tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52916677047299598762024-03-18T07:24:49.830-04:00About the Children's DepartmentChildren's Ministry Which Matters & Makes a Difference by Equipping Parents & Grandparents & Engaging Children . . . and a whole lot more!Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-71409885077877740682024-03-18T07:24:00.002-04:002024-03-18T07:24:07.731-04:00What Are You Doing?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaUMScL3LHBFEuq2YhuuMRW1FurL9augAyjxmw78T00f7ru8ZBt9zOwHQQl7wwIo5i507EvErDSx_WuHnuzngFlfGh4xrTqJ0Hufx_8jBRxR7Hj5DaNcxaIanByuRhshxPbL_VuEwFWM3OnM44E290k8c1GCBltYrhEwGniayCCw8hjFpf8WqM-23/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaUMScL3LHBFEuq2YhuuMRW1FurL9augAyjxmw78T00f7ru8ZBt9zOwHQQl7wwIo5i507EvErDSx_WuHnuzngFlfGh4xrTqJ0Hufx_8jBRxR7Hj5DaNcxaIanByuRhshxPbL_VuEwFWM3OnM44E290k8c1GCBltYrhEwGniayCCw8hjFpf8WqM-23/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(4).jpg" width="400"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Does your Children's Ministry equip parents and grandparents so they are able to hand down confident faith? What do you do to do this? If you say you teach the Bible in your Children's Ministry, then, while this is essential, you are very likely not really equipping parents and grandparents so they are able to hand down confident faith. A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 80% of U.S. adults say religion’s role in American life is shrinking – a percentage that’s as high as it’s ever been in their surveys. (You will find the report on this at the following </span><a href="A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 80% of U.S. adults say religion’s role in American life is shrinking – a percentage that’s as high as it’s ever been in our surveys." style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">.) You must teach the Bible, but clearly you also must do more.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span></span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/what-are-you-doing.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-36322406838912699612024-03-15T06:49:00.006-04:002024-03-15T06:49:57.897-04:00What Are Your "Metrics"?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86O9lig8HIYKgH1pJYdZgi1OuNXDEHFQQyAZLz8FYta284acPuv2bpBvd2xGsMcO2CxwyaPLkqG3JFtBrdIhr6BzBUjvyVKKVKkLFj-oqjXzc1Nxp4ogKSTGIU0l0BgYjwlUEeQnrXJlCbc04YkU6UtesljRd0zK7enwSc6s4KOalhacvZtkjzTgN/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86O9lig8HIYKgH1pJYdZgi1OuNXDEHFQQyAZLz8FYta284acPuv2bpBvd2xGsMcO2CxwyaPLkqG3JFtBrdIhr6BzBUjvyVKKVKkLFj-oqjXzc1Nxp4ogKSTGIU0l0BgYjwlUEeQnrXJlCbc04YkU6UtesljRd0zK7enwSc6s4KOalhacvZtkjzTgN/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(3).jpg" width="400"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">What "metrics" do you use to evaluate how you are doing with your Children's Ministry and to make decisions about what you will do in and with it? Do you measure your effectiveness by "church" families? Do the families in your church seem satisfied with the Children's Ministry? Do church children like your Children's Ministry and participate at a high level? Do church parents "approve" of your Children's Ministry? While the "satisfaction" of "church" families matters, if this is the only - or even the primary metric you use to evaluate your Children's Ministry, you may very well have an inaccurate view of how effective you actually are.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/what-are-your-metrics.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-63116775071387201072024-03-14T06:30:00.000-04:002024-03-14T06:30:17.089-04:00Use Anchored So the Children You Love Are "Always Prepared to Make a Defense"<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNudxZoDwOu7KPn8q0NyAfmVba36E487_j6-g7-3pOP37-IZYMpT5okl5oevvPjKcg-4R4U6fJMAM1hpWflpVAw9Py9mRVwzZC1fFndbXBc00Xe2PkmdRa17CIktr_uXYOIFQXA5Pr2dfxbnJJ_t_q521TSoHJkHKpVzn9L2nXqQ-Nxsk53X_xrQ/w400-h400/anchored%20p4.jpg" width="400"></span><span style="font-size: large;">A couple days ago I wrote about how Anchored will help you teach children why they are able to believe the Bible is trustworthy. Today I want to look at 1 Peter 3:15, 16 and how these verses give us another solid reason "why" we need to teach the "whys".