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.)

Help the Parents & Grandparents Leave a Legacy Which Will Endure Forever

Handing down confident faith is one of the most joy-giving things the parents and grandparents of the children in your ministry will ever do. But, there are certainly going to be times when they are tired. Times when they wonder how to hand down confident faith. Times when they wonder if what they are doing is making a difference.

Curriculum Review - brite* kids

I had the opportunity to chat with the editor of the new brite* kids Curriculum from AWANA, and review it as well, so today I am very happy to let you know about this excellent resource.

We Must Teach the "Whys"

I know I have been writing a lot lately about how essential it is for those who serve in Children's Ministry to teach the "whats" and the "whys". Clearly we teach the "whats" - what we believe, but few churches teach the "whys" - why we are able to believe what we believe. There are two main reasons for this - one, publishers do not include the "whys" in the curriculum we use and two, we have never stopped to think about teaching the "whys".

Re-evaluate & Make Your Ministry More Effective

Sunday mornings have changed in many churches, quite a bit, from what they were when I was a child. In some ways this is a positive thing, but in others, not so much. When we make changes which result in making things more difficult for parents and grandparents, then we need to re-evaluate what we are doing.

Learn, Be Prepared, Hand Down Confident Faith with the little answer book - And Get the Kindle Copy for Free

Today and tomorrow, September 29, 2021, you are able to download your free Kindle copy of my book - the little answer book.

Why might you want this book? consider the following . . . 

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book

Over the month I have made three books available for free in their Kindle version - today I am happy to announce one more Kindle book giveaway - the little answer book. 

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book for children

Today and tomorrow (September 24th and 25th, 2021) you are still able to get your free Kindle copy of my book; the little answer book for children! If you have not already received your free Kindle copy, you will find it at this link.

Please Take This Short Survey from Cokesbury

Cokesbury Publishers would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to participate in their Children's Sunday School Survey - you will find it at this link. 

Curriculum Review - The New City Catechism - a "Must-Have" for Every Children's Ministry

My church has started their mid-week Children's Ministry for the Fall with a new curriculum to supplement the format they have used for many years (a rotation schedule where children move with their small group to different classes throughout the year. They stay in one class for several weeks and learn karate, or play games, or learn some fun science facts, or work on crafts, etc. - very active and engaging and something my grandsons have enjoyed.) This year for the teaching time, they are using The New City Catechism from the Gospel Coalition.

I was not familiar with this resource, so I contacted them and they were so kind to send me the curriculum kit for me to review - today I am very happy to let you know about The New City Catechism for Children.

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book for children

Apparently my link for downloading your free Kindle copy was not working for my book, the little answer book for children - so, I have fixed the link and starting tomorrow, September 21, 2021 and going through September 25, 2021 you will now be able to get your free Kindle copy.

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of the little answer book for children

  

Today is the first day of the Child Discipleship Forum and as one of the Founding Partners, I made the kindle version of one of my books - the little answer book for children - available to download for free. It is free for you to download today through the 20th as well!

These Things Matter as Well

This morning, on one of my other blogs - Grandma's with Heart -- I wrote about how important it is for grandparents to speak up on behalf of their grandchildren - particularly when it comes to their experience in their Children's Ministry. I wrote; "If you have grandchildren who go to church with their parents, or with you, you must be a person who is willing to speak up on behalf of your grandchildren to your church leadership. If your Children's Ministry does not engage your grandchildren while they are young, they will get the mistaken idea church - and therefore Jesus - are boring. If your Children's Ministry does not connect with your grandchildren by noticing when they are not there, sending a card on their birthday, and just making sure the children know they are loved, they will be more likely to stop going and believe the church - and therefore Jesus - do not really care about them. While these things are important if your grown children take your grandchildren to church, they are absolutely imperative if you are the ones taking your grandchildren to church." (You will find the full post at this link.) 

Trail's End Links - Because I am a Grandma

This post today is because I am a grandma - a grandma with two grandsons who are Cub Scouts. My grandsons are selling delicious Trail's End Popcorn (and other tasty snacks), so, because I am their grandma, I am sharing the links with you. If you would like to buy some Trail's End treats from them, you will find them at the following links - Caleb's link, Shane's link. 

FREE Kindle Book & It is Not Too Late to Be Part of the Child Discipleship Forum

Why are children leaving the church after high school? What if the strategy to change this started in Children’s Ministry? If you have been reading my blog for long, you know these are questions which greatly concern me and questions I have been addressing for some time.

A Grandparents Day Gift for Grandparents in Your Church

Today is Grandparents Day! To help the grandparents in your church celebrate, today through this Thursday, September 16, 2021, they are able to download the kindle copy of Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren for FREE!

