Welcome to Karl Bastian's Blog
Pastor Karl’s Recommened Kids Bibles

Hello Parents! Pastor Karl here. I’m asked often, “Which Bible should I get my child?” Here are my recommendations for Bibles and some other tools to help your kids get excited about God’s Word! EARLY CHILDHOOD The MY AWESOME GOD Story Book Bible is ideal for parents to read the key stories of the Bible to their young children. Includes a topical index as well as helpful discussion questions to spur some spiritual conversations. LEARN MORE OR ORDER HERE YOUNG ELEMENTARY As your kids start to read on their own, it’s important to get them a Bible they can read...
Big Kidology News: It’s Time for a TWOFER!

Kidology.org has been Equipping and Encouraging children’s ministry leaders since the 1990’s – and on it’s current website for over 20 years. That’s quite the legacy, but it also means our platform is aging and starting to squeak! Kidology.org isn’t going anywhere – but WE ARE making some strategic changes, mostly to our Store and Membership processes. Bottom line, keeping up with industry requirements on an old custom site is getting too costly and tedious to maintain. The good news is that, if we remove all financial transactions from the site, the woes vanish! Kidology.org will continue to offer...
Kid Communicator Secret #12: End with a Challenge – Move Kids from Hearing to Doing

Calling kids to action today shapes warriors for Christ tomorrow. Don’t just inform — inspire action! Learn how to leave kids ready to live out what they’ve learned. A few years ago, a mom called me and said something had happened that she couldn’t quite explain and hoped I could shed some light. Her younger son, Gabe, had received five dollars in a birthday card from Grandma with a note encouraging him to buy something he’d enjoy. So off to the toy store they went. As they browsed the shelves, the boy suddenly asked, “What is Sam saving up for?”...
Kid Communicator Secret #11 – Tell Stories, Not Just Lessons

Capture Hearts Through Narrative Jesus taught through stories. Discover how a well-told story can lodge truth deep in a child’s heart. “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” — Matthew 13:34 I once heard a seminary professor say, “The shortest distance between the truth and the heart… is a story.” That stuck with me. And it rings even truer in children’s ministry. When we simply explain truth, we engage the mind. But when we tell a story, we engage the heart. And that’s where transformation happens....
Kid Communicator Secret #10 – Have FUN!

HAVE FUN — Because Joy is Contagious Fun isn’t optional — it’s a tool! Find out how laughter and flexibility open the door to real learning. Let’s be honest — kids aren’t coming to church hoping for a lecture. They’re looking for connection, fun, and joy. And the good news? That’s exactly what we should be offering. Because our goal isn’t just to merely teach biblical information; it’s to lead kids into a relationship with Jesus — a relationship that’s full of life, wonder, and JOY. There’s a common phrase that floats around education and ministry circles: “Christianity is more...
Kid Communicator Secret #9 – Use All the Senses to Target All Learning Styles

Use All the Senses: Reach Every Kid, Every Way Sight, sound, touch (and sometimes taste and smell!) — engaging more senses makes learning stick for every type of learner. Have you ever walked into a room and instantly been transported by a smell? Maybe fresh cookies reminded you of Grandma’s house… or the scent of pine brought you back to Christmas morning. Smell is one of the most powerful and memorable senses we have. That’s why I love this verse: “For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ…”
2 Corinthians 2:15 What a vivid image — not just...