Think about the Grandparents!

When it comes to children's ministry, we obviously think a great deal about the children; as we well should. And, we typically think a fair amount about parents. But there are more people who we should think about, too. Grandparents. 

In some families, grandparents are raising their grandchildren and are doing double-duty as grandparents and parents. In other families, while they are not raising their grandchildren, they may be "involved" grandparents. I'm one of the latter type of grandparent; I'm not raising my sweet grandsons, but I am "involved" and I care very much about my grandsons and their experience at church.

So, what should we "think about" when it comes to children's ministry and grandparents? Consider the following . . . 

Second Chance Give-Away - To the Edge VBS Kit from Regular Baptist Press

I recently held a give-away for one To the Edge VBS starter kit from Regular Baptist Press, but the winner did not get their address to me, so I'm having a second-chance give-away for this excellent VBS resource. (You'll find my full review at this link.)

This give-away will be on February 1, 2015 (USA only). If you are over the age of 18 and would like to be included in the drawing for one of the Jump Start kits, please comment below to let me know how the universe shows you God's great power . . . for me it is two things . . . mountains show me God's great power (especially the Sierra Nevadas in Northern California) and so do children!

I Have a Winner & Another Give-Away in Six Days!

I'm happy to say Leela won the Chester the squirrel puppet from Concordia Publishing. (You'll find my full review at this link.) Thank you Leela for reading About the Children's Department (please email me your address by February 5, 2015 so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) and thank you Concordia for sending your curriculum for me to review and for making the puppet available for me to give away!

I Have a Winner and Another Give-Away Tomorrow!

I'm happy to say Crystal Emminger won the Camp Kilimanjaro VBS Starter Kit from Answers in Genesis. (You'll find my full review at this link.) Thank you Crystal for reading About the Children's Department (please email me your address by February 4, 2015 so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) and thank you Answers in Genesis for sending your curriculum for me to review and for making the Kit available for me to give away!

Valentine's Day Countdown & Family Activity About God's Love

I was browsing on Pinterest this morning and found a great idea which we could use in our Children's Ministries - not only would children have fun with this in class, but when they take it home it will give their family the opportunity to focus on God's love the first half of February!

Valentine's Day Craft & John 3:16

In just a couple weeks it will be Valentine's Day, so if you are looking for a craft which you

could use in your class, take a look at this one which I found on Pinterest! I love how writing out John 3:16 in this specific order spells, "Valentine" and think children will be surprised by it as well.

VBS Give-Away in Three Days & Four More to Follow!

Just a reminder . . . in three days, on January 28, 2015, I'll have a drawing for a Camp Kilimanjaro VBS kit from Answers in Genesis and you still have time to enter! AIG did a great job with this VBS resource and the kit is very complete - an excellent prize! You'll find all the specifics for the give-away, how to enter and my review at this link.

The Dollars & Cents of VBS - Part 3

Today I'm sharing the Dollars & Cents of VBS Part 3 by breaking down the cost of the VBS resources I reviewed this past week. Obviously a starter kit is the first place to begin when purchasing VBS materials, but from there you'll need to determine what - if any - student materials you will utilize. 

As far as student materials, I like the idea of being able to give children something each day which will remind them of the Bible lesson they learned. I especially like the objects/cards which can be clipped or pinned to a backpack as these things make great reminders! I also like the idea of being able to give children their own copy of the music - of course these things take money and your budget just might not have room for them. So, what will it cost and how can you move ahead with VBS on a budget?

Keep Watching for Two More VBS Reviews & Give-Aways!

For the past three weeks I've been posting my 2015 VBS reviews; I still have two more reviews to post, but am waiting for those kits to arrive so I can review them. In case you are wondering which VBS resources they are - Outback Rock from Group Publishing and MOVE from Orange/252. As soon as the kits arrive, I'll post my reviews.

I Have a Winner and Another Give-Away in Six Days!

