Categories: Leadership

Bible Skills vs Bible Truths – Which Should You Focus On In Children’s Ministry?

As children’s ministry leaders, we carry the incredible responsibility of helping the next generation grow in their understanding of God’s Word. But when it comes to teaching the Bible, there’s often a tension we feel between teaching Bible skills and teaching Bible truths. Which is more important? Where should we focus our time? First, what's the difference?  Bible skills are the practical tools that help kids navigate and understand the Bible. These include knowing the books of the Bible, knowing how the Bible is organized (testaments, books, chapters, etc.), understanding how to find chapters and verses, and sometimes even recognizing different genres of Scripture (e.g., history, poetry, prophecy) or learning how to use a concordance or cross-references (for older kids). On the other hand, Bible truths are the foundational...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

8 Ways to Shake Things Up in Your KidMin This Year

Children’s ministry can be full of routines, and while routines are good (and kids thrive on consistency), doing the same thing week after week can lead to burnout for leaders and boredom for kids. That’s why it’s so important to shake things up every now and then! Trying something new in your KidMin not only keeps things fresh and engaging for the kids but also reignites your own creativity and passion. A small change can make a big difference in your ministry’s energy and effectiveness. If you’re looking for ways to add a little spark to your KidMin this year, here are 8 ways to shake things up! Change your schedule. If your ministry time always follows the same order (welcome, worship, teaching, small groups), try mixing it up. Maybe start with small groups instead of ending with them. Or move worship to the middle. Changing...
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12 Months of Volunteer Appreciation Ideas

Use this list and the links below to create a plan for appreciating your volunteers all year long! Download a printable version here! January: A can of soda or some fuzzy socks with the generic version of this tag printable! February: “Thanks for Being the Heart of Our Ministry” + some Dove heart chocolates! (Not free, but here’s a printable to help!) March: Have a surprise basket of baked goods/treats (or extra coffee) on time-change Sunday! April: For anyone who serves with your special Easter Event or on Easter Sunday, grab some Peeps and thank them for being “one of your peeps!” (Not free, but here’s a printable to help!) May: The Big Thank You, a church-wide volunteer appreciation event with food trucks or popsicles available for free for all volunteers after service(s). June:...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership, Volunteers

Non-Gift Volunteer Appreciation Ideas

Volunteer appreciation is a key part of retaining your team and creating a healthy culture. But remember to think beyond just gifts for appreciation! Think about your volunteers' love languages and how you can show appreciation without physical items. Here are some ideas:  Host a special event. Invite them out to dinner or host a special event at your church just for your volunteers. Maybe you bring in a Christian comedian? Maybe you host a game night for their families? Maybe you provide lunch after services one Sunday in the form of a fleet of food trucks? Maybe you host a Parents' Night Out that’s just for volunteer families. Bonus points if you can include their families in the event too!  Ask them questions, get their input, and gather feedback. One of the best ways to show volunteers you care and respect them is to reflect on the...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership, Volunteers

3 Steps To Mapping Out Your Ministry Year

The Lord guides our steps, but we can be good stewards of the time He’s given us through intentional planning. Planning ahead allows for a more balanced and sustainable year in ministry, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. (And you don't have to do it alone! Join us Thursday, January 2, 2025 for an online interactive workshop where we'll plan and pray for our year together. Save your spot here!) So grab your calendar and a pencil (because we never plan in pen), and let’s jump in to map out your ministry year! 1) Start with the big picture. Look at the vision of your ministry and use it to set goals for the year (use our Ministry Goal Setting Guide to help). Then create calendar events that help you accomplish those goals. Our goals give us the direction and boundaries for our calendar. Write down all the...
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Goal Getter Pages

These Goal-Getter pages pair well with our free Ministry Goal Setting Guide to help you keep track and stay accountable to your goals all year long! What’s included? Block Year Planner (to see your year visually - is one season busier than others?) Yearly Goal Planner by Month (choose 1-3 goals to focus on each month) Monthly Goal Pages - get specific with your monthly goals here by adding the action steps needed to make them happen Weekly Planner - Use weekly to help focus your tasks and goals. Download Goal Getter Pages Here!   These pages are additional resources found in the Workshop Workbook for our upcoming Mapping Out Your Ministry Year Planning and Prayer Workshop happening Thursday, January 2, 2025! This ridiculously practical online workshop will guide you in creating a balanced ministry...
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Top 10 Christmas Worship Songs for Your KidMin

