Better Children's Ministry
By Every Generation Ministries
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Better Children's MinistryOct 01, 2018
31 Days of Prayer: Nurturing Families
On January 1st, we kicked off the “31 Days of Prayer for Children.” EGM is spending the month of January praying for boys and girls around the world in a specific way each day.
On this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” Kelli talks with Quinton Hufferd, EGM’s Bible Resource Publisher, about the value of praying for nurturing families. Quinton shares some of the qualities of a nurturing family and how we can minister to children who are not growing up in an nurturing environment. We are encouraged to know that any child, no matter their circumstance, has the opportunity to become part of God’s nurturing family.
We encourage you to join us for the rest of our time in prayer this month! You can sign up to receive daily emails with specific prayers:
Highlights:
5:30 – What are some of the qualities of a nurturing family?
9:27 – Why do we pray for children to have nurturing families?
10:45 – What does God’s Word say about the value of family?
17:14 – How can we minister to children who don’t have nurturing families?
21:58 – Encouragement as we continue to pray
31 Days of Prayer: Health and Wholeness
On January 1st, we kicked off the “31 Days of Prayer for Children.” EGM is spending the month of January praying for boys and girls around the world in a specific way each day.
On this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” Daniel and Kelli talk about one of our prayers – that children grow up with health and wholeness. Daniel points us to Jesus’ own childhood and the many layers of meaning in the word “wholeness.”
We encourage you to join us for the rest of our time in prayer this month! You can sign up to receive daily emails with specific prayers: http://eepurl.com/gbQnzn
Highlights:
3:12 – Health and wholeness in light of Luke 2 and 1 Samuel
5:53 – More than just physical health and wholeness
7:40 – What aspects of health and wholeness affect a child’s spiritual growth?
10:12 – How do we minister to children who are not growing up in health and wholeness?
12:04 – Encouragement as we continue to pray
Entering 2019 with Thanks
Highlights:
0:40 – The strangest gift Daniel ever received
2:08 – Why is thankfulness an important practice in ministry?
8:55 – What might keep us from being thankful?
10:40 – Practicing the discipline of thankfulness
11:54– How can we model a heart of thankfulness to children?
12:57 – A 37-year prayer was answered this year
15:08 – Children transformed in Belarus
"Welcome Them" - Our Year-End Celebration
This year, the theme of our celebration is “Welcome Them.” This comes from Matthew 18:5.
In this episode of Better Children’s Ministry, Daniel and Kelli discuss how we can apply the truth of this passage as we celebrate Christmas.
Highlights:
2:52 – What does Jesus means when he says we welcome him when we welcome a child?
5:29 – Why is this passage significant to the ministry of EGM?
8:45 – How can we apply the truth of this passage at Christmas?
10:15 – Welcome the children who are hardest to love
A Call to Ministry is a Call to Prayer
In this episode of Better Children’s Ministry, Daniel Watts explores the ministry calling of Paul, and how his life was characterized by God’s direction through prayer. Daniel and Kelli discuss the different ways God offers us help in ministry, and how we can trust Him even when we don’t feel like our prayers are being answered.
Highlights:
3:42 – Where can we see prayer as part of a leader’s calling in the Bible?
9:33 – We can ask God for specific guidance about our ministry work
12:33 – We don’t have to know everything – what a relief!
14:28 – What do we do when we don’t get an answer to our prayer?
17:31 – Go to His Word. Go to His People.
19:56 – Encouragement when our prayer life isn’t what it should be
Do you need prayer for your ministry? We want to pray with you! Email us at info@egmworld.org.
A Leader in Church and at Home
In this episode of Better Children’s Ministry, Daniel Watts walks us through 1 Timothy 3:4 and some of the qualifications of a church leader. We talk about how important our family responsibilities are in the life of our ministries. Daniel offers encouragement to those who are feeling spread thin.
Highlights:
4:22 – A good leader in the home will be a good leader in the church
4:40 – How do we apply 1 Timothy 3 during the hectic Christmas season?
8:55 – Learning how to say “No”
10:10 – Modeling home and ministry life balance for children
12:26 – The more time we spend with God, the more clearly we can discern His call
13:49 – God’s more concerned about who we are than what we’re doing
Wisdom of Proverbs in Children's Ministry
On this episode of Better Children’s Ministry, Daniel Watts and Kelli Johnson discuss Proverbs 22:6 and what it means to minister to children with wisdom.
Highlights:
2:44 – What does “Train up a child in the way he should go” mean?
6:17 – The way we learn is usually the way we teach
8:05 – What does Proverbs 22:6 have to do with wise ministry to children?