I'm happy to say Michelle S won a VBS Starter Kit from Regular Baptist Press (you'll find the review at this link). Thank you Michelle for reading About the Children's Department (please email me your address by January 29, 2015 so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) and thank you RBP for sending your curriculum for me to review and for making the Starter Kit available for me to give away!

VBS 2015 - Guardian Construction from Nourishing Faith & Kit Give-Away!

I'm happy to share a VBS with you this year from Nourishing Faith; Guardian Construction. With this VBS children will be encouraged to learn to build their lives God's Way!

2015 VBS Side-by-Side Comparison Chart

Each year, along with my reviews of VBS curriculum, I make a side-by-side comparison chart so you are easily able to see which kits have the resources you are looking for. Please know all the kits in my review are excellent and all of them will provide resources to help you reach and teach the children in your ministry. This chart simply helps you see at a glance information such as the version of the Bible used in the curriculum, the cost, mission project, scope, and if they provide active learning.

You are welcome to download and print the chart for use in your ministry. You will find my 2015 Side-by-Side VBS Chart at this link.

VBS 2015 - What's in the Bible? from Jellyfish One & a Give-Away!

Today I'm happy to share What's in the Bible? from the Jellyfish One! Take a look and consider if What's in the Bible? is a good "fit" for your children's ministry!

I Have Three Winners and Another Give-Away in Two Days!

I'm happy to say Amber Imhoff, Shout4Joy and Julie have each won a Jump Start Kit from LifeWay (you'll find the review at this link). Thank you Amber, Shout4Joy and Julie for reading About the Children's Department (please email me your address by January 27, 2015 so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) and thank you LifeWay for sending your curriculum for me to review and for making the Jump Start Kits available for me to give away!

VBS 2015 - Hometown Nazareth by Group Publishing

Today I'm happy to look at "Hometown Nazareth" from Group Publishing - which lets you take your children to Jesus' hometown, Nazareth, where they will experience village life as Jesus might have lived it when He was a boy!

The Dollars and Cents of VBS Part 2

Today I'm sharing the Dollars & Cents of VBS Part 2 by breaking down the cost of the VBS resources I reviewed this past week. Obviously a starter kit is the first place to begin when purchasing VBS materials, but from there you'll need to determine what - if any - student materials you will utilize. 

As far as student materials, I like the idea of being able to give children something each day which will remind them of the Bible lesson they learned. I especially like the objects/cards which can be clipped or pinned to a backpack as these things make great reminders! I also like the idea of being able to give children their own copy of the music - of course these things take money and your budget just might not have room for them. So, what will it cost and how can you move ahead with VBS on a budget?

Top Pick VBS 2015 - Bible Blast to the Past from Standard Publishing

For the past two weeks we have been looking at the Top Nine VBS resources for 2015, but today is all about the VBS which came out as my Top Pick for 2015! I have been waiting to see what Standard did with their VBS this year with the theme, "Bible Blast to the Past" (which is my Top Pick for Setting for 2015) and I am happy to say Standard does not disappoint! They have designed a resource which solidly teaches God's Word by engaging children in fun and unique activities!

VBS 2015 Top Two - Camp Discovery from Concordia Publishing & Give-Away!

Today we're looking at Camp Discovery from Concordia Publishing House! Concordia calls on children to discover how, "Jesus is at work through us!"

VBS 2015 Top Three - Camp Kilimanjaro by Answers in Genesis & Kit Give-Away!

Today we are looking at Camp Kilimanjaro from Answers in Genesis - it is a resource well worth taking a close look at to see if it is a good "fit" for your ministry!

VBS 2015 Top Five - Everest from Group Publishing

When it comes to Vacation Bible School, there are a few publishers who many of us have come to almost automatically put their VBS in our "check this out pile"; Group is one of the publishers, for good reason, as their materials are engaging, fun and fresh each year! 

