So, you've heard all the buzz now about The Gospel Project! Can you tell that we're more than a little excited about this?  And we want to help you generate that excitement in your kids ministry as you launch this new curriculum at your church.  So, below are 10 tips to help you get started!

1. Coloring Contest for Teachers - Included in each week's lesson is an activity page for the child to color and discuss with the teacher. Download the first week's page and have a coloring contest for the teachers. Display their artwork for all to see and maybe even vote! Give each and every one some type of award - most colorful, most creative, best use of crayons, best use of markers, most imaginative, you get the idea!
2. Use Social Media. Go viral! Send out Facebook posts, texts and tweets to build excitement over the weeks prior to the launch. If you need suggestions, each week in the "printables" section, you'll find suggestions for each of these forms of social media to help get you started.
3. Scavenger Hunt. Have a scavenger hunt for your teachers prior to the launch. Use clues to lead them from place to place - such as the room where large group will take place or to the DVD player where the Bible Story video will be shown, then to the room where small group activities will take place, to your resource room, etc.
4. Photo Shoot. For each of the four Sundays prior to the launch, have volunteers dressed in biblical costumes who will either roam around the halls interacting with kids and families or pose in the foyer to talk about the Bible stories that will be taught. Have a photographer follow close by to take pictures of kids with the Bible personalities.
5. Training Session! But make it fun! Show the videos that will help alleviate some anxiety a teacher might feel if they're not a good storyteller. Let your teachers actually experience a session before they present it. Provide fun themed snacks that will go with the session.
6. Decorate! If you've purchased the timeline poster or visual pack, be sure to hang items in the hallways during the month prior to your launch!  You can even enlarge the art from the Big Picture Cards for Families!
7. Question Marks??? Cut out large question marks from colorful paper and hang them on the walls. On each question mark, write out one of "The Big Questions" that will be answered in the upcoming sessions. For fun, you might even put up a large tear sheet and let kids write down questions they'd like to ask God.  
8. Conversation Starter Videos.  For several weeks prior to your launch, play one of the Conversation Starter videos during Worship. These are short, fun videos that will create conversation and get your kids and their parents excited and anxious to hear the rest of the story.
9. Play a Game.  In your foyer or kids ministry area, set up a game of "Which Came First" that asks the players to put Bible stories in chronological order. Use the Big Picture Cards for Families as your game pieces. (For even more eye-catching impact, you may want to enlarge them.) Ask kids and parents to work on the game together and share with them how The Gospel Project is going to help them get to know the answers.
10. Hold The Gospel Proejct Party! Be sure to come back on Friday and read Jeff Land's blog post! He'll have lots of great ideas to help make your launch party a success!

How are you planning to launch The Gospel Project at your church? Share your ideas!

 

 

tagged as: gospel project, kidmin, launch party, resources, the gospel project, the gospel project for kids || category: Fun , Resources , Sunday School
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Did you know that Facebook recently became the most popular website in the United States?  They have more that 450 million users world-wide, with millions being added every week! Chances are pretty good that some of the people who belong to Facebook are folks who are involved in your ministry or are people you'd like to reach with your ministry!  

Just have a social media presence.  There are many options to choose from, but we've found that most parents and volunteers use their Facebook account more often than Twitter or other social networks. Determine what network your parents and volunteers are using and add them as a friend them so they see your messages!  Be specific when you name your page. There are lots of "FBC Kids" ministries out there!

UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!  Facebook is a free, quick, and easy (and sometimes even the best!) way to communicate with parents and volunteers.  If you already have a personal Facebook account, (which you probably do if you found this blog!) you know how easy it is to communicate a message to your friends.  

Be safe.  Do not post full names of kids, especially accompanied by pictures.  Make sure that if you post an image of a child, you have consent from a parent or guardian.

Be consistent.  If your goal is to create a place where parents can count on updated information about schedules/changes/cancellations, etc., be consistent in your approach. Respond to questions from parents and volunteers in a timely manner.

Have FUN.  It's surprising how much fun interacting with your online community can be! Parents love hearing (and seeing!) what their kids are doing at church.  When they see how much fun you're having in the kids ministry, they may even be more inclined to volunteer.  Who could pass up all that fun!?

