Give the Gift of Impacting Lives & Confident Faith with Life on the Goldilocks Planet Combo Books for Father's Day & Children's Day - & They are On Sale!

Please share this post with the parents and grandparents in your ministry - Today I am happy to share a unique idea for a Father's Day and or Children's Day gift - give the gift of confident faith and Fun by giving the dads and children in your life the Life on the Goldilocks Planet books! Not only are these books engaging and interesting, but they provide activities which will engage the entire family and build memories. PLUS, they are on sale! Normally priced at $35.99 (which gives you a fantastic savings compared to buying individual books as each book has four books in it), Blue Dragons, Eyelash Vipers, Civets, Red-Lipped Batfish & More! is now $33.42, Megabats, Scorpionfish, Giant Anteaters, Cheetahs & More! is $33.66, and Polar Bears, Jaguars, Aardvarks, Grasshopper Mice & More! is $33.94 making them an even better buy.

Look what people are saying about these books - 

"Lynda is a genius when it comes to making God's Word come alive to children. She is a grandmother who understands the importance of the role she plays in her grandchildren's lives. Her books are made for grandparents to open God's Word through learning about animals and living things which interest little kids. and big kids too." 

Linda Ranson Jacobs - Mom, Grandma, and Great Aunt, Developer of DC4K (DivorceCare for Kids) dc4k.org

"Psalm 19 reminds us if we study creation, we see God more clearly. I’ve never seen books as remarkable as these which ties exploration of God’s creation with the language of children and activity, to produce a compelling statement about the majesty of God. When I read them, I feel like I’m somehow entering a new world. I’m sure they will be incredible resources."

Dr. Scott Turansky, Dad, Grandpa, National Center for Biblical Parenting biblicalparenting.org

"I LOVE these books you have created. What a great and powerful tool for shaping young minds to see and acknowledge the truth about God’s creation. Well done. Every parent and grandparent ought to have these tools in their toolkit. They are a marvelous tool I want to let every grandparent know about. Thank you for taking time with your grandsons to create these extraordinary pieces. While disagreeing with Lynda’s position that science shows how God used evolution to create everything, I still find these books a valuable resource for parents and grandparents."

Cavin T. Harper, Dad, Grandpa, Founder Christian Grandparenting Network www.grandcamps.org, 

"Wow! Wow! Wow! We received the books yesterday and they are wonderful! The website does not do them justice."  

William Gibbons, Dad, Grandpa, Pastor

"What a crazy Covid time for our planet! With everything seemingly spinning out of control right now, it’s fascinating scientists call Earth the “Goldilocks planet.” For life here to exist here, everything has to be “just right”! When everything crashes in around us and nothing makes sense anymore, our Creator promises this: 'And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them' (Romans 8:28). This foundational truth offers the hope I want my little granddaughter Cadence to treasure. That’s why Lynda’s new books are fun to recommend. They creatively weave together science and animals to teach God’s purposeful plan and show it’s “just right”! Enjoy! I love what you put together! We’ve discovered at Group the power of animals and kids too!" 

Joani Schultz, Mom, Grandma, Chief Creative Officer, Group Publishing

"I love your books! I am going to pick out some ideas for us to do with our granddaughters when they visit this weekend!"

Sherry Schumann, Mom, Grandma, President Christian Grandparenting Network

Get a Life on the Goldilocks Planet combo book for the dads and children in your life - the conversations and memories these books will encourage will be priceless!

#lifeonthegoldilocksplanet #handingdownaconfidentfaith #itmatterswhatwedo

Summer Outreach! Family Events . . . and more!

For the past few days I've been talking about Summer outreach - today I'm going to talk about planning family events as special Summer outreach opportunities to the families in your church and community. I'm not going to talk about  Children's Ministry vs. family ministry because I was invited to write a guest post forMinistry-to-Children and I do so in there; (Feel free to check that post out by following this link) other than to say, we need to "come alongside" parents and grandparents as they teach their children by being intentional in our ministries and building on and reinforcing what they are teaching their children. This is where a vision statement comes in. What is it we want to accomplish in our Children's Ministry? What is our plan to get there? When we join up with the parents/grandparents by equipping and coming alongside them, we will experience real and measurable results.

