Don't Give Up on the Children Who Are There Only IF They Choose to Be There

I have been writing about how it is essential for us to measure whether we are successful in our Children's Ministry by the children who attend IF they choose to do so and not by the children who are there because their parents say they have to be there (basically the "church kids".) Today I want to remind you why this matters and encourage you to reach out to those children in your ministry - and those who used to be in your ministry - who only attend IF they choose to do so.

For Your Most Important Choice - Deeper In for Children

When you lead a Children's Ministry there are many important choices you have to make to be certain your ministry is truly effective and is a place where all children want to be - particularly those who are there only IF they want to be there. While there are many things you have to do to develop and keep this type of ministry, one big decision is about what curriculum resources you will use because if you choose the right curriculum, you will have the tools you need to engage children - this is essential if you want your ministry to be a place where all children want to be - particularly those who are there only IF they want to be there.

Remember This One Essential Truth - Choose Wisely!

I've been writing about what I consider to be essential truths for us to remember as we serve in children's ministry; God Cares the Most, and Love Matters. Today I want to write about one more; Choose Well. 

Remember This One Essential Truth - Love Matters!

Last week I said, "Over the years (52 of them to be exact), I've had the opportunity to observe children's ministry in large churches (of up to 6000) and in small churches (of less than 100) and in medium-sized churches (everything in-between!). This leaves me with a few observations which I think apply no matter what size church you serve in.  So, today I want to consider something which we all need to keep in mind . . . no matter what size church you serve in! While it may seem like a no-brainer; God cares the most! I think it can be all to easy too get so caught up in what we are doing, what we need, what we do not have, etc. that we end up forgetting this one, simple and essential truth . . . God cares the most!"

Remember This One Essential Truth - God Cares the Most!

Over the years (52 of them to be exact), I've had the opportunity to observe Children's Ministry in large churches (of up to 6000) and in small churches (of less than 100) and in medium-sized churches (everything in-between!). This leaves me with a few observations which I think apply no matter what size church you serve in.  So, today I want to consider something which we all need to keep in mind . . . no matter the size of church in which you serve!

Evaluate What You Are Doing - Deeper In for Children Will Help You Get Where You Want to Be!

As the school year comes to a close, the Sunday School year is also wrapping up as more and more churches do not offer Sunday School during the Summer. Whether you have Summer ministry or not, it is definitely time to evaluate what you have been doing, what has been working, and what has not - or what you might be able to improve.

When you evaluate, it is definitely time to look at the curriculum you have been using and how effective a tool it has been to help you do the things which matter most -

Get Deeper In for Children Digital Curriculum Today!

 

Yes! Deeper In for Children curriculum is available! You are able to get this digital curriculum to use in your church for only $50 a quarter - both preschool AND elementary age levels are included as are additional curriculum resources you are able to use for a second service, longer Sunday School, and even Mid-week ministries! When you use  Deeper In for Children in your church you will find you have the tools you need to help children go deeper into God's Word, so they truly understand the important things God wants them to know - how they need His Grace, how they are able to choose to accept His Grace, and how Grace changes their lives!

Why Another Curriculum? Why Deeper In for Children?

Yes, I agree there are a number of excellent curriculum resources currently available for churches to use in their Children's Ministries, so why am I releasing  Deeper In for Children? There are several reasons, but the biggest one is because  Deeper In for Children  does several unique things -

Children Are Leaving - What Are You Doing?

More and more families in your church are leaving the church, and their faith. This means more and more children are leaving your ministry. Now, some of these children are able to continue to go to church with their grandparents IF the children want to go. This is a big IF. Sadly, more and more children are deciding they do not want to be part of a church's Children's Ministry, so they do not go any longer. What do you do when this happens?

Deeper In for Children includes Anchored - How Do they Make a Difference?

Sunday school originally began in 1780 because people wanted to teach poor children to read as they typically worked in factories all week. Nearly all children went to Sunday school - even if their parents did not go to church - and along with learning to read, they were taught the Bible - as it was the main book they learned to read. These children also learned to write as they copied verses from the Bible. 

"No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries" - Get Your Copy On Sale for Just $4.92!

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. In "No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries" Lynda Freeman, who has fifty years of experience in Children's Ministry, shares how while one Children's Ministry is not able to be exactly like another, we are all able to be sure we have the right "ingredients" so our own, unique Children's Ministry knows its purpose and vision, is a safe place for children, is able to find volunteers and train them, "teach the whys", as well as how to team up with the parents and grandparents.

Deeper In for Children AND Anchored will Provide the Tools You Need to Equip Children with a Confident Faith!

Those who serve in Children's Ministry do so because they want to help children learn what the Bible says and how they are able to know and walk with Jesus. Most churches tend to do an acceptable job of teaching children the Bible accounts, but do not always do a strong job of teaching children what difference it makes in their lives to know what the Bible says.  It is essential for children to learn what the Bible says AND learn what the difference is it makes in their lives to know these things. We must teach both.

One More Thought about Church Politics

I've been writing about church politics, how to spot it, and how to eliminate it. We've looked at Colossians 3 to see how God's Word tells us to "stop it" and gives us the remedy for it, "love is more important than anything else." Today I want to take one more look at Colossians 3 and a challenge to us to see how church politics harms children.

