10 Great Leadership Books For Children’s Ministry

There are some wonderful resources out there about leadership in children’s ministry. While I don’t agree with everything in every book listed here, (I agree with most of it), they are guaranteed to challenge you. Here are 10 of my favorites.

1. Children’s Ministry Leadership: The You Can Do It Guide by Jim Wideman

Practical, hands-on manual for developing an effective children’s ministry. I highly recommend this book especially for new children’s pastors.

2. Children’s Ministry Volunteers That Stick by Jim Wideman

The best book on recruiting and training volunteers ever written.

3. Leadership Essentials For Children’s Ministry by Craig Jutila

Leadership principles for building a team using the acronym PATH: Passion, Attitude, Teamwork, Honor.

4. The Growing Leader: Healthy Essentials For Children’s Ministry by Craig Jutila

Leadership principles for building a team using the acronym DIVE: Discerning, Influential, Vulnerable, and Exalting.

5. Children’s Ministry In The 21st Century by Craig Jutila, Pat Verbal, and Jim Wideman

Great practical advise on children’s ministry for this generation.

6. Think Orange by Reggie Joiner

This book explains the orange style of family ministry.

7. Redefining Children’s Ministry In the 21st Century by Becky Fischer

A book about how to help children move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is a must for pentecostal children’s pastors.

8. The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe

This is a great book to help you understand the Homelander Generation, the generation now in our children’s ministries. Here’s a link to some blog posts about ministering to the Homelander Generation.

9. Fast Forward MBA In Project Management by Eric Verzuh

Effective children’s pastors need to learn and understand the basics of project management of the will eventually crash and burn. But if you haven’t learned the basics of time management yet, I strongly recommend you read and apply this next book first.

10. Beat The Clock: Successful Strategies For Effective Time Management by Jim Wideman

Time Management 101.

Free Resources

If you have not yet received your free resources but you have filled out the form, please resend the forms. I received a couple of forms where the email addresses were typed wrong. Also if you have not sent forms yet for free resources, you have until midnight on Sunday. Here are the links for more info and forms:

The Great Race children’s anointing service

Children’s Ministry Handbook

Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Children’s Lessons about Esther and the Feast of Purim

This Thursday and Friday is the time that the Jewish people celebrate the Feast of Purim. They honor Esther and remember how she saved the Jewish people. I can think of no better time to teach about Esther during mid-week classes or children’s church.

The story of Esther is found in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. The main theme and verse from the Book of Esther is found here:

Esther 4:14 (NIV) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

What a powerful statement for our time. Children need to learn that they were created by God in this time and in the family they were born for an important purpose. Some day, they may need to make a stand as Esther did and risk something to obey God.

One fun thing you can do is have a Purim carnival where everyone dresses up as kings and queens and parades through the church or neighborhood. The children could make banners that say “For Such a Time as This”, and they could carry streamers and noisemakers.

Here are a few online lessons for teaching about Esther:

Created for a Purpose

Esther Bible Lesson for Preschoolers

Esther the Queen Bible Activities

Free Bible Lesson – Esther

Church House Collection: Queen Esther

Pinterst – Esther

If you would like to do a series on Esther, here are a couple of online teachings:

Bible Study Planet:

Esther Bible Lessons For Children:

Teaching Kids about the Rapture and End Times

The first question I always get when I talk about teaching kids about the rapture is should we. After all, aren’t we scaring them when we teach them about the rapture and end times. If you don’t believe in the pre-trib rapture and the seven year tribulation, don’t bother to read on. Instead, I invite you to watch this video.

Here are some reasons I give about why we should teach our kids about the rapture.

Teaching about the rapture gives comfort and assurance.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV) Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.Therefore encourage one another with these words.

We need to teach children that they don’t have to be afraid of the turmoil going on around them. Jesus has promised to those who believe in Him to Heaven before it gets too bad. Teaching on the rapture doesn’t have to be scary for Christian kids. Instead it should be encouraging.

Those who study the Book of Revelation are promised a blessing.

Revelation 22:6-7 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place. Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

This verse give a promise of blessing. Don’t we want our children to be blessed?

It’s in the Bible.

