Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian's Personal Site and Blog
Archive for July, 2011
July 23, 2011 at 3:30 pm · Filed under Camp, Children's Ministry
Hey Hartland Campers! I’m finally home, after spending a week in Yosemite with my family. I had a Super Duper GREAT time with you at camp! I enjoyed traveling back in time and pretending to be….
Count Karl deBastian
We played our own Medieval Times Battles!
I even celebrated when I beat the kids (I know, it wasn’t even fair)
But then it was time for your favorite knight: Sir Arty Learnalot (from Sure Word Forest)
Of course, you guys liked his RAPS best of all!
I felt bad about his “arm rod issues” but its hard to wear armor when you’re a puppet!
Of course, Arty’s job was always to correct the bad teaching of my Arch Nemesis who would come out early in the worship time and write a non-virtue on my white board… you know his name…
The Duke of Defiance!
He left his evil note all over camp trying to ruin my lessons and throw you off from the Nine Virtues we were learning. In case you forgot… here are the nine Vices “The Duke” tried to teach you, and the Virtue I was teaching later in the lesson:
Here is the Duke’s Virture, followed by the REAL Virture and then the Bible Character we studied in order to see it in action!
Wimpiness / Courage (As seen in the life of David)
Fibbocity / Truth (As seen in the life of Peter)
Disnicity / Honor (As seen in Jesus as a boy)
Abondonocity / Loyalty* (As seen in the life of Esther)
Looseygooseyness / Discipline (As seen in the life of Daniel)
Mefirstiveness / Hosptitality (As seen in the life of Mary w/ Martha)
Laziosity / Initiative** (As seen in the life of Nehemiah)
Meism / God-Reliance*** (As seen in the life of Ruth)
Upgiving / Perseverance (As seen in the life of Noah)
*The virtue is actually Fidelity, but loyalty is an easier word for kids.
** The virtue is actually Industry, but I used the word initiative instead.
*** The original virtue is Self-Reliance, but as Christians we believe in God-Reliance
Then it was time to DRAW the Bible Story as I taught the lesson, I really enjoy drawing!
My artistic abilities seem to have peaked in second grade, as you can see… in grade school I was considered an awesome artist… but it seems I never improved since them! LOL
As you can see: (Watch, this picture changes every three seconds!)
If you are counting, yes, one is missing. I didn’t draw one for Noah, instead Arty rapped the story, remember.
If you’d like to see a large image of the drawings, here are some links to see them in a new window really big. Just click the ones you want to see:
COURAGE (David) | TRUTH (Peter) | HONOR (Jesus)
LOYALTY (Esther) | DISCIPLINE (Daniel) | HOSPITALITY (Mary)
INITIATIVE (Nehemiah) | GOD-RELIANCE (Ruth)
And then the true identy of “The Duke” was revealed when you all knelt and prayed for him and he was UNMASKED! And we learned about the “Duke inside of all of us” and read from Romans 7:15-25 and remember our paraphrase of Galatians 5:17
For the “The Duke in side you” (your sin nature) desires what is contrary to the Lord, and the Lord what is contrary to “The Duke.” They are in conflict with each other, so that you you do not do what you want.
We talked about how our sin nature is like the “Duke,” he chooses the easy way or the way that comes naturally, instead of God’s Way, or the virtuous way.
It was a lot of fun getting to know you all and sharing the week at camp with you! Here are some of the links online that you were asking for that I promised to post:
My novel for kids: www.OrderoftheAncient.com
My online videos for kids: www.ToyBoxTales.com (Be sure to look at the older seasons for the action figure movies!)
Where to buy Speed Stacks: www.Kidology.org/SpeedStacks
My beating the World Champ video I mentioned: Karl vs. Emily Fox
Me on CBS News dressed as a Jedi Knight: Jedi Karl on CBS News
If you are looking for this guy:
Cal, the totally awesome worship guy’s website is: calscripturesongs.net
O.K., that picture wasn’t nice, so to be fair, here is ME too, with the fisheye lens:
I hope you had a great week! I’m excited for those of you who made a decision to follow Jesus! If you did, I’d love to hear from you! If you have a fun memory or just want to say “hi” you can leave a comment below. I will respond via e-mail if you leave your e-mail address.
Keep following God!
Most of the Amazing photography in this post is by Heather Dunn,
a woman who volunteers for six weeks at Hartland to do photography.