Your kids will love singing along to these Christmas worship songs that help remind them about why we celebrate Christmas! Seeds Kids Worship - "Joy (Luke 2:8-14)" - This one literally has kids singing the story of Jesus' birth! Listen here. Doorpost Songs - "Go Tell It On the Mountain" - Here's a bubbly, upbeat version of the classic Christmas carol. Go tell everyone: Jesus Christ is born! (My preschooler has been singing this one non-stop!) Listen here. Yancy - "Christmas Time" - Slow things down and remind kids of the true meaning of Christmas: love, peace, joy and most of all Jesus. Listen here. Amber Sky Records - "Christmas This Year" - This is a favorite in our house and in our ministry! Listen here. Doorpost Songs - "Unto Us" - The familiar words of Isaiah 9, “Unto us a child is born,” come to life in a brand new way in this...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

5 Steps for Finishing Your Year like a KidMin Pro

As the year winds down, it’s easy for children's ministry leaders to shift into survival mode (or maybe you've already been in survival mode since Thanksgiving). Between holiday events, family commitments, and the regular demands of ministry, December can feel overwhelming. But what if instead of just surviving, we made it our goal to finish the year strong? To actually enjoy this season and set ourselves up for success in the next year? Here are some practical steps to help you end the year like a KidMin Pro and set the stage for January. Celebrate - Take time to celebrate all God has done in your ministry this year. What were the big wins? What prayers were answered? Celebrate those victories with your team, volunteers, and even your congregation. This might look like sharing a year-in-review video during a Sunday service, writing...
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Making PLANS: Advent Devotional for KidMin Leaders

Many of our resources and freebies are geared toward the kids and families in your ministry, but this week is for YOU, kidmin leader. It's an overview and preview of a weekly Advent devotion written specifically with children’s ministry leaders in mind. So block out 20 minutes on your calendar for the first week of Advent, grab your Bible, print this free sample of week 1, and spend time with Jesus this Advent season. Praying for you as you place your hope in Him.  The Advent season is one of eagerness and anticipation. For KidMin Leaders, it’s also a time for planning. Every prayerful plan you develop and implement will guide others toward Jesus. Whether you plan with a team or on your own, there’s a significant amount of preparation to be done this time of year. This interactive Advent devotional was created just for you, the KidMin...
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Making PLANS: Advent Devotional for KidMin Leaders Free Sample

Many of our resources and freebies are geared toward the kids and families in your ministry, but this freebie is for YOU, kidmin leader. Here’s week 1 from a 4-week Advent devotional written specifically with children’s ministry leaders in mind. So block out 20 minutes on your calendar during the first week of Advent, grab your Bible, print the following pages, and spend time with Jesus this Advent season. Praying for you as you place your hope in Him.   Download the Advent Devotional Sample Here   If you enjoyed this Advent devotional, download the full month (4 weeks + Christmas Eve/Day)...
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4 Ways to Help Kids Develop an Attitude of Gratitude (And Why it’s Important to Their Success)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of my favorite Christian authors, Dr. Caroline Leaf, is a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist who studies how the brain and body work together. (Seriously, y'all, she's brilliant.) I stumbled upon one of her blog posts recently that talked about how having an attitude of gratitude leads to success. Here's what she said... Did you know that gratitude is essential to success? If you can’t appreciate what you have to be thankful for right now, it is harder to achieve what you desire in the future. In fact, gratitude changes the brain and body for the better! Research on the effects gratitude has on our biology shows how being thankful increases our longevity, our ability to use our imagination, and our ability to problem-solve. You can read even more of what Dr. Leaf has to say about...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

10 Verses Kids Need to Know For Christmas

Christmas is about the coming of our Savior, and it's our job as children's ministry leaders to remind kids and families of that, give them space to explore and experience the story, and point them back to Scripture every chance we get. So here are 10 verses kids need to know for Christmastime, especially as we enter the season of Advent. Many of them are short enough for kids to memorize, and you can use them in your curriculum, Christmas events, Advent resources, and more! Find all of our Christmas and Advent resources here. Isaiah 9:6 (NIrV) - "A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace." (And here's a worship video that will help kids memorize it!) 2 Corinthians 9:15...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