</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span></span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/use-anchored-so-children-you-love-are.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-2833143108828732652024-03-13T06:24:00.001-04:002024-03-13T06:24:49.909-04:00Use Anchored with the Children You Love So They, "Have Certainty Concerning the Things (They) Have Been Taught"<p><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tiR8BsweNUsOJ9Z13KhQrQ1tthsPESKKSeRMWfIgl2f3V9oSZWiRdDcOx4h0540jZgwgCFeu-Uj7fcrG3iG-bMzuF-5ezev6-OG34tGSB3typjEUfZ00iMg4wJ6V0jPTPZ2bsTsF5dsdwrajkxIpzwY6UaK47xWDgbpY5FsoiyPSqXuEk4GtkwE/w400-h400/anchored%20p5.jpg" width="400"></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have been writing about some of the reasons why we need to teach the "whys" - and we certainly find another reason in Luke 1:1-4 -</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">have been accomplished among us, </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">just as those who </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">from the beginning were </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">eyewitnesses and </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ministers of </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the word </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">have delivered them to us, </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">an orderly account for you, </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">most excellent </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Theophilus, </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that you may have </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">certainty concerning the things </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you have been taught.</span></i></span></p></blockquote><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/use-anchored-with-children-you-love-so.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-25967791510785739422024-03-12T06:32:00.001-04:002024-03-12T06:32:53.779-04:00Anchored Will Help You Teach Why the Word is Trustworthy<p><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmCcv2feaA1kkygoi6ydG1TvlrgnJM12jTQlzUUi7NiMqi-K6x8TSVwt71NggfC9SeHshnP3PPM6KnqkcV4suIgJ0QQg14MkhcFy96Oxqf9npUoEkVbw9Y0ukSMlzexjLOxChiomCsrnUFKjdZtmoPGgoiBpofhb9QME-Q430nEsg6wmUworJ2Bo/w400-h400/anchored%20p3.jpg" width="400"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Churches, parents, and grandparents teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe. They do this for solid reasons, they also need to teach the children they love the "whys" - why we are able to believe what we believe. Anchored is a supplemental curriculum designed to be used alongside whatever curriculum a church is currently using to teach the "whys" and equip parents and grandparents to do the same at home. But why do we need to teach the "whys" . . . shouldn't we just be able to believe without knowing "whys"? Consider the following . . . </span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/anchored-will-help-you-teach-why-word.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-62038478426792000362024-03-11T08:22:00.000-04:002024-03-11T08:22:02.743-04:00Let Anchored Help You Teach the "Whys" Because Teaching the "Whys" Matters as Much as Teaching the "Whats"<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbq1dLla75nYPS_0Jkb39ZsK-d5m7V_8k042k_9U51XZEO931qCV0TnARd4AEg0FdYH-duGrv9-Q8_DhIxc90N2Au6xNLr904tHR2wCJ473cSCNWjr46dBlky46POVAL06L1oO9sp40EEQIhCgprIa5KjZhgOi4LEdJlqvVm-KnsrI8X2oJcqLG0/w400-h400/anchored%20p7.jpg" width="400"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friday I shared some quotes about why we need to know and teach apologetics - today I want to share a few more . . . </span></p><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/let-anchored-help-you-teach-whys.