Created "Just Right"! - Now Available for Children Ages Three to Seven & One is On Sale!

One way you are able to support families is by recommending resources they are able to use at home to hand down confident faith. Today, and for the next several days, I am happy to share with you resources which do exactly this - please share them with the families in your church.

Over the past few years, I developed several new resources for churches and for families. During COVID my grandsons and I put together twelve books which help us see how animals show us God is real because He made everything "just right". In these books (which I have shared with you before), you find full-color photos, fun facts, along with crafts, science projects, and recipes for the entire family to enjoy as they learn about the animals and discover how they help them have a confident faith. These books (The Life on the Goldilocks Planet series) are ideal for children ages four through fourteen - and the entire family.

"No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries" - Get Your Copy On Sale for Just $6.99

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.

Summer Ministry - Family Fun and Growth Night!

Each year as we work to develop genuinely effective ministry to the children in our churches we look at ideas, programs, and possibilities for ways to grow and strengthen our ministry. There are many options to choose from, but as you look at the choices you have available to you, keep the following tips in mind.

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children - A Great Children's Day Gift & it is on Sale!

One way you are able to support families is by recommending resources they are able to use at home to hand down confident faith. Today, and for the next several days, I am happy to share with you resources which do exactly this - please share them with the families in your church.

Some Facts About Grandparents and How They Impact Your Children's Ministry

I sincerely believe all churches should focus on engaging, equipping, and encouraging grandparents to pass on a heritage of confident faith to their grandchildren. There are reasons I believe this - some of them are . . . 

Family Ministry on a Shoe-String - Summer Minute to Win It!

I love Lthe idea of holding a "Minute to Win It" for church and Lindsey Whitney's Summer Edition of Growing Kids Ministry gives even more ideas to help you hold your own "Minute to Win It" at your church! I thought I'd share this post with you - you will notice Lindsey's post was written when the TV show was a current show, but if you google "Minute to win it games", you'll find quite a few links with directions for games.

Deeper In for Children Scope & Sequence for the First Year - Grace! - Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023

 

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!

Some Things to Think - and Most Importantly Pray About for Sure

Over the years I have been writing this blog - and the website before it - I have had much to say about the things we could and should do when it comes to Children's Ministry. Today I want to write about some things we need to be careful we do Not do.

Summer Ministry Possibilities - "Family Service Squads"!

Summer is the perfect time to minister to children and families, but don't forget . . . it is also the perfect time to involve children and families in serving others! As you plan your summer ministry opportunities, be sure to include some opportunities for serving others . . . you may find they will be the best parts of your entire summer!

What does Deeper In for Children Cost? - Use it in Your Ministry for Fall 2023

Tomorrow I am writing 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.

Connect the Generations & God's Word - No Matter The Ages and Distance!

Please share this post with the families in your ministry -  Generations Quest is a tool which will allow you, and the generations which follow you, to connect throughout a month over what matters . . . understanding and living God's Word! With  Generations Quest  grandparents, parents and children of all ages - preschool through college age - will all read (or have read to them) one to five verses a day with a simple question to help them think about the verses they read. Families will be able to talk about what they all are reading and learning  together! 

The Bible Memory Project - I Highly and Enthusiastically Recommend Them

"The same thing is true of the words I speak.  They will not return to me empty. They make the things happen that I want to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do." - Isaiah 55:11 (NCV)

Don't you just love Isaiah 55:11! If you and the ones you love are walking with God, this verse is an incredible promise to encourage you each and every day. If the ones you love are not walking with God, and even if they have actually turned away from the faith they once had, this verse is an incredible promise to encourage you each and every day. God has promised His Word will  - "make the things happen (He) wants to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do."

