Categories: Blog

8 Ways to Encourage Families To Celebrate Lent (No Matter Their Background)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Lent is the Christian season, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending with Holy Week, that encourages believers to pray, fast, and serve as a way to prepare their hearts for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The ultimate goal of Lent is to draw closer to God. Much like Advent prepares our hearts for Christmas, Lent prepares our hearts for Easter. Not all Christian traditions place the same emphasis on Lent. I never observed Lent growing up, and 99% of what I know about Lent, I've learned as an adult. I have friends who take the season very seriously with daily devotions and family-wide fasting, and I have other friends who don't really pay much attention until Holy Week. At our current church, we host an Ash Wednesday service, our pastor leads us through a Lenten series each Sunday leading up...
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Review Questions Slide Canva Template Freebie

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Use this free Canva Template to create your own review games! Follow the instructions below and on the slides to set up your review questions. [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download Printable Version Here" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2FDKM-Review-Question-Slide-Templates-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] How to Access & Use: Access the Canva template in the printable linked above that has some simple Q&A slide templates ready to go! All you need is a free Canva account. Open the template, edit the slides, download the new slides as .jpgs or .pngs, and you’re ready to play! These templates make it easy to create and customize a simple and effective review game for your Bible story lesson. How to play: Call the game "Bible...
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6 Reasons to Include Games in Your Children’s Ministry Time

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Games are a key part of children's ministry. But have you ever thought about the value games can really bring? Here's an excerpt from our Ultimate KidMin Game Bundle that shares 6 reasons why you should include games in your children’s ministry time: Games help build relationships – Play and fun help create shared memories among kids and kids/leaders. When kids feel known and loved by their peers and leaders, they are more receptive to learning. Games bring FUN to the lesson – When kids have fun, they want to participate, they want to hear more, and they want to come back next time. Games allow for more engagement – Kids can engage and participate in a game rather than merely sitting and listening to a lecture. This engagement piques more areas of their brains, creating a deeper level of...
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10 Bible Verses About Love That Kids Should Know

The Bible has a lot to say about love, which tells us love is pretty important to God (it is a big part of His character after all). As we enter a season that focuses a lot on love, let's help the kids and families in our ministry know about the love found in Scripture and in our Heavenly Father. Here are 10 Bible verses about love that kids should know: 1 John 4:7 - "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (NIV) Psalm 136:26 - "Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever." (ESV) 1 Corinthians 13:4,8 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud... Love never fails." (NIV) (Psst - here's a Valentine lesson to help you teach this verse to kids through prayer stations!) Romans 12:10 -...
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I Love You Because Jar… Valentine Family Prayer Activity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Invite families to talk to God about their love for Him this Valentine's Day with this simple family prayer activity![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download a printable copy here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F01%2FDKM-I-love-you-because-jar-family-prayer-freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] For this activity, families will need: A jar or container Popsicle sticks or strips of paper (If they don't have either of these, you can share the last page of the printable with them!) Prayer Activity: Why do you love God? Have you ever stopped to think about it? God does so many amazing things for us. God is a God of love, a God who takes care of us, & a God who hears us when we pray - just to name a few! Think about the reasons you love...
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Valentine Resources For Your Children’s Ministry 2022

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to not only teach kids about God's love but to create space for kids to experience God's love too! These Valentine Resources can help...[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color="custom" border_width="5" accent_color="#3ac1e1"][vc_custom_heading text="Help Kids & Families Experience God's Love Through Prayer..." font_container="tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%233ac1e1" use_theme_fonts="yes" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fproduct%2Flove-one-another-valentine-prayer-stations-lesson%2F|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] The Love One Another Valentine lesson uses self-guided prayer stations and John 15:5-12 to invite kids to experience God’s love, think about how we should love one another, and stay connected to Jesus. Love One Another includes 10 prayer stations...
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Volunteer Training Icebreaker Activity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use this activity to open up your volunteer training, help your team get to know each other, and encourage them to start thinking about the importance of their volunteer roles. It's also a great lead-in to sharing about your ministry's vision and goals![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Click Here to Download a Printable version of the activity! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F01%2FDKM-Volunteer-Training-Icebreaker-Activity.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Supplies: index cards, pens, Instructions: Pass out an index card and a pen to everyone. If you have a large group, you can split them into groups of 5-10. Tell them to number their cards and write their answers to the following questions, but they shouldn’t write their name on their...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership, Volunteers

