I could talk all day about children’s ministry curriculum. It’s such an important topic in children’s ministry. Now, is there a perfect curriculum? There is no perfect curriculum, and every curriculum is not made for your specific people and your specific kids and volunteers in your church setting. So, it is going to take some editing and customization to fit your church. But if you start with the right bones and the right structure, it’ll release a lot of the pressure and the burden from you, and free you up to do ministry better.

No curriculum can disciple your kids. You disciple your kids because a disciple is the one who creates more disciples and invites them into that relationship with Jesus. So, the most important thing to remember is that curriculum is a tool and a framework. It is a structure that carries us while we are doing the relational work of ministry, and the right curriculum can free us up to really invest in our people and do the work of ministry. So, it is important to find the right fit for your specific church.

Curriculum allows kids to encounter and experience God, to worship and respond to Him, and it helps kids discover biblical truth. When you purchase a curriculum and adjust it to fit your text, it frees you up to do the real work of ministry. And that is pouring into your people. It really gives such a joy and freedom that allows God to work in our ministry. My personal ministry began to thrive once I chose the right curriculum.

Choosing the Right Children’s Ministry Curriculum

Know Your Destination

That’s what we want for you. We want to know where we’re going, what we want our kids to know, and where we’d like them to be spiritually.

Having that destination and clear vision in your mind is one of the most important things you can do for your church before you choose your curriculum. What are the spiritual goals you have for the kids in your ministry? What are the milestones? Ask yourself how the curriculum aligns with your church’s mission and vision. Ask what outcome you are looking for?

And most importantly, as you begin, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and help you discern as you’re choosing curriculum.

Utilize Your Team

As you go through this process, be sure to bring your team alongside you, gather research, and get feedback from people.

A year and a half ago, David C Cook did a survey for children’s ministry leaders asking all kinds of fun questions. Questions like: What do you want in a children’s ministry curriculum? How do you discover curriculum? How do you choose a curriculum? What is most important to you? What is not important to you in your curriculum? It’s a really interesting study, and we learned a lot of insights.

One of the things I thought was interesting was that the size of the church determines the various ways in which we choose and use our curriculum. What a church of 20 kids is going to need from a curriculum is different from a church that might have 500 kids.

Curriculum Evaluation Checklist

Need help evaluating curriculum? Grab this downloadable list and follow the questions to a wise curriculum choice that equips you and your teachers for life-changing children’s ministry.

Download your Curriculum Checklist

Free Guide

Curriculum Evaluation Checklist

Need help evaluating curriculum? Grab this downloadable list and follow the questions to a wise curriculum choice that equips you and your teachers for life-changing children’s ministry.

Download your Curriculum Checklist

Free Guide

Curriculum Evaluation Checklist

Need help evaluating curriculum? Grab this downloadable list and follow the questions to a wise curriculum choice that equips you and your teachers for life-changing children’s ministry.

Download Your Curriculum Checklist

Free Guide

Align with What’s Important

Look at the specific needs of the people in your church ask what’s important to your church.

• Who is in your church? Look at your demographics, your audience, the needs of the kids and families.
• Consider your volunteers. Where they are spiritually. Do they come from a highly “churched” background or are they new to the faith?
• Look at the mission and vision for your kids and families.

Earlier this year at CPC, we had an interactive experience where people got to go through and answer certain questions about their children’s ministry. These questions helped them discover what curriculum might be a good fit for their church. And one of the questions was, what is most important in your ministry?

As people were going through the maze, they answered most of the questions very quickly. Then when they got to this one, they would pause. It caused them to think deeply about their mission is and how it aligns with what they are teaching. So, think about that question and consider what is most important.

Think Critically

Evaluate all kinds of different curriculum lines, gather samples, and look at the scope and sequence for them. Is it random? Does it make sense? Is it balanced? Are kids getting to see a full picture of the Bible and how it’s all connected? And are they getting the gospel and Jesus?

If you possibly can, teach the sample lessons in your children’s ministry—that’s such a great way to get a good feel for a curriculum.

Don’t simply think that simply because it’s published that it is going to be biblically accurate and theologically sound. I have seen some things that just weren’t a good fit for my church’s theology or my understanding of the Bible. And so really look at the curriculum and think critically about what it’s saying and what it’s teaching, and how it’s teaching the Word of God.

God’s Word as Authority

And just remember the responsibility that we have when we teach kids the Word of God. It’s so important that we take that seriously and teach the Bible as it’s meant to be taught.

Not taking the Bible as God intended and twisting it to make it more entertaining or more fun for kids, or to make it fit what we want it to say, is not okay. We want the Bible to speak the text, to speak for itself within the context of what it was meant to say. And so, as you’re looking at the lessons, read the Bible stories in Scripture against the lesson, and look at how they’re taught and what they teach us about God. Consider the vision of the curriculum, the philosophy, and the values.

Go see it in action. If you can, visit a church that’s using the curriculum you’re evaluating (just ask their children’s pastor ahead of time). You can learn a lot quickly if you can see what their Sundays look like and talk with the volunteers and the children’s pastors and kids.

And then, most importantly before you choose a curriculum, ask yourself: does it draw kids closer to Jesus and allow them to experience Him and connect with Him? Is it discipleship-, gospel-, and Bible-centered?

Discover more on choosing and implementing children’s ministry curriculum by watching the full webinar here.

• Curriculum Feedback Survey 
  
  Want to know how families and volunteers feel about your ministry and the curriculum you use? Gather feedback from those in your ministry using this simple survey.  Download it now!
  
• Curriculum Evaluation Checklist
  
  Need help evaluating curriculum? Follow the questions to a wise curriculum choice that equips you and your teachers for life-changing children’s ministry.
  
  Grab this free checklist and evaluate curriculum like a champ!

Wonder Ink takes kids on a journey through curiosity, belief, faith, and identity. It helps them discover their identity as a child of God. It helps kids internalize four main truths: I am known by God, loved by Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, and I am a child of God, so my life can tell of His wonder.

Wonder Ink lessons are Bible-centered and fully customizable. The lessons encourage big questions. They leave space for kids to connect with God to build faith beyond just Sunday.

Hands-On: Building Identity in Christ

With Wonder Ink, kids don’t just hear stories from the Bible, they actively engage with God’s Word and experience God’s presence through worship response. Kids are encouraged to be curious and explore Bible truths through hands-on activities and STEM experiments. The Bible stories are taught through weekly creative Bible story videos, reading straight from the Bible, and interactive live Bible story teachings.

This curriculum uses a 3-year unified scope and sequence for all ages. This allows kids to explore major stories from the Bible with a balance of Old and New Testament stories each year. Lessons, grouped into 4–8-week series, connect kids to God’s truths.

Families with kids of all ages from toddler through preteens can connect and learn together as they experience the same Bible stories in age-appropriate ways. Wonder Ink resources parents with weekly at-home devotionals and Bible story videos for their kids. Additionally, they are encouraged as spiritual leaders in their kids’ lives and are invited to grow in their faith together.

Wonder Ink

Faith begins with wonder

With ready-to-go lessons, Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word—connecting the classroom on Sunday to their homes during the week.

Learn more

Wonder Ink also includes special holiday series that connect the Old and New Testament to help give kids a big-picture view of the Bible as God’s big story. When kids know God’s big story, they can know their part in it and discover their identity as a child of God.

After the Waiting for Jesus Christmas series, which included stories from Isaiah’s prophecies about the Messiah and their fulfillment with Jesus’ birth, an 8-year-old boy exclaimed during a Christmas Eve sermon about Jesus’ birth, “Isaiah knew that was going to happen! I knew it! It’s all true—yay Jesus!” He made the connection and was able to truly celebrate and worship the long-awaited Savior.

Kids are invited into God’s big story to know Him more.

Created in God’s Image

God’s big story doesn’t start with the Fall—it starts with Creation. People were created in God’s image to reflect Him and have a relationship with Him. We have the privilege of helping kids discover their forever identity in Christ. We get to help them live with confidence as they claim their inheritance as image-bearing children of God, sharing His wonder with the world. Identity is what we believe about ourselves, our worth, and our purpose.

It’s a joy when kids discover their identity is found in God’s big story. It’s found where Jesus is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is present. And as we teach this, we leave room for their big questions, while leaving no doubt about who God is or who they are in Him.

Each week in the Wonder Ink lessons, kids declare out loud truths about who God is and who they are in Him. This is an important time in the children’s ministry service. When kids speak truths aloud repeatedly, those truths become rooted in their hearts and can grow.