10:06 – How do we integrate this wisdom practically?
11:59 – Encouragement during this hectic season of ministry
Volunteer Appreciation
But whether we’re leading our church’s children’s ministry or we are a fellow volunteer, each one of us can play a part in the building up of others around us. In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” Tara Thomas and Kelli Johnson talk about the value of expressing appreciation and out-doing one another in showing honor.
**Warning ** We talk about insects in this episode. It’s a little gross. #KidMinLife
Highlights:
4:33 – Some of the things we’ve received that made us feel appreciated
7:48 – Memorable gifts/notes are really relational
8:30 – During the holiday season, how can we support and encourage each other?
10:13 – Our relationships with God and with each other remain the focus
10:56 – What does God’s Word say about why and how we show appreciation?
12:30 – Encouragement for leaders looking for creative ways to show appreciation
16:38 – A prayer of encouragement from Tara
Teaching Bible Truth to Children
In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” Tara and Kelli discuss some of the best – and worst – ways to teach the Truth to boys and girls in church.
Highlights:
5:25 – What is the worst way to teach the Bible to children?
7:11 – Tara’s favorite ways to teach Bible truth
11:48 – Practical tips when considering how to teach this week
13:10 – We can teach creatively without buying new supplies
14:48 – What does God’s Word say about how we should teach God’s Word?
18:05 – Encouragement as we look for new, fresh ways to teach
Ministry in Small Groups
On this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” Tara Thomas and Kelli Johnson discuss the advantages and challenges of ministering to boys and girls in small groups.
Highlights:
3:14 – The special relationships we develop in a small group setting
5:39 – How children relate differently to their leaders and to each other in small groups
7:26 – The challenges we face when ministering in small groups
10:37 – How to handle radio silence
12:49 – What does the Bible say about the value of small groups?
16:24 – Jesus himself modeled small group relationships
16:46 – Encouragement when considering small groups
Support From Senior Pastors
Highlights:
5:20 – The value of children’s ministry in the life of a church
9:27 – How can pastors support children’s ministry?
13:48 – Our relationships with church leaders have layers
14:46 – How can pastors empower and encourage KidMin leaders?
16:24 – How can children’s ministry leaders encourage their pastors?
19:16 – Relating to our pastors when there is no problem that needs solving
20:15 – What does God’s Word say about children’s ministry?
24:09 – Equipping parents together
27:18 – A prayer from Tara
The Privilege of Serving in the Nursery
In this episode of "Better Children's Ministry," Tara Thomas and Kelli Johnson discuss the unique privilege of serving some of the most helpless among us by ministering in the church nursery. In God’s Kingdom, power is shown in sacrifice. The last are first and the greatest are the least. We do important, impactful Kingdom work when we spend time holding babies.
Highlights:
3:30 – The joys of serving in the nursery
4:52 – What gifting is important for serving in the nursery?
6:17 – What does transformational ministry to babies look like?
8:05 – What does the Bible say about holding babies?
11:10 – Encouragement for those serving the babies of the family
Help When We Are Afraid
But the reality of fear is about so much more than just October and Halloween. Fears don’t always go away as we get older. All of us have experienced fear at some point, and the Bible has a lot to say about it.
In this episode of Better Children’s Ministry, Tara Thomas and Kelli Johnson discuss how we as children’s ministry leaders can comfort children who experience fear and model a godly response to fear in our own lives.
Highlights:
5:45 – How can we as adults help children feel safe to open up when they have fears?
8:44 – It it’s important to the child, it’s important to us
10:37 – How can comfort a child who is experiencing fear when they’re with us at church?
13:38 – There are different kinds of fear
15:30 – Scripture memorization as a response to fear
16:47 – Let the Lord speak into our fears
20:10 – What does the Bible say about responding to fear?
25:34 – Download a free Bible lesson on fear right now!
Helping Children Respond to God
The Word of God is intended to impact every single area of our lives. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, part of the command from God is to practice the truths of God. For this reason, “response” is one of the five principles from this passage that EGM uses to help churches disciple children.
In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” David Jesse and Tara Thomas discuss the practical ways we can encourage children to respond to God’s Word in their real lives.
Highlights:
4:07 – The blessing of watching children respond to Bible truth
6:30 – Children do ministry too
8:55 – How can we facilitate opportunities for response?
11:49 – Hearing and obeying God’s Word
13:04 – Response activity examples
14:44 – “You will be blessed if you do them.”
