Children's Minister BLOG

The Good Samaritan

Don — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:04:40 +0000

Are you looking for resources to teach the “Good Samaritan Story” ( Luke 10:25-37)?

Here are some which you might find useful.

http://children.calvarychapel.com/site/pdf/New/Curr208.pdf

http://www.churchhigh.com/uploads/File/RS_Section.pdf
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TXK7rvGpM0I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSufwoqv3cU

Children and Music

Don — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:53:55 +0000

I was reminded recently of a helpful guide to choosing songs or music to use with children. This test (originally developed by Scripture Union) has been also a very useful tool in training music teams working with children in mission situations. The test is called the TRIM test.

T = Teaching Is the teaching true and suitable for the age group? Is there anything in the lyrics which the children will have to ‘unlearn’ later? Do the lyrics honor God and lead kids to respect him?

R= Relevance Are the lyrics relevant to the real experiences of children? There is no point teaching them songs which only adults will understand , or songs which do not deal with the things that crop up in their lives.

I= Interest Is the song enjoyable? Will they love to sing it and remember it?

M= Meaning Does the song make sense in language which is child oriented? Does the song help children understand a little more about God and about life?

The TRIM test is simple. If the tune and rhythm are winners, but the song fails the other test, DON’T USE IT!

Generation Z children

Don — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:39:59 +0000

Generation Z are possibly the most informed, technologically advanced and socially aware kids of all time. This generation is the first generation born into the digital world. There is some debate amongst the experts as to when this age group began. Some researchers claiming as early as 1995, (so the oldest are now hitting 13), while others contend that 2001 is a better starting point. It seems safe to assume that today’s babys to seven-year olds are definitely gen Z, and kids aged eight to 12 are on the fuzzy line between very young gen Y and the oldest gen Zs.

McCrindle, founder of McCrindle Research says that this generation that’s “fairly demanding and maybe a bit precocious” with high expectations and plenty of material comforts and toys.

How can children’s ministers best engage Gen. Z children? What are the implications of working with children who are “high tech” users, highly programmed lives, and generally having parents who are older than the two previous generations?

Who are Generation Z?

The ten commandments of Generation Z

Get ready, here comes Generation Z

Have a ball game

Don — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:06:40 +0000

A warm-up game.

Each child is given a small table tennis ball ( other small objects could be used) which they write their name on. The children are given a short time to go off and hide their ball and then return when a whistle is blown to gather again. Everybody then goes off in search of as many balls as possible. Each ball found is returned to its owner. The person whose ball is found last is the winner.

Variation: Instead of names written on the balls other things like Bible characters, colors, sports teams, Books of the Bible… could be written and the person finding the ball then has to guess who wrote on it to return it correctly.

Bible basketball

Don — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:38:44 +0000

The group is divided into two equal teams. Children are identified by number rather than position, as in basketball. One child from each team comes to the “referee” (leader) who “tosses up” a short, one-word answer question. The first player to answer a question gets the “ball” for the team. The player is now asked a question by the leader. The player may choose to answer the question or pass the ball to another player who is named by number. If the player answers the question correctly, two points are scored. If not, the ball is turned over to the other team. If the player chooses to pass the ball, the player named must attempt the answer. If the answer is correct, the team scores. If it is incorrect, a “rebound” situation results in which any player on either team can call “Rebound!” The leader identifies the first child who called, and that child gives an answer. If incorrect, the ball passes to the opposing team.

After each score, the ball goes to the other team. Each new sequence of play is begun with a “jump” or “toss-up” question. The leader always questions the children in rank order. a passed “ball” can be used to break that order; however the leader always returns to the rank order for the next question.

Other refinements can be added like penalties and free throw situations.

Sadness

Don — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:21:13 +0000

Bart was sad because his dog had died. To help soothe some of his emotions, dad helpfully added,”While I know your sad about losing Benji, I think that God wanted to enjoy having Benji in heaven with him”. “What’s God want with a dead dog?” asked Bart.

Children and the internet world

Don — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:33:44 +0000

“They have been dubbed ‘digital natives’ by sociologists, but the ease with which many young people use technology has not stopped some from feeling wary about it’s influence.”

Check out the results of a survey by the Australian Childhood Foundation regarding exposure to material on the internet. The article which appeared recently in the Canberra Times newspaper written by reporter Dewi Cooke has some interesting findings regarding children’s fears but also the role of parents in supervising children online.

Children wary of the internet