat for a family in Uganda or Niger

A pig for a family in India

A calf for a family in Bangladesh

Food for a child in Malawi for a year

Giving That Makes Sense

2005-11-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

A recent Sunday school survey revealed that when most kids are asked what the Sunday school collection is for, they give one of three answers: “For the poor people!” “Africa?” “For the minister.”

How would kids in your church respond to that same question? And why is it important? Bottom line is this: Kids who know they can be used by God to change lives with their offerings today will be more likely to keep looking for ways to make an impact tomorrow!

Read on for creative idea to make giving meaningful for kids:

Give Here, There, and Everywhere

Give locally and globally to teach kids about changing the world at home and far away. Divide the church school year into three sections, supporting a local cause like the food bank, a denominational cause like a mission agency, and a worldwide cause like World Vision.

Tip: Check your denomination’s website for resources designed to engage kids in a giving project.

Show and Tell

Engage kids as you engage their senses!

Show kids where their gifts are going with photographs or maps. If you’re collecting for a cause that’s faraway, bring in a globe or world map to point out where you are and where your gifts are going.

Explain distance using kid-friendly language: “It would take two days to get there, and that doesn’t include the camel ride to the village!”

Create simple visual aids to illustrate what you are giving.

Collecting cash to buy medical supplies for a disaster area? Send each child home wearing a Band-Aid on the day you introduce the offering; bring a first-aid kit to church in the following weeks and open it to reveal the latest total—written on a rolled-up Ace bandage!

Saving to buy a goat for a family in a Third World country? Ask a local farmer to bring in a live goat when you’ve reached your goal!

Collecting money for the food bank? Narrow things down for the kids and tell them you’re buying peanut butter and jam! Then draw or print a picture of these products, enlarge, photocopy, and hang up on the wall, adding new “jars” as you total the collection each week.

Donations and Dollars

Giving money is great but it’s not the only way we can share our blessings!

Give time! Select projects with a hands-on component—kids can sort boxes of canned food for the local food bank, write letters to a sponsored child, or pack care packages for a prison ministry or women’s shelter.

Give stuff! Ask kids to bring in items instead of money—it helps them connect with the cause and also adds great visual impact as the items are piled up at church! Bring socks, hats or mittens for street ministries (string these up on a “clothesline”), collect cans of tuna for the food bank (call your collection campaign “Something’s Fishy!”), pack toys, toiletries, and candy into shoeboxes for organizations like Operation Christmas Child.

Tip: Inform families of your plans with fun announcements that explain the project and the importance of engaging kids in giving. Encourage families to give as they are able—unwrapped bars of soap, tubes of toothpaste, and cans of soup are easy for those last-minute folks to grab on their way out the door Sunday morning! Also, remember to be sensitive to the different family situations within your group—some kids may be on the receiving end of these projects, and a child should never feel that his gift to God doesn’t quite measure up to that of his neighbors.

Check your local phone book or ask your church deacons for names of charities you can support within your own community such as Habitat for Humanity, local food banks, shelters, and crisis centers.

Check out these websites for great global giving ideas:

http://www.worldvision.org/ (World Vision)

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/(Samaritan’s Purse)

http://www.bread.org/ (Bread for the World)

Good Stuff for Walk With Me Teachers

Quick. Think of a memorable teacher you’ve had, someone who’s made a difference in your life. Why is this teacher one you’ll never forget? Write down three characteristics.

If you’re like most people, you might have written down things like these:

She really cared about me.

He had a great sense of humor.

He had a passion for the Bible—he made it come alive.

She challenged me to be a better person.

Notice what’s not on the list?

He could recite Psalm 119 from beginning to end.

She kept good attendance records.

His classroom was always neat and tidy.

That’s because it’s the character of the teacher you usually remember rather than specific skills. And that’s the way it should be, for character begins in the heart and spirit in lives transformed by God’s grace—which is what your teaching is all about.

Talk Back

Thanks for your feedback! We’re hearing from a few of you about what you’re doing to make Walk With Me the best it can be in your church. Keep those comments and questions coming! As promised, here are a few ideas from Diane, a fellow coordinator at Yonkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario:

“The best thing we do for teachers is making up the supply bins each week! They are all so appreciative of that! I know if we didn't do that, they would not do many of the activities.”
“Today we mailed the take home papers to the children who have not shown up yet, along with a note saying we have missed them, and also a note to parents explaining that when their child is not at church we pray for him/her and want them to know we are thinking of them.”
“Some of the teachers think they are not gifted in music, so we are going to start having a group sing for all from JK up as part of the class for fifteen minutes.”

