D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.S.H.I.P. Series Launched

Over on DiscipleBlog.com I have launched a new series called D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.S.H.I.P. – Twelve Tips to help you become a more effective discipler of children. Here is the first one. To keep up with all twelve, subscribe to the DiscipleBlog.com RSS feed. D = Develop a Relationship “And He walks with me and He talks with me; And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there; None other has ever known.” Every notice that Jesus’ primary method of discipleship was based upon relationships? Jesus didn’t establish schools, write curriculum, or host seminars. While He certainly did teach the masses – he discipled in relationship with those who were close to Him, and it was THOSE disciples who turned the world upside down after He left them. As I look back over some fifteen plus years of professional children’s ministry and many more years of just life ministry, it is those I discipled relationally who I see producing the greatest fruit. They are ones in Bible college, becoming missionaries, and going into ministry. While I am NOT assuming any credit for their godly choices, I am saying that being discipled prayed a part in…

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Kidologist Demonstrates new BATTLESTACK!

As mentioned in my podcast interview with Speed Stack’s Roger Washburn, I was sent one of the very first BattleStack games! And wasted no time in arranging the ultimate battle between boys and girls with my nephew and niece! Here is the video via YouTube: Or you can download a higher resolution QuickTime file. (37.4mb) AND, YES! You can buy a BattleStack Game in the Kidology Store: BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO OWN THIS! I know at many churches I’ve seen Speed Stack cups available to kids, but they often don’t know what to do with them if they’ve not been taught. But with the BattleStack any kids can instantly start to play using the BattleStack cards. What a GREAT GAME to make available for the kids that are early or hanging around afterwards waiting for Mom and Dad to get them! (Hint: you need at least two!)

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Win Nearly $600 in Awesome Video Products!

REPRINTED from the Kidology.org home page, want to make sure you don’t miss this! These products are truly amazing and live up to the name “Awesome!” We’ve been working to get these on Kidology for a long time and just know you will find them a huge blessing to your ministry! We have an ‘awesome’ offer for you this month. Here’s the deal: Join or renew your membership to Kidology.org during the month of August and we will enter your name into a random drawing for an ‘Awesome’ Prize Giveaway.’ (Professional level or above) What’s included in this ‘Awesome’ prize? How about one of each of the awesomevideostuff.com products featured in our store! Each one is unique, and PACKED with useful resources for your ministry. Animated Bible Maps uses actual satellite images to create 3D animated maps, and allows you to project them onto a large screen. Children’s Pastors Tool Box is packed with audio and video clips designed for use by churches. Revolutionize the way you teach! Secret Weapon will be your best recruiting tool, featuring 6 ‘commercials’ to attract willing volunteers. Drama Tool Kit allows multiple sound effects, to enhance your drama or skit. Also includes video backdrops!…

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Curriculum: Your Ministry’s Foundation

While the word “curriculum” may solicit yawns from many people, don’t underestimate the importance of curriculum on your ministry! The foundation of your educational ministry is your curriculum. Everything else hinges from and is built upon the foundation laid by your educational hour teaching material. How high and how deep and how broad your educational ministry will be is greatly determined by curriculum. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE CURRICULUM? THE WRONG WAY: Use what you have always used Let your teachers each pick their own Look at tons of samples and pickone based on what appeals to you Depend on curriculum promotions Use what some other great church uses THE RIGHT WAY: Determine what YOU would like to accomplish in your Sunday School educational program. List your educational goals List weaknesses with current material. Make a list of what you are looking for. THEN look at published materials that match your criteria. I remember when I started my previous ministry, our curriculum situation was a mess! Here was what we were facing: Every teacher used what they liked, over five published curriculums were in use, some taught without any published material. Repetition and Omission of Bible stories was not only likely,…

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Lord, You Are… (Kids Version)

If you know the old worship song, “Lord, You are more precious than silver…” then you’ll like this new version for kids that I wrote years ago. It came out of Kids Concert of Prayer. We were singing this song, complete with “more costly than gold” and “more precious than diamonds” and it occurred to me that kids probably don’t care much about gold, or silver or diamonds, and even if they did, they don’t HAVE any, so its easy to sing about how God is better or more desired than these. On the spot, God gave me a new song – it just flowed out, and the cool thing was that as I sang it (quite seriously, not in a funny way) some kids cried out “NO WAY!” on lines like “more awesome than all my toys” or “more than Nintendo 64” or “better yet than my virtual pet.” Which helped teach the point, do we really love God more than these things? It reminded me of Jesus’ words to Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” My song would have to about loving God more than my Mac or my iPhone or my GPS or my convertible……

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