Engage Children with Deeper In for Children - Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023

There are several essential things we must do when it comes to Children's Ministry - but one definitely involves creating as engaging a ministry as possible. If our ministry is not engaging, any child who does not have to be there, will not continue to come. These children typically are neighborhood children and those who come with grandparents, other family member, or a friend. These children who only come IF they want to come do matter. They are important. Jesus absolutely cares about them, so it is vital for us to be certain our Children's Ministry is as engaging as possible. Of course it also matters for those children who come with their parents. The day will come when they get to decide if they continue to go to church and if the Children's Ministry was engaging it is more likely they were able to understand what it means to believe in and walk with Jesus. For all the children in your ministry it matters if our ministry is engaging.

Make Your Church the Center of Community Life - Summer Ministry Possibilities

For several years now I've written about how churches used to be the "center of community life"; families went to church on Sunday, children went to church for school all week, and then the community used the church for gatherings and special events. I have said, "In far too many cases, today our churches are viewed as places for 'church people', not places for the community."

Make Your Children's Ministry "More"

What does Children's Ministry look like in a typical church here in the USA? Well, it likely involves classes for children on Sundays and Wednesdays where they teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe - at least throughout the school year. Some churches still hold a yearly VBS for four or five days/evenings in the Summer. Some churches plan special events throughout the year - typically opportunities for children and families to get together and do something fun together. For many, even most churches, this is what their Children's Ministry looks like - but it can be more.

Deeper In for Children and the Purpose of Sunday School - Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023

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?"

Do Not Throw Away the Summer

Summer provides a unique opportunity for you to impact the lives of children and families in your church and community; an opportunity you are not likely to experience any other time of year. Why is this? Because the children are not at school all day - they could therefore, be involved in ministry opportunities to reach and equip them to know and walk with God!

Help Children go Deeper Into God's Word with Deeper In for Children - Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023

 

Deeper In for Children is written to engage children in the learning process from start to finish by getting children to open Bibles, research the Bible event for the day, and prepare props which they use during the Large Group time. We do these things so the children go deeper into God's Word and will remember what they did in class and will be able to understand and live God’s Word in their everyday lives! 

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 -

What Message are You Sending?

When it comes to your Children's Ministry, do you believe your Sunday school is an important part of what you do? Would you firmly say it is worth the time of the children and families for children to be there on Sundays? If so, what message are you sending if you stop offering Sunday school in the Summer? If it is something you are able to cancel for the Summer - or some part of the Summer, and it is acceptable for children to not participate in Sunday school during those times, why is not not acceptable for them to just write it off and stay in bed the rest of the year?

Deeper In for Children is a Great Fit for Your Church Because . . .

 

Why is Deeper In for Children an excellent choice for your Children's Ministry? There are several reasons why, but one is certainly because of its focus on helping children truly understand the message of God's Word. Most curriculum resources tend to take children on a survey through the Bible with a focus upon Bible people, what they said, and what they did. Deeper In for Children takes a different approach. While children will have the opportunity to "meet" Bible people, the focus is on a topic for an entire year and guides children in learning what the entire Bible has to say about the topic for the year.

Take Time to Listen . . . To Children, Grandparents/Parents & Volunteers

Your school year ministries are likely winding down, hopefully you are getting ready to engage children/families in your Summer ministry opportunities, and it is time to begin planning for the Fall and back-to-school as well; as you prepare, do not forget to take time to listen . . . to the children, grandparents/parents, and volunteers. It can be all too easy to just "pay attention" to what we think and then do the things we want to do, but ministry is about far more than our own opinions. We need to listen to others - and act upon what we learn. When we do, our ministries will be far more effective. Consider the following . . . 

Trust . . . Takes Seconds to Break, Forever to Repair

Yesterday I posted about trust . . . it takes years to build . . . and shared ideas on how to build trust with the children, parents, grandparents, and volunteers in your ministry. Today I want to think about how to repair broken trust.