Mid-Year Volunteer Training

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we continue on into a new semester, have you checked in with your volunteers lately? I know you may be thinking, "Lol what volunteers?" but no matter how big or small your team is, now is a great time to check in with them to share updates, cast vision for the year, and equip them in their serving roles. One January, I had the opportunity to speak at a local church's mid-year children's ministry volunteer training, and the leader, Caroline, did such a great job, I wanted to share about the event! If you're looking to host a mid-year volunteer training, keep some of these ideas in mind. (And find even more volunteer ideas and resources here!) Show Appreciation - As soon as volunteers walked through the doors, they were greeted with a spread of some yummy snacks and a small volunteer gift. Showing...
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What are you celebrating?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So often we jump into our goal-setting for the year ahead that we don't take the time to celebrate and remember what God has done in the year before. But celebration is a key part of discipleship, growth, and our relationship with God. In Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster describes celebration, or a spirit of joy, as a spiritual discipline that produces energy, momentum, and strength within an individual and a body of believers. It is the foundation for all other disciplines, as without celebration, practicing the other disciplines becomes dull and legalistic. Celebration brings freedom from “taking ourselves too seriously” (p. 196), alleviates sadness, and gives us a fresh perspective on life. Ultimately, celebration provides the basis for successful spiritual growth and acts as a springboard for...
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VIP Meeting Planning Guide

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]What if you invested several hours per month/semester in a meeting with yourself that would end up giving you more focus and less stress overall? Use this week's free download to give it a try![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Click Here to Download the VIP Meeting Planning Guide! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F12%2FDKM-VIP-Meeting-Planning-Guide.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text]A VIP Meeting is a once-a-month meeting with yourself that gives you space to be still, dream, plan, and brainstorm. It's a vital check-in for your goals and helps you stay on track with the most important things in your life and your ministry. (This is just one of the many tools and resources I learned about as part of a Leadership Circle with Joy Canupp, and it's been so...
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The 1 Thing That Will Help You Stick With Your Goals

Welcome to the new year! January and the start of a new calendar year is always a time for reflection, dreaming, goal-setting, and looking ahead to what God has in store. Unfortunately, two-thirds of people will abandon their goals and resolutions by the end of the month. But that doesn't have to be you! If there's 1 thing that will help you stick to your goals, it's this: accountability. But not just accountability from your boss, spouse, or even a friend. What if you could have intentional accountability with a group of like-minded leaders in a setting that fostered encouragement, laughter, growth, and deep relationships?  Enter: Leadership Circles with Joy Canupp. I've been part of a Leadership Circle with Joy in the past, and it's not only a space for encouragement but also for practical steps that help me move forward in whatever goals...
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Brand New Bible Games! (And a giveaway!)

I don't know about you, but we love board games at our house! I'm always on the lookout for fun and new games, and when I heard about Bible Games Central's latest games, the biblical themes and focus were a major bonus! Here are 3 new games from Bible Games Central we are loving: Bible Match It Link It - This game is like the Bible version of Spot It, which has been my niece's favorite game to play since she was little. Bible Match It Link It is a fast-paced game played with 57 unique octagonal tiles. Each tile has eight images, one on each edge of the octagon. On any 2 Bible Match It Link It tiles, there is always 1 (and only 1) matching image. I can't wait to try out this Bible version with her this holiday season! I can already imagine the conversations it will spark as we explore the 4 different ways to play and read through the accompanying...
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5 Ways To Make Your Christmas Eve Service Memorable