15:36 – Encouragement as we help children respond to God
Bible Curriculum that Transforms
In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” David Jesse and Tara Thomas discuss the most important elements of Bible teaching materials that are focused on transformation in the life of a child.
Highlights:
3:02 – What elements of a KidMin curriculum are most important?
4:05 – The challenges of meeting every child’s need with curriculum
10:00 – The value of a singular lesson aim for each Bible lesson
11:34 – Lesson aim examples
12:24 – First, let the lesson change you
13:38 – What does the Bible say about how we teach the Bible?
15:09 – Does every aspect of our time together point back to our lesson aim?
Having Fun is Serious Business
In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” David Jesse and Daniel Watts talk about how “fun” can be different for different kids and how real fun in church is experiencing relationships and being known.
Highlights:
2:21 – Why is having fun and experiencing joy so important in children’s ministry?
3:30 - Flooding the church bathroom and refrigerator box tag
8:28 – The definition of “fun” is different for different kids
9:20 – How can we help make church a fun place for children?
10:50 – What does the Bible say about the value of fun and joy?
14:18 – Real fun and joy in the church is having relationships and being known
Discipleship & Evangelism
We talk about discipleship a lot on this podcast because it’s really at the core of why EGM exists. On this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” David Jesse and Daniel Watts talk about what discipleship is, what evangelism is, where those ideas come from, and why they're both important in children's ministry.
Highlights:
2:54 – What is discipleship?
4:17 – Are there differences between discipleship and evangelism?
5:39 – Discipleship and evangelism are not opposing ideas
7:35 – Focus on proclaiming Good News – to all children
9:13 – How do we develop a discipleship relationship with kids we see for 1 hour per week?
13:21 – Part of discipleship is modeling mistakes, humility, repentance and forgiveness
Partnering with Parents
Highlights:
2:17 – Common dynamics between children’s ministry and parents
5:33 – Inviting parents to serve
7:40 – There’s so much going on in a family’s life
8:50 – We all play a part in discipling children
10:23 – Kids benefit from having other adults disciple them too
12:30 – Encouragement, take two (re-recorded segment)
13:49 – What are we already doing right?
15:22 – Sometimes discipleship looks like a birthday party
Developing Teen Leaders
Many churches have eager, excited teens who want to serve their church, and children’s ministry is often a natural fit. In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” Tara Thomas talks with David Jesse about what a huge blessing teenagers can be to a church’s KidMin. When we disciple these young leaders, we are investing in believers who are just beginning a life lived in service to Christ. It’s a special privilege to pour into those who will be pouring into our churches for generations to come.
Highlights
2:16 – Teenagers are a huge blessing to children’s ministry
4:22 – What are some differences in the needs of teen volunteers?
7:28 – How can we encourage teens to serve in KidMin?
8:27 – We can invite teenagers into the life of the church
9:23 – Encouragement for teens from God’s Word
11:22 – Encouragement for leaders
Too Young to Follow Jesus?
In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” David Jesse talks with Daniel Watts about the value place on children by Jesus himself. When our focus in church is on discipleship and life transformation, we can help even the youngest among us experience a life dedicated to following Jesus and being part of His family.
Highlights:
4:29 – Is children’s ministry REAL ministry?
6:39 – Why would Jesus waste his time with toddlers?
8:20 – Is Christianity all about decision making and understanding?
10:47 – Some of the best disciples are children
12:35 – Helping children feel like they’re part of God’s family
16:25 – Encouragement for the discouraged
Passionate & Committed Volunteers
Krysten shares about the impact that simple acts of love and kindness can have on a child’s spiritual growth and how the most important qualification for any KidMin participant is their love for God and for children.
Highlights:
0:50 – Getting a little too creative with the Creation story
6:05 – What it takes to be involved in children’s ministry
8:30 – The impact of Mr. Dennis
10:00 – There’s nothing more important than love
11:30 – Reminding them how important the work is
14:08 – What does God’s Word say about equipping volunteers?
16:49 – Tips to Pastors/Directors
19:33 – Tips for volunteers
Creativity in KidMin
Highlights:
4:20 – That 8 year old in your class might grow up to be in your shoes
6:20 – What’s the worst way to teach the Bible to children?
7:59 – Common misunderstandings of creativity
8:28 – An exercise for cultivating creativity
12:33 – What does God’s Word say about creativity?
13:39 – Why is being creative so intimidating?
15:28 – Practical tips for teaching the Bible creatively
18:05 – Encouragement for the discouraged
Welcoming Special Needs Kids
In this episode, David and Tara talk about the inherent value of every person created in the image of God and what a blessing it has been for her church to minister to special needs children and families in the local community. Tara offers encouragement to children’s ministry leaders – or anyone, really – who wants to create a welcoming environment at church for people with special needs.