Deeper In for Children will Equip You to Help Children Become People Who Pray - Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023

In our Children's Ministries children hear us pray during the times we offer Sunday School and Mid-Week Ministry opportunities. We tell children they need to be people who pray, but, do we really help equip them so they are able to be people who pray? With  Deeper In for Children you will be able to do exactly this - equip them so they are able to be people who pray!

Trust . . . Takes Years to Build . . .

Trust is an essential part of children’s ministry . . .

• parents and grandparents need to be able to trust us
• children need to be able to trust us
• our volunteers need to be able to trust us
• we need to be able to trust our volunteers

So . . . today and tomorrow let’s take a look at trust. Trust takes years to build . . .

How do we build trust with parents and grandparents?

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

You have much to offer the ones you love - grandmas and moms matter and what you do matters as well. So, for all the big and all the small ways you show love - thank you!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Please Follow Me on Instagram

I will be announcing some new resources for the families in your ministry - please follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lyndafreemanatcd/ - to stay informed on these resources and more! Thank you!

Why is Deeper In for Children a Great Fit for Your Children's Ministry? Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023

 

There is no shortage of curriculum resources available for churches to choose from for their Children's Ministries - many of which are well written, so what makes Deeper In for Children the curriculum for your church? It is designed to do some unique things . . .

Are You Certain Your Children's Ministry Communicates the Message You Think It Does?

When you are a Children's Ministry director or pastor, you practically "live and breathe" Children's Ministry. It is your focus, your passion. It is what you think about. While you may have designed a Children's Ministry which is very effective, because you are so "close" to your ministry, there could be things you "miss", or just do not "see". Consider the following ideas for how you could be certain your Children's Ministry communicates the message you think it does -

Go Deeper in Your Children's Ministry with Deeper In for Children Curriculum - Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023

 

Teaching children about the Bible so they know who God is and how they are able to know Him is one of the most important things we will ever do, and is why most churches invest in Sunday School curriculum. While there are many excellent curriculum resources on the market, we are watching as more and more children turn away from their faith and even to atheism as they grow older. It does not have to be this way.

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #1

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the second biggest danger to our Children's Ministry: the trap of "gossip". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "gossip" will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for gossip as it stifles and/or stunts our ministry and causes real harm to others."

How does Using Deeper In for Children Make a Difference? Make it Your Choice for Fall 2023!

 

It is the time of year to decide which curriculum you will use in the Fall of 2023 in your Children's Ministry. How will using  Deeper In for Children  curriculum help the children in your ministry learn, remember, understand, and live God's Word? It does this in four specific ways . . . 

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #2

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the third biggest danger to our Children's Ministry: the trap of "comfort". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "comfort" will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for comfort when it stifles and/or stunts our ministry."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #3

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the fourth biggest danger to our Children's Ministry: having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do. I said, "Having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #4

Last week I wrote about what I consider to be the fifth biggest danger in your Children's Ministry: selfishness. I said, "Selfishness will stop your  Children's Ministry from  being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for selfishness."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #5

Over the years I've served in Children's Ministry, I've had the opportunity to serve in churches where the Children's Ministry - and the church - were effective! Ministries where it was a blessing and joy to serve! Sadly, I've also served in churches where this was not the case. 

How Do You Measure the "Success" of Your Children's Ministry?

Is your children's ministry successful? Are you sure? Do you really know for sure how your Children's Ministry impacts the children and families in your church and community? How do you know?    

If we want our ministries to be genuinely effective and successful, we need to regularly ask questions to help measure where we really are and how effective we truly are. If we do not regularly ask the "hard" questions of everything we do, there isn't a way for us to truly tell how effective we are. Consider the following questions and if you are, or should be, asking them -

No Cookie-Cutter Children's Ministries will Help Your Church's Children's Ministry Be as Effective as Possible for Only $4.92!

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?

Don't Miss the Mark!

I love Children's Ministry; I've served happily in it for 44 years! I believe  Children's Ministry is important and it matters; every church should be focused on what they want to accomplish in and with their Children's Ministry and have a real plan to do so.