This year they have four VBS resources for you to consider . . . yes, I said, four! Today I'm looking at their "traditional" kit - if anything Group produces could be considered "traditional"! Everest is their main VBS for 2015 and if you select it to use somewhere in your ministry, the children of your church and community will learn to, "conquer challenges with God's mighty power!" Definitely something we all need to learn!

VBS 2015 Top Five - Cross Culture VBS - Thailand Trek

 For quite a few years now, Group has given churches three options when it comes to VBS resources. This year they are adding another option . . . a Cross Culture VBS . . . beginning with Thailand Trek! With this resource you get to take children and families from your church to another culture in a different location somewhere in our world, so they may "experience" life in this place and see God in the faces of Christian children from Thailand!

VBS 2015 - The Dollars and Cents of VBS - Part One

Each year as part of my VBS reviews, I provide a break down of what you can expect to spend if you buy a particular VBS; based on the number of children in your VBS. So, today I'm sharing with you my, "Dollars & Cents of VBS" for the VBS resources reviewed in the previous week.

While there certainly are excellent and compelling reasons for churches to plan and present a Vacation Bible School to the children in their churches and communities, the realities of the Dollars & Cents can impact whether or not a church is able to do so. If your church chooses to go ahead with VBS for Summer 2015, the Dollar & Cents of it all can again come into play as you determine which resources you will use. 

I once had someone from a publisher tell me if a church really cared about the children in their ministry, they would spend whatever they had to, to have the best curriculum possible. I disagree. While I absolutely believe churches care about the children in their ministries, budgets are a very real and difficult reality as so many churches struggle to meet their budgets. VBS can be expensive and yet, it is a very important - and in many cases the only - outreach of the year for many churches.
All of the VBS resources reviewed last week made my Top Ten VBS for 2015 and are excellent resources, well worth taking a serious look at!

Obviously a starter kit is the first place to begin when purchasing VBS materials and from there you'll need to determine what - if any - student materials you will utilize. As far as student materials, I like the idea of being able to give children something each day which will remind them of the Bible lesson. I especially like the objects/cards which can be clipped or pinned to a backpack as these things make great reminders! I also like the idea of being able to give children their own copy of the music - of course these things take money and your budget just might not have room for them. So, what will it cost and how can you move ahead with VBS on a budget?

VBS 2015 - Top Ten - G Force from Cokesbury

Today I'm happy to share with you G Force from Cokesbury. This is a VBS curriculum filled with resources which will help you engage the children in living what they learn by using the gifts God has given them. G Force is well worth taking a thorough look at to see if it might be a good "fit" for your ministry -

VBS 2015 - Top Ten - To the Edge from Regular Baptist Press - and Give-Away!

 Today we are looking at To the Edge from Regular Baptist Press! RBP did a great job with the content and substance of this VBS resource - if  you are not familiar with their materials and have never taken a close look at them in the past, this year is a great year to make a change and consider if To the Edge is a good "fit" for your children's ministry!

VBS 2015 - Top Ten - SonSpark Labs - Gospel Light

I love VBS resources with science stations, so a VBS with a setting and focus which engages children in science projects definitely has my attention!  Today let's take a look at SonSpark Labs from Gospel Light!

VBS 2015 Review - Top Ten - Journey Off the Map - LifeWay - And Jump Start Kit Give-Away!

Today I'm happy to share another of my Top Ten VBS resources for 2015; this time it is, Journey off the Map from LifeWay! Take a look and consider if Journey off the Map is a good "fit" for your children's ministry!

2015 VBS Review - Top Ten - Basic Elements from the Science VBS

Today is the first day of my 2015 VBS reviews with a look at the VBS resource which made my Top Ten; Basic Elements from the Science VBS! As you might guess from the name, this VBS engages children with science projects - lots of them; which means, children are going to pay attention and will learn from the things they participate in throughout each morning. Take a look and consider if Basic Elements is a good "fit" for your children's ministry!