As followers of Jesus, our identity is rooted in Christ. We are all beloved children of God. We are known by God and loved by Jesus, and we are invited to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Connection to God and One Another

Wonder Ink inspires a genuine connection with faith. It fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity that extends far beyond the Sunday school classroom. When children discover they are known by God, loved by Jesus, and led by the Holy Spirit, their view of who they are shifts.

After a few months of using Wonder Ink curriculum, my 4-year-old daughter prayed “Holy Spirit, thank You for living inside of me. I hope You stay.”

She knows the Holy Spirit was in her and she lives out that truth each day. That truth—that she is a child of God and filled with His Spirit—guides her each day as she navigates her world and develops her worldview and identity.

She will grow up with a foundation of Christ as her Savior. She’ll have a faith that is big enough for her curiosity and questions. But she’ll have no doubt about the wonder of who God is and who she is as His child. Wonder is where it all begins. Ink is God’s truth inked upon our hearts. Faith begins with wonder.

What is identity?

Identity is what we believe about ourselves, our worth, and our purpose. We can help kids discover that their identity is found in God’s big story—where Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit is present. And we need to leave room for their big questions and big ideas while leaving no doubt about who God is or who we are in Him.

As followers of Jesus, our identity is rooted in Christ. We are all beloved children of God who are known by God and loved by Jesus, and we are invited to be led by the Holy Spirit.

God’s big story doesn’t start with the Fall—it starts with Creation. People were created in God’s image to reflect Him and have a relationship with Him. We have the privilege of helping kids discover their true identity in Christ and help them live with confidence as they claim their inheritance as image-bearing children of God, sharing His wonder with the world.

The more kids come to know and look like Jesus, the more they grow in godly character and are shaped by the Holy Spirit.

Why is identity important?

All kids wonder … They ask questions like: “Who am I?” and “What makes me unique?”” and “Why is my life important?”

These are questions of identity. Kids are on a journey of discovering their identity, and we can speak God’s truths over them and affirm their identity in Him so they can internalize it and combat the lies the world and the enemy throw at them.

Wonder Ink

Faith begins with wonder

With ready-to-go lessons, Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word—connecting the classroom on Sunday to their homes during the week.

Learn more

What do kids need to know about their identity in God?

You belong. You are known by God.

God, the Creator of all, knows me. He has always known me. He has had me in mind from the very beginning. God made me, and I am His masterpiece. He made me in His own image to do the amazing things He has prepared for me to do.

Kids have a natural desire to want to fit in and be liked.

When my son came home from first grade and declared, “No one in my class likes me. The boys who are the leaders in our class said that everyone could play except for me.” I could see his spirit was crushed, and his heart was discouraged.

What he believed in that moment was the lie that he was not loved, worthy, or good enough—he didn’t belong. He tried to come up with ways he could get the boys in his class to let him play at recess. He tried bringing his favorite whiffle ball set and football to play with, but day after day, he came home crushed that those few boys in his class continued to exclude him.

What is always true about identity in God?

As a mother, I wanted to march to that playground and make those boys allow my sweet son to play. But, instead, I reminded my son the truth of his identity. Helping our children discover their identity sometimes means pointing out the lies the world is telling them and then helping them replace the lies with truths from Scripture.

I spoke these familiar words over my son, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are known by God, loved by Jesus, and led by the Holy Spirit. God has great plans for your life.” The words he has heard declared over him almost every day.

Sadly, those boys in his class didn’t include him, but other kids did, and the experience taught my son empathy and awareness of others. It also taught him to remember his worth is found in what God says about him—not what others say.

Kids also need to know: You are loved by Jesus.

Jesus’ perfect life, death, resurrection, and promised return are God’s love story. Jesus came to fulfill God’s promises to His children. Through Jesus, we have salvation.

Jesus loves you no matter what. His love has no beginning and no end, and we get to love Him back. God’s love is big and generous. Jesus is the way to God’s love. Choosing to follow Jesus means choosing God’s love and God’s way.

You are led by the Holy Spirit.

You are not alone. God gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit when we choose to live for Jesus.

When we trust in Jesus as our Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit as a gift, and He lives inside of us. When we let the Holy Spirit lead, He strengthens us, and we grow more and more like Jesus.

You are a child of God. God’s amazing story changes your own. Because God knows you, Jesus loves you, and the Holy Spirit leads you, you get to be a wonder-filled reflection of God to the world.

You get to be part of God’s story, and your life tells of God’s wonder.

How can we share with kids all they have access to with an identity in Christ?

We can give kids language to know their identity in Christ. We can affirm, declare, and speak truth and blessing over our kids every opportunity we get. And we can read the Bible to them and teach them who God is. We can encourage them to memorize verses that speak to the truth in their identity.

When we give kids an opportunity to repeat back to us the truths affirmed in the Bible, the words plant seeds of truth and faith into their minds and their hearts.

We can model it. When we believe the truth about our own identity and believe that all people are created by God and are loved image-bearers, that impacts how we view and treat others, and it also influences kids.

We can model for kids what it looks like to seek God for our value and identity in our own lives, and we continually pray with and over our kids to know who they are in Christ.

Every night as I’m tucking my kids into bed, before I walk out of their bedrooms, the last thing I do is whisper affirmations over them. If for some reason I’m in a hurry or forget, my kids will ask, “Mama, can you say all the things about me?”

And I pause, turn back, and whisper the affirmations over them. I want the last thing they hear at night before they drift off to sleep to be God’s truths, reminding them who they are and whose they are.

Are there practical things we can equip parents and volunteers with as they walk alongside kids?

Encourage parents and kids to memorize the following truths from Scripture. Post them where families can see them.

Speak these truths over kids and pray for them to internalize and believe them.

• I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14)
• I am loved by Jesus, and I get to share His love too. (John 13:34, 35)
• I was made in the image of God and am an image-bearer. (Genesis 1:27)
• I was created with a purpose and God has prepared good works for me to do. He will give me everything I need to do them. (Ephesians 2:10)
• I am chosen by God. I am valuable to Him. My life tells of His wonder. (1 Peter 2:9)
• I am a citizen of heaven; this world is not my home. (Philippians 3:20)
• I am a child of God and an heir of Christ. I am led by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:14–17)
• I have value because God loves me and sent Jesus to die for me. (Romans 5:8)
• Nothing can separate me from God’s unending love. Through Jesus, I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37–39)
• I am set free from sin through Christ. I am forgiven and made righteous. (Ephesians 1:7)
• God has good plans for my life; plans for a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
• The peace of God will guard my heart and my mind through Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
• I am blessed, chosen by God, and through Jesus, I am saved, forgiven, and made holy. I am a child of God. (Ephesians 1:3-7)
• I do not have a spirit of fear and timidity, but God has given me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

What kids believe about themselves is the foundation on which they build their lives, beliefs, and relationships.

The words we speak over kids, the lessons and Bible stories we teach (and the way we teach the Bible), the songs we sing, the conversations we have, and the advice and comfort we offer are all planting seeds that will grow into the fruit of identity that comes from being rooted in Christ. 

To do this well, you need to develop an intentional model of doing ministry with kids and volunteers. Instead of focusing on doing ministry to and for the people around you, focus on doing this with God and with others. Imagine what would happen!

Equipping Volunteers

Equipping with Language

Giving our volunteers language for ministry with kids is important. Ask yourself these questions:

• Is the team on the same page?
• Are we really speaking the same language when it comes to vision, mission, and goals?
• Do we have theological guideposts we follow in leading children?

Equipping with Discipleship

A strategy for discipleship involves knowing where you’re going and what you’re aiming for. As you are equipping your volunteers in this area, ask yourself these questions:

• What’s the vision for our ministry?
• Where do I want the team to go?
• What do I want the children to walk away with?

Equipping Volunteers with Encouragement

Frequently remind your volunteers of what an awesome job they are doing. Many times burnout takes place from lack of acknowledgement and care. Remind each person in your ministry of the importance of growing their own intimate relationship with God.

Leading from an overflow of their own relationship with God models for kids what it looks like to find their place in God’s Big Story.

Equipping with Training

There are all kinds of resources our there to equip your volunteers with training—virtually or in person, paid or free. You can choose from blog posts, emails, newsletters, text messages, videos, conferences and more.

One-on-one and small group training methods you can use to model exactly what you’re looking for!

Read further on equipping volunteers at the article here.