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-81891830455472577092024-03-08T06:35:00.000-05:002024-03-08T06:35:28.917-05:00We Need to Teach the "Whys" - Do So With Anchored<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_qB3CFbhJzsHTAMANgltDpPd2RnTKLWLNNMwD3b7XCPbVbjzrnjjTL-fWCibIzuT7emq5W7oiBkTU-1CjjhqZHu8Jn8IdptTl86UXvu5Zx02z7OCq4RrTZ-B0Pf02Jt94pAymMyo_jAtqVSPJyseBT3urhNuol7qh1xWYGTx_FkLPr-yPRyXyLo/w400-h400/anchored%20p6.jpg" width="400"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today as you may be thinking about getting Anchored to teach the "whys" to the children in your church, I want to share with you a few quotes about the very real need for apologetics.</span></p><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></span><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/we-need-to-teach-whys-do-so-with.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-84346759997046346202024-03-07T06:28:00.000-05:002024-03-07T06:28:01.644-05:00Teach the "Whys" with Anchored - it Matters for Today & Throughout the Lives of the Children in Your Ministry<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKIF1INf4EJGiUDoJLPi-ux_erO4-PrcziKRooO5j5CUVTrMzSnA2kuVdidBgH7qme_tD8hTsjxK-vKsghVpwyqB8FfvvwUoeysOOWzBe6Gu1PiBQR8ITku7RRQkMxionN3QrRvFBX9bIc25Ir3xzwjR3gykhd_B3Xh0yFC91u6UYEuOUspK1ZwA/w400-h400/anchored%20p8.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400"></span></p></div><p><span style="background-color: #fafefd;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Why did you choose the curriculum you are using in your Children's Ministry? Did you evaluate several curriculum lines, talk to publishers, ask other Children's Ministry leaders what they use and why? Did you think about the goals and mission of your Children's Ministry and then select the one which best matched what you want to do and engages children the most so they will remember what you teach? Did you choose the resource you believe will best help you teach the "whats" - what the Bible teaches and therefore what we believe?<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/teach-whys-with-anchored-it-matters-for.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-80162350727195378362024-03-06T06:16:00.004-05:002024-03-06T06:17:01.167-05:00Why Teach the "Whys"?<p><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurkywUwGQaJmeQ-ebRVQIkTc1gx-fVIl6l-uCgXqMP4Hmq4H5SIX7csLL_8THrXld2_9Tl3GvTYXcaxfG7p8bJS1FqnKdHaG64U5iiG2O-QUI-LAwLbSBfVqKZZsvY9dty0W6dLnUP5juslbwE0Nj721Qdfyt6Phe-ZUCTOyEXXJvqmzByp7GO58/w400-h400/anchored%20p9.jpg" width="400"></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We know we want our Children's Ministry to teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe because we want the children we love to know and believe. Ever since Sunday school began we have been teaching children the "whats" and children have been learning the "whats". God promises His Word will not return empty to Him, so when children learn the "whats", God is able to use His Word to work in their lives. Yet, while many of the children we love hold on to the faith they began as a child, more and more of them are not.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/why-teach-whys.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-15451017199643660972024-03-05T06:23:00.000-05:002024-03-05T06:23:03.308-05:00Be Sure Your Ministry is a Safe Place<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwtXwjfvXR-7tER11Y5E-flGF4QIb9dVDucGE2dpCV85WSbLOMNJDrFMMqaXwmt_u88SiyB2ryok3etovnItZdiwb3qguHkTr82Ewwci4_wyxcGzUFJBbLs3fqY36WfdC07cY1OmjGljKs23qMpLctShKdiskCgY7MZpvcYHbLA_1gPP4KeHcHWHP/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(2).jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwtXwjfvXR-7tER11Y5E-flGF4QIb9dVDucGE2dpCV85WSbLOMNJDrFMMqaXwmt_u88SiyB2ryok3etovnItZdiwb3qguHkTr82Ewwci4_wyxcGzUFJBbLs3fqY36WfdC07cY1OmjGljKs23qMpLctShKdiskCgY7MZpvcYHbLA_1gPP4KeHcHWHP/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(2).jpg" width="400"></span></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">It can be difficult to keep focus and perspective when we are serving in the day-in day-out work of Children's Ministry. This is the reason it can be oh-so easy to lose perspective and become discouraged or worse, bitter. But, I am here to tell you, do not lose heart! Hold on! While there are times it can be difficult to believe; or at the very least, confusing, God does know what He is doing and He does not waste anything which happens in our lives! Even better . . . He does have a plan and His plan truly is for our good!