7 Thanksgiving Crafts That Help Develop Gratitude

As you're planning your Sunday or mid-week lessons for the Thanksgiving season, here are 7 fun craft ideas for your kidmin that help kids develop an attitude of gratitude! More than just turkey coloring pages or a creative art project, these Thanksgiving-themed crafts will help kids focus their hearts and minds on being grateful! A Giant Group Poster - I saw this idea from Go Curriculum, and it seems so much fun! You just print a large poster of a coloring page at your local print store, then lay it out on a table and invite kids to color as a group! Find more details and download a free colorable poster from Go here. Gratitude Jars - These are a classic November idea. Give each child a jar or container of some kind, and let them decorate it. Provide a simple label and gratitude prompts like these for kids to cut and place in their jars....
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

5 Ways to Prepare for Christmas in Your KidMin

It may only be October, but Christmas is coming! I don't know about you, but I've already started listening to Christmas music. :) The Christmas season can be one of the most joyful—and hectic—times in children’s ministry. With all the excitement of celebrating Jesus’ birth, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. But planning ahead can help you lead your ministry well and ensure the focus stays on the true meaning of Christmas. So here are 5 ways to prepare for Christmas in Your KidMin: Start early. Starting early is key. December will be here before we know it, especially when juggling multiple events, lessons, and volunteer coordination. Begin planning for Christmas as early as October (or even earlier if you’re able!). This will give you time to prepare Jesus-centered lessons (find our favorite Christmas curriculum...
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Celebrating 7 Years of Serving You!

This week, we're celebrating 7 years of serving you, an amazing community of children's ministry leaders. Don't miss out on our special Lucky 7 Birthday Scratch-Off Sale (head to our home page to play) and win a promo code for up to 37% off your next order! We're also sharing our top 7 posts and resources from the last 7 years. These are the ideas and downloads YOU have loved the most! Top 7 Posts From the Last 7 Years: 10 Scriptures for Kids About Light 5 Things KidMin Leaders Must Do to Effectively Partner with Today's Parents 10 Verses to Pray Over Your Kids as They Head Back to School  Worship Activity Bags: Praise Packs Learn the 10 Commandments with Your Fingers Teaching Kids About Pentecost Simple but Meaningful Holy Week Activities for Families Top 7 Subscriber Freebies: Crew Cards (available to...
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Filed Under Blog, Book Shelf, Day-to-Day, For Parents, Leadership, Volunteers

Supporting Kids & Families Through Hurricanes

As Florida and the southeast prepare for another hurricane to hit land in the next day or two, you may be wondering how you can best support the kids and families in your ministry as parents navigate talking with their kids about the hurricane(s) or experiencing them first-hand. Stephanie Cline, a children's minister in the Orlando, FL area, showed me the message she shared with her kids and families to support and encourage them as they prepare for the hurricane to hit. I thought it was full of great wisdom and reminders, even for those of us who may not be directly in the hurricane's path: Good afternoon, families! We are praying for you as you prepare today and tomorrow for Hurricane Milton. I know these times can seem scary and unsure. My flesh wants to focus on the temporary and unknown but I am reminded of Philippians 4:8,...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

Fall Family Fun

Share this list of fun fall family activities with the families in your ministry to do at home, or incorporate them as part of your in-person fall event! A lot of these ideas, printables, and more are included in our Not So Spooky Night at Home Fall Fest Take-Home Kit for families, and you can learn more about this resource here. Family Costume Contest – Everyone put on a costume! Find a costume you have already or create one using things you find around the house. Take a family picture in your costumes and post on social media, asking people to vote on which costume they think is the best! Don’t forget to tag our church in the picture too! Monster Mash Freeze Dance – With a grown-up’s help, look up the song “Monster Mash” on YouTube or your favorite music streaming service. Listen to the song and play Monster Mash Freeze Dance!...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

10 Bible Games for Kids Ministry

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the week we shared our top 10 screen-based games for kids. Today, we're sharing 10 non-screen-based games! Play these social-distanced games with the kids in your ministry to encourage laughter and help kids engage with the Bible story![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download a Printable Version of the Games Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F05%2FDKM-Bible-Games-for-Kids-Ministry.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text]BUST A RHYME - Ideal for more than five players, so this game is perfect for small groups to play together, or you can play as one large group! Invite all participants to stand in a circle 6 feet apart. Next, choose a leader to say a word from the Bible story (you can provide the words for them, or let kids come up with their own),...
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5 Steps to Organizing Your Time, Tasks, and Leadership in Ministry