July 14, 2011 at 6:21 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Discipleship, Kidology, Parenting, Spiritual Growth
Brian Haynes, author of the Shift, has a new book coming out titled, “The Legacy Path.” I was honored to get an advance copy and enjoyed reading it. I was also giving the opportunity, as part of a Blog Tour, to ask Brian a few questions, and get his answers.
Here they are:
1. What do you think are the biggest challenges children or family pastors face when attempting to “partner with parents” in raising children to be fully devoted followers of Jesus?
There are several challenges that we face when attempting to partner with parents. One is that parents feel completely inadequate to disciple their own children. Another is the battle for time to equip parents in the busyness of every day life. Maybe most practically is the reality that children’s pastors or family pastors likely have to change the way they work in order to partner with parents. The mindset shift is the change from just creating ministry processes to equip kids verses creating processes that disciple kids and their families when we have access to the parents. It is impossible to do it all, so children’s pastors and family pastors have to learn to focus, equip, delegate, and let go of ministries they once did themselves.
2. Why do you think parents feel so inadequate to disciple their own children?
Parents feel this way generally because they often have not been discipled themselves. They struggle with teaching something they don’t think they completely understand or practice. For parents it would be easier to trust the faith training of their children to the church. Embracing their role as the primary faith trainers means becoming intentional. Many have the question, “What does intentional spiritual parenting look like?” They need a simple plan and a demonstration of that plan in progress to help them overcome their feelings of inadequacy. The truth is that parents are wired for this. When they take even little steps in faith to overcome their fear, God blesses. It’s part of His plan for the Kingdom.
3. How can children’s pastors (or those responsible in a staff role over children in a church) best challenge parents to embrace their role as the primary spiritual leaders of their children without it coming off as a guilt trip or pressure to “do more” on top of their already busy lives?
I think we need to teach a biblical theology of discipleship which includes a lengthy thread of Scripture not limited to Deuteronomy 6:4-9. This teaching, when done in love, may motivate or even convict. Conviction is a good thing. It is the work of the Spirit to bring us back into God’s way of living. At the same time we can avoid being guilt-mongers. I have learned that when I share my fears of messing up the daddy thing or my feeling of inadequacy when it comes to discipling my kids, the people of our ministry really connect. When I tell them specifically how I have messed up they almost breathe a sigh of relief. We have to be real when we talk about this stuff. Don’t pretend you have it all figured out. Use humor when you talk about parenting. Let them into your real life as a parent. I am as busy as the next guy. I let them see my success and my failure with that even as I teach concepts like simplicity and balance. I think it’s all about approach.
4. How do we convince parents that the spiritual develop of their children is not just another area of importance worthy of some attention, but the most important area of their child’s development worthy of the utmost attention with ramifications on every other area of their development? It sounds so dramatic – and yet it is so true. (Assuming you agree with this statement.)
We have to teach them the biblical truth. The words of God speak with authority on the matter in a way mine do not. Since God is the Grand Designer, he has hardwired parents for this task. Most Christian parents intuitively know that faith training is worthy of their attention. I think we convince them fully when we teach them how to be intentional about the faith development of their children in simple, every day ways.
5. Lastly, what is one practical way you have found to encourage parents that they do not need to first get their own act together or become a perfect person/parent before they start to be intentional about leaving a legacy for their kids? Can you share a specific example of a story, object lesson, challenge or illustration you have used to move parents from inaction to motivated action?
I get parents to tell me of a time they looked into their child’s face and saw their own. Sometimes I will ask them to share a funny story of when their child said something and they instantly realized, “That kid sounds just like me.” I have them recall a time disciplining there child either in a positive or negative way when they realized they were practicing discipline just like their parent did whether they wanted to or not. Everyone has a story to illustrate that legacy is built whether intentional or not.
I then say, “If we are building legacy, why don’t we do it with some intentionality.” I like to give them an easy win. I teach them at that point to start praying scriptural blessings over their kids at night before bed or before they walk out the door for school. I even give them the cards with the Scripture on it so it’s easy. Intentional legacy can be that simple.
The Legacy Path is a great follow up for both children’s pastors and even more-so for parents!
July 12, 2011 at 5:45 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Kidology, Spiritual Growth, Teaching, Technology
I’m speaking this week at Hartland Bible Camp in California. It’s my first time here, but I am really loving the experience. I’ll post more about the camp at the end of the week. I wanted to post a few pics about one of my favorite teaching methods… Bible Story Drawing. Besides drama, illustion, and some of my other usual techniques, for the actual Bible story segment, I am illustrating the Bible Story by drawing it as I teach it. Since the drawing gets erased each day (Actually, by my arch nemesis before the next lesson, more on that in a future post!) I take a picture to save my works of art for posterity!