Christmas Eve services can sometimes feel like the Super Bowl of ministry life. But how can we make them memorable while also staying true to our budgets, church traditions, and the real reason for the season? Here are 5 ways to make your Christmas Eve Service Memorable for families:  Keep kids in mind. Many families choose to worship together on Christmas Eve, so whether your Christmas Eve service is promoted as a family service or not, keep kids in mind. That means consider shortening the service (honestly, Christmas Eve services don't need to be longer than about an hour anyway), invite kids into the storytelling action, and incorporate elements in your service that allow for intergenerational engagement. Using something like our Interactive Nativity Kits, Instant Christmas Pageant, or Noisy Christmas resources, you can invite the...
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Amazing Volunteer Christmas Appreciation Printable Freebie

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tell your volunteers how AMAZING they are this Christmas with this simple printable! Just print, cut, and use Glue Dots to add an Amazon Gift Card.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Christmas Volunteer Appreciation Printable Here!" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FDKM-Amazing-Volunteer-Gift-Card-Freebie-Printable.pdf|target:_blank"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="69294" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/amazing-volunteer-christmas-appreciation-printables/"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]Want even more options including different sayings and a folding card option? Check out our full Amazing Volunteer Christmas...
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Christmas Family Checklist

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Give the families in your ministry an easy way to enjoy the holidays together, make memories, and celebrate Christ.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Christmas Family Checklist Here! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F11%2FDKM-Christmas-Family-Checklist-Freebie-for-Christmas-2020.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Print the checklist page on cardstock and distribute to the families in your ministry. How many of the Christmas activities can they complete before Christmas Day? Option: Invite families to complete as many activities they can, then return the checklist to you for a special prize![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="17342" img_size="full" alignment="center"...
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Last Christmas 2021

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last Christmas, we shared these ideas & freebies, but some of you weren't here. This year, to save you some time, I'm bringing them back in case you missed them. Ok, so maybe those aren't the lyrics, but it's true! (And you already have my heart anyway, kidmin leader.) Here are our top resources from Last Christmas (and Last Last Christmas and  Last Last Last Christmas and Last Last Last Last Christmas too!)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="44994" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/christmas-nativity-jigsaw-printable/"][vc_custom_heading text="Christmas Nativity Jigsaw Printable" font_container="tag:h2|text_align:center" use_theme_fonts="yes"...
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Advent Coloring Pages

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]These coloring pages are perfect for the Advent season! With a coloring page and scripture for each weekly theme of Advent + Christmas Day, it's the perfect add-on resource to use in your ministry this Advent season. Just print, share, and use as time-fillers, early arrivers, as part of Advent Praise Packs, or more![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Advent Coloring Pages Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FDKM-Advent-Coloring-Pages-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="64066" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/family-advent-devotions/"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]These...
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Twas the Season of Advent Devotional Giveaway!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As someone whose only experience with Advent growing up was putting another velcro plushie ornament on our cloth Advent tree wall hanging, I've been trying to learn more and be more intentional with the season of Advent as an adult. And now that I have a daughter of my own, I want to share what I'm learning with her! That's why I'm super excited about author Glenys Nellist's new book: Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Christmas season. And what's even more exciting is Glenys and ZonderKids have agreed to host a giveaway for our Deeper KidMin followers this week! Twas the Season of Advent shares stories from the Old and New Testaments that highlight the promise of Jesus' birth. Beginning December 1, there are 25 total readings leading up to Christmas Day on December 25. Each reading...
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Christmas Catalog 2021

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It's time to Deck the Halls and have a cup of cheer! We hope these Christmas ideas/resources help make your season merry and bright! Want a more visual rundown of our best Christmas resources for 2021? Check out our DKM 2021 Christmas Catalog![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the DKM 2021 Christmas Catalog here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FDKM-Christmas-Catalog-2021.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_toggle title="Brand New for 2021"]Sing to the Lord 4-Week Christmas Series - The Sing to the Lord series is aimed at children ages 5-11 years to help them learn what it means to worship, give to and praise the Lord this Christmas. This teaching series includes lots of different elements to help make your lesson Biblical, fun, interactive, relational,...
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Gratitude Alphabet Freebie