When I say “organized,” what comes to mind? A supply closet with clearly labeled bins stacked neatly in alphabetical order? A color-coded calendar that tells you exactly what to do and when? A clean desk with not even a paperclip out of place? Each leader’s level of organization will vary, but being organized is a fundamental element of solid leadership and a thriving ministry.  Whether administration is one of your spiritual gifts or your biggest challenge, organization is vital for growth, and it goes beyond your supply closet to encompass your time and tasks too. We see Biblical examples of organization and planning in creation, Noah and the ark, the tribes of Israel, Moses, Joshua, Acts and the early church, Paul, Jesus’ ministry, and even in the character of God Himself. So obviously, organization and planning are important to God....
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3 Must-Have Children’s Ministry Characteristics

While ministry looks different in every context and every church, there are still a few key characteristics that all children's ministries should strive to achieve. I'm excited to share this article from Courtney Weaver at the Wonder Ink team as she dives into 3 of the most important aspects your kidmin should prioritize: Many churches face a similar challenge: engaging and spiritually nurturing the congregation’s youngest members. In a world full of distractions and competing influences, our children’s ministry programs must provide a constant source of encouragement and discipleship to help kids grow in their faith.  How can we be sure our ministries meet this need? There are a few key characteristics our programs should prioritize, including: Biblically Sound Curriculum Safe and Welcoming Environment Strong Volunteer and...
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10 Unique Fall Family Events

Are you looking for a unique fall family event to host in your ministry this autumn, but don't want to host another Trunk or Treat or Fall Fest? Check out one of these unique ideas the families in your ministry will love! Escape Room or Mystery Event - Set up a fall escape room or host an adventure challenge/mystery night! We love this mini fall escape room as an add-on element, or you can invite families into the Mystery of the Misplaced Jewel where they'll work together to solve the mystery of Penelope Peabody’s misplaced jewel while also discovering an important Biblical truth: God has a plan. PNO - Host a Parents' Night Out to give the parents in your ministry a break! We've got a fall-themed Pumpkins and PJs PNO, and lots more to choose from, including Nerf Wars and Mad Science! Service Project - Invite families to serve together...
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Don’t Ask For Volunteers, Invite Them

"I have more volunteers than I know what to do with." - Said no kidmin leader ever. Volunteers can be hard to come by, and it requires constant and consistent recruitment to add to your team. As you navigate what it looks like to build a team for your ministry, consider a subtle but intentional shift in the language you use: Rather than asking for volunteers to serve in your ministry, invite them into the story of what God is doing in your ministry. Think about the difference between an ask vs an invitation. An ask implies they're doing you a favor, while an invitation is something they want to be part of. An ask can be ambiguous with no definitive boundaries while an invitation provides clear details and descriptions. An ask communicates that you just need help - anybody's help, while an invitation shows a clear, specific place for that...
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Volunteer Job Description Template

An effective job description should give your volunteer all the expectations of the position and allow them to decide if they can do it or not. This free job description template will help you create a top-notch volunteer description for any and every member of your team. Download the Volunteer Job Description Template Here! Want some of the work done for you? Check out our full Volunteer Job Description Template resource, which includes an editable version of this template, sample job descriptions for 12+ roles on your volunteer team, and explicit instructions and vision for creating rock-solid volunteer job descriptions. Download the full resource...
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10 Posts to Read If You Want to Update Your Ministry Strategy

This week marks the 1st anniversary of the release of my book Time to Update: 7 Areas to Integrate Digital Discipleship into Your Children's Ministry Strategy, and we're celebrating with a giveaway + highlighting some of our favorite posts about digital discipleship from the last few years! If you want the full step-by-step guide and ideas for updating your ministry strategy to the next generation of digital natives, check out a copy of my book here, or get a little taste by browsing some of our top posts below that helped inspire the book! Just click on the title of the post to read, and find giveaway details at the bottom of the page to enter to win a free copy of the...
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Questions for Exploring New Digital Tools

There are LOTS of digital tools out there that can be helpful for children's ministry leaders, and new ones are released all the time. But how do you know if a new tool or app is worthwhile? Use this list of questions to determine if a new digital tool or app is a worthwhile investment of your time and money. You won’t need to use ALL of the questions for every single tool, but they can be a good starting point to help you explore new digital tools. And if you can show your leadership that you’ve thought through these questions, sometimes having the answers can help make asking for the money easier! Download the questions here! To discover more resources to help younavigate digital discipleship in yourchildren’s ministry, check out the bookTime to Update...
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