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My Thanksgiving Lesson

Just wanted to post what I did for Thanksgiving this year and provide a link where you can get the PowerPoints I made for the lesson – it was a lot of fun and really got the kids thinking! As an introduction we played my Thanksgiving Gimmie Gimmie Game, which is always a TON of FUN! I introduce it by telling the kids there is something that spoils our attitude of gratitude, it is something I like to call “the gimmie gimmies.” It is when we start thinking about what we want, and forget all we have! I ask the kids, “how many of you are already thinking, or maybe even asking, about what you want for Christamas?” (hands go up!) “Have you thought yet about what you want to give?” (blank looks!) Below is my quick PowerPoint I used for explaining the rules. I had about 150 kids playing, so you’ll notice I used 5 cards per kid in my rules, even though in the official game, it says 7 cards each. I modified for our large group. We played for five minutes and it was a blast. If you have never played “Gimmie Gimmie” – you have GOT…

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If Angels Could Sing…

Before you watch this incredible new video from Pentatonix, I’d like you to consider something. A professor of mine in Bible college suggested an interesting theory he had about angels based on a textual study of the Bible’s original languages. An interesting fact, that while we often talk about “angelic choirs” or say someone “sings like an angel,” nowhere in Scripture are angels ever recorded as singing. But often, the saints are and we are commanded to! Keep in mind, this is a theory based on an argument from silence. So while we can’t say the Bible says “angels can’t sing,” – there is no evidence that they can in the original languages of the Bible. As Dr. James used to say, I will also say, “I sure hope they do! I bet they are amazing.” The point is simply that perhaps singing was a gift given uniquely to humans as a means of worship? Note, in Job 38:7, states that on the first day of creation, the angels “shouted for joy.” Consider that the classic Christmas play scene of children dressed as singing angels (as adorable as it is) doesn’t match the biblical text where the angels were “praising…

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WIN a FREE What’s in the Bible Christmas Series!

Want to win a FREE copy of What’s in the Bible’s Why Do We Call in Christmas? I know you do. And not just because it’s free, but because anything created by Phil Vischer and his team you know is going to be fun, engaging, educational and pretty easy to use. Let’s face it, Christmas is filled with a lot of fun, but confusing stuff! Cutting down trees, eggnog, hanging stockings, that Santa character, and more. Somewhere in the midst of it there is a Nativity Scene too. This December, I highly recommend you take your kids on an adventure with Buck Denver* and the gang to explore the true meaning of Christmas like never before. What I love about What’s in the Bible is that it’s not just fun, but tackles stuff that many curricula ignore or overlook – deep stuff even – but does it in a way that captures kids eyes and hearts while engaging their minds. This 4 week series includes customizable lessons in addition to the great videos, helpful leader guides, printable games and activities, take home cards, and more. And get this: Online access lets you lead from your iPad! How cool is that!?…

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FREE Thanksgiving Video Lessons!

Wow! How would you like some amazing FREE Thanksgiving Video Based lessons from Pop Up Good News? These fun, interactive teaching videos are ideal for your young learners and the topic is perfect for November! Whether you use them in your regular programming or for a time when you need to provide quality care – make it a productive time with Pop Up Good News! Watching these reminded me of watching Nina on Sprouts when my boy was little. Each video also comes with a lesson plan and activity sheets. I know the best way to evaluate something is to TRY IT, so I asked the creator if he would share a lesson with Kidology Premium Members, and Scott surprised me by offering an entire series on Thanksgiving! That’s FIVE complete videos and lessons. How can you get this? Log into your membership on Kidology.org and visit the Member Perks for November. Then, head over to PopUpGoodNews.com to learn about how you can get these videos and lessons each and every month for your young learners!

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Get “Spooky” with Mr. Bones

Halloween is a complicated time for Christians. Some simply ignore it, pretending it doesn’t exist, others crusade against it, while others embrace it as an opportunity for ministry, even as they may wish it didn’t exist – and some I supposed love it and don’t see what the “big deal” is. As a pastor’s kid who grew up with very little emphasis on this day, other than going “Trick or Treating” – I found myself in a dilemma when my own son went nuts over this ‘holiday.’ Not in an unhealthy way, but as a boy, he just loves decorating with webs and spiders and the few skeletons we allow. He’s not much into dressing up, though he goes along with it – and lucky of us, he isn’t a huge candy eater. So after a few blocks of Trick or Treating he often says, “OK, I have enough candy, we can head home,” much to his dad’s surprise. (and a little disappointment, as Dad was hoping for some more mini licorice candies before we quit!) So as a Christian first, then a dad, and finally as a pastor – I had to ask myself, what do I do with…

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