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

Even though I knew I was supposed to stay on the road, I did what the GPS told me to do. As soon as I took the exit, it told me to get back on the interstate! I needed clarity on the path set before me and the direction I should go if I was going to get to my destination. Clarity would help me keep from getting sidetracked or distracted and taking wrong exits!

Setting Vision for Your Children’s Ministry

Vision in your children’s ministry sets the direction that gives clarity on where you’re going and what you’ll do to get there—the direction and the destination. Children’s ministries need a clear vision so you don’t take wrong exits and go down wrong paths. Vision brings clarity about the future for your ministry. If you know where you’re going, you can move in that direction and stay on the right road, even when distractions come.

I once heard a story of a person who was following a GPS that led her right into a lake! We need to not only have clarity about where we’re going, but also make sure our eyes are fixed on the right path. A children’s ministry without a clear vision may attempt to be and do too many things. Doing too many things can lead to distraction, ineffectiveness, and discouragement.

As you develop and evaluate your children’s ministry’s vision, remember these five things:

1. The vision comes from God.
2. The vision directs the “why” for your ministry.
3. The vision motivates your people.
4. The children’s ministry’s vision flows from the vision of the whole church.
5. The vision is clear, concise, and memorable.

The vision comes from God.

The vision is the God-breathed future for your ministry. It answers the questions: “Where is our children’s ministry going?” and “What does God want for our children’s ministry?” It should be an inspiring and hope-filled picture from the heart of God.

As you develop your children’s ministry vision, begin by seeking the heart of God through prayer, with an open heart to hear from Him. Listen, dream, and be still before Him. Ask Him to reveal His vision for your ministry. The vision should be big enough that you can’t do it without God.

Ultimately, it’s not about crafting your own vision, but discovering His vision for your ministry. Saturate the entire process in prayer and spend time with God as you’re developing the vision statement.

The vision directs the “why” for your children’s ministry.

The vision tells people where your children’s ministry is going and clarifies the purpose. A compelling and inspiring vision will attract volunteers who want to serve in your ministry. People want to be a part of something life-changing and purposeful.

When you have a clear vision, you don’t just ask people to volunteer in your children’s ministry; you invite them to be part of the God-given vision and give them a deeper reason to serve.

The vision motivates your people.

A vision statement encourages unity, creates energy, brings life, and provides purpose for your volunteers, staff, kids, and families. It can unify your team and move your people toward action as everyone rallies around the vision. This type of change can be so good.

I’ve worked in churches with clear and compelling vision, but I’ve also been part of churches that didn’t know where they were going and what was important. The ones with clear vision grew not only in numbers and influence but were filled with people growing strong and deep in their faith as they lived out the God-give vision and served passionately to help fulfill it.  

The vision should not be one of low stakes or low expectations. Children’s ministry should be life changing and earth shaking. Your vision should move kids and families to grow in their faith and discover their place in God’s big story.

It should impact and influence the programming your ministry executes, your teaching methods, your curriculum choice, your events, your values, your outreach, your church’s role in the community, the way you communicate with families, your volunteer roles—even your physical space and décor can be a vessel for vision-casting!

The children’s ministry’s vision flows from the vision of the whole church.

Your children’s ministry vision should be aligned with the vision of your church. An aligned vision brings unity and deeper impact. If you’re experiencing tension or discouragement, you may be out of alignment with your church’s vision.

As you develop your children’s ministry vision, you should ensure the destination for the entire church is mapped out and everyone is traveling in the same direction toward the same destination.

The vision is clear, concise, and memorable.

The vision should be easy for volunteers, kids, and parents to learn and declare. Repeat it often and in many ways. Look for opportunities to cast the vision through storytelling when God impacts lives through the ministry and celebrating wins. If it’s not memorable and understandable, it won’t stay at the forefront of people’s minds

Questions to ask as you’re developing your vision statement for children’s ministry:

• What is your church’s vision?
• Where is the church going?
• How can your children’s ministry go in the same direction as the church?
• How do you envision your children’s ministry in the future?
• What is your ministry’s unique calling to meet the needs of its congregation and surrounding community?
• What does God want to accomplish through your children’s ministry?
• What does our ministry need to look like to accomplish this?
• What kind of children’s ministry do we want to be? 
• What characterizes your ministry?

Questions to ask when evaluating your vision statement:

• Does our vision statement inspire and connect with people?
• Is the vision statement clear, concise, and memorable?
• Does the statement incorporate the values that are important to your church?
• Can someone who does not attend your church understand who your children’s ministry serves and desires to reach?
• Does the vision accurately reflect the church’s values?
• Can your volunteers easily remember and share the statement?
• How will you communicate your vision?
• What is the mission of your church and children’s ministry? What are the core values?

A vision statement is different from a mission statement, because a mission statement focuses on your ministry today and a vision statement focuses on your ministry’s future. Your mission statement determines what and how your ministry accomplishes the goals each day. The vision paints the dreams God has for your church’s future.

You won’t be tempted to take a wrong exit or drive your car into a lake when you have a clear path to your destination. A clear and compelling vision can combat discouragement, distraction, low-attendance, lack of volunteer commitment and passion, shallow faith, and lukewarm engagement and connection.

God already has a unique role for your children’s ministry in your community. He has brought the people to your church for a specific purpose. As a children’s ministry leader, you can discover how God is already moving in your ministry and articulate that in a compelling, challenging, and inspirational way through a vision statement.

When you know and follow the God-breathed vision for your children’s ministry, you’ll experience tremendous kingdom impact as kids and families grow in their faith and understand their identity as a child of God and their place in God’s big story.

It can be beyond time-consuming to come up with lessons, activities, and more from scratch. The prep and supply lists, conversation questions and searching for resources takes hours in themselves.

As many of you, I spent so many years running myself thin every week. I would finish preparing, get through Sunday, and then realize next Sunday was coming. And the cycle would continue. 

I was tired.

Your Time is Valuable

After so many years of doing this and being exhausted by it, I realized my time is best spent doin what only I could do. And that was investing in people more than programs. Programs in themselves are not bad, but it was taking all of my time.

There was such joy … and freedom in purchasing a curriculum that I didn’t have to write. It was customizable and included so much more than I ever needed or could have created on my own. The fact that it was already done just made it even better.

This gave me the time I needed to put into my teams and leaders. It gave me time to love on the kids and parents in my ministry. And let me tell you … my Children’s Ministry began to thrive.

6 Strategic Steps: Kids’ Curriculum

These are six key steps for implementing a new curriculum in your children’s ministry:

1. Get Buy-in from Leaders and Volunteers
2. Prepare Your Team
3. Plan Your Year
4. Involve Parents
5. Cast Vision
6. Get Feedback

Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you on this journey. May He help you in choosing and implementing the one that is meant for the kids in your ministry.

If you’re interested in reading more about this topic, check out this post!

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

One of the hardest things about our jobs is that we can’t do it ourselves. We can’t be in the room with the babies, in the preschool room, in the middle, and in the elementary room. We can’t do all of the things at once. I’ve tried, believe me.

Doing It All

The church is in a time of transition. This might result in fewer volunteers and new policies. Be sure to build your team so you don’t run yourself into the ground.

In the past, I found myself trying to do absolutely everything. I was too busy to recruit volunteers because I couldn’t possibly recruit volunteers when I was doing everything myself. This led to me being frantic. I was begging people, and I was desperate. At that time, the volunteer job description was literally to keep everyone in the room alive.

I’m not the expert. I’ve made all the mistakes. I’ve learned from my mistakes over the years—I’m still learning from some of them, and I’m still making some the mistakes.

I just remember the desperation I experienced and thinking how am I going to lead this ministry and get enough people? It felt overwhelming.

I had to build my first volunteer team one person at a time. I want to encourage you if you’re feeling overwhelmed, dreading fall, new programming, and you’re feeling like you’re doing it all. If you don’t know how you’re going to fill your spots and you don’t know how you’re going to get your team—I’ve been there.

I can say that no matter the size of your church, it’s possible to have strong volunteer teams. No matter the size of your church, it seems to be the same 20% of the people doing 80% of the work.

Challenges

I have some tips for you. I want to make this super easy and super practical to help you build your volunteer team. You might be thinking, where do I start? Where do I get the 200 new volunteers when I want them by next Sunday?

Some of the mistakes that we make, especially during and after a pandemic, can be challenging. There are new challenges that we’ve never encountered before. I started at my current church in the middle of the pandemic. For months, I was doing ministry virtually just praying that there were people out there.