2015 Vacation Bible School Reviews Begin Tomorrow!

Yes, tomorrow is the day I begin to release my VBS reviews for 2015 and my side-by-side comparison chart. It will be a busy three weeks!

If you are wondering which VBS resources I'm reviewing this year, I'm going to list them here - please keep in mind, this DOES NOT necessarily reflect the order of my Top Ten. You will find VBS reviews over the coming three weeks for the following resources -

Be Faithful in 2015!

As I think about how God showed Himself to me in 2014 there is one word which stands out in my mind; faithful. God was so faithful to me over and over again! So, as I look forward to 2015 I am determined to be faithful to Him! While you might think being determined to be faithful means a lot of "work" on my part; I actually find it tremendously freeing! Consider the following ways choosing to be faithful brings freedom to our lives and ministries . . .

I Have a Winner!

I'm happy to say Merry Sunshine is the winner in my Love Letters from God give-away (you'll see the full review at this link). Thank you Merry for reading About the Children's Department (please email me your address - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com - by January 9, 2015, so I can have it sent to you) and thank you Zonderkidz for sending a copy for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!

2015 VBS Reviews Begin in just Three Days!

Yes, there are just three days until my 2015 VBS reviews begin to post! As my reviews post you will see . . . 

• Complete, unbiased and thorough reviews VBS resources for 2015
• I will be releasing my 2015 Side-by-Side VBS Comparison Chart at the end of my reviews on January 19, 2015!
• I will have some give-aways again this year!
• I am reviewing a couple new VBS resources this year - What's in the Bible and the Science VBS!
• On January 10th and 17th, I'll also post my "Dollars and Cents" of VBS where I break down the costs for each of the kits I reviewed the previous week.

This year I will begin my VBS reviews on January 5th with a review of the VBS which came in as number Ten in my Top Ten VBS for 2015 ranking. Please know, all fifteen VBS resources I reviewed are excellent . . . you will be happy with any which you choose to use in your ministry! As I review VBS resources, there are specific things I look for, which I mark on my side-by-side comparison chart. The VBS resources with the most of the features/components I look for, "score" the highest. My "ranking" is based on the features/components in each kit.

As you read my reviews, please keep in mind;

Remember the Blessings from 2014!

Can you believe it? 2014 is part of the history books. As 2015 begins it can be very easy to be so focused on the things we are planning for 2015 we forget to take time to thank God for the many blessings – big and small – He sent our way in 2014. So, as 2015 begins, let’s take some time to remember the blessings we experienced personally and in our ministries throughout 2014. Consider the following -

Look Forward to 2015

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, but I am all for setting goals. As you look at 2015, consider the following questions -

• What are some of the goals you have for your own walk with God? 
• What are some of your goals you have for your family? 
• What are some of your goals for your ministry?

Take some time today to consider these questions because they all connect. The relationship you have with God will determine and greatly effect the relationship with your family which will effect the relationship with your ministry. Consider making this your prayer for 2015 -

Begin 2015 with a Few Questions and a Prayer!

Today is the first day of 2015. As you think about the end of 2014 ask yourself the following questions . . . 

• What did I try in 2014 which engaged children and families?
• What did I try in 2014 which did not work as I hoped?
• What might I do in 2015 to engage children and families?
• What did I do in 2014 to reach unreached children and families in my community?
• What might I do in 2015 to reach unreached children and families in my community?
• How did I encourage and support my volunteers in 2014?
• What can I do in 2015 to encourage and support my volunteers?  
• How did I train my volunteers in 2014?
• What can I do to train my volunteers in 2015?
• How did I grow closer in my walk with Jesus in 2014?
• What can I do to grow closer in my walk with Jesus in 2015?

These are just a few questions to get you thinking, but today is an excellent time to stop and evaluate what you have been doing, what you could do in 2015 and to get on paper some specific steps you will take to accomplish the things you'd like to do in 2015.