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Category: Family

A Mother’s Birthday Legacy

Happy Birthday, Mom Celebrating Patti Eileen Bastian: A Legacy of Faith and Joy Today marks the birthday of my incredible mom, Patti Eileen Bastian. Though cancer took her from us far too soon, (1996, age 53) her impact on my life and countless others remains immeasurable. She was not only my mom but also my first mentor and the reason I dedicated my life to children’s ministry. Her unwavering belief in my potential and her passion for making faith fun and engaging have become the foundation of my life’s work. As a young boy, I once told my mom that I wanted to be a children’s evangelist “when I grew up.” Without hesitation, she replied, “Why wait until you grow up? You can start this week!” True to her word, she helped me write my first lesson and encouraged me to turn my magic tricks into object lessons. Next, she found a puppet at a thrift store, gave it to me and suggested I use it to do announcements at our weekly kids’ club. “Harry Jinkle, my first puppet, became the first of many, sparking a love for creativity that still drives me today. Mom was a master of seeing…

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Make Table Talkers a Part of Your 2025 Family Ministry Strategy!

  In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for meaningful family moments around the table seems nearly impossible. Between school, sports, work, and tech distractions, many families struggle to connect — not only with each other but also with God’s Word. That’s why Kidology.org created Family Table Talkers, an easy-to-use, reproducible tool designed to help families disconnect from their screens and reconnect with each other and God. These conversation starters are perfect for busy families who may not have the time for daily devotions but still want to make mealtime matter.   Each month, your Family Table Talker provides a theme, a motto, a memory verse, goofy games, chat prompts to foster fun and faith-filled discussions, and even a family challenge to put their faith into action. With over 40 different topics to choose from, ministry leaders can easily align them with their curriculum or seasonal focuses. Plus, All Access Members can download the current Table Talker for FREE each month! Whether you’re looking to kickstart family conversations or give them a practical way to incorporate spiritual growth into everyday life, Table Talkers are the perfect solution. Families will love the simple, engaging format that turns ordinary meals into moments of…

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Start a New Tradition with the Families in your Ministry!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And few things stir up as much excitement in kids as the anticipation of Christmas morning. But let’s face it — waiting for Christmas to arrive is one of the hardest parts of childhood! Why not make that waiting time a little more meaningful (and fun!) by offering families a way to count down the days to Christmas while learning more about the true story of Jesus? Introducing Kidology’s Christmas Countdown Family Advent Paper Chain — a simple, interactive, and educational way to help kids stay focused on the Reason for the Season! Each day in December, families can remove one link from the paper chain, read a Bible verse, have a short discussion, and reflect on the meaning of Christmas. It’s a beautiful way to turn a fun countdown into a daily family devotion, deepening the anticipation of celebrating Christ’s birth. As a child, I loved making paper chains with my family, cutting strips of colored paper and linking them together to mark the days until Christmas. Kidology has taken that idea and added a spiritual twist! Each chain link includes a scripture and short devotional, leading up to the best…

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Jesus Was a ZOMBIE!

Helping Kids Understand the Bible: “Jesus was a Zombie!” By Pastor Karl Bastian, Kidology.org   When my son, Luke, was little, my sister gave him a Scooby-Doo DVD. My wife, Sara, and I had a little discussion about whether or not he was ready for something “scary.” Up to that point, he hadn’t seen any entertainment with ghosts, monsters, or vampires. We decided it might be best to hold off and save it for when he was older. But, as parenting often goes, the very next day he came home from the neighbor’s house, beaming with excitement, eager to tell us about a new show he’d discovered: Scooby-Doo! We looked at each other and laughed. Thus began the Scooby-Doo era, which would last for many years. Realizing there was no turning back, we decided to give him the DVD my sister had gifted, and the whole family sat down to watch it. Our goal was to monitor how he handled the scarier elements, ready to jump in with a discussion if anything confused or frightened him. At the end of the episode, Luke turned to me with wide, curious eyes and asked, “Daddy, what is a zombie?” I wanted to…

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Keep Parents in the Loop!

  In children’s ministry, communication with parents is not just helpful—it’s critical. Parents are the primary spiritual influencers in their child’s life, and your role as a children’s ministry leader is to support, encourage, and resource them. Effective communication helps bridge the gap between church and home, allowing parents to continue faith conversations, reinforce lessons, and participate in their child’s spiritual growth. When parents are in the loop, it helps foster a partnership between the ministry and the family, creating a foundation for lasting spiritual development. However, keeping parents informed and engaged is not always easy, especially in today’s busy and distracted world. The Challenges of Communication in Today’s World Busy Schedules and Sporadic Church Attendance Parents today juggle countless responsibilities. Between work, extracurricular activities, and personal obligations, many families are stretched thin. Church attendance has become increasingly sporadic, with some families attending only once or twice a month. This inconsistent presence can make it difficult to build rapport and maintain regular communication. When parents aren’t consistently present, important announcements, event invitations, or updates can easily get missed. How People Receive Communication We live in a digital age where everyone has their preferred mode of communication. Some parents check their…

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