School Year Faith Bucket List for Kids

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You have probably heard of a bucket list (earlier in the week we talked about making a bucket list for your ministry), but have you ever encouraged kids to make one for their school year that related to their faith in God? In this activity, kids will use the free printable and write down different things they can do to help grow their faith in God. On each clipboard is a different topic. They will use that clipboard to write down things they can do this school year to help grow their faith. After they fill it out, they can keep it in their Bible or hang it on the fridge or in their room so it will help remind them to do these things this school year.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the School Year Faith Bucket List Here!" align="center"...

KidMin Bucket List

We make bucket lists for lots of things - summertime, our lives, a particular season. But have you ever made a bucket list for your children's ministry? As you head into back-to-school season and plan out the school year ahead, what hopes, dreams, and goals do you have for your ministry? Take some time this week to pray and brainstorm a bucket list or a dreams list for your children's ministry this school year. What do you want to see happen? What do you hope God does in and through your ministry? As you list ideas, defer judgment until later and just go for quantity. Challenge yourself to come with a bucket list of 100  different things. Don't get bogged down yet in the logistics and budget restraints. Just let yourself dream and brainstorm without restriction, criticism, or critique. You might even want to do the first part of a brain dump!...

Legos Creation Object Lesson

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the week, we shared about Anne Marie Gosnell's Secret Sermon Object Lesson idea - it's brilliant, by the way - and she has graciously allowed us to share a free sample from her book: What God is Doing: Old Testament Object Lessons for Kids![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Free Sample + Creation Object Lesson Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fs%2Fxqs55ofikssfkrk%2FPages%2520from%2520WhatGodIsDoing_PDFDL_SampleLesson1.pdf%3Fdl%3D0|target:_blank"][vc_column_text]This free sample includes the introduction and the very first object lesson on creation. It uses letter tiles and Legos to teach kids that everything was created by an all-powerful God who is the ultimate designer. Interested in connecting more with Anne Marie? She’s been in some sort of...

Secret Sermon Object Lessons from Anne Marie Gosnell

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do you use object lessons in your children's ministry? Have you ever heard of "Secret Sermon" object lessons? I learned about Secret Sermon object lessons from my friend Anne Marie, the creator of Future Flying Saucers. She uses them in their family services each Sunday morning to engage kids and teach them about God's Word. Here's how they work... During a specified time in the family service, the children are invited to the front to sit with Anne Marie. One of them brings a random, surprise object. Anne Marie has to use the object to teach a Bible truth, right on the spot! Anne Marie has posted about a few of her Secret Sermons on Facebook, and I've been so intrigued with the idea. It takes a lot of creativity, quick-thinking, and guts to pull this off well, but she does such a great job. She let me ask her...

Color Prayer Spinner: Back-to-School Prayer Activity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share this prayer activity with the kids and families in your ministry to help them start the school year with intentional prayer! Kids can make the spinners as part of a back-to-school activity/lesson at church or complete the entire thing at home.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Color Prayer Spinner Back-To-School Prayer Activity Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FDKM-Color-Prayer-Spinner-Back-To-School-Prayer-Activity-For-Kids.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Supplies (per child) Color Prayer Spinner Printable scissors brad/split pin paper clip coloring utensils How it works: Kids create the spinner, then spin it! Whatever color it lands on, kids pray that prompt and color in the wedge. They can do one wedge...

5 Ways to Celebrate Back-To-School Season in Your Ministry

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Knowing the rhythms of life for the families you serve and stepping into those rhythms to celebrate milestones is a key factor in connecting with your families. One of the biggest milestones each year is back-to-school season! So here are 5 ways to celebrate this important time in your children's ministry: Host a special event - Whether it's a family event like a Back to School Prayer Bash,  a Family Trivia Night, or a kids-only event that gives the parents a break (like our brand new science-themed Parents' Night Out), hosting a fun kick-of event for the Back to School Season is a great way to help families celebrate! You could even bring back some of the creative alternatives from last year during COVID-season, like the Drive Through Back-to-School Event that my church hosted! Equip families to...

Sermon Notes Printable for Pre-Readers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We both know how important it is to engage, not just occupy kids in a family service, and one effective way to do that is through Sermon Notes for Kids! But what do you do for the kiddos who can't read yet? This week's free printable may help![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Pre-Reader Sermon Notes Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2FDKM-Sermon-Notes-for-Pre-Readers.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text]Share the printable above with the little ones in your ministry to help them engage in a family worship service. At the beginning of the service, parents will need to explain to their kids what to do, but then the pre-readers just listen for the words they're looking for and practice their writing/coloring skills! And if you're looking for...

3 Ways to Make Families Hate Coming To Your Family Worship Service

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Family worship services offer a great opportunity for intergenerational worship and to teach kids what it means to be part of the body of Christ. But family services are often new experiences for families and leaders alike, and they can be intimidating for everyone involved. If you really want to make your families hate attending your service, just do these 3 things... Don't communicate with parents. Parents probably have a lot of questions about what a family service may entail. How long will it last? What if their kids are noisy? What if the kids can't sit still? Don't address any of these questions ahead of time; families will figure it out when they arrive. Work to keep kids quiet. Rather than engaging kids and inviting them into the service, do what you can to provide activities and busy bags that...

Identity in Christ Self-Portrait

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Using Scripture, kids can understand who they are because of who God says they are. Unless kids hear and embrace the truths God declares about them, they will not come to a full understanding of who they are in Christ and will never reach their full God-given potential. Use this simple activity as a way to remind kids who they are in Christ! [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Activity Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2FDKM-Identity-in-Christ-Self-Portrait-Activity.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Give a copy of the download above to kids and invite them to draw a self-portrait. Above and around their self-portrait, kids should write some of the words or phrases from the Identity in Christ Truths List included in the download. Kids...