Keeping the Spark (in Your Teachers) Alive!

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Well, you made it! Pre-program planning is finished, your team is in place, supplies are in the closet, and you’re poised to enter the second month of Walk With Me. It’s time for a sigh of relief and a pat on the back! To help you enjoy this ‘in-between’ time in your program we’ve got some suggestions that are sure to keep you and your gang rolling.

Keep Connecting

It’s important to stay in touch with your team, but it’s difficult to find the time to physically connect with each other. Here’s a simple solution to keep connected: send out a short, encouraging group e-mail to your team once a week. Do it on a Monday while Sunday’s program is still fresh in you mind. Don’t worry if you’re not great with words. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just some encouraging words like, “Yay, team! The kids sure were pumped about yesterday’s lesson!” or “Just want you to know I’m praying for you this week!” Ask your team members if they have any prayer requests to pass along so you can pray for each other.

Tip: Don’t use this as an opportunity to send forwarded mail and similar internet messages. A simple personal note to the group will mean so much more!

Say Cheese!

The kids in the program know their leaders, but how about visitors and other folks within your church family? Bring your camera to church and snap a few fun photos of your staff and stick em’ on the wall. Make the pictures fun by bringing in a few cool props for your teachers to hold. Try a straw hat, a box of popcorn, a crown, or a basketball. Just pass your team member a prop and tell him or her to ‘Say Cheese!”

Tip: Post these pictures along with the name of the team member and some trivia like their favorite movie and the one candy they would bring to a desert island!

Stop, Drop and Pray!

The best thing you can do for your program is to lay it before God each day. Pray that your team members may form great relationships with the kids in their class. Pray for the kids who are coming and for those whom God will be sending, that their lives and their hearts may be open to what they are hearing. Ask God to provide you with strength on those days things don’t go as planned; thank God for the opportunities you have to see God at work in the hearts of those you are serving.

What to Do About the Christmas Program

By Laura and Robert Keeley

Ah, the Christmas program. The annual event guaranteed to make parents beam with pride, kids do the unpredictable, and Children’s Ministry Directors break out in a cold sweat!

If you’re in that director’s chair this year, expect the unexpected! And read on to find some great tips to make this years program both a joy to watch and a joy to plan.

Know Your Audience

Before you begin planning and rehearsing, take a good look at the congregation and community you are a part of. Does your church have certain Christmas program traditions (each child always receives a box of candy or an orange)? Certain time constraints? Certain expectations (it must always take place on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning)? Make sure you honor them. Also remember that the Christmas program is, by its very nature, intergenerational. The children should enjoy participating in it. But adults should enjoy watching it too. It should deliver a message that children and adults both will find appealing and understandable.

Make Your Program Kid-Friendly

Look for a program that’s easy to produce and fun for kids to participate in. Some of the following guidelines may help you make your choice.

Make sure children’s parts are written in short sentences with very few long speeches.

Let kids read the script during the presentation instead of memorizing it. Print the script in large print and put it on music stands. Remember to lower the stands so the audience can still see some faces!

Spend a few minutes showing the children how to speak into a microphone.

Use Your Program to Build Community

The annual program is an event that the whole church community—families with children, singles, older adults—can be involved in.

Your congregation is full of gifted people—both children and adults—who’d love to be involved, in non-acting roles, in the program. They can make backdrops, prepare programs, greet the audience, make treats, play instruments, prepare costumes, babysit. . . well, you get the idea!
Consider using a few well-prepared adults in support roles for children. That’s one way of making things run smoothly without multiple rehearsals.

Use casting to build community rather than elevate a select few children. Eliminate the need for tryouts by giving every child in a grade level a part. Feel free to adjust the script to meet the needs of your group.

Most important, enjoy yourself! What we remember best about planning and preparing for these programs is the many different faces of the children God has blessed our program with and the joy we have getting to know them and work with them.

The Keeleys are codirectors of children’s ministries at Fourteenth Street Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. They are also the authors of the Quick & Easy Christmas Program series, available from Faith Alive Christian Resources.