I've been writing about doing something during the summer in your Children's Ministry. If you are looking for a way to do something, consider getting a Bible Maze Journey book.
For the reasons I've already mentioned, and because we are losing our families - check an article in Christianity Today which said; "Before COVID-19 shut things down in March 2020, the independent evangelical church averaged about 220 people a week. Almost two years after the church briefly suspended in-person services because of COVID-19, he says they are averaging about 150 people a week." We need to make our churches the center of community life and engagement once again. These books will help.
So, how is your church doing? Most churches continue to experience a decline in attendance - what about your church? Do you have fewer people attending your church? Do you have fewer people willing to serve as volunteers? These things certainly impact your ministry - and how effective you are able to be when it comes to helping children and families develop confident faith.
In this new "age" where you have to deal with "fewer", Bible Maze Journey events provide an opportunity for you to engage families in reaching out to other families who attend your church, used to attend your church, or who never attended your church. Bible Maze Journey events are a fun way for you to engage entire families (or Youth Groups) in presenting dramas, activities, and an opportunity to build memories as families learn together how they are able to know God more. There are two books in the series -
- New Year New You, He is Alive!, Trusting God Bible Maze Journey and includes three complete events for you to use in your church and ministry. The first one (New Year New You) is a fun way to start a new year by looking at three people who made big changes in their lives when they learned who God really is - Nebuchadnezzar, Jonah, and Saul/Paul. As families learn how these people came to see God is who He is and they became new people, families will see they are able to become new people as well as they work through mazes, watch dramas, make fun crafts, try a science project - and enjoy snacks as well. Certainly this is a fun event to hold at the end of the year or start of a new year, but also would be fun in the summer to help children think about starting a new school year as well.
The second event (He is Alive!) walks families through Jesus' final hours and resurrection. Families will learn and experience how God's grace is for them as they again work through mazes, watch dramas, make fun crafts, try a science project - and enjoy snacks as well. Of course this is an excellent event to hold during Spring Break, but could also be a fun way to focus on what Jesus did for us at any time of the year.
The final event, (Trusting God) helps families think about David and what happened when he ran from King Saul. As families once again work through mazes, watch dramas, make fun crafts, spend time learning to pray Scripture back to God - and enjoy snacks as well, they will think and talk about what it means to trust God in situations where you do not know what will happen next. This event is one which will work any time of year, but is especially applicable to hold in the summer before school begins.
- The Best Gift, Real Love, Prayer Bible Maze Journey also has three Bible Maze Journey events - the first one (The Best Gift) is a fun way to focus on how Jesus is the Best Gift and is a great way for families to celebrate Christmas. As they learn what Christmas is really all about, families will see they are able to receive the Best Gift as they work through mazes, watch dramas, make fun crafts, try a science project - and enjoy snacks as well. Certainly this is a fun event to hold at Christmas time or any time when you want to focus on God's Best Gift.
The second event (Real Love) walks families through the story Jesus told of the shepherd who searched for his lost sheep. Families will learn and experience what Real Love is all about as they again work through mazes, watch dramas, make fun crafts, try a science project - and enjoy snacks as well. Of course this is an excellent event to hold at the beginning of the year for Valentine's Day, but could also be a fun way to focus on God's Love for us at any time of the year.
The final event, (Prayer) helps families learn about the incredible opportunity we have to talk with God. As families once again work through mazes, watch dramas, make fun crafts, spend time learning to pray Scripture back to God - and enjoy snacks as well, they will Jeremiah and experience how to talk with God. This event is one which will work any time of year, but is especially applicable to hold in May for the National Day of Prayer.
While you are certainly able to involve your teens in presenting your Bible Maze Journey events, you are also able to recruit families to help with decorating, dramas, and leading craft stations to make your events a truly unique and wonderful way to involve entire families in your ministry to church families, families who used to be part of your church, and families from your community.
Get your copy of The Best Gift, Real Love, Prayer Bible Maze Journey today at this link and get your copy of The Best Gift, Real Love, Prayer Bible Maze Journey today at this link. and start planning your first Bible Maze Journey!
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