Get "No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministry" Today - and Save $!

I personally have 50 years of experience serving in Children's Ministry, so to help you start 2022 and consider some new possibilities in your Children's Ministry, I decided to offer a special "New Years Pricing" on my book - No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries. It normally sells for $10.99, but for a few weeks I have lowered the price to $6.99!

VBS Reviews for 2022

Yesterday the first VBS kit for 2022 arrived at my home - yes, I am posting VBS reviews again this year. I do think now children are able to be vaccinated, more parents/ grandparents will be comfortable with bringing the children they love to church - and this includes VBS, so in the coming weeks I will be reviewing VBS for 2022!

Anchored - Teaming Up Church & Parents/Grandparents to Teach the "Whys"

You may have noticed I often mention the Barna studies about how so many of our children and grandchildren are turning away from their faith and to atheism. This is not something we have to just sit back and accept. We are able to do something about it. We are able to hand down confident faith and doing this involves teaching the children we love both the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe - and teaching them the "whys" - why we are able to believe what we believe.

Let's Teach the "Whys"!

Last week I wrote about teaching the "whys" at church - we teach the "whats" (what the Bible says and therefore what we believe), but we do not teach the "whys" (why we are able to believe what we believe.) We all agree it is essential for us to teach the "whats", but it is equally as essential for us to teach the "whys". If we teach the "whys", then we will be able to see far fewer of the children who come through our ministries turn away from their faith (as the Barna studies are showing.)

Teach the "Whys" as You Teach the "Whats"

As people who lead or volunteer in the Children's Ministry at your church you certainly care about teaching the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what you believe. Teaching the "whats" matters - we absolutely want children to know what the Bible says and therefore what we believe.

Recommend a Book which will Uniquely Equip Children to Know God

Do you make it a regular practice to recommend resources to parents and grandparents which will help them hand down confident faith? This is a simple way for you to equip and encourage them to take an active role in leading their children to Jesus and to showing them how to walk with Him.

Today I am so very happy to let you know about a unique  resource; Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children. This book is unique in two ways; first, it is specifically written and developed for children ages four through 14 to help them learn to pray by praying the Psalms back to God and secondly, my grandsons collaborated with me on developing, writing this book, and by providing most of the illustrations!

Christmas Gifts Which Make a Difference - Generations Quest (Get it Free November 8-12, 2021)

 

Here on About the Children's Department I write about how important it is for those in Children's Ministry to equip the parents and grandparents in their ministries so they are able to hand down confident faith - for an excellent reason as it is what God has called grandparents and parents to do for Him. I often hear from grandparents and parents about how they want to hand down confident faith, but just do not know how to do it. (This is why I post every day - at least twice - to my other blog - Grandmas with Heart - to provide free, ideas, information, and resources which will equip, encourage and empower grandparents/parents to hand down confident faith.)

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

I am so happy to you are able to download the Kindle copy giveaway of my book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith  absolutely for free today! In this book I look at how our physical DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically. 

Yes, our physical DNA tells our cells and bodies how to Develop, Live and Reproduce, but let's think for a moment about another type of "DNA". A Spiritual DNA. More specifically, our "Faith and Prayer DNA". What are a, "Faith and Prayer DNA" you ask? Well, just as our physical DNA provides the code for how our bodies develop, live and reproduce, our "Faith and Prayer DNA" gives us the code or instructions which help us learn to develop a strong walk of faith, live as people who believe and reproduce by handing down to our children and our children's children a strong and confident walk of faith. 

Thank You - and Get Your Free Kindle Copy of The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

 

As we come up to the time of year where we typically think more often about the things for which we are thankful, I want to say I am thankful for you. Thank you for taking time to read About the Children's Department and share it with the parents and grandparents in your church.

Curriculum to Teach the "Whys"

For some time now I have been writing about how essential it is for the church to teach children the "whys" - and for them to equip the parents and grandparents to do the same. Traditionally the church has taught the "whats" - what the Bible says, which of course, is what we believe. The church - whether it is their Children's/Youth Ministries or from the pulpit - focuses upon the "whats" and does not teach the "whys" - why we are able to believe what we believe. I do believe this is one of the reasons we are seeing so many of our young people turn away from their faith and to atheism (as Barna's studies are showing.)