This object lesson is perfect to use at Halloween. Something that people use as decoration will remind children how Jesus saves them from their sin.
Needed: 2 jack-o-lanterns. One should have a frown carved, and should be warped and ugly. It shouldn’t be cleaned out completely and shouldn’t have a light in it. If you can, leave it to rot for a few days. The more disgusting it is, the better. The second jack-o-lantern should be clean, with a smile on its face and a candle in it.
Everywhere you go at this time of the year, you see jack-o-lanterns. Did you know jack-o-lanterns can remind you of how Jesus saved you. Before Jesus came into your heart, you were like this jack-o-lantern. Show first jack-o-lantern. You were full of sin and dirty inside. You had no light inside you, and you were very unhappy. But Jesus came into your heart and cleaned all the sin inside. Show the second jack-o-lantern. He gave you peace and put a smile on your face. He even shines His light through you. So everywhere you go this Halloween, when you see a jack-o-lantern, let it remind you of what Jesus did when He saved you.
Many times, children’s pastors stress about Easter Sunday. The idea is more children will be there that Sunday, and they need to be at their best if they want to win those children into the Kingdom. Here are 3 things to remember to make your life easier on Easter Sunday.
1. Most of the effective ministry you do will be the day in and day out discipling of children. Ministry on one day out of the year is not as important as ministry throughout the year.
2. Your job is to convey the Good News of the Gospel. Don’t worry about all the gimmicks and circus tricks that are promoted in children’s ministry. The important thing has always been the Gospel.
3. It is not your job to save children. It is your job to preach the Gospel in a way children can understand and respond to. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict and convince children to be saved.
The middle of March is a great time to have a Saint Patrick’s Day Fun Sunday or outreach party for Kidmin. Here are some of the things you’ll need to make your party a success.
Decorations: Decorations are easy for a Saint Patrick’s Day party. Think green. Cut out construction paper shamrocks and hang them up. Some other ideas are to make rainbows out of balloons or streamers and to hang up a map of Ireland. Make sure you wear green.
Games: There are a number of group games you can play with a Saint Patrick’s Day theme. Here are a few you can find online.
Snack: The best snack to have for St. Patrick’s Day are St. Patty’s Day cookies or cupcakes with green punch or kool aid.
Lessons: There are many themes you can use for teaching about St. Patrick. Here are some.
Trinity: Patrick used a shamrock to illustrate the trinity.
Missionaries: Patrick left England to share the Gospel with Ireland.
God will Protect Us: Patrick was taken as a slave to Ireland, but God was with him and helped him escape.
Love Your Enemies: Patrick was taken into slavery and kept captive in Ireland, yet he forgave the Irish people and spent his life helping them.
Listen to God’s Voice: Patrick listened to God and escaped Ireland. Then he listened to God and went back to Ireland.
Get Rid of the Snakes: Patrick was reported to get rid of the snakes in Ireland. He didn’t really, but he did get rid of paganism by sharing the Gospel. God can help us get rid of the snakes (sin) in our lives.
Free Curriculum: You can get these St. Patrick’s Day curriculums free online.
Easter parties are great events to have for children in your ministry. Here some things to consider.
When will you have the party? Easter Sunday after church is not a practical time. But you could have the party during church on Easter. Or you could have the party after church on Palm Sunday. The Saturday before Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are good times to have it as well.
What type of party will you have?
Easter Egg Hunts: These are very popular, but they have drawbacks. You need to have church property large enough to hide the eggs to make if fun. If you don’t, look for a park or a parent’s yard where you can hide eggs. Don’t use real eggs. Buy the plastic eggs from the dollar store and stuff them with candy or toys you can buy in bulk. Or you can put tickets in the eggs the children can use to purchase prizes. That way, each child gets prizes. You’ll also want grand prizes you can give away to children who collect the most eggs. Easter baskets work good for this. In some areas of the country, snow and rain are problems at this time of year. If that’s the case, make sure to schedule a rain date.
Easter Carnival: A carnival can work well even indoors. Call your local carnival rental place and see if they’ll donate the games for the carnival. Some places will if the games aren’t being used. Also if you have a carpenter in your church, consider having him make some games you can use. You can give out tickets, candy, or prizes for each game won.
Fun Sunday: If you have the party during or after church on a Sunday, consider having pizza, pop, and treats for the children. You could also show an Easter movie in the sanctuary on the “big screen” like in a movie theater. You could have gospel illusions, games, crafts, and other activities.
