Posts Tagged ‘children’s ministry’

One sure way to help kids memorize bible verses is to say them out loud. An article on the Psychology Today website confirms what we have probably known all along!

They looked at people’s memory for items like a list of words. They found that if people studied the list by reading half of the words silently and the other half by saying the words out loud, that he words spoken aloud were remembered much better than those that were read silently.

There are lots of games and strategies to make out-loud repetitive learning fun. Speaking out the Word of God is a proven help to remembering.

Kathy Vincent (aka Scripture Lady) has some great ideas from making out-loud learning fun for kids.  Here is a great one. Check it out and see if you would like to use it this week with your class or club

CRAZY STAND UPs  Bible memorization from Scripture Lady

This free review game is the PowerPoint version of Key to Success or a Mess, which we have made available as a printable game, ideal for small groups, in a previous post.

What is the key to making a success of your life? What is the key to making a mess? By choosing random keys, and reading the scenarios they open up, the kids are encouraged to think about the consequences of their actions.

This game goes really well with any story where the character makes a mess, or is tempted to do something wrong. For example, Joseph showing off ; David not attacking Saul in cave; Abraham getting a son his own way instead of trusting God’s promise, the disciples turning away the children, Peter cutting off the man’s ear, etc.
In schools, the practical and moral message of the scenarios is appreciated very much.

It is essential to download BOTH PowerPoint files and save them to the same folder on your computer. This is because the game “hops” from one presentation to the other and back again, using hyperlinked buttons. It sounds complex but it isn’t really.  Don’t let that put you off trying out this exciting game that we have found to be among the kids’ great favourites .

If you are not used to downloading files over the internet the following steps may be helpful:

1) Make a new folder somewhere on your computer where you will be able to easily find it again. Name it “Keys to Success”.

2) RIGHT-click on one of the links below and when prompted, SAVE it to the folder you have just made.

3) Do the same with the other PowerPoint (.ppt)  file. Remember: You MUST have these files in the same folder for the game to work properly.

4) To view the game, open up first the file (key_success_part1.ppt). Full instructions are on slides 2-6. OR, you could open the Word document and read the instructions there.

As always, if you have any problems, feel free to contact us -
contact[at]effectivechildrensministry[dot]org

Download Key to Success Instructions (Word document).

Download Key to Success Part 1  PowerPoint file

Download Key to Success Part 2 PowerPoint file

If you would prefer the printable version, go to this post for the download.

Would you like to draw on a big pool of kidmin experience?

Whether you work in a large or small setup; whether your children’s ministry is thriving or struggling; whether you have a healthy budget or nothing in the “kitty” – there will be something for you at the forum of Ministry-to-children.com.

We have learned a huge amount over the 6 months or so that we have been visiting the forum. It is free to join and very easy to sign up. I know you’ll learn a lot, and no doubt you will be able to contribute to the discussion with your own experiences and comments.

Here’s the link to the forum.

Other areas of the site are extremely helpful too, with lesson plans, craft and games  ideas, helpful videos, stimulating discussion and a massive list of kidmin blogs for you to browse.

What is the key to making a success of your life? What is the key to making a mess? By choosing random key pictures, and reading the  scenario on the back, the kids are encouraged to think about the consequences of their actions.

This game goes really well with any story where the character makes a mess, or is tempted to do something wrong. For example, Joseph showing off ; David not attacking Saul in cave; Abraham getting a son his own way instead of trusting God’s promise, the disciples turning away the children, Peter cutting off the man’s ear, etc.

In schools, the practical and moral message of the scenarios is appreciated very much.

The download is a single PDF file, which contains the images, suggested scenarios and full instructions.

Download the Key to Success or a Mess Review Game

Another game we featured recently may be of interest to you.
You can find the Helping or Hurting Hands review game in a previous post.

Now available: the POWERPOINT VERSION!!!

**CLICK HERE FOR the POWERPOINT VERSION of Key to Success or a Mess.

Yes, it’s that time of month when Wayne Stocks (aka Dad in the Middle) captures links to all the best in the kidmin blogosphere!

If you want a ” one-stop-shop” with free articles, tips, resources, challenge and anything else to do with children’s ministry, then Wayne’s Blog Patrol is for you.

This list is a great resource for all of us. Wayne does the web browsing for us and we benefit. Once again, everything is in easy-to-find categories, including:

 and TONS more!

Check out The Children’s Ministry Blog Patrol (April 2010)