Kidologist.com https://kidologist.com/ Karl Bastian's Blog Thu, 29 Oct 2026 17:17:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://kidologist.com/wp-content/2016/10/cropped-kidologist_icon-32x32.jpg Kidologist.com https://kidologist.com/ 32 32 1541870 When Being is Enough… a morning prayer https://kidologist.com/2026/10/29/when-being-is-enough-a-morning-prayer/ Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:10:41 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13765 When Being Is Enough A Reflection on Gratitude, Grace, and the Quiet Joy of Simply Being God’s Child Before the world begins to call, Before the duties rise, I sit in silence with my God, Beneath His endless skies. No list of things I need to do, No goals I must achieve, Just quiet moments […]

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]]> 13765 Karl on Moody Radio https://kidologist.com/2026/10/28/karl-on-moody-radio/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:42:23 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13758 I was excited to have my “Joe Stowell Story” told at the Moody Bible Institure’s installation service for the new president last week. You can watch that video excerpt here: Karl’s Story Told at MBI Servce. Then, I got invited to be on the Chris Fabry Show later in the week. LISTEN HERE Drop me […]

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]]> 13758 Some Silly Jokes to Make Your Day https://kidologist.com/2026/10/28/some-silly-jokes-to-make-your-day/ Wed, 28 Oct 2026 20:04:36 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13752 Just some silly jokes to brighten your day… What is a mosquito’s favorite sport? Skin diving. How do you start a firefly race? On your mark, get set, glow. Which ant is an army officer? Sergeant. What goes tick-tock croak, tick-tock croak? A watch frog. Which bug gobbles up trash? The litterbug. What famous baseball […]

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]]> 13752 A Karl Story told in Moody Bible Service https://kidologist.com/2026/10/17/a-karl-story-told-in-moody-bible-service/ Sat, 17 Oct 2026 07:50:09 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13721 I was surprised and delighted to get some texts and social media notifications today alerting me that my “Joe Stowell” story was told today during the installation service for Moody Bible Institutes new president, Rick Melson. Joseph Stowell was the president from 1987, the year before I graduated high school, until 2005. Here is a […]

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]]> 13721 Blueprints for a Brilliant Future! | FREE Lesson! https://kidologist.com/2026/10/17/blueprints-for-a-brilliant-future-free-lesson/ Sat, 17 Oct 2026 06:38:03 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13714 Blueprints for a Brilliant Future! FREE Kids’ Bible Lesson on Jeremiah 29:11–13 God has an amazing plan for every child’s life—but how can kids discover it? In this fun, interactive Bible lesson from Pastor Karl Bastian, kids discover that God is the ultimate Architect! Just as builders follow blueprints to construct a building, we can […]

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]]> 13714 What I’d Tell My Younger Self… If he would listen… https://kidologist.com/2026/10/13/what-id-tell-my-younger-self-if-he-would-listen/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:43:53 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13706 What I’d Tell My Younger Self If you could go back and give your younger self a little advice, what would you say? In my latest podcast, I’m sharing a special presentation of my PTAC Conference keynote, “What I’d Tell My Younger Self.” Some of the lessons are funny. A few involve marshmallows, goldfish, dogs, […]

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]]> 13706 Reaching Today’s Digital Kids – Webinar https://kidologist.com/2026/09/16/reaching-todays-digital-kids-webinar/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 01:35:47 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13628 COMING: Wednesday, October 14th, 3PM MT: Same Kids. New World. Timeless Truth. New Ways to Connect. Remember when “technology in children’s ministry” meant an overhead projector and somebody brave enough to change the transparency without dropping the entire stack? Yeah. Things have changed. Today’s kids are growing up in a world of tablets, gaming systems, […]