Highlights
3:19 – VBS looks a little different at Tara’s church
7:03 – Why are some families with special needs children reluctant to come to church?
10:42 – Immeasurable joys
13:53 – Welcome partners in the life of the church
15:52 – A wake-up call and an opportunity
17:43 – We have a gift from God coming into our churches
19:27 - God equips the called
Experiencing Bible Truth
Download a FREE Bible lesson that follows the biblical principles of discipleship found in Deuteronomy 6: egmworld.org/bible-study-for-kids/
Highlights:
1:12 – The “them” in “Talk About Them” is really important
3:13 – Creating an experiential activity
7:14 – There’s 500 children in Chile who think Americans hold their chairs during church
10:44 – Experiential activities in the EGM office
14:00 – Bringing the everyday experiences of life into Sunday morning
16:12 – This isn’t a teaching method invented by EGM
18:52 – Encouragement for the discouraged
Talk About Them
In this episode of “Better Children’s Ministry,” David talks with Daniel Watts about why it is crucial to create an environment where boys and girls can talk about what’s happening in their everyday lives and how God’s Word relates to that.
Highlights:
5:15 – Bridging God’s Word into our real lives
10:20 – It’s super hard!
12:19 – You can say what you really think at church
14:00 – If it’s meaningful to them, it’s meaningful to us
18:15 – Children are formulating views that will carry into adulthood
19:46 – Become comfortable with the awkward and the messy
Praying With Them
Highlights
2:00 – A children’s prayer conference in Egypt
5:20 – When prayer time gets real
6:45 – Kids have real problems just like us
8:03 – As disciplers, we must build prayer into our Bible lesson time
11:57 – The children we lead will teach us about God as we pray together
16:20 – Leading kids to the presence of the Lord
19:08 – Encouragement for the discouraged
Preparing Our Hearts to Serve
Highlights
4:34 – Spiritual transformation in the life of a child starts with spiritual transformation in our own lives
5:16 – Weighing the urgent against the important
8:20 – Scheduling time to sit before the Lord before we lead on Sunday
9:49 – It benefits children to watch their leaders be transformed by God’s Word
14:06 – Discipleship is about more than teaching
14:51 – Encouragement for the discouraged
So What?
Highlights
2:00 – What is the “So What” issue?
5:40 – “So What?” is not just a struggle in the KidMin world
8:42 – Knowing the real lives of the kids we serve
12:48 – “Talk About Them”
17:45 – Getting the right answers isn’t the goal
18:40 – Encouragement for the discouraged
Ministering to Misbehavers
Highlights:
2:18 – The sister of Attila the Hun
7:44 – We can be hopeful that God will use and transform troubled children
10:02 - Misbehavior can be addressed differently in church than in school
12:35 – Practical tips for managing a misbehaving child
14:20 – When spiritual transformation is our goal, motive matters
18:06 – Approaching misbehaving children with a Gospel mindset
20:02 – Ministering to misbehavior requires more people
22:00 – Encouragement for the discouraged
The Buzz
Highlights:
Highlights:
1:50 – What’s “the buzz?”
4:38 – The KidMin “machine”
8:10 – Going Mach-8 with your hair on fire
10:00 – Making taco salads in garbage cans
16:28 – Big outreach and relational discipleship isn’t an either/or situation
20:19 – Children are attracted to genuine relationships, transformational teaching and a sense of belonging.
27:04 – Encouragement for the discouraged
The Dreaded Saturday Night Text
Highlights:
1:54 – Daniel Watts introduces himself
4:00 – Children’s ministry in a bathroom, under some trees and peeking through windows
5:25 – The Caspers
6:54 – Why do KidMin volunteers back out of their commitment so often?
10:48 – Seeing KidMin as a calling
17:00 – Casting vision for children’s ministry
18:07 – Re-recruiting ourselves
20:50 – Helping our church members realize their calling
26:58 – Mr. Pebbles
28:14 – The spiritual significance of the 2-year-olds class
31:33 – Encouragement for the discouraged
Introduction
Highlights:
2:10 – What Jesus thinks about ministry to children
4:08 – What makes this KidMin podcast different?
6:16 – What does Jonah and the big whale have to do with the real life of a five-year-old?
6:48 – The format of each show
9:50 – Who got into children’s ministry because they love paperwork and budgets? Beuller?
11:15 – Decades of KidMin experience around the world
12:53 – How to stay connected to EGM