</span></span></p><p></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/be-sure-your-ministry-is-safe-place.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-37644095416635812092024-03-04T06:28:00.001-05:002024-03-04T06:28:46.663-05:00Be a Good Shepherd; Not the Wolf<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSKEWU3uINLkppJlwDhHu61sQAZ8YkNym4St8OEo7vhybNkcpwYvC6xMLnkFicBWHIsoWhAunGGDhxDiarY5XVWDtgJeIj1jJlcfSTrKpeFSkt6JrrFmFidv7DKtE2fc7OagpfHxyGS4FTmQVNhQn8ZZLvmr_mkq1dIxTrnWT0lq8mXc9lQcWgZvm/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSKEWU3uINLkppJlwDhHu61sQAZ8YkNym4St8OEo7vhybNkcpwYvC6xMLnkFicBWHIsoWhAunGGDhxDiarY5XVWDtgJeIj1jJlcfSTrKpeFSkt6JrrFmFidv7DKtE2fc7OagpfHxyGS4FTmQVNhQn8ZZLvmr_mkq1dIxTrnWT0lq8mXc9lQcWgZvm/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(5).jpg" width="400"></a></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">There is something God has been laying on my heart lately - other than </span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Grandparenting Ministry :-) - which I want to share with you today. Some of you - happily - will not be able to relate to what I'm about to say. If this is you, please keep reading and take this opportunity to get a glimpse into what others experience and think about how you can be used of God to help and encourage those who do relate.</span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/03/be-good-shepherd-not-wolf.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-23523067938025835412024-02-29T06:37:00.006-05:002024-02-29T06:37:54.175-05:00Plan for Your 2024 VBS to Be Truly Effective<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv0K7uMkh2W8dEIX9APUojc-__exKk7eW1SO3vJhmxpSB3p3ApMv2iBrurK3adA0pfIgVWrqJ4-wnu8eOXyGWz6jlhpUOv_c-YFL__dK8mfpV3Ulh7BywwD3xqjixGfU7WrTbE4ZcrX-JiESRma4x-hetF0IqYcUOU13kdEuAx450skqCCm3Y4OOK/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv0K7uMkh2W8dEIX9APUojc-__exKk7eW1SO3vJhmxpSB3p3ApMv2iBrurK3adA0pfIgVWrqJ4-wnu8eOXyGWz6jlhpUOv_c-YFL__dK8mfpV3Ulh7BywwD3xqjixGfU7WrTbE4ZcrX-JiESRma4x-hetF0IqYcUOU13kdEuAx450skqCCm3Y4OOK/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(4).jpg" width="400"></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><st1:place style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">For many years, since 1894, churches across the country and around the world have made Vacation</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Bible</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;"> a regular part of their Children's Ministry. But, as we enter 2024, is VBS still a tried and true part of the ministry year for most churches? Is it too "old fashioned"? Should we continue to put the time, work, and resources into VBS? </span></span><p></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/plan-for-your-2024-vbs-to-be-truly.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-82989449770254134072024-02-28T08:12:00.001-05:002024-02-28T08:12:45.829-05:00VBS 2024 - Outback Rock from Group Publishing<p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlJM20pEB-A/VNNcpkzCgzI/AAAAAAAAJbI/PnRGCWYhs_k/s1600/OutbackRockLogo_HR.png" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlJM20pEB-A/VNNcpkzCgzI/AAAAAAAAJbI/PnRGCWYhs_k/w400-h282/OutbackRockLogo_HR.png" width="400"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I'm delighted for the opportunity to once again share Group's weekend VBS with you . . . </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;">Outback Rock. The idea with this resource is to provide two </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;">affordable 2 1/2 hour </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;">sessions, plus a one hour celebration which churches could use over one weekend . . . or over three weekends . . . or they might be able to spread it out for one Saturday a month for a Summer of fun! And, if you do not mind repeating games and focusing more on the same Bible Adventure, you could stretch it for a week of VBS.