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Help kids develop an attitude of gratitude this November! Using this simple printable, kids write down one thing they're thankful for that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Encouraging kids to be aware of what they're thankful for can help develop an attitude of gratitude and lead to a spirit of generosity.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Gratitude Alphabet Freebie here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F10%2FDKM-Gratitude-Alphabet-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="45367" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/thanksgiving-activity-bundle/"][/vc_column][vc_column...
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From Gratitude to Generosity

November in the U.S. means Thanksgiving will soon be upon us. It will be a month focused on gratitude and thankfulness, and we've even shared 4 ways to help kids develop an attitude of gratitude in the past. But if our focus ends at gratitude, we do our kids and families a disservice. Thanksgiving is not just about gratitude; it's about how our gratitude leads to generosity. Take a look at the name itself. Sure, Thanksgiving is all about "giving thanks," but I think we can also identify the themes of gratitude (thanks-) and generosity (-giving) in the title. Gratitude and generosity coexist as two sides of the same coin, and we can't cultivate one without the other. Gratitude stems from a place of contentment and causes an abundance mindset in life. If life is abundance and not scarcity, then I can afford to be generous with others....
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Creating Rhythms of Rest

Experiencing peace requires that we slow down enough to notice the presence of the Lord. But as ministry leaders, we’re too often running around doing things for Jesus that we forget to spend time with Jesus (guilty!). In a breakout session I taught at MegaCon 2021 last week, we acknowledged the importance of creating rhythms of rest in our lives and ministries, then explored different types of rest that can help prevent ministry burnout. It was a practical time of planning and implementing a strategy for avoiding burnout through intentional Sabbath.  One of the biggest takeaways? Rest doesn’t always mean physical rest (though it can), so we discussed a variety of options for what rest may look like and talked about how resting isn’t always passive. We also dove into what a rhythm of rest may look like daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly....
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I Wonder – New Illustrated Bible Giveaway!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I'm a big fan of Christian author, Glenys Nellist (one of my daughter's favorite books is Good News! God Made Me), so when I heard she was releasing a brand new, illustrated children's Bible, I was PUMPED! And what's even better is Glenys and ZonderKids have agreed to host a giveaway for our Deeper KidMin followers this week! I Wonder: Exploring God's Grand Story takes 16 stories from the Old Testament and 14 stories from the New Testament, sharing them in a storytelling narrative alongside beautiful illustrations. But most children's Bibles do that, right? So what makes I Wonder any different? With each story, Glenys has included 3 "I wonder..." questions that encourage kids to explore God's character, think intentionally about the story, and imagine how they fit into God's big story themselves. For...
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Pumpkin PlayDoh Recipe

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share this recipe and link with the families in your ministry to invite them to make pumpkin playdoh this fall! Then as kids play, encourage them to say things they are thankful for or spend time praying to God.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download a Printable Version of the Recipe here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F09%2FDKM-Pumpkin-Playdoh-Recipe-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Supplies Needed: 1 ½ cups flour ¾ cup salt 1 ½ tsp cream of tartar 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 ½ cups water 1 Tbsp oil Red food coloring - 5 drops Yellow food coloring - 5 drops Instructions: This recipe can be found here on the Natural Beach Living website. On this website, you can find the instructions for exactly how to make...
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15 Fall Service Projects for Families

The fall season is the perfect time to encourage families to serve your church and your community! Here are 15 fall service project ideas families can complete together: Write a thank you note to your teacher Shop for and stuff a box for Operation Christmas Child (This event guide does the work for you!) Leave a snack & note for the mail carrier Clean something for someone else Raise & donate money for offering or a mission partner at church Pick up trash in a local park Visit a nursing home Donate used towels and blankets to a local animal shelter Send flowers to someone going through a hard time Volunteer at church on a Sunday morning Write a holiday card to a soldier Make a freezer meal for your church’s foster families (This free download makes it easy!) Donate to a local food bank Rake...
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