Put Feet to Their Faith . . . Care for Children in Your Community

Throughout communities across the United States there are children who eat at least one meal on school days at their school. According to the USDA over 16 million children lived in "food insecure" households in 2010. During this same time, 20.6 million low-income children received free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program. Unfortunately, just 2.3 million of these children participated in the Summer Food Service program the same year. (Feeding America)

Do You "Roll Up the Sidewalks" or "Kick it Into High Gear'?

What does Summer look like at your church? When it comes to your children's ministry, do you pretty much, "roll up the sidewalks" or do you "kick it into high gear"? If a new family were to visit your church in the summer, what would they think about your children's ministry? Would they be able to easily see your passion and commitment to children and families? What does it look like if you are a church where they "roll up the sidewalks" or a church where they "kick it into high gear"? Consider the following -

Summer Ministry Possibilities - "Freshen Up" Your Vacation Bible School!

Okay, Vacation Bible School is almost a "given" for many, if not most, churches when they think about Summer Ministry Possibilities . . . but there is a very good reason for this! VBS is one of the most effective outreaches - and for many churches - their only outreach of the year, so as we consider Summer Ministry Possibilities, we need to first of all take a good look at Vacation Bible School. Why is VBS a good Ministry Outreach Possibility? People expect it. While this might sound like a negative thing, it is actually a very good thing because since they expect it, the people in your church are more likely to volunteer to help with it and the people in your community will be watching for the dates so they know when to send their kids.

2012 Best Buys Curriculum Side-By-Side Comparison Chart

For the past month I've been reviewing Sunday school curriculum and have posted a number of reviews along with side-by-side comparison charts. This past week I focused my reviews on those resources which are most affordable, making them my "best buys". Today I'm posting my third side-by-side comparison chart of the curriculum "Best Buys"; these are the curriculum resources which are Biblically sound and offer excellent "tools" to help you engage children so they remember, understand and live God's word and are affordable. With the economy as it is churches are likely to experience even tighter budgets so while cost isn't the most important feature when choosing a curriculum, it most certainly is a feature which matters. I know there are those who believe, "you get what you pay for" and if a curriculum is more expensive, it is better. I disagree. Just because something is expensive it doesn't mean it is better. I once had someone from a big publisher tell me, "If a church really cares about the children in their ministry, they will be willing to pay whatever they have to in order to have the best curriculum available." I disagree with this as well.

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Special Buddies from LifeWay!

Special Buddies is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay which is designed to be a, "Sunday School curriculum resource for special kids with special needs." While you might think a specialty curriculum such as Special Buddies would be too expensive, it is, in reality, one of my "best buys" for the following reasons - 

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher   books for $5.50 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $2.95 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize special needs resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.

Allow me to share with you some information about Special Buddies!

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Bible Teaching for Kids from LifeWay!

Bible Teaching for Kids is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay with a strong focus on "providing a balanced approach to central Bible concepts, essential Bible skills, and foundational Bible stories for babies through preteens" Bible Teaching for Kids is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons - 

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $5.50 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $1.95 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.
3. Broadly Graded materials available to combine grades 1-6

Allow me to share with you some information about Bible Teaching for Kids!

I Have Two Winners!

I am happy to announce Cyndi Thompson is the winner of the Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Home and Tammy Matthews is the winner in my second-chance give-away for the 5 Love Languages of Children! (Please message me your addresses so I can have them sent to you) Thank you Cyndi and Tammy for reading About the Children's Department and thank you Zonderkidz and Northfield Publishing for sending copies for me to review and for making additional copies available for me to give away!

Please Check CM Buzz for Part 2 in My Series on Prayer

Please check CM Buzz for part two in my series, Prayer . . . a Wide Road and a Narrow Road Approach in Kidmin. I said, "Last week I wrote about the “wide road approach” to prayer and said, “When it comes to our children’s ministries, we all know we need to pray, but there is a ‘wide road approach’ which leads to a shallow walk and a ‘narrow road approach’ which leads us to a deeper walk with God.” and shared a few “warning signs” to watch for. This week I want to look at the “narrow road approach” and share a few “mile markers” to help us keep “on track” as we think about prayer." 


Next week I’ll consider a few ways you can help the children in your ministry develop this type of prayer.
  

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - HeartShaper from Standard Publishing!

HeartShaper is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Standard Publishing with a strong focus on "helping you shape young hearts to bring them closer to God!" HeartShaper is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons - 

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $7.99 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $4.25 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.
3. Preschool materials include materials for Children's church.

