Effective Children's Ministry

Archive for March, 2010

What are the needs of single-parent families?

How does the situation affect the children?

What can we do to minister to these needs?

How can we in children’s ministry avoid problems?

If you would like to know the answers to these and other questions about this type of family, then the article in the link will give you more understanding, ideas and advice.

Go to A House Divided, by Lori Haynes Niles

ChildrensMinistry.com is a great source of ideas and materials. In this article there are heaps of ideas for fun activities of an easter theme, including “Donkey Relays” , papier-mâché piñatas, using ice cubes  and making yummy Easter snacks.

It’s a varied bunch of ideas where there is sure to be something to suit your facilities and your children. Check it out here.

What do running shoes and a warning bell have in common? They both feature in this free visual presentation.

The download is a PDF containing full instructions and images to print out and laminate. It is what we call an Adaptable Application, because although it was first intended to illustrate practical teaching from the life of Moses, it is adaptable for any Bible lesson where temptation features.

The simple outline gives children and others a four-step strategy, so that they can cope better when they are tempted. Piece by piece, as you open out the teaching and apply it to real life, the visuals help the kids to retain the teaching.

Here is an outline for How to Cope with Temptation.

REMEMBER what you have been told.
Our teachers and the folk who look after us at home tell us right and wrong.

REALIZE the danger.
Every action has a result. We need to think things through; think ahead to what might happen to us, or to others, as a result of our actions.

RUN AWAY from the situation.
It is not cowardly, when you are tempted, to go off do something else. It takes courage to run away from doing wrong!

RELY on God.
Christians believe he has the power to help us do right, and follow God’s plan for life.

…………………………………………………………

Would you prefer this Adaptable Application as a PowerPoint presentation? let us know, by clicking the contact tab and emailing us at the address given. We’ll be happy to try to help you with that.

To download the printable version, Right-Click the link below and save the file to your computer.

Download  the Adaptable Application – How to Cope with Temptation (PDF)

Touch, smell and taste combine to help children think about the Easter story in this easy-to-make, mouth-watering recipe. Start the evening before Easter Sunday.  

PHOTO courtesy of Hartini.com

You need:
1 cup whole pecans (or other nuts)
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
1 pinch salt
6 oz caster sugar
Strong plastic bag
Wooden spoon, mallet or rolling pin
Masking Tape
A Bible 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (Important — don’t wait until you’re half way through the recipe!)
Place the nuts in the plastic bag and let the children beat them with the wooden mallet or rolling pin to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3. 

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Because living chicks come from eggs, eggs remind us of life. Explain that Jesus gave up his life to give us a wonderful new life.
Read John 10:10-11. 

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand and let them taste it. Add a pinch to the bowl. Explain that this reminds us of the salty tears cried by Jesus’ friends.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
  

Now add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that although Jesus died, he did it because he loves us. He wants us to know him and belong to him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (7-10 minutes). Explain that the colour white reminds of something very clean. God will take away all our sin and make us clean inside if we are truly sorry and ask him to forgive us.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3. 

Fold in broken nuts. Then drop teaspoonsful of the mixture onto baking parchment on a cookie tray. Explain that each mound reminds us of the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
 

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a small piece of tape and “seal” the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66. 

GO TO BED!   Explain that they may feel sad to leave the meringues in the oven overnight and that Jesus’ friends were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a meringue. Encourage them to look at the cracked surface and then take a bite. The meringues are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ friends were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9 

He Is Risen! Hallelujah! Happy Easter!

-Author unknown

Though music is not critical to the effectiveness of your children’s ministry, songs are a great vehicle for conveying doctrine and memorizing Scripture and the books of the Bible, for example. So you can be forgiven for thinking that being non-musical might be a hindrance to kid’s ministry. 

It is often hardest for those who are on there own, or with just one or two other helpers. In larger churches, where there are volunteers with many talents, you are more likely to find someone who can play musical instruments for the children’s worship.
But what do you do if neither you nor your helpers can play? Well, there are ways round this.

1. Teach yourself the guitar

Many children’s songs can be accompanied with only a few simple guitar chords. It is possible to teach yourself. There are some helpful websites with tips and resources. A Google search will lead you to some. There are even Christian teachers, for example Jean Welles at www.worshipguitarclass.com who offers guitar and piano lessons on DVD and tips online.

2. Pre-record a musical friend

You could ask a musical friend if you could record them playing some tunes that you plan to use in coming weeks . Then you can tape off the “master” each week the particular tunes you need.

3. Buy Christian children’s music CDs

You could buy CDs of Christian children’s music. More are available these days. You will find your own favourites, but here are some suggestions to start you off.

Scripture Lady

Child Evangelism Fellowship

WorshipMusic.com

4. Download free audio music tracks

Some websites offer low-cost or even free downloads of audio files and words and music to print out. There are some that make available tracks with children singing the words. This is ideal when your kids are learning a song. But they also provide files of the backing tracks, which you can use when your children are more confident.
Check out www.familyworship.org.uk   for a range of song styles.
Also www.songsofpraise.org

5. Pray for a musician

Pray for someone musical to join you. We know a children’s group who had no musician, until the leader asked an elderly lady to help out. She didn’t feel she could teach the children, or lead any activities, but she was able to use her keyboard playing skills to help the singing go with a swing. She was delighted to be able to serve the Lord like this .

At first it may seems that your lack of musical ability is a hindrance, but it need not be.

If you know of other helpful music resources, do chime in using the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you.