Those are the basics!  Think you're ready to get started?  If you need help, grab a an older youth group member or college student to help you get rolling.  If you have any questions, feel free to drop me an email at katie.decillo@lifeway.com.

I'll be back with more tips and trips soon, so stay tuned!

tagged as: facebook, ministry tools, networking, social media || category: Encouragement , Fun , Media , Resources
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Becoming a Christian is the most important decision a child will ever make. Following up with the child is one of the most important investment a church leader can make. Scripture commands us to “make disciples.” A disciple is a learner, a student, someone learning to become like Jesus. After a child accepts Christ into her life helping her grow in her knowledge and application of biblical principles is important. That is why I am so pleased with our new Christian materials for children. Following a child’s decision to accept Christ, our church provides a four week long class in which the child and her parents learn about her decision. We use the I’m a Christian, Now! materials to help the child understand what being a Christian is all about, the decision she made to become a Christian, the Lord’s Supper, baptism, worship, and beginning to grow as a Christian.

• What Is a Quiet Time? Why Should I Study My Bible?
• How Do I Know the Bible Is True?
  
• What Is Prayer? How Do I Pray?
  
• How Is My Life Different Since Becoming a Christian?
  
• Who Is God?
  
• How Do I Hear God Speak to Me?
  
• How Do I Follow God’s Plan for My Life?
  
• How Do I Use My Talents and Abilities to Serve God?
  
• What Happens When I Sin Again?
  
• What Is Worship? When and How Should I Worship?
  
• What Is an Offering? Why Should I Tithe?
  
• How Do I Stand Up for What I Believe?
  
• What About People Who Believe Different Things?
  
• How Do I Tell My Friends About Jesus?
  

tagged as: baptism, discipleship, I'm a Christian, I'm a Christian Now, kidmin, Now What? || category: Fun , Preteen , Resources , Sunday School
post a comment || comments (1) || trackbacks (0) Amber Sugg is my Kids Ministry hero.  And I can hear her right now saying, “What EVER, Katie DeCillo.” She always calls me by my full name. In fact, she recently sent me a package addressed to Katherine Rosemary DeCillo… but I digress.

Amber is the director of preschool and children’s ministry at First Baptist Church in Murray, KY.  She is wife to Micah and mom to the adorable and hilarious Madelyn and Allie.  She graciously allowed me to serve as her intern and taught me many valuable things about ministry life in the short amount of time I was under her wing. 

Here are some fun facts about Amber:

• She wore rain boots with a dress once…to service.  And taught in them…from stage.
• She LOVES Jesus, balloons and inflatables.
• She uses hashtags (a tool created for sorting and identifying things on Twitter) in normal communication–email, text messages, Facebook wall posts. For example:  ”Teaching Maddie Cunningham 90′s rap songs #jumpjump.”
• She coined the phrase “fun at church”–more often read, #funatchurch.  ”Katie DeCillo…they’re kids.  They need to have fun at church.”  And it’s true, kids do need to have fun while they learn about Jesus.
• She likes pranks.  Her most recent endeavor was the posting of this really awesome picture of pastor Sam Rainer on FBC’s heritage wall.  (See below)

But those things aren’t what make Amber my hero.  Those things are just frosting on the cupcake.

Amber invests in her relationships.  She invests in the way that Christ calls us to when he says to make disciples.  Whether you're 3 or 30, she can be a source of encouragement, spiritual wisdom, and accountability.  (Though she'll tell you she'd rather hang out with kids than adults!)  She has guided me through some difficult and hilarious conversations alike that have spurred me on to seek more and more truth in my life.  Best of all, Amber is not afraid to teach the difficult truths of Scripture, and does it in a way that is applicable and full of God's love and grace.

Today, the Gold Star goes to YOU, Amber Sugg! 

 Tell me about YOUR kids ministry hero!   

tagged as: heroes, kids ministry, ministry heroes || category: Encouragement , Fun , Leadership , Sunday School , Vacation Bible School
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