Make a Difference - Teach the "Whys"

I've been involved with Children's Ministry for fifty years - yes 50 years. Throughout this time many things have changed - we used to run Children's Ministry with the idea all we had to do was give the quarterlies to the teachers and take attendance. Eventually a large shift happened (thanks in large part to Group Publishing) where we moved to seeing Children's Ministry as far more than what it was and focused upon engaging children and involving them in the learning process. Today most churches teach with a large group - small group teaching model and this is a positive thing.

Book Review & Giveaway - Clever Cub

 

Yesterday I posted a book review and information about a special giveaway on my other blog, grandma's cookie jar. So today I thought I'd share it with you. 

What Matters the Most in Children's Ministry?

When it comes to Children's Ministry, what is the most important thing? Where should Children's Ministry leaders, directors, pastors spend their time? What are they able to do which will matter the most?  These are important, and essential questions for those who serve in Children's Ministry to think about, and for which to find answers. If you were to ask me, I would give you two most important things - they are equally important and essential.

Two Days Left to Get Your Free Kindle Copy of Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith!

Today, September 3, 2021 and tomorrow, September 4, 2021 are the last two days in my special giveaway for Grandparents Day . . . I'm giving away the Kindle version of my book - Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith!

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith

 

Share this with the parents and grandparents in your church - September 12th, is National Grandparents Day - and to celebrate I am making a book available for you to receive the Kindle copy for free. With our grandchildren heading back to school, they are likely to be busy and may not be spending as much time with us as they may have over the summer. So, the time we do spend with them needs to be especially purposeful. If you are looking for a resource to help you with this, take a look at Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith! which you are able to get the kindle copy for free!

Hand Down Confident Faith - Remember & Be Thankful

Please share this with the parents and grandparents in your church.

I enjoy it very much when my grandsons go on vacation with their parents - the photos from their week exploring new places bring such happiness to my heart! I love being able to see their faces reflect their joy at accomplishing a physical feat (such as climbing to the top of an almost-mountain in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and being able to see all the way to Lake Superior), or exploring in amazing caves in Ohio, or kayaking, or whatever it is they did wherever it is they went. I know the memories they have of these trips will bring them joy as well.

It Is The Right Time to Share Those Kind, Affirming, Encouraging Words

Please share this post with the parents and grandparents in your church.

Today is a big day for my family - after a year and a half of at home school for my youngest grandson, and a mix of at home and in class school for my two older grandsons, today they all return to in class school. Certainly, along with being a big day, it is also a day with some about of "concern" attached to it as well. Covid is still a concern, and Delta makes it more of a concern for the boys, and for those of us who love them. But, school is starting, everyone will be wearing masks, and along with the concern, there is also an excitement for life to move along so they are able to experience the new school year.

If You are Going to Err, Err on the Side of Safety

I know I've been posting about making our classrooms safe by requiring masks be worn by all people entering the Children's Ministry, and I know some of you may disagree, but why? Why would you disagree on something so basic as making our Children's Ministry safe? Safety is a top priority for most churches, but when it comes to covid, it seems like we have just thrown safety out the window.

We Must Act Now

The past year and a half has had its challenges, but these challenges have given us the opportunity to open our eyes and see the truth which has been before us - more and more families are experiencing significant change as their grown children and grandchildren are walking away from faith. 

What Is the "State" of Your Grandparenting Ministry? Rebuild & Strengthen!

A few years ago, in a town not far from where I live, a tornado hit; three churches in this small community were seriously damaged. One was a church which was 160 years old. The members of this church were understandably quite dismayed and disheartened to see the significant damage to their church. However; their sadness turned to rejoicing when the builders who began the work to rebuild brought them shocking news. As these builders surveyed the damage and began the work, they discovered nothing was holding up the floor of this old church building. The years had taken their toll and unbeknownst to the church members, their church floor was unsupported and about to collapse. The tornado actually saved them.

Hand Down Confident Faith with Polar Bears, Jaguars, Aardvarks, Grasshopper Mice & More!

A few days ago I posted about the completion of my twelve-book Life on the Goldilocks Planet series of books. Today I am happy to let you know the final four-book combo book is now available - Polar Bears, Jaguars, Aardvarks, Grasshopper Mice & More!  

Protect the Children - Require Masks

As I write this I am watching an interview with the Chief Medical Doctor at the Children's Hospital of New Orleans. He says they are admitting children to their hospital, putting them on ventilators, and are seeing severe illness in these children. He said children have to be protected by the adults in their lives by having the adults get vaccinated and wear masks around them. 

Hand Down Confident Faith with Grasshopper Mice, Laughing Kookaburras, Jawfish & More!

When we look at the world around us and see studies like the one from Barna which said Gen Z is turning away from faith at double the rate of any previous generation, it may be easy to feel discouraged and to think there is nothing more we are able to do. But, we must not think this way. We must take action. We do not have to sit by and wait and see if anything we have done to hand down faith "takes hold". We are able to use the truth - God is real and science shows us this - and hand down a confident faith to the ones we love!