Bible Memory with Deeper In for Children

Along with providing a unified scope and sequence for all ages, free lessons for Christmas and Resurrection Sunday, free resources to help you teach the "whys" (Anchored), an extra lesson each week which you are able to use for Children's church, a longer Sunday School, or mid-week, and lessons which engage children so they help teach each week, Deeper In for Children also encourages children to learn Bible verses, but does so in a way focused upon learning, understanding, and living God's Word.

Stop It!

So, last week I wrote about church politics and the damage it causes in churches and to people; today I want to write about how to identify church politics. Look at Colossians 3:8. 9, " 8 But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. 9 And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits."

More Info About Deeper In for Children

The Grace year of   Deeper In for Children curriculum for elementary age children and the Preschool/Early Elementary level are now available. Each quarter of Deeper In for Children will include thirteen weekly Bible events for Sunday School, thirteen weekly Bible events for a Second Service/longer Sunday School/Mid Week, optional Bible event for Christmas, optional Bible event for Resurrection Sunday, AND Anchored  supplemental curriculum to help you teach the "whys".

Don't Betray Others

The title of this post may have gotten your attention, and while I did want to get your attention, I also want you to stop and think about the following  questions -

Why Deeper In for Children has a Unified Scope and Sequence

A few days ago I shared the scope and sequence for the Grace year of Deeper In for Children - you will find it at this link. Today I want to write about why  Deeper In for Children  has a unified scope and sequence.

Science/Object Lesson for Faithfulness = Sticking With God!

When I think of the word "faithful", I think of God; He is ALWAYS faithful! Just look at these wonderful verses which tells us of God's incredible faithfulness:

What does Deeper In for Children Cost?

Yesterday I wrote about the scope and sequence for Deeper In for Children - today I want to write about what one year of this curriculum costs.

One quarter of Deeper In for Children will cost your church $50 for the digital curriculum. I want it to be priced affordably for any size church. If you choose to order a full year, four quarters, of Deeper In for Children, you will receive one quarter for free! Rather than pay $200.00 for a full year, it will only cost $150.00.

Beware . . .

 I'm all for striving for excellence in ministry. We want our children's and family ministries to be excellent, but as we strive for this "excellence" there is something we have to beware of and for which we need to keep our eyes open. Something which can cause great damage. This "something" is our own ego.

We Have a New Winner

The winner did not email me yesterday, so today we have a new winner - mami2jcn is the new winner of the $10 Amazon Card - please email me today, April 5, 2023 with your email contact, so I can arrange for you to receive your prize. If I do not hear from you, there will be no winner as my deadline to turn in a winner's info is tomorrow, the 6th. (lyndagcj@gmail.com)

I Have a Winner in the $10 Amazon Card Giveaway!

Yes, Natalie is the winner of the $10 Amazon Card - please email me today, April 4, 2023 with your email contact, so I can arrange for you to receive your prize. (lyndagcj@gmail.com)

Deeper In for Children Scope & Sequence for the First Year - Grace!

I've been writing about Deeper In for Children for a few days, so today I am going to share the scope and sequence for the first year - Grace - to help you see what it is all about. With  Deeper In for Children your church will spend a year focusing on the very important truths of what God's Word - from cover to cover - has to say about Grace. Each quarter has an intentional focus - the first quarter the focus is on our need for Grace. Second Quarter we learn about our challenge to choose Grace. Third quarter we look at how Grace changes us. The fourth quarter we focus on what Jesus wants us to know about Grace by first of all reviewing what we learned about Grace the first month (parents/grandparents are invited to join their children) and then how Jesus shows HIs great love and Grace!

Jesus and the Bible are Not Boring; Why do Children Think They Are?

Jesus was not boring. While there is no verse in the Bible which says, "And He was not boring.", I believe we can see from Scripture how He was not boring because adults and children wanted to be around Him! We all know children do not want to be around people who are boring; and they do not want to listen to boring people either. 

Deeper In for Children and the Purpose of Sunday School

What is the purpose of Sunday School? Clearly it is about far more than providing "child care". While it is about introducing children to the people in the Bible, it is about more than this as we want the children in our ministries to gain more than "head knowledge" from their time in our care. Sunday School is an opportunity for us to help children learn what the Bible says AND understand how knowing these things makes a real difference in their lives. This is why Deeper In for Children is focused upon helping children think through and answer the question, "How does knowing this make a difference in your life?"

Build on the Foundation: Challenge Children!

Last week I wrote about not underestimating children; today I want to build on this and talk about challenging children. I truly do believe children live up or down to our expectations. If we treat them like they are not capable of really digging into God's Word, understanding it, and living it, they will believe those things are true.  

The Art of Parenting - Nurturing Happy, Confident, & Resilient Children - Releases Tomorrow - April 3, 2023

I was recently invited to review a new book "by" Michael Chanley - today I am happy to let you know about, The Art of Parenting - Nurturing Happy, Confident, & Resilient Children. In this book Michael and "Dr. Parentaeu" "collaborate" to put out a resource which will equip parents (and grandparents) with the information - and therefore the tools - they need to raise children who are happy, confident, and resilient.