We did a fun review game in small groups this week based on NBC's hit game show DEAL or NO DEAL.
Prepare envelopes or file folders to be the "suitcases" by labeling the outsides with numbers 1-15. Randomly fill each suitcase with a number from 1-15. Prepare a chart with a list of the numbers 1-15.
The numbers inside the suitcases represent pieces of candy that can be won. The case that remains at the end of the game will be opened to determine how many candies each child will get.
One at a time ask kids review questions. Upon answering the question correctly, the child may pick a suitcase to open and eliminate. When the number inside is revealed, cross it off the chart.
When only one suitcase remains, open it to see how many pieces of candy each child will win.
There's no banker, no deals and no beautiful models. But it was a hit with plenty of tension, drama, squealing and laughter.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Nasty Spam
It just feels wrong to open your church e-mail account and see a nasty four letter word in a subject line. I hate spam!
2 Extremes on Kids Ministry Spectrum
In Blogworld I've run across two extreme views on the kids ministry spectrum.
This guy does not allow children in the service at his church. His rationale is that kids can be distracting to worshipers and that church can be boring to kids. He doesn't want kids to grow up hating church so they provide a cool, fun and exciting program specifically for them. He claims that he does this not out of a disdain for children or a devaluing of them. He says that the way to truly value kids and minister to them is to create great programs just for them. But still, to say you DO NOT ALLOW kids in the service just seems harsh and rubs me the wrong way.
This woman, and I know there are many others in her camp, thinks that separate kids programs are detrimental to families and to the church. If it were up to her there would be no more Sunday Schools and Children's Churches. Kids and youth would worship together with their families. I don't agree with this extreme either. In fact she makes the last guy sound like he's the one who is getting it right.
So what do you think? Do kids have a place in 'big church'? Are there other ways to welcome and include them in the church body while running age specific programs? Can't we just have our cake and eat it too?
This guy does not allow children in the service at his church. His rationale is that kids can be distracting to worshipers and that church can be boring to kids. He doesn't want kids to grow up hating church so they provide a cool, fun and exciting program specifically for them. He claims that he does this not out of a disdain for children or a devaluing of them. He says that the way to truly value kids and minister to them is to create great programs just for them. But still, to say you DO NOT ALLOW kids in the service just seems harsh and rubs me the wrong way.
This woman, and I know there are many others in her camp, thinks that separate kids programs are detrimental to families and to the church. If it were up to her there would be no more Sunday Schools and Children's Churches. Kids and youth would worship together with their families. I don't agree with this extreme either. In fact she makes the last guy sound like he's the one who is getting it right.
So what do you think? Do kids have a place in 'big church'? Are there other ways to welcome and include them in the church body while running age specific programs? Can't we just have our cake and eat it too?
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
A record is set!
As a small time blogger I just love it when I get comments on my posts. I just got one that gets the prize for 'lengthiest comment on Christy's little blog.' Actually the post got quite a few comments, but the 4th one was the longest ever! It's oddly flattering to think that someone would take so much time to respond point-by-point to my writing. Don't worry - I won't get a big head over it!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Now that basketball is over...
I was pretty green as a youth sports parent when I wrote this. Now that the season is over I can say that it wasn't all roses and sunshine. All in all it was a great experience for my kids and our whole family. But we did see some ugly stuff too:
1. Parents who enjoyed complaining continually about the other teams' coaches.
2. Parents who called their kids off the bench to give them game tips or play critiques.
3. Parents who made their kids cry.
4. A dad who sat on the sideline playing with this Blackberry while 'watching' the game.
Is there any correlation to kids ministry? I'll try! There are difficult people wherever you go. Every organization has its bad apples. The negativity of a few does not necessarily affect the whole program.
Baseball and soccer are up next. I wonder what lessons they will hold?
1. Parents who enjoyed complaining continually about the other teams' coaches.
2. Parents who called their kids off the bench to give them game tips or play critiques.
3. Parents who made their kids cry.
4. A dad who sat on the sideline playing with this Blackberry while 'watching' the game.
Is there any correlation to kids ministry? I'll try! There are difficult people wherever you go. Every organization has its bad apples. The negativity of a few does not necessarily affect the whole program.
Baseball and soccer are up next. I wonder what lessons they will hold?
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Bible Sunday
Today we gave Bibles to our first graders. We did it a little differently this year with direction from our new Children's Pastor. In the past we presented the Bibles in "big church." Today we held a separate program for first graders and their families. It allowed us time to do some teaching for the kids and parents. It brought all the first grade families together in good community. It felt more intimate and personal. And we were able to serve donuts and juice! For the most part the change was good and well received.
It is such a fun day when we give the kids their Bibles. I am always amazed at how excited each kid is and how they treasure their new book. The majority of our kids are from churchy families with plenty of financial resources. Still, these kids just glow with giddiness when they see their shiny new NIV Adventure Bibles, inscribed with their names.
I have a first grader in my house. Tonight she used her new Bible to complete her "homework" from our midweek club program. She reads very well, but when she got to John 3:14, she read, "Moses lifted the snack up in the dessert."
These 1st graders have their Bibles, now they just need the Holy Spirit to help them understand it!
It is such a fun day when we give the kids their Bibles. I am always amazed at how excited each kid is and how they treasure their new book. The majority of our kids are from churchy families with plenty of financial resources. Still, these kids just glow with giddiness when they see their shiny new NIV Adventure Bibles, inscribed with their names.
I have a first grader in my house. Tonight she used her new Bible to complete her "homework" from our midweek club program. She reads very well, but when she got to John 3:14, she read, "Moses lifted the snack up in the dessert."
These 1st graders have their Bibles, now they just need the Holy Spirit to help them understand it!
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