</span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/vbs-2024-outback-rock-from-group.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-49283532506778444502024-02-27T06:28:00.000-05:002024-02-27T06:28:14.742-05:00Put Your Summer Children's Ministry into Full Gear with Group VBS<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehfmPLloer8WxujoMOi4pcBfir3nkB4Wi3MRdvANmkuqMVHZa6TNkSRF83wcFdJKfBZOP3sCzr6hh96jKNS7RA-hFPYQjqkLOGmQ6JQPKtlUUCDKju7fUK4NC4RvO1rucQyCv8O0Y19nquA3mmwHIEJ1gW1AFCvuM2AsErvBDUaIEVhOHUXFHAuxL/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(4).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehfmPLloer8WxujoMOi4pcBfir3nkB4Wi3MRdvANmkuqMVHZa6TNkSRF83wcFdJKfBZOP3sCzr6hh96jKNS7RA-hFPYQjqkLOGmQ6JQPKtlUUCDKju7fUK4NC4RvO1rucQyCv8O0Y19nquA3mmwHIEJ1gW1AFCvuM2AsErvBDUaIEVhOHUXFHAuxL/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(4).jpg" width="400"></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa;">Even though it is nearing the end of February, we know S</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa;">ummer will be here before we know it, so it is time to think about what our Summer Children's Ministry will look like. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">I have been writing about Group's VBS resources for a few days, but t</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">oday I want to ask you, how do you plan to use your VBS?</span></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><p></p><div class="YCText1" style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></div><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/put-your-summer-childrens-ministry-into.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-68701263939518625012024-02-26T07:21:00.002-05:002024-02-26T07:21:50.943-05:00VBS 2024 - Hometown Nazareth by Group Publishing<p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AOTTr4vuWro/VKmSZpOs0WI/AAAAAAAAJIA/VbDAPEbz3ZE/s1600/hometown-nazareth-vbs-2015-logo.png" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AOTTr4vuWro/VKmSZpOs0WI/AAAAAAAAJIA/VbDAPEbz3ZE/w400-h232/hometown-nazareth-vbs-2015-logo.png" width="400"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Today I'm happy to look at "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Nazareth-Starter-Kit-Adventure/dp/0764446908?ie=UTF8&tag=therevsou02-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hometown Nazareth</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial; border-width: initial;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=therevsou02-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0764446908" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">" from Group Publishing - which equips you to take the children in your church and community on a visit to Jesus' hometown, Nazareth, where they will be able to experience village life as Jesus might have lived it when He was a boy!</span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/vbs-2024-hometown-nazareth-by-group.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-47252438662528787882024-02-23T08:52:00.001-05:002024-02-23T09:07:31.110-05:00Yes! VBS Does Make Solid Dollars & Cents for Your Ministry!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NGMW_XR-uhPy0t7h1iJqlBx5lTsO-DoF1MPmOUKqnlcFlRejPlXvHtijC93fvbC1egIyDBmxsOiSlOS1oZrm6V5vi87UOFckBSgL1_E0RQRN3hhVY6z55LLi_7iUkSP6vbz4kl30NJrX0zmQakB7zE3d8VqRup28F5wVCIt2FlC4vFd9CH6fJmsJ/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(3).