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]]> 13628 NOW LIVE! KidsMinistry.ai https://kidologist.com/2026/08/05/coming-soon-kidsministry-ai/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:12:44 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13618 It’s NOW LIVE! The wait is over… not just another AI, one BUILT on Kidology’s decades of content, curriculum, books and more. Learn all about it at KidsMinistry.ai and SIGN UP FREE or use the code KARLBLOG for 10% off for a YEAR! Lessons, Games, Object Lessons and more… all created from Karl’s BRAIN and […]

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]]> 13618 Self-Control Is Leadership Strength https://kidologist.com/2026/07/22/self-control-is-leadership-strength/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:00:59 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13549 One of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity in leadership is self-control. Not charisma. Not talent. Not platform size. Self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us that self-control is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Self-control shapes how we respond under pressure. It affects: our tone, our reactions, our words, our emotions, and our decision-making. Proverbs […]

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]]> 13549 Gentleness Is Not Weak Leadership https://kidologist.com/2026/07/15/gentleness-is-not-weak-leadership/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:00:32 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13546 Some leaders mistakenly think gentleness makes them less effective. But biblical gentleness is not weakness. It’s controlled strength. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us that gentleness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Gentle leaders are often the strongest leaders in the room because they know how to respond without overreacting. Proverbs 15:1 says: A gentle […]

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]]> 13546 Faithfulness Matters More Than Flashiness https://kidologist.com/2026/07/08/faithfulness-matters-more-than-flashiness/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:00:04 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13543 Children’s ministry culture can sometimes overvalue excitement while undervaluing consistency. Big events. Creative stages. Huge attendance days. Those things can be wonderful. But long-term ministry impact is often built through quiet faithfulness. Galatians 5:22 reminds us that faithfulness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Faithfulness means showing up consistently even when nobody applauds. […]

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]]> 13543 Young Washington Tickets DEAL! https://kidologist.com/2026/07/01/youngwashington/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:28:41 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13601 Friends, I got to see an early release of Young Washington, and it completely BLEW AWAY my already high expectations. It was more than just a fantastic look at the young life our nation’s first President – but also a tale of ambition tempered by failure, the benefit of a focused moral compass a glimpse […]

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]]> 13601 Goodness Builds Credibility https://kidologist.com/2026/07/01/goodness-builds-credibility/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:00:56 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13540 Kids ministry leaders are constantly teaching kids to make wise choices. But our leadership becomes far more powerful when kids, parents, and volunteers consistently see goodness modeled in us. Galatians 5:22 reminds us that goodness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Goodness is integrity in action. It’s choosing honesty, humility, and righteousness even […]

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]]> 13540 Kindness Is a Ministry Strategy https://kidologist.com/2026/06/24/kindness-is-a-ministry-strategy/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:00:26 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13537 Kindness is often underestimated in leadership conversations. We talk about vision. Systems. Growth. Leadership pipelines. But kindness may be one of the most powerful ministry strategies we have. Galatians 5:22 reminds us that kindness is evidence of God’s Spirit working in us. And in ministry, kindness is rarely wasted. Ephesians 4:32 says: Be kind and […]

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]]> 13537 Ten Safety Tips for Special Needs Ministry https://kidologist.com/2026/06/19/ten-safety-tips-for-special-needs-ministry/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:00:10 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13592 Ten Safety Tips for Special Needs Ministry From KidCheck.com Creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for every child is the foundation of an effective special needs or adaptive ministry. Ensuring safety involves planning, clear and consistent communication, empathy, and training. Here are ten safety tips for serving children with special needs in your children’s […]

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]]> 13592 Why Patience Is One of the Greatest Leadership Skills https://kidologist.com/2026/06/17/why-patience-is-one-of-the-greatest-leadership-skills/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:16 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13534 Patience may be one of the most overlooked leadership qualities in children’s ministry. We want quick growth. Quick results. Quick behavior improvement. Quick volunteer development. But discipleship rarely happens quickly. Galatians 5:22 reminds us that patience is part of the Fruit of the Spirit—not simply a personality trait. Patience grows as we walk closely with […]