Church Re-Entry

We’re all in different phases of coming back. My church has families returning to our building. This is a unique time for families, and that includes the volunteers in our programs. I had a volunteer say to me recently, “I just got lazy. We got comfortable staying home every Sunday.

And we have no reason that we haven’t been back and haven’t been serving other than we’re just out of the habit. We’re just not used to serving anymore. We just kind of need that kick in the pants to get back into it.”

Some people love being home and not having to engage in relationships. And some people are craving those relationships and just feel so disconnected. As people are coming back, this is an awesome time to reach out to all of those people. Rebuild those relationships and focus on community among your church people and among your volunteer teams.

I am reaching out to those families who have not been back to church, and you can too. Let them know that you care about them, that you want them there, and that you miss them. Whenever they’re comfortable coming back, welcome them. If they’re not comfortable coming back, still be there for them. Assure them you still care about them.

Be Strategic

This is a great time to rethink your vision for your ministry and to launch something new. It’s a great time for launching new ministries, new programming, a new vision, a new mission for this year. Don’t just start something for the sake of starting something, be strategic. Have a plan for your ministry and for your volunteers—a specific strategy, a specific plan.

I’m going to share five steps for onboarding and recruiting your volunteer team. Do them in the way that works best in your church. If you’re not doing any of these things, you can still start. This is a natural time to begin something new.

God’s Ministry

This is God’s ministry. He has given us the opportunity to equip people to do the ministry. This is a great opportunity for people to serve God, use their gifts, and make a difference for Him. The volunteers are not serving me. They’re not volunteering for me. It’s not my ministry. This is God’s ministry. He has entrusted it to us and to the families and people who are a part of our church. We have the opportunity to serve Him, and we get to empower others to serve Him.

The 5 Steps

1. Prepare

Prepare for your volunteer team. People want to be a part of something significant. Create a ministry that people want to be a part of. Write down your vision and make sure it connects to your church’s mission.

This is a time to cut programming and other things that are not a part of the vision. Launch things that are purposeful and intentional. Then communicate that as often as you are able.

Next, determine what volunteers you need. Write down every single volunteer role you can dream of. Know exactly who and what you’re looking for and get it on paper.

With a comprehensive list of each job needed, you will know who you’re looking for. Then you can recruit people to fill those exact spots in those exact roles instead of an ambiguous, “Who wants to serve in the children’s ministry?”

Know your vision and know who you need. Those are the two most important things in preparing for your volunteers.

2. Seek

Once you know what you need, then it’s time to recruit for each position. Asking people personally can be more effective than doing a blanket statement to recruit volunteers in children’s ministry. Then name their qualities such as a gift of teaching, hospitality, or organization. Think outside of the box.

We have a retired dentist who volunteers, and he is so fun. He led games during VBS and he’s jumping in to be a Sunday school teacher. I have one woman who has older kids and is super detail oriented. She’s going to come in and help with all the paperwork, supplies, and preparations. I have a teenager who’s going to start volunteering.

Look at people across all age groups, all kinds of life places, and invite them to be a part of your team based on their skills, their passions, and their spiritual gifts for a specific job.

People want to be a part of something that’s important. They want to be a part of something significant. If they’re using their gifts in their sweet spot where their passions match up with their experience, then they will have the opportunity to do something significant. Invite people within their sweet spot.

Pray for wisdom, pray for discernment, ask your staff, and ask your volunteers for other recommendations.

3. Screen

I take safety very seriously. Begin by checking with your church’s insurance company, or your denomination, about any specific safety requirements that they might have. Check the handbook or create one if you need to.

Once you have someone interested in serving, I suggest having a talk to get to know them. You might have them fill out an application, ask for references, ask about their passions, and their experience. You can learn some really cool stuff about people through the interview and the application process.

I also like to have volunteers fill out and sign a volunteer covenant. This covers the expectations for leadership and serving in the ministry.

We want to take care of the children in the community, and we want to be proactive about keeping them all safe.

It’s okay if you don’t already have any of this as part of your process. It’s totally fine to start now and have all of your current volunteers go through this process. It can be a phone call, a Zoom call, or an in-person chat before the service. It can be meeting at a coffee shop or a restaurant. You can get a strong feel for people if you meet face-to-face. A phone call is definitely an acceptable alternative.

Background checks are crucial. There are a number of different companies that you can use for background checks. Check with your church’s insurance company about how often you must repeat them.

4. Train

It’s essential to have a plan for effective volunteer training. Equip your team with the skills and basic information that they need to serve in the ministry. It can inspire them while communicating the vision of the program. Solid training will prepare them to excel in their role and grow as leaders.

I encourage four types of volunteer training:

Annual Training Meeting

This is for everybody in the entire ministry: new volunteers as well as seasoned ones. Consider also inviting those who are interested in volunteering. I like to keep these annual volunteer meetings really fun. It’s about relationship and community building, vision casting, and equipping them with hands-on things that they can’t read off of a handout. You might do icebreakers and play games so they can get to know the other volunteers. This can help everyone feel like they’re part of an actual team. 

Take time to share stories and wins. I feature a video of the volunteers from the prior year. It highlights the things that they’ve done, inspires them, and shows them moments they may have forgotten.

You can also bring in special speakers. This might include someone from your church’s security team or local police department to talk about training for emergencies. You could bring in a child development specialist to talk about how to connect with kids at different age levels and how to engage them. There is some really interesting, specialized training that focuses on topics like the art of storytelling or how to work with parents.

New Volunteer Training

Determine a timeframe that works for you. The following model includes a suggested four-week course. First, I pair every new volunteer with a seasoned servant. Choose your seasoned volunteers very carefully as they will be the models for your new volunteers.

Week 1

The volunteer will watch, observe, and learn the policies and procedures. They receive a volunteer handbook and tour the ministry area. They learn where the bathrooms are, where the supplies are going to be picked up, and where their check-in station is located. Don’t just assume that people know all these things. As you give them a tour, talk to them about your policies. Let them observe a class.

Week 2

It’s time to build in a little bit of responsibility. This week they are mostly observing again and learning different policies and teaching techniques. It’s more about curriculum and ministry.

Week 3

It’s time for even more responsibility and direct training. Give them feedback.

Week 4

Time to be on their own. I like to have the seasoned volunteer observe and evaluate them and give them feedback.

Ongoing Training

My personal favorite way of doing this is by having a volunteer huddle for all of the volunteers every Sunday before the service starts. It can take five minutes, or longer. This is a time to gather everyone together as a team to pray, share information, share wins, cast vision, and do quick training as needed.

You can go over a policy such as diaper changing, tornado drill policy, or your intruder policy. Choose a different policy every week and add some light training. You can talk about how to include kids who are on the fringes, engaging kids who are not paying attention, or connecting with parents. This is ongoing training that you’re doing every single week to connect with your volunteers. Always close your meetings in prayer.

Those huddles can be super important, and they set good groundwork. They invite the Holy Spirit in and lay a foundation for the day to prepare everyone to serve.

Digital Training

This training can be via text message, email, video vlogs, blog posts, social media posts, or even a Facebook group. You can utilize your church’s website. Through digital training, you can send your team Bible verses, podcasts, or simple inspiration. With this method of training you can still reach our people, even when they can’t be there in person. You can definitely utilize social media and digital training at any time.

5. Evaluate & Follow-Up

This step is one that gets skipped over easily. It’s so easy to just kind of keep going once your volunteers are on the team and doing great. But we want to invite questions, communicate with volunteers, and stay curious about how they’re doing in the ministry.

I choose to set a time to do this—90 days after they start is good. I ask them how things are going. They might say that they want to try something different. Ask for their feedback and listen to them, follow-up with them, and then evaluate how you might want to make changes.

You can send out surveys to all the volunteers once a year and ask about how they feel, if they feel like part of the team, that I’m communicating clearly enough, thoughts on the curriculum. I ask them to share any wins, feedback, and concerns.

Appreciate

Volunteer appreciation is important and should not be underestimated. Ways to show you are grateful can include: a thank you card, a cup of coffee, or their favorite snack. You can find easy ideas on Pinterest or check out the ideas in 6 “High Fives” Perfect for Volunteer Appreciation.

These small gestures lead to the team feeling appreciated. It doesn’t have to take a big budget—you can meet them at a park and have a picnic or take a walk. Let them know that you truly care about them. Check out this article for simple and heartfelt ways to thank your volunteers when you just can’t find the words!