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NGMW_XR-uhPy0t7h1iJqlBx5lTsO-DoF1MPmOUKqnlcFlRejPlXvHtijC93fvbC1egIyDBmxsOiSlOS1oZrm6V5vi87UOFckBSgL1_E0RQRN3hhVY6z55LLi_7iUkSP6vbz4kl30NJrX0zmQakB7zE3d8VqRup28F5wVCIt2FlC4vFd9CH6fJmsJ/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(3).jpg" width="400"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There was a time, not too long ago, when nearly all churches budgeted for VBS. Most considered it (and rightly so) a part of their evangelism budget as VBS was one of their biggest evangelism outreaches of the year. In many churches it was their biggest outreach of the year. Then in the years leading up to COVID more and more churches stopped using VBS - far, far too many stopped any ministry opportunities to children in the Summertime. Then COVID hit and pretty much all churches stopped offering VBS - and everything in person for two years. Last year some churches were starting to plan for VBS again, and this year even more churches are taking a serious look at VBS. I am very happy to see this as VBS is a fantastic way to reach into your community - it is one of the best and most effective ways you are able to make use of the money you budget for evangelism. Why is this? Consider the following . . .</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/yes-vbs-does-make-solid-dollars-cents.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-12836941865665350562024-02-22T07:08:00.004-05:002024-02-22T07:11:06.649-05:00VBS 2024 - SCUBA from Group Publishing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhappIEMRJf4fUga05T3MKhc6CwW-LWeqOyBS8n03U39W184BVNRPVbB0CAghmFwl-AlUyBcJt2LCHyli2o51xInPPbiZO-Jrutz8GRmNJ2WA9GaFtUVfIThvO1c0hBeSTvBTY8i9vD7xsSigUVK-ht_lqeMkOM1lNyqJwodH_qdMsDprv5toWwsJis/s2282/scuba-vbs-logo-HiRes-RGB.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="2282" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhappIEMRJf4fUga05T3MKhc6CwW-LWeqOyBS8n03U39W184BVNRPVbB0CAghmFwl-AlUyBcJt2LCHyli2o51xInPPbiZO-Jrutz8GRmNJ2WA9GaFtUVfIThvO1c0hBeSTvBTY8i9vD7xsSigUVK-ht_lqeMkOM1lNyqJwodH_qdMsDprv5toWwsJis/w400-h299/scuba-vbs-logo-HiRes-RGB.png" width="400"></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you only choose one VBS resource to use in your ministry this Summer, I highly recommend Group Publishing's SCUBA - diving into friendship with God. Now, if you have read my reviews over the past nearly thirty years, you know I recommend getting one VBS resource with all the "bells & whistles" your church is able to afford and use it for a week of VBS and then on Sundays throughout your Summer (don't worry, I'll post in a few days about how to do this.) But, if you only use for VBS, then SCUBA is absolutely the VBS to use, in my opinion. Why do I write this? For the following reasons . . . <span></span></span><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/vbs-2024-scuba-from-group-publishing.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-79398328826573041262024-02-21T07:52:00.002-05:002024-02-21T07:52:19.699-05:00It is Time to Pick Your VBS for 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa0W2UscOohPbz6L7O47su_pdhHZP71KrN9mDec18OqMKOFLbXOycQLcG24AFKpIvhSpHwivh1Mx1ju8AsxZIgrDvOoWE8sOR0bLqs9ztZJE6oDaPiuV2-kSgvXq_9wbpDyou28yvZM5a4jkUDtyaz3ZE8RQZChYrDNi11_tAVeU8Twf954ANKUrj/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa0W2UscOohPbz6L7O47su_pdhHZP71KrN9mDec18OqMKOFLbXOycQLcG24AFKpIvhSpHwivh1Mx1ju8AsxZIgrDvOoWE8sOR0bLqs9ztZJE6oDaPiuV2-kSgvXq_9wbpDyou28yvZM5a4jkUDtyaz3ZE8RQZChYrDNi11_tAVeU8Twf954ANKUrj/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day%20(1).jpg" width="400"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It is the time of year where I share my VBS reviews. I used to write my reviews for this blog and for <i>Christianity Today's Your Church Magazine</i> - I'd typically review about 16 kits each year. Now, especially after COVID, there are not 16 publishers still producing VBS, but there are some. I no longer review them all - I choose the VBS kits which I believe are the best based on my years of reviewing curriculum and then share my reviews with you. This year I am reviewing VBS from Group Publishing.</span></div><p><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/it-is-time-to-pick-your-vbs-for-2024.