How Will You Present The Message: An Easter party is a prime opportunity to present the message of salvation to children. Think of a gospel illusion, story, or object lesson you can use for a short 5 minute message.
Get Donations: Contact pizza places, bowling alleys, skating rinks, and fast food restaurants to see if they’d be willing to donate free gift certificates to their establishments that you can give as door prizes. Most businesses are willing to do this.
Plan Ahead: Get the workers you need. Decide how you’ll spread the word. Find people to set up and do follow-up. The better you plan ahead, the better this party will go.
Pray: This is a great opportunity to reach unchurched children. Pray for God to move during this party.
Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Twenty-four of them held seminary or Bible school degrees.
In 1777. Continental Congress voted to spend $300,000 to purchase bibles which were to be distributed throughout the 13 colonies! And in 1782, the United States Congress declared, “The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”
On March 6, 1789, President John Adams called for a national day of fasting and prayer for the country could “call to mind our numerous offenses against the most high God, confess them before Him with the sincerest penitence, implore his pardoning mercy, through the Great Mediator and Redeemer, for our past transgression, and that through the grace of His Holy Spirit, we may be disposed and enabled to yield a more suitable obedience. . .”
Patrick Henry read the Bible for hours every day. During his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech, he quoted Matthew and Jeremiah.
In his first general order to his own troops, General George Washington said he called on: ‘Every officer and man…to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.’
Verses about a Nation’s Responsibility Toward God:
Psalm 33:12 ICB Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord. Happy are the people He chose for His very own.
Proverbs 11:14 ICB Without leadership a nation will be defeated. But when many people give advice, it will be safe.
Proverbs 14:34 ICB Doing what is right makes a nation great. But sin will bring disgrace to any people.
Christian’s Responsibilities to our Nation:
Obey God first. Acts 5:29 NRSV But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”
Obey Our Leaders and the Law. Romans 13:1 ICB All of you must obey the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule. And no one rules now without that power from God.
Pray For Our Leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1 ICB You should pray for kings and for all who have authority. Pray for the leaders so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of worship and respect for God.
Here’s a list of 5 Bible stories that would go with a children’s ministry Father’s Day message:
1. God is our Heavenly Father (2 Corinthians 6:18)
We can trust God to take care of us because He is our Heavenly Father and loves us.
2. Noah and his Three Sons (Genesis 9:18-27)
Two sons respected Noah and helped him. One son didn’t respect his father.
3. 12 Year Old Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
Even though Jesus wanted to stay at the temple, he obeyed Joseph, his earthly father, and returned home.
4. The Parable of the Son who Obeyed His Father (Matthew 21:28-32)
One son agreed to do what his father asked but didn’t do it. The other son said he wouldn’t do what his father asked, but thought better of it and did it. Who is the better son?
5. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
No matter how much we’ve messed up, our dads still love us. Even if that’s not true of your earthly dad, it’s true of your Heavenly Dad.
Here’s some ideas for ways to honor veteran’s in children’s church this Memorial Day weekend.
Say the pledges to the American flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible.
Pledge To the United States Flag: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Pledge to the Christian Flag: I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe.
Pledge to the Bible: I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.
Have an older veteran speak to the children about his experiences. A World War II veteran would be ideal, but a veteran from any war will do.
Have the children make cards thanking the veterans who attend your church. The cards can be creative, but make sure the children include a thank you for serving message.
Announce the names of the veterans from your church in children’s church.
Have the children sing a patriotic song. God bless America is a good choice.
Lead the children in a prayer for our service men and women.
Teach a lesson on spiritual warfare and relate it to how our veterans fight for our freedom. Jesus died for our freedom from sin and death.
There are many different ways to handle Easter Sunday in children’s church. Some children’s pastors believe this is an opportunity to reach children who are never in church with the Gospel. Others want to make it a fun day so children who don’t normally attend will want to come back. Still others think Easter Sunday should be for families, and children should be in the adult service with their parents.
Please take a moment to vote in this poll and let me know how you handle Easter Sunday. If you want, also add a comment with what you do to make the day special.
Palm Sunday is this Sunday. Here’s a lesson that you can use to make the day powerful.
Theme: God Wants Children To Praise Him
Verse: Matthew 21:16 (NIV) …From the lips of children and infantsyou, Lord, have called forth your praise
Game: Pin the Tail on the Donkey
You can buy this at most party supply stores.
After playing the game a few times, talk to the children about how Jesus rode to Jerusalem on a donkey.