People will love being a part of a team where they’re serving in their sweet spot—a place where they feel equipped, trained, and valued. They’re going to be lining up to serve in your ministry. They might be inspired to tell their friends and invite others to serve. Volunteers who are well cared for are going to be your best recruiters.

Volunteer Onboarding Kit

Empower your ministry team & create a strong foundation for excellence

Learn More

Volunteer Onboarding Kit

Empower your ministry team & create a strong foundation for excellence

Learn More

Volunteer Onboarding Kit

Empower your ministry team & create a strong foundation for excellence

Learn More

You might have been thrown into (or fallen into) this role after volunteering in children’s ministry and realizing your passion for it. Or you might be someone whose calling to children’s ministry has been clear for a long time and have spent time preparing for and dreaming of this role.

I remember when I first felt the call to full-time children’s ministry as a teenager.

I had just been recently saved, and I committed to spend my life serving God however He would use me. Then, I spent the next four years studying children’s ministry in college and preparing for the life calling I felt.

New Ministries Are Challenging and Exciting

Regardless of how you got your start in children’s ministry—and whether or not you have a “ministry” background with training and preparation—this role is one that will inspire you, challenge you, and grow your faith and dependence on God.

Even with all the amazing classes and lessons I learned from professors and mentors in college, I was not prepared my first year of children’s ministry. It was scary, challenging, humbling, and wonderful all at the same time.

When you first start in children’s ministry, it’s normal and okay to feel a big range of emotions—from excited to scared to uncertain … or even to skeptical. Whether you’re feeling confident or nervous or a little of both, we want to help you succeed in your first year—and in all the years to come!

Children’s ministry is one of the most important ways we get to serve God and spread the gospel to an entire generation of disciples!

Here are some resources to help get your ministry journey started on the right track by focusing on some of the most important things to know and do!

Know Why You’re in This Role

Whether you stumbled into your role without planning and preparation, or you’ve been preparing for years, the most important thing to remember is: God put you here.

He has a plan for you as a children’s ministry leader, and all you have to do is let Him lead you and guide you.

This role isn’t only a job—whether you are a paid staff member or a volunteer, you have received a calling. Children’s ministry gives you an amazing opportunity to impact and influence a generation of world changers.

You will plant seeds you may not see sprout and grow; but even if you don’t immediately see the impact you have on the kids you serve, God will use you to make a difference.

You will be a reflection of Christ and His love to the kids, parents, and volunteers you serve.

Knowing and believing that you are called and that you are in this role for a purpose are the most important things to know, and they will be what get you through the difficult seasons in ministry and keep you from burning out.

My Story

When I got my first full-time job at a church as a children’s pastor, I was 22 years old, just out of college, and in a city 600 miles from my home. I didn’t know a soul. I was in a 100-year-old church with over 500 people, and the children’s ministry had a great legacy and history.

So I had large shoes to fill, and I was walking with great uncertainty.

The lead pastor told me that even though I was young, I was there because they believed in me and because God had made it clear that I was the right person for the role.

That didn’t mean I wouldn’t make mistakes or need to learn and grow (I most certainly did!), but I felt a confidence in knowing God had put me right where He wanted me, and He would equip me.

Build Relationships

In your first few months at a new church, it’s important to spend a lot of time simply getting to know people. So ask lots of questions, take people to coffee, and learn the church culture.

Research the church’s history and, specifically, the history of the children’s ministry. Ask parents, volunteers, and staff about their dreams and goals for the church and children’s ministry.

Talk to current and previous children’s ministry volunteers to find out what they’ve done before, what has worked, and what hasn’t worked.

And be intentional about building relationships: with kids, parents, volunteers, and with the staff you’re serving alongside.

While you’re in this intentional relationship-building phase, take notes and make assessments of where the children’s ministry currently is and what changes need to be made.

Once you understand the culture, desires, and needs of your church, you can assess any changes that need to be made. But don’t give into the temptation to make any significant changes right away.

Don’t Assume That What Worked in Another Church Will Work Now

Every church is different. Therefore, ideas and programs that you’ve seen work in other churches may not work in your new church.

Being open and flexible in your role is so much more than just programming and curriculum; it’s learning to understand the church, the people, the culture, and the history of that church.

My Story

When I started at my first church, I had to get to know an entirely new culture.

I was a Yankee transplanted from the Midwest to a college football town in the Deep South. And I mean the people were not just fans of college football; they were crazy for it.

I had to learn all sorts of things: what the phrase “Roll Tide” meant, not to schedule any church activities on game days in the fall, what colors not to wear on certain weekends, and what a “meat and three” restaurant is.

I learned more than new vocabulary though: I learned how people from the South greet each other; how they handle conflict differently than people from the Midwest do; and how they love history, legacy, and tradition in churches.

I had to be flexible and adaptable and willing to try and understand, with humility, things that were new or different.

Understand What a “Win” Looks Like

Be sure to clarify expectations and make sure you understand what your lead pastor (or direct manager) considers a “win” in your role for the next three months, six months, and year.

Then once you’ve determined what needs to be changed or improved, you can set goals for each quarter and make a plan to accomplish them.

It can be tempting to want to overhaul the children’s ministry and make a lot of big changes in the first year, but it’s wise to wait on big changes until you have a firm grasp on the needs and culture of the church and have built solid relationships with people.

Build a Strong Team

Without clear and defined roles, it will be impossible to build a strong team. So, before you build your team, clarify and write down the job description for every role you want to fill.

Once you know what you need, begin building your team.

If you walk into a situation without a lot of volunteers or a solid volunteer structure, you can make building a strong children’s ministry team one of your first goals.

Set reasonable expectations to build your team one person at a time.

In those first few months as you’re getting to know people, pay attention to their gifts, skills, passions, and experience. Then invite people to serve and join the team in a role that utilizes their gifts and passions.

Don’t be afraid to invite others to volunteer. You can multiply the impact of your ministry if you follow some simple recruiting guidelines. People want to be a part of something meaningful and life changing.

As you invite people to join the team, make a plan for keeping them. It takes twice as much effort to recruit new volunteers as it does to retain current volunteers.

So set your volunteers up for success by providing training, communicating clearly, developing your team, and giving them the boost they need by showing genuine appreciation.

My Story

Six months into my first job, I felt like I was alone in a big room of 50 kids on Sunday mornings.

I was running the tech and sound booth, leading worship, teaching the message, running check-in and greeting families, and running security … almost all by myself.

I was running around frantically every Sunday looking stressed and too busy to talk to anyone or enjoy the services. I remember saying, “I just can’t do all this! How do I get more volunteers?”

I did eventually recruit one new volunteer, then another, and another. I learned to not hate the task of recruiting volunteers. And I learned to delegate and lead well. And by the end of my time there, the volunteer team had grown to more than 200 volunteers.

Create a Safe and Nurturing Environment

Safety is an incredibly important aspect of children’s ministry. If parents don’t trust you to keep their kids safe, you won’t have the opportunity to share the gospel with their kids.

Evaluate your church’s safety and security policies and procedures. Talk with your senior pastor and look at your church’s insurance to see what safety policies are required at your church.

Do a safety evaluation to see where your children’s ministry can improve in the areas of safety and security.

Here are some basic safety policies to implement and enforce in the children’s ministry.

Be proactive in planning safety and security for your children’s ministry! And keep in mind that it will be important for you to communicate the “why” behind each policy and ensure that the procedures are followed for the safety of every child and family.

Your children’s ministry doesn’t have to look like Disney World, but it does need to be clean, organized, and welcoming. Therefore, make it a regular practice to assess and improve the environment and atmosphere:

My Story

I remember my first Sunday in a new church where I had come in to observe and evaluate. The volunteer who had been running the children’s ministry in the interim said at the end of class time, “All right, kids! See you later!”

Then the kids all ran out of the building (the children’s ministry was in its own building, across the parking lot from the main worship building) and ran across the parking lot to find their parents. I almost had a heart attack!

By the next Sunday, we had implemented a check-in and check-out system.

It took months of communication and conversation to help parents and volunteers recognize the value and importance of the system. But knowing where each child was and who they were with was more than worth the investment.

Choose a Curriculum

If your church is already using a curriculum that works for them and people are happy with, you may not need to make changes.

If you do decide to look for a new curriculum, be sure to get the input of your teachers and volunteers. No curriculum is perfect—you will probably need to do some tweaking to make it fit for your church.

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a curriculum, but even the best curriculum can’t change lives: God changes lives through His Word—and with the help of dedicated and loving volunteers who serve with the kids and build relationships with them.