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-6303469331119074772024-02-20T08:46:00.008-05:002024-02-20T08:46:49.675-05:00Why Another Curriculum? Why Deeper In for Children?<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAriJUcH_humhCcMEtXkNAWCNduSj3TKRS-ki1x4AwizbIyGZ87cwryqVWa-k9Lt_yZHgMz1X6kN30PpNxe4nndDsxDLR8Ps63S7_TEoBf8G_GcAh4atoOVNEjsPGwEk6_doMIbG2yh2J9naLWn5nHyZNHpCRg0fxwQQh5AFqIahaUdwb7y99kYQ/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20deeper%20in%202023a8%20(15).jpg" width="400"></span></p></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f9fefe;">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 <a href="https://childrengodeeper.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Deeper In for Children</a>? There are several reasons, but the biggest one is because </span><a href="https://childrengodeeper.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #f9fefe; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Deeper In for Children</a><span style="background-color: #f9fefe;"> does several unique things -</span></span></p><span style="background-color: #f9fefe; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/why-another-curriculum-why-deeper-in.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-7110141203237052282024-02-16T06:30:00.002-05:002024-02-16T06:30:11.507-05:00Get Deeper In for Children Digital Curriculum Today!<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoVN3EFz30TaYCHQT8LI9_M3M3tuQy_61Kwab9o4QhnXeo7AIlDKzH8RAfjafiH6efMrrjmwaPYjxizZSGh1jsu4PYOOhOpUTgbETdsjuQ_-JTy0vdrhnoO7EEku0lsmh6nhUV4yGGFs09CRi_3tcTNEpv4rezA0GkmQDnozZ-UKpHhjVvIz9kA/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20deeper%20in%202023a8%20(1).jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(203, 203, 203); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; font-family: inherit; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400"></span></p></div><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Yes! <a href="https://childrengodeeper.blogspot.com/p/bookstore.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Deeper In for Children</a> 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! </span><span>When you use </span><a href="https://childrengodeeper.blogspot.com/p/bookstore.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Deeper In for Children</a><span> 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!</span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/get-deeper-in-for-children-digital.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-22841663926480809092024-02-15T07:01:00.006-05:002024-02-15T07:01:26.110-05:00Be Encouraged; God Sees!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWQ0XkAtQr5oDH1TN1vbcAiy-SYyrevYqS452FhO1ZgGwWeXq2L8skKY51lp7vOi_JGbKqf7HfSJZl3bIKIqYC1ICW1NdncMRSL3k2iqQ-4QW29LrLOHSTdvC_I3-W_3UG_yq46UR985LMkDX7VTtAEmYR-rQclhuSUK8t1dXelBCQ2owGMwJePMq/s800/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWQ0XkAtQr5oDH1TN1vbcAiy-SYyrevYqS452FhO1ZgGwWeXq2L8skKY51lp7vOi_JGbKqf7HfSJZl3bIKIqYC1ICW1NdncMRSL3k2iqQ-4QW29LrLOHSTdvC_I3-W_3UG_yq46UR985LMkDX7VTtAEmYR-rQclhuSUK8t1dXelBCQ2owGMwJePMq/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20chocolate%20day.jpg" width="400"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;">Children's Ministry can be one of the most joy-filled places in the church where anyone </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;">can serve! Having the opportunity to see God through the eyes of children; the wonder and awe children have which give us a bigger "view" of Him! The blessing of having a part in leading children to Jesus and watching them grow in their faith! Yes, there is a lot of joy in serving in Children's Ministry!</span></span><p></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/be-encouraged-god-sees.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-32350513958906063542024-02-14T06:38:00.001-05:002024-02-14T06:38:41.565-05:00Why is Deeper In for Children a Great Fit for Your Children's Ministry?