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]]> 13534 The Best Tool for Kids Choirs! https://kidologist.com/2026/06/16/littlejamsessions/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:20:19 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13567 Hey! I just discovered little JAM Sessions, and it is wonderful! I know in kids ministry, we are often looking for fresh, original, fun kids choir songs – but we also want to disciple kids and help equip families to raise kids that love Jesus! little JAM Sessions – brings it all together with fun […]

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]]> 13567 Leading With Joy When Ministry Gets Hard https://kidologist.com/2026/06/10/leading-with-joy-when-ministry-gets-hard/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:00:14 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13531 Every ministry leader has difficult days. Low attendance. Volunteer shortages. Unexpected criticism. Tech failures five minutes before service starts. The question isn’t whether challenges will come. The real question is: What spirit will we carry into those moments? Galatians 5:22 reminds us: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, […]

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]]> 13531 Five Pillars for Building a Safety Culture https://kidologist.com/2026/06/09/five-pillars-for-building-a-safety-culture/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:00:50 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13586 Building a culture of safety is more than just putting policies on paper. It’s about creating an environment where children are protected, volunteers and staff feel confident, and families have peace of mind. As a leader, you set the tone. These five pillars provide a strong framework for child protection and support for staff and […]

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]]> 13586 Love Is More Than Being Nice https://kidologist.com/2026/06/03/love-is-more-than-being-nice/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:00:41 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13528 Children’s ministry leaders talk about love constantly. Love kids. Love families. Love your team. But biblical love is far deeper than simply being nice. The Fruit of the Spirit begins with love because love shapes every other fruit. Joy, peace, patience, kindness, and the rest all flow from a heart transformed by God. Galatians 5:22 […]

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]]> 13528 Stop Holding Up the Rock https://kidologist.com/2026/06/02/stop-holding-up-the-rock/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:59:25 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13553 I snapped the photo below of my friend Zach while hiking in Yosemite. At first glance, it looks like he’s holding up a massive boulder. His face says it all—strained, burdened, fighting to keep the weight from crushing him. Of course, He’s not really holding up the rock. The rock is holding itself up. But […]

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]]> 13553 Helping Kids Shine Their Light in a Dark World https://kidologist.com/2026/05/25/helping-kids-shine-their-light-in-a-dark-world/ Mon, 25 May 2026 16:16:25 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13502 Most kids do not think of themselves as influencers. They are just trying to figure out life, friendships, and where they fit. But the truth is, every child is already influencing the people around them, whether they realize it or not. This week we are helping kids understand something simple but powerful: their life is […]

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]]> 13502 Teaching Kids to Forgive When It’s Hard https://kidologist.com/2026/05/18/teaching-kids-to-forgive-when-its-hard/ Mon, 18 May 2026 16:00:53 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13498 Every child will experience hurt. Sometimes it is small, like an unkind word or being left out. Other times it runs deeper. No matter how it shows up, how a child responds to hurt will shape their relationships for years to come. This week we are helping kids understand a truth that is simple to […]

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]]> 13498 Why Obedience Isn’t About Rules—It’s About Direction https://kidologist.com/2026/05/11/why-obedience-isnt-about-rules-its-about-direction-2/ Mon, 11 May 2026 16:00:20 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13494 We live in a world that celebrates independence. Kids are constantly hearing messages like follow your heart, do what feels right, and go your own way. And if we are honest, that sounds appealing. None of us naturally lean toward obedience because it can feel restrictive or limiting. But Scripture offers a very different perspective. […]

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]]> 13494 The Small Choices That Shape a Child’s Future https://kidologist.com/2026/05/04/the-small-choices-that-shape-a-childs-future/ Mon, 04 May 2026 15:00:04 +0000 https://kidologist.com/?p=13482 Every child is making decisions all day long. What to say. How to respond. Who to follow. What to hide. What to admit. Most of those choices feel small. But they aren’t. Because small choices don’t stay small. They stack. They build. They quietly shape direction. Scripture reminds us to pay attention to the path […]

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