You can request samples of several curricula so you can test and compare them. Furthermore, to learn about the children’s ministry curriculum and resources David C Cook offers (and to get free samples), click here.

While you’re evaluating any curriculum for your ministry, there are many things to consider. You can use this checklist to help guide your curriculum selection process.

Curriculum Evaluation Guide

Rest and Care for Your Soul

Maybe the most important thing to do in your first year of children’s ministry is this: take care of yourself. Keep your own cup filled by spending time with God regularly.

A healthy children’s ministry comes from the overflow of your own growing relationship with God.

Make sure you’re attending worship regularly in the main church service, you’re involved in a community group or small group, and you have a mentor or safe friend who can pray with you and hold you accountable.

Schedule vacations and time off to rest and recharge. If you want to stay in ministry for the long haul, rather than burn out, you need to make it a priority from the beginning to rest and care for your own soul.

You can serve well AND keep your sanity.

Build a network around yourself: in your church, in your community, and in the broader children’s ministry community.

You can guard against being lonely in kids’ ministry by creating a safe place for relationships within (and beyond!) your church walls.

There’s a thrill that comes with going fast, but there is also a danger. So, as ministry leaders, we must know how to slow down and when to completely stop. Knowing this—and practicing it—is essential to caring for our souls.

My Story

I remember sitting in my office after my first parent meeting a few months into my first children’s ministry job. It had not gone well, and I remember crying and feeling hopeless, discouraged, and completed deflated.

I wanted to quit. But I took a few days and spent time alone with God (this isn’t always possible for everyone, I know, but carve out as much time as you can), and I felt God give me a sense of overwhelming peace and a renewed dedication to my role.

I felt hope that God was working in me and in the ministry, and that He would empower me to handle every situation.

The difficult times I’ve experienced have helped me learn and grow, but one of the most important things I learned was to spend time with God and refreshing my own soul.

That practice has made all the difference to my ministry.

For More Training

You can plan to attend a children’s ministry conference, listen to ministry or leadership-oriented podcasts, read books or blogs, and find ministry mentors you can learn from.

And if you’re interested in joining a community of ministry leaders (including veteran ministry leaders) to grow and learn together, check out Ministry Spark Events!

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

They are part of what is known as Generation Z, which includes kids born between 1994 and 2012.

Generation Z kids are more likely than any other generation to claim no religious identity and to not regularly attend a church. They are known as the “nones[1]”, which simply means they are religiously unaffiliated.

They are also more biblically and spiritually illiterate than any other generation[2]. These kids are curious about life and its meaning, as they seek for truth and belonging.

Building a Strong Spiritual Foundation

The best way we can help this generation of kids and prepare them for their future is by giving them a strong spiritual foundation, which they can build their lives upon.

In children’s ministry, our main goal is not just to teach kids a list of specific things and get them to know information, but to change their lives by helping them know, love, and follow Jesus.

As you’re teaching, keep in mind the ultimate goal is connecting kids to Christ and His saving grace. But how do we know if our children’s ministry is effective and if kids are growing in discipleship and building a solid foundation and understanding of faith?

Faith Formation Matters

Discipleship is faith formation, and we can start discipleship with even the youngest kids in our ministries.

There are basic principles, concepts, and Scriptural knowledge kids needs to understand to help ensure your children’s ministry is teaching kids the most important things for a strong faith.

When we teach with the end in mind, we have a target and a goal for each lesson, and we are more intentional and strategic with our time with kids.

Here are suggestions for how you can help ensure you’re building the strong spiritual foundation the kids in your ministry need.

Benchmarks and Milestones for Parents

One goal of children’s ministry is to empower parents as spiritual leaders. Your children’s ministry can come alongside parents at multiple stages of parenting to equip them, celebrate with them, and encourage them.

This list of milestones and benchmarks can help guide you as you partner with parents.

Child Dedication

This can be done in any way your church does child dedications.

Preschool Graduation/Welcome to Elementary Ministry

Whenever your church allows kids to be promoted to your elementary ministry, make sure you celebrate with parents. You can also do a back-to-school dedication or prayer time with families.

Salvation and Baptism

When a child makes a faith commitment and decides to get baptized, you can celebrate and include parents in the process.

Bible and Devotional Time at Home

Your children’s ministry can recommend or even give parents a family devotional or a children’s Bible. Look for ways to encourage them to spend time at home studying the Word together as a family.

Family Worship Environments

On a regular basis, your church can host an event or a worship experience to bring families together to learn the Bible, worship together, or even serve the community together through an outreach event.

Elementary Graduation

When kids graduate from the children’s ministry into the youth ministry, this can be a time of celebration, prayer, and worship for kids and parents.

Theology for Kids

We might think of theology, which means the study of God, as something mostly for adults, but it’s essential to teach age-appropriate theology to kids, even kids as young as babies!

This is a (non-exhaustive) list of the theological concepts the kids in your children’s ministry need to know:

Creation

God created the world and everything in it. Genesis 1:1-31.

The Nature of God

Use God statements with students. Some examples are God is holy; God is good; and God is everywhere. Others include: God is loving; God is provider; and God is healer. God is all-powerful; God is forgiving; and God is eternal.

This book is a good resource.

The Trinity

*Note: This is one of the most difficult concepts for kids (and even adults) to grasp. Kids are concrete thinkers, and the Trinity is an abstract concept.

It’s helpful to use object lessons and illustrations when teaching the Triune God. Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 2:18; John 1:1; Hebrews 9:14; Matthew 28:19.

Our Identity in God/Made in His Image

God created humans in His image and likeness. Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 139:13-14.

Sin, Total Depravity, and The Fall

When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, sin entered the world. We are all born with a sinful nature, and we cannot save ourselves. Genesis 3: 1-24; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; and Romans 6:23.

The Bible Is God’s Word

The Bible is inspired by God and is His truth, promises, and instructions for us. Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

The Birth of Jesus

Jesus was fully God and fully human. He was born to Mary, a virgin. Luke 2:1-40.

Jesus’ Temptation

Jesus was tempted, but He never sinned. Jesus is perfect. Mark 4.

The Crucifixion and Resurrection

Jesus was innocent, but He was killed for our sins, died on the cross, and put in the tomb. And then he rose from the dead. Luke 22, 23, 24.

Redemption and Salvation

We can be forgiven and saved from our sins through the sacrifice and forgiveness of Jesus. John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:13-14.

Eternity in Heaven or Separation from God

Those who trust in Jesus for salvation will be with God in heaven for eternity, and those who do not will be separated from God forever. Revelation 20:15; John 14:2-3; Matthew 10:28; John 3:16-17.

Restoration/The Return of Jesus

In the future, believers will be restored to God and sin will be no more. Jesus will return, and God will make a new heaven and a new Earth. Revelation 21:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; Revelation 19:11-16.

Bible Basics

The goal of teaching the Bible is not for kids to memorize every detail of the Bible or to be able to regurgitate information.

Rather, the goal is for them to understand the overall story of redemption and how every part of the Bible connects to the Gospel.

Kids need to understand that the Bible is a story—the true story of the only true hero. For more encouragement to help awaken and direct the wonder kids are already filled with, check out How to Smuggle the Gospel through the Imagination to the Heart.

This list of stories from the Bible is not exhaustive by any means, but it is a helpful guide of important stories to make sure kids know. Repetition is key for kids in learning and understanding, so these are all stories or concepts worth repeating in your children’s ministry.

Spiritual Formation and Discipleship

Once kids have an understanding of who God is, it’s important to give them tools and an understanding of how to have a deeper relationship with Him and become more like Him.

Before kids graduate from your children’s ministry, they need to know and understand:

Ministry and Serving God

It’s important to teach kids not only who God is, but how they can be used by Him and make a difference for Him. It’s important to teach them how to be compassionate.

Kids don’t have to wait until they grow up before they serve God and share His love with others; they can serve Him right now! Kids need to know and understand:

Helping Kids Transition to Youth Ministry

The best way to help kids make a successful transition to youth ministry is by working together with the youth ministry and including the youth ministry leaders in your ministry to preteens while they are still part of your children’s ministry.

Take time to learn about the youth services and include elements in parts of the children’s ministry services for kids who are getting close to the transition.

You can incorporate some of the worship songs, games, teaching style, or small group elements from the youth ministry.

Invite the youth ministry leaders to meet with your preteens and start building relationships with them before they transition to youth ministry.