Psalm 34:11 (NIV) Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Keeping children from knowing Biblical concepts set them up to not believe the entire Bible is for them or that it’s something that should be read and studied. Don’t wait until they are grown up to teach them difficult parts of the Bible or they might end up not believing any of it. Also if we don’t teach about the rapture of the church, there are many false Bible teachers willing to teach them that there will be no rapture.

We need to warn them.

Luke 21:36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.

I’m not going to get into the age of accountability, although I believe there is one. The point is we need to warn children about the rapture because it will probably happen at some point in their lifetime. Whatever the age of accountability is, children will one day reach it and need to be right with God to go in the rapture.

Children’s Ministry Thanksgiving Songs

Here’s a list of songs that work great for Thanksgiving lessons now or any time of the year. They can be used to praise God for His blessings. The songs are all from Uncle Charlie’s Made 2 Praise DVD’s. Click on the song for the link where you can order them.

Say Hey, Made 2 Praise Vol. 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWQu08PdehA

Beautiful One, Made 2 Praise Vol. 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p8dbgDxgzs

Everything to Me, Made 2 Praise Vol. 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcKNuqY_42w

Life is Good, Vol. 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3uyUc-ZrNE

Deep Down Boogie, Made 2 Praise Vol. 10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ4tkwIvllQ

Sunshine, Made 2 Praise Vol. 12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9-5SKn8Pg

New Resource for Children’s Pastor – Bright Ideas

A new resource is out for Children’s Pastor called Bright Ideas. It has 24 great ideas to use for children’s ministry by 24 different kid’s ministers including me.

$5.00 off Coupon Code: SAVE5TK (Expires in Jan)

This code will also get you $3.00 off any Kidology Product.

Bright Ideas Volume 1

24 Kidmin Experts share their best ideas for object lessons, crafts, games, worship, missions, teaching, technology, leadership, and more!

This 99 page book is packed FULL of creative ideas from active leaders in children’s ministry. Whether you are looking for an awesome object lesson, a great idea for bringing your volunteer team together, or an engaging way to get your kids excited about missions and worship, this book is filled with bright ideas like these and much more!

Kidology.org has been the leader in providing practical and helpful resources for thousands of children’s ministry leaders since 1994. We exist to equip and encourage you in your ministry to children. We hope this book is a blessing to you and your ministry. Many of the ideas are illustrated. This is not a book of theory or blog posts – each chapter is something amazing and practical you can do next Sunday at church. We asked over twenty experienced children’s ministry professionals to share of their favorite and most creative ideas from their years of ministry. You will enjoy blessing your kids and leaders with these great ideas!

General Editors: Steven Knight and Karl Bastian

Contributing Authors: Karl Bastian, Andrew Belcher, Ron Brooks, Kaye Chalwell, Rebecca Crews, Jamie Doyle, Keith Ferrin, Josh Goscombe, Bill Gunter, Janelle Hoos, Jesse Joyner, Barney Kinard, Patti Kirkland, Katie Knight, Steven Knight, Tamera Kraft, Joe Mally, Todd McKeever, Kathie Phillips, Megan Rayment, Aaron Strawn, Nicki Straza, and Lindsey Whitney.

Teaching Kids How to Use the Bible

Teaching children to want to read the Bible and giving them Scripture to read takes work, but you shouldn’t stop there. Your students will become frustrated if you don’t also teach them how to use the Bible.

Here’s what they need to know.

Give the children an easy to read translation.

The Bible is 66 books. Teach your students that the Bible isn’t just one book, it is a book with 66 books inside. They won’t understand how to read the Bible until they know this. Then when you tell them what book to go to, they’ll get it.

The Bible has 2 sections. It may seem that everyone know this, but your students might not. Teach them the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament and give them an idea of which books are in which testament.

The Bible is divided into groups of books. Here’s a list of the way they are grouped so you can teach this to your students:

Old Testament:

Law (5 books) Genesis – Deuteronomy
History (12 books) Joshua – Esther
Poetry (5 books) Job – Song of Solomon
Major Prophet (5 books) Isaiah – Daniel
Minor Prophets (12 books) Hosea – Malichi

New Testament:

Gospels (4 books) Matthew – John
History (1 book) Acts
Epistles (21 books) Romans – Jude
Prophecy (1 book) Book of Revelation

Each verse has an address. This is the easiest way to teach children to look up verses. The address starts with the book, then the chapter, then the verse. For instance, John 1:1 is the book of John, first chapter, first verse.

