The Top Five "Do-Not's" for Children's Ministry

When it comes to Children's Ministry there are so many wonderful things we get to do; the most important of which include telling children about Jesus and helping them grow to know and walk with Him. But, there are also things we must be careful not to do, so today I'm sharing with you my Top Five "Do-Not's" for Children's Ministry.

1. Do not bore children. Learning about Jesus should be exciting because Jesus is definitely not boring and walking with Him is exciting. Do not present Jesus as "boring".
2. Do not communicate to children knowing and walking with Jesus is something for adults. When we "reduce" teaching children about Jesus to just telling them "stories" and barely open our Bibles, we communicate to children all they can understand or be interested in as a child is the "stories". Children can learn to open and use their Bibles. They can learn to know and walk with Jesus as children. Do not give them the impression those things are just for adults and "stories" - they have heard over and over - are for them.
3. Do not forget God created little children to wiggle, move and learn by doing these things. Do not require preschoolers in particular, but all children, to have to sit still and listen. Yes, they need to listen and not be a "distraction" to other children, but some of them may not be able to sit still. They may need to lay down or move between sitting and laying down. Be flexible. Allow children to sit - or lay - however they need to as long as they listen and do not distract other children during the Bible Adventure.
4. Do not forget to share with the children in your ministry your joy in knowing and walking with God! Tell them how God answers your prayers and be sure to pray with them about the things which matter to them.
5. Do not fail to point the children in your ministry to God . . . it is essential for them to know how very much God loves them - and they can love Him back!

There are more, "Do-Not's", but these five are at the top of my list. What would you put at the top of your "Do-Not's" list?