Allow me to share with you some information about HeartShaper!

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Rock Solid from Cokesbury!

Rock Solid is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Cokesbury with a strong focus on inviting children "from each age level on every Sunday to a faith experience"! Rock Solid is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons - 

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $6.95 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $3.45 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.

Allow me to share with you some information about Rock Solid!

I'm Giving Away a Mother's Day Gift Pack!

On my other blog, grandma's cookie jar, I'm giving away one Hallmark Moment in Time Mother's Day Gift Pack! Check this link for all the details . . . the drawing is tomorrow, April 27th, but you have time to be included in the drawing!

Two Give-Aways Tomorrow and So Much More!

Tomorrow, April 27th, is a busy day . . . I'll be giving away a Berenstain Bears book, having my second-chance drawing for the 5 Love Languages of Children and posting three more of my curriculum Best Buys reviews! Saturday I'll be posting my final two Best Buys and the Side-by-Side comparison chart and then next week I'll be beginning a month of posts about ways to engage children and families in your church and community all Summer long! Follow the links to get the specifics for how you can get in the drawings for these books, please continue to read About the Children's Department and please share it with the people you know!

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Spark from Augsburg Fortress!

Spark is a Bridge Sunday School curriculum from Augsburg Fortress with a strong focus on teaching God's Word! Spark is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons -

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $8 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows -   student materials for $5 per student per quarter. 
3. If budget concerns are a strong factor, a church could purchase just one or two Spark Bibles per class and then have the children share those Bibles in class.

Again, I want to emphasize my "best buys" are those curriculum resources which are the most affordable - I know there are those who believe "you get what you pay for" and the "least expensive is not the best", but I disagree. The curriculum lines I'm designating as "best buys" are well written resources and are affordable as well. Curriculum does not have to be expensive to be the best and sometimes those which are more expensive are not "better" than less expensive options. Allow me to share with you some information about Spark!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - Adventure Kids and Explorers from D6!

Adventure Kids and Explorers are Traditional Sunday School curriculum resources from D6 - Randall House Publishers and are "best buys" for the following reasons -

1. Since it is a Traditional curriculum, churches with definite budget issues   could purchase just the teacher books for $7 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $4 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.

Allow me to share with you some information about D6's Adventure and Explorers curriculum!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - Bible in Life from David C. Cook!

Bible in Life is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum from David C. Cook with, as they put it, "sound, easy-to-teach lessons designed to impact every student entrusted to your care-from the littlest ones to the most mature!"  Bible in Life is a "best buy" for the following reasons -

1. Since it is a Traditional curriculum, churches with definite budget issues   could purchase just the teacher books for $7.40 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student books/take home papers for $4 - $12.25 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.
3. Bible in Life lessons always includes one activity option which does not require their student materials.

Allow me to share with you some information about Bible in Life!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - Regular Baptist Press!

Regular Baptist Press is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum which has long been know to provide Biblically solid resources with a strong focus on teaching God's Word and is a "best buy" for the following reasons -

1. Since it is a Traditional curriculum, churches with definite budget issues   could purchase just the teacher books for $7 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student books for $3.50 per student per quarter and take home papers for $3.50 per student/family per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.

Allow me to share with you some information about Regular Baptist Press!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - elements kids worship From D6!

As we look at the "Best Buys" for curriculum, once again I'm delighted to share with you elements kids worship!  

elements kids worship curriculum is a Large Group/Small Group curriculum from D6 and is a best buy for the following reasons - 

1. You can buy an entire year of lessons for just $249 - this works out to just a little more than $62 per quarter!
2. Materials are entirely downloadable and reproducible
3. Churches are welcome to make as many copies as they need for use in their ministry

Allow me to share with you some information about Elements kids worship!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - Live B.I.G. from Cokesbury!

As we look at the "Best Buys" for curriculum, once again I'm delighted to share with you Live B.I.G. from Cokesbury! Live B.I.G. is a large group/small group curriculum and is a best buy for the following reasons - 

1. You can get everything you need for "One Big Room" for just $66 per quarter - this is a great price for a DVD curriculum.
2. Most materials are downloadable and reproducible

Allow me to share with you some information about Live B.I.G. Curriculum!

Second-Chance Drawing for the 5 Love Languages of Children!