Teach students to memorize the books of the Bible. This is easier than you might think, but it’s important. If a child memorizes the books of the Bible, he develops a basic understanding of where each book is located long after he’s forgotten how to rattle them off. The best way to do this is to teach the books one section at a time. Use little rewards for each section and a huge reward when the child memorizes them all.

Here’s a link to some resources to teach children the books of the Bible:

Books of the Bible Countdown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SramN-qSgo8

La Bible Song (Made 2 Praise Vol. 8)

Flashcards

5 Great Games to Teach Your Kids the Books of the Bible

Footsteps Tools for Learning (Books of the Bible Curriculum and Resources)

Teaching Children Bible Basics: 34 Lessons for Helping Kids Learn to Use the Bible

3 Resources to Encourage Your Students to Read the Bible at Home

For many years, I’ve heard that it was impractical to expect children to read the Bible at home. The comment is usually followed by they’re too young to understand what they read. Yet I’ve never seen an objection like that to secular books. Why does the world encourage our students and children while we try to hold them back? While children who have not yet learned to read may have difficulty and will need the Bible read to them, there is no reason children with reading skills are introduced to the Bible as reading material. Here’s some resources to help you do that:

Fire Bible For Kids

There is nothing like it… The first ever study Bible with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit written specifically for kids.. Each Book of the Fire Bible for Kids includes an introduction Section, Study Notes, and Engaging Graphics. This is the Bible for Children that you need for your kids and this Christ centered bible for children will increase your kids devotional life. The Bible comes with a Concordance, Glossary, Theme Finders®, Full Color Maps and Illustrations. This New King James Version will help today’s kids become tomorrow’s Church.

Draws kids into the Word.
Builds family values and combats secular ideals.
Teaches how to apply biblical truths for daily living.
Illustrated with beautifully multicolored pages.
Spirit Lead Kids Bible

The Bible App for Kids

Help your kids fall in love with God’s Word with this free Bible app for children with reading plans from YouVersion.

NIV Adventure Bible

NIrV Adventure Bible for Early Readers

Ready for Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting journey through God’s Word with the Adventure Bible — now in full color throughout! Along the way you’ll meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of things about the Bible. Most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God. Recommended by more Christian schools and churches than any other Bible for kids!

Does Your Children’s Ministry Need a Consultation?

One resource Revival Fire for Kids provides is a children’s ministry consultation. A children’s ministry consultation is when we come to your church, give you a worker training day, evaluate your children’s ministry’s needs, assist in a plan of action, and provide resources and advice.

How do you know if your children’s ministry could benefit from a children’s ministry consultation? If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then a children’s ministry consultation could provide the help you need.

My children’s ministry is in such a mess, I don’t even know where to start or what to do?

I know there are problem areas that need fixed, but I honestly don’t know how to fix them?

My children’s ministry seems to have hit a wall. I’m not sure why it’s not effective any more?

I know what needs to be done to make my children’s ministry effective, but I need a plan of action to get me there?

I know what needs done and how to get it there, but my pastor and congregation doesn’t understand. My pastor would listen to “an expert” from outside.

My children’s ministry is doing well, but I know it could do better. I’m not sure what needs to be done to improve it.

If you can relate to any of these, a children’s ministry consultation would help. Here’s some of the things your children’s ministry will receive with a consultation:

Complete evaluation of your children’s ministry
Free Church Children’s Ministry Handbook on CD Rom
Goal and Vision Statement Planning Sessions
Problem Solving Sessions
Calendar and Program Planning
Teacher and Worker Training Session
Strategies to get your where you want to be
Children’s Church Session
Free Curriculum and Resources
Any other organizational help needed

If you would like more information on booking a children’s ministry consultation, contact me at revivalfire4kids@att.net.

Adventures in Prayer Map

An international prayer ministry, Every Home for Christ, has Adventures in Prayer maps for children. These maps are absolutely free and include steps and a schedule for children to pray for every nation on Earth within one month. What a great way to teach children about prayer and about missions. You can order children’s prayer maps here.

Adventures in Prayer (targeted for ages 5-12)

Features an easy step-by-step system to help a child understand the important aspects of daily prayer. The map also features an easy-to-follow numbered world map identifying all 228 nations of the world, photos of children from other regions of the world and even a survival challenge.