Activity: Palm Branch Limbo
To play “Palm Branch Limbo,” you will need a few palm branches. These branches are easily found in department stores and floral shops weeks leading up to Palm Sunday. The children will have to limbo under the palm branches while the other children around them cheer them on.
Remind the children of how palm branches were placed in front of Jesus as the crowd around Him cheered Him on and shouted praises to Him.
Bible Story: Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-17)
You can assign children parts and have them act out this story.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he rode in on a colt like a king. A colt is a young donkey. That means a child donkey held the full glory of God on his back. Child can have the full glory of God in them. You don’t have to wait until you’re grown up.
Everyone heard that Jesus was coming and ran out to meet Him. Some laid palm branches on the ground for Him to ride on. Others waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna, Son of David. They called Him Son of David because that was what they called the Messiah. They knew that the Messiah would have King David as an ancestor in His family tree. Hosanna means “save us” or “rescue us”. They were recognizing that Jesus is the Son of God who had come to save them. Imagine being in the crowd that day and waving palm branches to Jesus and shouting “Hosanna”.
After Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He went to the temple. There were men outside selling and cheating people. This made Jesus angry that these men would cheat people in the Temple of God. He knocked over their tables and said, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer. You have made it into a den of thieves.”
This made the religious leaders angry. They made money off these men who cheated the people.
At that point, children ran up to Jesus and waved palm shouting “Hosanna, Son of David.” Children, let’s use our hands to praise Jesus the way these children did. (Encourage the children to shout praises.)
Some of the religious leaders were angry that the children were praising Jesus. They said, “Do you hear what those children are saying? Tell them to be quiet.”
Jesus defended the children. He said, ““Have you never read,“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?”
Jesus wants children to praise Him. (Encourage children to shout praises to God.)
Object Lesson: Wave Your Palms
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, children and adult grabbed palm branches to praise him with. We don’t always have palm branches around, but we can still praise Jesus with our palms. (Hold up your hands.) God created us with two palms we can always use to praise Him with. Let’s hold up our palms now and shout “Praise the Lord”.
Object Lesson: The Rocks Will Cry Out
Supplies Needed: rocks
If you have enough rocks, give a rock or pebble to each child to take home. Tell them to put it out some place to remind them to Praise the Lord.
Have any of you ever heard a rock talk? After the Pharisees tried to get Jesus to stop the children from praising Him, Jesus said something very interesting. He said if we don’t praise Him, the rocks will cry out praise.
(Show the rocks) Have any of you ever heard a rock speak? That was amazing what Jesus said. But if children hadn’t praised Him as the Messiah the day he entered Jerusalem, that’s just what would have happened. Rocks not only would have spoke, they would have cried out praises to God.
God still wants His children to praise Him. I don’t want the rocks to cry out my praise. I want to praise God with my own mouth.
Let’s do that right now. On the count of three, let’s all shout “Praise the Lord”.
Lesson: God Wants Children to Praise
Quote the memory verse for today’s lesson. Matthew 21:16 … From the lips of children and infantsyou, Lord, have called forth your praise
When Jesus said this, He said it in Hebrew. It was written down in Greek. And we quote the verse in English. What the verse really meant in the original language is that God taught children and babies to lead praise. That means that Jesus not only wants children to praise Him, He wants children to lead praise.
Have you ever seen a church that had children lead praise and worship in Big Church. Most churches normally have adults leading praise, but God wants children to lead praise. That doesn’t mean you have to join the adult praise team. But it does mean if you praise God with your whole heart, adults will see it and want to praise God too.
Ask the children to make a decision to praise God with their whole hearts. If you have time, lead them in another praise song and encourage them to praise God with their whole hearts while they sing it.
Craft Activity: Hand Palms
Supplies Needed: construction paper, craft (Popsicle) sticks, scissors
Have children trace their hand prints onto construction paper. Have them cut out the hand prints and glue them onto the craft sticks.
Remind the children that we made these palm branches to remind us that we all have palms to wave when we praise the Lord.s
Jesus and the Jack-O-Lanterns
Games: There are a number of group games you can play with a Saint Patrick’s Day theme. Here are a few you can find online.
Crafts: There are many crafts you can have your students make that include Saint Patrick’s Day themes. Here are a few.
St. Patrick Day Story: It is a great idea to tell the story of Patrick and how he shared the Gospel in Ireland.
Bible Story: Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-17)
Craft Activity: Hand Palms