Teaching Generation Z

Although Generation Z is the most technologically connected and advanced generation while being religiously apathetic, they are also driven, diverse, curious, and creative.

They are full of wonder, excitement, and hope. Generation Z has incredible potential to actually change the world.

It’s our job to not only teach them information, but to model the love of God for them and to help them understand why it’s so important to believe in God. It’s also important in helping us help them hear their callings!

We can create environments in which they can personally connect with God and build authentic relationships with others. Our teaching doesn’t have to be flashy or impressive, but it does have to be intentional, authentic, and purposeful.

We only have a short amount of time to influence and pour into these kids and ingrain God’s love and truth in their hearts, so let’s be ready to make the most of it.

By using this guide and making a plan to include each of these concepts in your ministry regularly, you can be intentional and make the most of the time you have with the kids in your children’s ministry.

And check out these free lessons to use with your students, too!

[1] https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/the-rise-of-the-nones/

[2] Meet Generation Z, James Emery White

66 Short Bible Verses Perfect for Kids to Memorize

Memorized verses are the rails the Spirit’s instructions run on. How much track have we laid? Download this guide on Short Bible Verses. With 1 verse from every book, kids will learn to hide God’s Word in their hearts!

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66 Short Bible Verses Perfect for Kids to Memorize

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66 Short Bible Verses Perfect for Kids to Memorize

Memorized verses are the rails the Spirit’s instructions run on. How much track have we laid? Download this guide on Short Bible Verses. With 1 verse from every book, kids will learn to hide God’s Word in their hearts!

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From the moment a family drives into the church’s parking lot and walks through the front doors, they’re getting an impression of the church and formulating a decision about whether or not they will return.

You have an opportunity to make a great impression that will help everyone feel welcome and excited to return.

Having a great church check-in system and process sets the tone for everything else a family will experience at church on Sunday morning.

Let’s exceed their expectations and help families feel welcome by paying attention to these key areas:

Greeting EVERY Family

Make sure every family who comes through your doors feels welcome and is greeted warmly by a friendly face. This applies whether you’re in a church of 30 people, 300 people, or 3,000 people.

We all know how unwelcoming and cold it feels when we’ve walked into a store or restaurant and not received a warm greeting.

You can guard against that by placing your friendliest people as greeters. Or have them host at the entrances and the check-in area.

I have a friend who owned a Chick-Fil-A restaurant that was known for its amazing employees. I asked him once how he trained his employees to be so friendly and kind to everyone.

He told me something that has stuck with me. It went like this: “You can’t train people to be genuinely kind and friendly if they’re not. You hire friendly people.”

As children’s ministry leaders, we probably have a good sense of who on our teams should not be greeters!

You don’t want someone with a perma-frown to be on your frontline. Put your friendliest people at the greeter stations. These are the people who are naturally outward-focused and aware of the people around them.

Remind greeters to be on the lookout for new guests and to initiate contact right away. The best is to greet new families before they have to ask how to check in.

One church I visited had parking lot greeters holding signs that said “Blink your lights if it’s your first time, and we’ll guide you to VIP parking at the front.” That was such a great perk for me as a first-time visitor!

Church Check-In Stations

The check-in area should be easy to find, staffed with friendly volunteers, and clearly marked with signage. You can have a volunteer-manned check-in station or opt for a self-check-in station.

Regardless of the type of church check-in system that works best for your church size, you can position a host team member near the check-in area to greet families and answer any questions.

Simple registration forms for new families will help us collect basic information about the kids and family.

If there are custody issues or pickup precautions for any kids, capture that at registration.

You’ll then need to notify your children’s ministry leaders and maybe even put a small discreet mark on the child’s name tag or lanyard to alert and remind their teachers.

You can designate a special check-in area for first-time guests. This way they don’t have to wait in a long line or hold up others while filling out registration forms.

Self-Check-In Stations

Self-check-in can be fast and help cut down on lines and waiting.

It can be done using any number of devices. Some examples are tablets, scanners and bar code cards, computer monitors with touch screens, or even mobile phones of parents who have already registered their children.

Self-check-in systems can be based on phone numbers or last names. Granted, self-check-in can feel a bit impersonal—especially for new families.

And there could also be technical issues with the device or printer if improperly used. The Wi-Fi might even be slow or the network could go down. Aah, technology!

Manned Check-In Stations

Manned check-in stations usually consist of a desk with multiple volunteers.

This system may take a little longer for families to get through the line, but it’s more personal than self-check-in. It gives volunteers a chance to get to know the families. It also gives parents a chance to ask questions and even connect with one another while they wait.

The volunteer-manned station tends to be an easier option for parents who are juggling a lot. Balancing babies, bags, Bibles, and balloons while keeping track of their toddlers can be a lot at times.

These parents often don’t have a free hand to type their information at the self-check-in station.

Combining Self-Check with Manned Stations

You could also choose to have a mixture of both manned check-in and self-check-in stations. This approach allows parents to choose the method that works best for their family.

It might work well to have a check-in desk with volunteers and also have an area nearby with tablets on floor stands or wall mounts (or computer stations).

Offering self-check-in bar code scanners or tablets at your manned check-in desk is another option to consider.

Making Your Church Check-In System as Easy as Possible

There are several things you can do to minimize chaos and long lines during the check-in and drop-off times.

Staff your check-in area with plenty of well-trained and clearly identified volunteers. This includes designated hosts whose only job is to greet and walk new guests to their classes.

You also need to make sure your check-in area is positioned in a spot that isn’t hard to find and won’t get easily clogged with foot traffic.

Your signage needs to be clear and easy to follow. This will help parents feel comfortable about where to check in, where to take their kids, and where to find them when the service is over.

If you’re not sure if your church check-in system is easy and your signage is clear, you could invite a friend from another church to be a “secret shopper”.

Ask them to check out your children’s ministry from an outsider’s perspective, and then report their feedback to you.

If you’re using an electronic church check-in system, you need to test it before each service to ensure that everything works properly and is turned on before people arrive.

Even if you use a computerized check-in system, it’s wise to be prepared with preprinted paper stickers just in case of an electronic failure or loss of internet signal.

Church Check-In Systems

There are lots of children’s ministry check-in options to choose from—you just need to find the options that fit your church best. Here’s a list of a few check-in systems to consider:

Stand-Alone Church Check-In Software

These web-based, electronic options are great as long as your church has reliable internet access:

• Kidmin App
• KidCheck
• Lambslist

Integrated Church Check-In Software

There are several church management systems that offer an integrated check-in module. These can be helpful because they allow the church to capture all its administrative information in one system.

Church management systems provide a single platform to organize and track attendance, track giving, manage events (including registration), schedule and send reminders to volunteers, plan worship services, and more.

Here are a few church management systems to consider:

• Breeze
• Church Community Builder
• Fellowship One
• Planning Center

Non-Web-Based Computerized Church Check-In Systems

If you want to utilize computers without having to rely on the internet, Mudpie Creations might be the answer.

They make a program called Child Check-In that scans bar codes and prints tags, all without internet. Just be aware that it does not work with Mac/Apple products.

Non-Digital Church Check-In Systems

You could preprint your own matching stickers using labels on sticker paper and using paper rosters at each classroom door where parents sign kids in and out.

You could use oiled bracelets with key ring holders and matching tags for kids and parents.

Give Parents Information

Goal: Make it as easy as possible for new parents to get answers to their questions before they even ask them.

One way to do this is to identify your volunteers—using T-shirts, name tags, stickers, lanyards, or signs so parents can easily tell who your leaders are and where to go for information.

Post easy-to-follow signage. You want parents to know where to park and enter your building and how to find the church check-in area, classrooms, restrooms, and worship center.

They need to see basic information about your ministries and know what to expect.

You can provide cards or pamphlets with information about your children’s ministry and your policies and procedures. Safety policies and procedures are especially important for new families.

Make sure your volunteers are well-informed about your church so they have the answers to common questions.

Volunteers who aren’t prepared lead to major frustrations for a new family!

I once visited a church that sent me to four different locations before my kids were checked in and off to the right classrooms.

A simple way to equip your volunteers with information about the children’s ministry is by printing a simple “cheat sheet” for them.

Provide answers to frequently asked questions and significant children’s ministry information. Some examples include the times and locations of services and how to get kids checked in.

Engage Kids Immediately

Our volunteers need to be trained to engage kids as soon as they enter their classrooms. You can provide arrival activities or special toys to engage them immediately.