I recently reviewed and gave away the book  The 5 Love Languages of Children, but the winner didn't get their address to me, so I'm having a second-chance drawing for this book. (You will find the review at this link) If you would like to be in this second-chance drawing, please comment below and on Thursday, April 26th I'll draw another name! I'm also having a second-chance drawing for the book,  A Perfect Pet for Peyton from my other blog, grandma's cookie jar. If you'd like to get in the second-chance drawing for this book, check this link for the details. (You will find the review for the book at this link)

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - KidTrek!

As we look at the "Best Buys" for curriculum, once again I'm delighted to share with you a curriculum, written by Wanda Parker. KidTrek - Sunday Plus is a best buy for the following reasons - 

1. Churches pay whatever they feel led to pay.
2. Churches utilizing KidTrek are able to make as many copies as they like for use in their ministry.
3. Kid Trek includes materials for children's church, mid-week and classes for the parents as well!

Allow me to share with you some information about KidTrek - Sunday Plus!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - kidz Connection!

This week I'm closing my 2012 Curriculum Reviews with a look at curriculum resources which are both excellent and easy on the budget! I will focus on a couple curriculum lines each day and then I'll release my Best Buys Curriculum Side-by-Side Comparison Chart. There are some really well designed curriculum resources available, but they are expensive. I understand the need for companies to make a profit so they are able to stay in business, however; what good is it if you have a truly excellent curriculum, but churches aren't able to afford it? I once had someone from a curriculum company tell me, "If churches really cared about the children in their ministry, they would be willing to pay whatever it cost to have the best curriculum available." I disagree. I believe churches care very much about the children in their ministries, but they have to be good stewards and paying too much for something - even if it is the "best" is not being a good steward. Plus, many churches are struggling with their budgets - the economy is difficult for everyone . . . including our churches and this does impact what churches are able to do when it comes to curriculum. I sincerely appreciate it when I see a publisher who has produced quality materials and have priced it so it is affordable.

So, let's begin with the Best Curriculum Buy Reviews! The first curriculum I'm reviewing is kidz Connection - It's All About the GROWTH. Once again, the first thing I need to say about this curriculum is, I write it. Since I write it, while I certainly want to be un-biased in my review, it really isn't highly likely this will be the most un-biased review you will ever read! Having said this . . . allow me to share with you some information about kidz Connection curriculum! kidz Connection is a Large Group/Small Group curriculum resource. It makes my "Best Buys" list for a several reasons;

1. I'll give it for free to any church if they are unable to afford it
2. I've priced it so it should be affordable for most churches - $50 per   quarter for preschool/early elementary and $50 per quarter for elementary
3. Churches are welcome to make as many copies as they like for use in their ministry
4. Each lesson includes an optional second service lesson for children's church, mid-week, longer church services - or however a church wants

I invite you to take a look at kidz Connection and consider if it might be a good "fit" for your ministry. 

Best Buys Curriculum Reviews!

All month I've been posting my reviews of Large Group/Small Group, Traditional, Bridge, Non-Traditional and Special Needs Sunday school curriculum along with Side-by-Side comparison charts. This coming week I'll be sharing posts about those curriculum resources which are excellent and affordable and then will release my third and final Sunday School Curriculum Side-by-Side Comparison Chart. In this economy cost really does matter for many, if not most, churches. As people's personal budgets get tighter, so does the church's budget. We have to balance being wise stewards with finding "tools" which will enable us to effectively and intentionally help our children remember, understand and live God's Word for genuinely changed lives. Happily, there are some excellent - and affordable - curriculum options available and this coming week we will look at them!

Second-Chance Give-Away - The 5 Love Languages of Children!

I recently reviewed and gave away the book The 5 Love Languages of Children, but the winner didn't get their address to me, so I'm having a second-chance drawing for this book. (You will find the review at this link) If you would like to be in this second-chance drawing, please comment below and on Wednesday, April 25th I'll draw another name!

2012 Traditional, Bridge, Non-Traditional and Special Needs Sunday School Curriculum Side-by-Side Comparison Chart

I've been reviewing Traditional, Non-Traditional, Bridge and Special Needs Sunday School Curriculum so today I'm releasing my 2012 Traditional, Bridge, Non-Traditional and Special Needs Sunday School Curriculum Side-by-Side Comparison Chart. I set this chart up with a side-by-side format to help you identify those tools you believe will best equip your volunteers as they share God's Word with the children in your ministry. There are specific things I look for and have identified as essential "tools" for a curriculum so I will take a moment to explain them in this Key to My Comparison Charts -

Curriculum Review - Special Needs - Special Buddies from LifeWay!

