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Give Them Recognition…Sweet Volunteer Incentives
Help…Help…Help! Volunteers to the rescue! How many times do volunteers come to your rescue when you say…”I need someone to serve…can you help?” How often have they filled a vital need in your ministry by pitching in at the last minute or simply teaching every week in a classroom full of kids?
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The Great Adventure…”Is God In Control?”
It was during our senior year of high school that my now husband and I started dating. We had some fun times together during our five years of dating…with many of our dates being full of adventure and excitement. There was one date in particular, though, that I will never forget. You see, this date was one of those that gets etched upon your memory banks forever…it was full of excitement, fear, submission, and control (or the loss thereof). This was one of my great adventures in life and a time to learn who was really in control…and who was not!
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The Meaning of Easter … “What Does a Child Think?”
What do kids think? Have you ever watched a re-run of the Art Linkletter show, “Kids Say the Darnedest Things?” The crux of this great TV show centered on Linkletter asking kids to respond to all sorts of questions. Of course, kids will say the darnedest things and those responses would get a laugh and entertain audiences young and old. During their interaction with Linkletter, kids would respond by spouting off the first thing that came to their precious little minds. The show was such a big hit, later in 1998, Bill Cosby aired a similar version of it as he interacted with kids ranging in age from 3 – 8 years old.
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Roller Coasters And Preteen Kids…”Experience The Ride”
Roller coasters can be electrifying, exhilarating, and breathtaking. People love to ride roller coasters to experience the unpredictable thrill-seeker high they get with the high climbs, steep drops, upside down spins, hair-pen curves, and the supersonic speeds. For this reason, the roller coaster is by far one of the most popular attractions at any amusement park.
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Teaming With Parents To Build Strong Biblical Foundations Through The Impressionable Years
Computers, iPods, and video games are found in almost every home in America. Technology is everywhere with new products, gimmicks, and tools to help teach, train, and entertain children. If you were to ask a 7, 8, or 9 year old if they owned and used any of these items, a majority of them would say “yes.” Technology is the future of our world and a tool that many parents are using to entertain and teach their children. Whatever happened to playing outside, riding bikes, and reading books for entertainment? Are children being over stimulated as a result of too much technology?
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Teaming With Parents To Build Strong Biblical Foundations…”Start In The Early Years”
How young is too young to start teaching children about God? When can children understand the Gospel message? Can a child be saved as a preschooler? Do you have these questions or have you had these questions asked of you? Did you have an answer? Were you confident in the answers you gave…did you provide Biblical wisdom and guidance?
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“Heart to Heart” Sharing God’s Love With Children
Hearts, hearts, and more hearts…everywhere you go, all you see is hearts. In the grocery store, the card store, gift store, florist, or department store, you most likely have seen them. Hearts of all sizes, shapes, and even colors (though red is the most prominent) are found on cards, stamped on gifts, made of candy, and put on flowers. You can’t miss them during this time of year…hearts are everywhere. Valentine’s Day is approaching and many people, young and old, will participate and celebrate this holiday by giving gifts of hearts to those they cherish, love, and value.
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“Let’s Make A Deal”
Have you ever watched the game show…“Let’s Make A Deal”…and were you able to pick the right curtain with the big prize of the day behind it? The show’s debut was December 30, 1963 on NBC and it was hosted by Monty Hall. After the first episode the show took off and was viewed for years in countless homes across America. Because of its popularity in the U.S., broadcasters in Europe and Asia soon began producing their own versions of the game and airing on local TV stations hosted by local actors.
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How to Include Parents in Children’s Ministry…”Ten Do’s and Don’ts”
Is your ministry connecting with parents and are they looking to you and your volunteers for spiritual guidance and encouragement? After twenty plus years of experience in children’s ministry, ranging from small to large church programs, below are a few of the do’s and don’ts that I have found helpful as the church works together with parents in an effort to teach children the truths about God.
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A Memory With A Purpose…”Create The Memory That Will Last”
Just a few more days until Christmas. The stockings are hung…the house is decorated…the baking is almost finished…the packages are wrapped and the guests are invited…are you ready or do you have more things on your “To Do” list before this special day? Do you have all the gifts purchased or do you still have the worry and stress of buying just a few more…or baking more food…or perhaps even decorating the Christmas tree?