This is why for the past year I have been working on the Life on the Goldilocks Planet book series with my grandsons. I am very happy to say today, the series is complete with book 12 - Grasshopper Mice, Laughing Kookaburras, Jawfish & More! now being available! This series was written to provide the tools grandparents and parents need to hand down confident faith to the children they love.

No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries will Help Your Church's Children's Ministry Be as Effective as Possible

There are many things we need to do if we lead or serve in our church's Children's Ministry. In a day where the church is losing the next generation at double the rate of any previous generation, we must take a clear look at what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how we are able to make necessary changes to ensure our church's Children's Ministries are as effective as possible. But, how do we know we are doing all we need to do?

Does Your Church Really Care?

Does your church care about the safety of the children in your church and community? I'm sure you read this question and answer; "Yes! Of course my church cares about the safety of the children in our church and community." Wonderful! So, are you requiring masks be worn by everyone who enters your Children's Ministry area? Do you stand up in the pulpit and ask everyone in your church to get their covid shot who are over the age of 12? Do you call out the misinformation and outright lies about the vaccine and covid? Do you ask people to stop using excuses to "justify" not getting their shot and tell them they need to be responsible and loving - AND they need to help protect the children by getting their shots?

Children's Ministry Matters & So Does Getting It "Right"

Children's Ministry matters. I believe everyone reading this blog agrees with this statement. Children's Ministry matters, so it matters for us to get it right. I believe you all agree with this statement as well.

So, how do we know if we are, "getting it right"? Consider the following questions . . . 

Hand Down Confident Faith with Aardvarks, Coelacanths, Colugos & More!

 

I am happy today to let you know about the new release of book eleven in the Life on the Goldilocks Planet series - Aardvarks, Coelacanths, Colugos & More! - it is now available and is an excellent tool for you to make available to the families in your church!

Please Step Up

What is your church doing to protect children and encourage the people who attend your church to get their covid shot? With the delta variant, people are dying from covid - the numbers are up 60% - and these are people who didn't get their shot.

More of My Resources to Help & Equip

I have been writing this blog for eleven years. Over these many years About the Children's Department has consistently ended up as a "Top Children's Ministry Blog" - currently we are once again listed as the number two, most read blog by FeedSpot. This means a fair number of people who are involved in Children's Ministry read what I write.

Jaguars, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Nautiluses & More! is Now Available!

I am very happy today to let you know I have another new book in my Life on the Goldilocks Planet series which is now available - book ten - Jaguars, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Nautiluses & More!

In this book children (and parents/grandparents) will learn about Jaguars, Satanic Leaf-Tailed Geckos, Fairy Penguins, Bison, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, Bilbies, Asian Tapirs, Sea Pens, Coatimundis, Jabirus, Sloth Bears, and Nautiluses as they learn fun facts, are able to see full-color photos of these animals, participate in fun activities, and learn what science has to tell us about God's amazing creation.

Now Available - Polar Bears, Purple Gallinules, Numbats & More!

I have some good news today! First, I have a new book in my Life on the Goldilocks Planet book/curriculum series - Polar Bears, Purple Gallinules, Numbats & More! and I have been able to work with my books and take almost $3 off the price of each one! 

No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries is Available Today!

I am very happy to let you know about the release of my new book - "No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries" - it is available in our bookstore at this link and on Amazon at this link today!

We are Number Two in FeedSpot's Top 40 Children's Ministry Blogs for 2021!

I am honored and happy to say, About the Children's Department is the Second most read Children's Ministry blog, according to FeedSpot's Top 40 Children's Ministry Blogs in 2021! (You will find their full results at this link.)

More Time to Win Tickets!

Six days ago I wrote about the upcoming Chris Tomlin concert and the opportunity you have to win two tickets to the concert - you will find what I wrote at this link.

Keep the Masks in the Children's Ministry

As Covid restrictions are lifted in businesses across our country, churches are also lifting their restrictions. While this is understandable, is it the best thing for them to do? We all know many of the people who protested the loudest about wearing masks in the midst of the pandemic, sadly were Christians. These are also many of the people who refuse to get their covid vaccine, so are we really able to operate on a "honors system" and expect those who were against wearing a mask, and who refuse to get their shot to now tell the truth and continue to wear a mask because they have not gotten their shot? If we do, we are putting children at risk.

Chris Tomlin Concert - Win Two Tickets!

I am very happy today to let you know about a Chris Tomlin concert opportunity for you and the ones you love - and an opportunity for you to win two tickets to the concert as well!

Add This to Your Must-Do List

For years I have written about how essential it is for those in Children's Ministry to be certain they engage children actively in learning, make sure all children feel wanted by helping all children make friends, plan each week for time to send notes/post cards to children who have missed Sunday and/or Wednesday services, and equip parents and grandparents so they are able to hand down confident faith at home. These are clearly the most important things we will do in Children's Ministry. Today I want to tell you about one more essential thing for those in Children's Ministry to add to this list.