Special Buddies is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay which is designed to be a, "Sunday School curriculum resource for special kids with special needs." Allow me to share with you some information about Special Buddies!

• Publisher - LifeWay 
• Website -  http://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/special+buddies
• Price - $5.25 per teacher, $2.95 per child per quarter
• Scope - Through the bible
• Available for Grades 1-6

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional PreTeen - Flyte from LifeWay!

Flyte is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay which is designed for preteens specifically to be, "all theirs, one which speaks to what they're dealing with right now - not what's past or in their future." Allow me to share with you some information about Flyte!

• Publisher - LifeWay 
• Website -  http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/FLYTE
• Price - $89.95 per teacher kit, $9.95 per extra teacher book and $4.95 per child per quarter
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preteens

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional PreTeen - SuperStart from Christ in Youth and Standard Publishing!

SuperStart is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum especially for Preteens from Christ in Youth and Standard Publishing! SuperStart is designed to help preteens "get a super start living the rest of their lives for Jesus." Allow me to share with you some information about SuperStart!

• Publisher - Christ in Youth and Standard Publishing  
• Website - http://superstartpreteen.com/ 
• Price - $20 per teacher, $17 per DVD and $4 per child per quarter
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preteens

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - Buzz from Group Publishing!

Buzz is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Group Publishing with a strong focus on intentionally engaging children from the time they walk in the doors on Sunday morning! Allow me to share with you some information about Buzz!

• Publisher - Group Publishing  
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/buzz
• Price - $99.99 per class per quarter 
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - FaithWeaver from Group Publishing!

FaithWeaver is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Group Publishing with a strong focus on " encouraging family development with a unified scope and sequence." Allow me to share with you some information about FaithWeaver!

• Publisher - Group Publishing  
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/faithweaver
• Price - $39 - $45 per class, $10 for additional teacher book and $5.79 per student per quarter
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

More Curriculum Reviews to Come and Side-by-Side Comparison Charts!

My curriculum reviews continue into next week with more Non-Traditional reviews, Special Needs review and Best Buys. I'll also be posting my Side-by-Side comparison charts for these curriculum resources!


Next month I'll be focusing on ideas for a summer of ministry which engages children and families in and out of our churches and in June I'll be focusing on supporting and encouraging our volunteers. In addition to all these things, each month I'll share a "Put Feet to Their Faith" ministry focus/service project idea, give-aways and more! As you can see, in the coming months you will find information, ideas and resources on About the Children's Department which you can use in your children's ministry! 

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - Hands-On Bible from Group Publishing!

Hands-On Bible is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Group Publishing with a strong focus on " teaching as Jesus taught"! Allow me to share with you some information about Hands-On Bible!

• Publisher - Group Publishing  
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/hands-on-bible-curriculum
• Price - $82.99 per class for preschool/K, $72.99 per class for elementary and $27.99 per teacher
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - HeartShaper from Standard Publishing!

HeartShaper is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Standard Publishing with a strong focus on "helping you shape young hearts to bring them closer to God!" Allow me to share with you some information about HeartShaper!

• Publisher - Standard Publishing  
• Website - http://www.heartshaper.com/
• Price - $8 per teacher, $16.49 per class, $4.25 per child and $18.49 for take home papers for five children
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Preschool - Preteen

Please Check My New Post on CM Buzz on, "Prayer - a Wide Road and Narrow Road Approach in Kidmin"

I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately, so I wrote a post for CM Buzz about the "wide road approach" to prayer. I said, "When it comes to our children’s ministries, we all know we need to pray, but there is a “wide road approach” which leads to a shallow walk and a “narrow road approach” which leads us to a deeper walk with God." In my post this week I looked, "at the wide road approach and “post” a couple “warning signs” for us to consider and then next week I’ll look at the narrow road approach and post a few “mile marker” signs for us to consider". Please check my post out and while you are there, look around CM Buzz. You'll find a wealth of resources to help you as you serve in kidmin!

I Have a Winner . . .

I'm happy to announce Kristin Englund is the winner in my Timeline Map give-away from LifeWay's Gospel Project for kids! (You'll find the review at this link) thank you Kristin Englund for reading About the Children's Department, please message me your address by April 26th so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com and thank you LifeWay for making the Timeline Map available for me to give away!