Here they are, perhaps someone else might enjoy them… as you can see, my artist skills peaked around the second grade. As for the lesson content, I am covering The Nine Virtues and teaching Bible Characters that displayed them. I’ve done four so far:
Courage: Displayed by David: (Click image to see full size)
HONOR: Displayed by Young Jesus (Click image to see full size)
TRUTH: Displayed by Peter (Click image to see full size)
LOYALTY*: Displayed by Esther (Click image to see full size) *Fidelity
(All spelling errors while drawing are in fun and for audience participation and laughter… you just keep on going, you are drawing quickly!)
I love this technique because the kids enjoy it, it involves the audience because it is funny and it also gives a very unique visual. Kids are so used to video today, it is almost “high tech” and “NEW” to see someone manually draw something to illustrate, since it is just not done any more. Plus, much like ToyBox Tales, it is something they can relate to, since kids like to draw. You don’t need to be an artist to do this, because kids aren’t artist either! I’d really encourage you to try it!
Kids come up to the stage afterward to look at the drawing, and then many copy it throughout the day in their notebooks, which is reinforced learning. They are getting a visual overview of the book/story – which is a great way to learn.
I wish more teachers would find ways to get rid of the DVD player and teach in new ways that “draw” kids in. It isn’t hard, and its actually MORE effective.
LET ME CHALLENGE YOU, loose the DVD player. If you use it, limit it to NO MORE than ten minutes in your lesson. More than that, and you are honestly losing effectiveness. Kids need real people in front of them teaching. And if you can draw a stick figure, you can teach better than a DVD can. Honestly.
I will post the rest at the end of the week in a post on Kidology.org and update this post with a link to that post with much more detail on the entire lesson scope and details on the overall unit on the Nine Virtues.
July 5, 2011 at 4:08 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Kidology, Leadership
Got a great e-mail today – one of those that says it better than I can.
Pastor Karl,
I recently was granted a Kidology scholarship and I am SO thankful. It would take a book to explain my situation but I am sure you have heard it all before… a struggling Children’s Ministry without a Minister so a member takes the task on and is just overwhelmed.
When I opened my email from Rachel (customer support) stating I had the Premium Membership there was a mention of this “Leadership Labs” series that was suggested I try out. I started the “First Things First” lab and had to pause the video after the first homework assignment. Can we say a gut check? I immediately started crying out to God and apologizing for making this MY task and MY service. I turned everything over to Him and asked Him to take care of everything. “Just show me what you want me to do,” I pleaded. I was in tears before our talk was over. That night I slept better than I had slept in weeks! I was actually planning on sleeping in the next morning, but the phone woke me up. On the other line was an older woman from our congregation. She explained that she just felt led to offer to be a volunteer with our kids (something we have REALLY struggled with). I was amazed. Here was a woman who was completely able to help, but that I never would have thought of to ask. I hung up the phone pretty much in shock, but immediately comforted in an assurance that He would indeed take care of everything — if I would just step back and let Him. Thank you for the gut check I needed it.
Amber
As I have written about many times, such as in my article, Give It Back to God, it is His Ministry, not yours. So give Him a chance!
Thanks, Amber for the encouraging note, you made my day, week… month! And I hope through this post encouraged many others as well!
July 5, 2011 at 12:30 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry
If you haven’t heard yet – Ryan Frank asked me to help spread the cool news that his K Magazine will now be available to subscribers electronically.
Here’s the scoop, direct from the Big “R” Himself:
Beginning with the Sept/Oct issue of K! Magazine, subscribers to K Magazine will begin receiving a free e-version of the magazine! This e-magazine can be read on any mobile device with a web browser! So, when you purchase an annual subscription to K! Magazine (less than 20 bucks a year) you will receive as a free bonus an e-version of the magazine!
CHECK IT OUT HERE!
Wanna Subscribe? Visit: www.thekmagazine.com
BUT: Ryan’s giving me FIVE SUBSCRIPTIONS to GIVE AWAY FREE! Just make a comment on my blog about what you like about K! Magazine and I’ll randomly pick FIVE WINNERS and send your info to Ryan for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION! How cool is that?
So make your comments now!