<p><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3W96RQ-7vudv8R0rVfaGUgYsqkUx7ItAkmB8K0sD2khoFEpbUXWNYXJHcDKF5aks7DzHLx2Ii_MOTo8Lvm8OL6dSN9uW2rNu-azpXR273Bpk3v84O_7Myx9EuSU9d2ee3kZkUsAHY2bqahrMVrqJilwJ0TitysQPAknraB51R3-DeqwCv_hJgg/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20deeper%20in%202023a8%20(9).jpg" width="400"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>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</span><span> </span></span><a href="https://childrengodeeper.blogspot.com/p/bookstore.html" style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Deeper In for Children</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span><span>the curriculum for your church? It is designed to do some unique things . . .</span></span></span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span><span><span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/why-is-deeper-in-for-children-great-fit.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-65844584118321058162024-02-13T06:43:00.002-05:002024-02-13T06:43:47.863-05:00Some Thoughts About Deuteronomy 6 & Psalm 78<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRdaUhgLzAGQdjLznvXb5DGnLeDD8eqgYwHG0hurVeGz4_uO4BefduvM4oltfpiUqoF1928yJWQxaIZQxUASlZYQ1QUEOTBC4mLxtLnLRgxc_BFRQRQColDEBz-GdmarSjbPLK8HdjnVVacPCPaKG7cNjewgjtGOiPoCBxQkdKcSalKdO-TT1Dsbo/s800/flowers%202%20(12).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRdaUhgLzAGQdjLznvXb5DGnLeDD8eqgYwHG0hurVeGz4_uO4BefduvM4oltfpiUqoF1928yJWQxaIZQxUASlZYQ1QUEOTBC4mLxtLnLRgxc_BFRQRQColDEBz-GdmarSjbPLK8HdjnVVacPCPaKG7cNjewgjtGOiPoCBxQkdKcSalKdO-TT1Dsbo/w400-h400/flowers%202%20(12).jpg" width="400"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;">Children's ministry matters because children matter. God gave very specific directions to </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;">parents, grandparents, and to His people in general about how important it was for them to love Him and then pass this love for Him to their children. </span></span><p></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/some-thoughts-about-deuteronomy-6-psalm.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-67279087776573725222024-02-12T07:48:00.001-05:002024-02-12T07:48:38.904-05:00Help Children go Deeper Into God's Word with Deeper In for Children<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2ng5YZgqK-KFJfpef6v6090kQUzZZQkrmI2SOIwc1YZwm8JnZDdUorarTs569TGMzHVtwjX4wreqXZOj38zKl1d321baRYAhyEhFQg7lLDrejm8eIemZLkH9l0GYYwYTb8_FEJylSngxBPazNAetUIPs0wfiJRd6ZQY94XLhmoVZcFT30guftA/w400-h400/Copy%20of%20deeper%20in%202023a8%20(18).jpg" width="400"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://childrengodeeper.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Deeper In for Children</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">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! </span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/help-children-go-deeper-into-gods-word.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291667704729959876.post-88766086976173215932024-02-09T06:35:00.001-05:002024-02-09T06:35:13.891-05:00Equip Families to Hand Down a Confident Faith<p><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="847" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08QztF9qVhM/XzFnuDoN4zI/AAAAAAAAg2U/QlI2zrMHtmMQV_ly0lXyvJt-0isaEZxvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/tornado-572504_1280.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: inherit;">June 2015 in a town not far from where I live, a tornado hit; four churches in this small community were seriously damaged. One church 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 a couple months later when the builders who began the work to rebuild brough</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">t 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.</span></span></p><a href="https://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2024/02/equip-families-to-hand-down-confident.html#more">Read more »</a>Lynda Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008178991090531599noreply@blogger.com0