It’s especially important to draw in new guests and help them connect with other kids—you want them to start having fun as soon as they enter the classroom.

For some people, small talk and casual conversation comes naturally, but for others, it feels awkward and unnatural.

It can be helpful to have “practice” sessions with your volunteer team a couple of times a year so you can teach them how to engage new guests.

And if volunteers have a hard time initiating conversation with kids they don’t know, you might provide a list of conversation starters and questions to ask.

If someone in your church is an expert in hospitality, consider bringing them in to help lead hospitality training sessions with your volunteers.

We had someone in our church whose full-time job was in hotel and guest hospitality. We invited her to lead our volunteer team in a training session on how to interact with our guests.

That is still one of those most impactful sessions we’ve hosted.

Pickup Time

Part of an organized and smooth check-in system is having a plan for check-out. Pickup time needs check-out policies and procedures that are clear and consistently followed.

Whether you’re using an electronic church check-in system or a pen and paper check-in system, you need to use a check-out system that ensures that only the authorized parent or guardian picks up their child.

Safety First

Want to know what will make you panic? Imagine a parent coming to pick up their child, and the child not being found in your room.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. A child disappeared from her classroom but had run out to visit friends in another class.

Another time a preschool child had been moved to a different preschool class than the one where he was dropped off.

Thankfully, those situations ended well. The parents got their kids back and we put more effective guidelines in place to help ensure everyone’s safety!

Knowing you have church check-in systems in place to make sure kids go home with the right parent is an important safety policy to enforce in your children’s ministry.

The guardian of each child who checks them in before class must present the identifier your church has chosen. It could be a sticker with a code that matches the code on the child’s sticker, a matching key ring, a matching lanyard, or other ID.

If a parent or guardian has lost the designated identifier when they come to pick up a child, have a procedure in place to check the person’s identity (such as looking at an ID or driver’s license).

Check the child’s registration to see if there are any pickup precautions. Verify that the child was checked in properly and is allowed to leave with the adult attempting to pick them up.

Safety Matters

It’s important to enforce the policies and procedures consistently. Check every parent’s sticker or check-out item—even if you know the people.

If you skip over people you know, others will notice that you don’t enforce your policies. That can specifically be disconcerting to a new parent.

When it’s time for parents to pick up their kids, it’s good to have a volunteer stationed at each door.

Remind volunteers to greet each parent as they arrive. Even more importantly, remind them to make sure no child leaves the room without being properly checked out by an authorized adult.

Once check-out begins, you need to be sure to keep kids engaged and away from the door.

Check-out can be a bit drawn out, but you can use this time to create opportunities for deeper connections.

Following Up with New Families

Following up with families after their first visit is one way to make them feel welcome. You can connect with a phone call, email, postcard, or letter.

In addition to providing information about your kids’ ministry, you could give a simple gift for kids when they come for the first time. It could include small toys or stuffed animals, items with the church’s logo (such as cups, Frisbees, balls, or T-shirts), and candy.

A church we visited recently mailed us a hand-written card from the children’s pastor. It also included a five-dollar gift card for each of my kids for a local frozen yogurt store!

You should always be on the lookout for ways to improve check-in and check-out procedures. The system that works best for your church check-in now may not be the system that will be best for your church.

A streamlined and smooth check-in and check-out system helps set the tone for families to feel welcome. You want them to feel safe, loved, and excited to be at your church.

It helps them feel comfortable and want to come back week after week—where they get to hear the message of the gospel and encounter the life-changing power of God.

If you liked this article, you may also like:

• Training Your Mind to Think Like a Leader
• Proactive Safety Planning: What Kids Need from You
• Innovative Children’s Ministry Room Designs that Will Inspire You

Discover the Enneagram’s Surprisingly Simple Approach to Engaging Volunteers

Ready to learn how the Enneagram can help you inspire your volunteers? The Enneagram is all the buzz right now, and we want to equip you to use it to motivate your folks for service! We’ve covered all 9 personality types, with helpful tips and Scripture verses.

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Discover the Enneagram’s Surprisingly Simple Approach to Engaging Volunteers

Ready to learn how the Enneagram can help you inspire your volunteers? The Enneagram is all the buzz right now, and we want to equip you to use it to motivate your folks for service! We’ve covered all 9 personality types, with helpful tips and Scripture verses.

Download your free guide

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Discover the Enneagram’s Surprisingly Simple Approach to Engaging Volunteers

Ready to learn how the Enneagram can help you inspire your volunteers? The Enneagram is all the buzz right now, and we want to equip you to use it to motivate your folks for service! We’ve covered all 9 personality types, with helpful tips and Scripture verses.

Download your free guide

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What Is Bullying?

It all started when sin and brokenness entered the world when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1–24).

After sin entered the world, every human born was born with a tendency toward sin and selfishness.

There are many examples from the Bible and from history of people being treated poorly and unfairly. And we know many people experience bullying today, even though it is not God’s plan for how His people treat one another.

The Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education define bullying as unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; and repetition of behaviors or high likelihood of repetition.

Bullying can be direct (such as name-calling or physical violence) or indirect (spreading rumors, excluding someone).

Bullying takes on many forms. It may be:

• physical—such as hitting or spitting on someone or damaging someone’s property (such as damaging someone’s locker at school)
• relational—hurting someone’s reputation
• verbal—this includes in-person verbal remarks and electronic or cyberbullying

In the past, kids tended to be bullied only when they were around other kids. Today’s kids are the first generation to grow up with digital access their entire lives.

With tablets, cell phones, social media, video games, and the internet, cyberbullying can occur at any time. And cyberbullying can be particularly harmful and destructive.

According to Stopbullying.gov, bullying called cyberbullying can occur through any digital device, such as phones, tablets, apps, or video games.

It includes “sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.”

Why Do People Bully?

Kids who bully may be acting out their aggression because of a situation that is out their control in their personal lives.

They may have experienced a stressful or traumatic situation, or may have had bullying behavior modeled in their lives. They might bully due to low self-esteem or being bullied themselves.

If we want to know how to stop bullying, we need to seek to understand and reach out to those who are doing the bullying. These are often kids who need support, help, and love.

When Bullying Is Deadly

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among kids ages 10-24. The Pediatric Academic Society reports that the number of kids hospitalized for suicidal thoughts or actions doubled from 2008 to 2015.

In 2017, Netflix released 13 Reasons Why, an original fictional series based on a book by the same name.

The series chronicled the tragic events leading to a young girl’s suicide. Her story includes issues such as sexual assault, substance abuse, mental illness, bullying, and suicide.

The show struck a chord with many teenagers because of its relatability in issues teenagers face every day.

Young people who are bullied and who are bullying are more likely to commit suicide or engage in suicidal behavior, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The youth with the most significant risk for suicide are those who have disabilities, learning differences, or who are LGBTQ.

One study showed that 60% of the kids age 5-11 who committed suicide lived with ADD or ADHD—not depression—and most of them had relationship problems with family members.

Consequently, suicide among children is usually the result of impulsivity, rather than long period of depression.

Conversely, youth who feel connected with a strong support system, and who have strong role models in their lives are less likely to engage in suicidal behavior.

If a kid or teen shows signs of suicidal behavior or thoughts, such as harming themselves or talking about harming themselves, refer them to a professional counselor immediately and remind them you support and care for them.

What Does The Bible Say About Bullying?

Once sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, all people were born with sin inside them. Sin leads to selfishness and treating others in unkind ways.

There are many examples of people being treated badly in the Bible, starting with Cain killing his brother Abel, the people hurting each other during Noah’s lifetime before the Flood, and all the way to the times of Jesus when people were treated as outcasts because of illness, physical limitations, or because of the family they were born into.

Even Jesus—perfect and above reproach—was treated terribly and killed.

How to Treat Others

Jesus showed us how He wants us to treat others and also shared some principles to help us.

In Mark 12:31, Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.”

In Luke 6, Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and those who treat us poorly, and to treat others as we want to be treated.

Standing Up for Someone Else

Jesus calls us to treat others with love and kindness, following His example. What does this mean for those who witness others being bullied?

The Bible tells us to seek justice and stand up for people who are treated unfairly (Psalm 82:3-4; Isaiah 1:17). Therefore when we witness bullying, we need to stand up for those who are being bullied and report the bullying.

Forgiveness

For those who have hurt others, Jesus offers forgiveness and grace. Those who have bullied others can turn away from the wrong things they have done, and let Jesus renew their hearts (1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Jesus offers forgiveness and renewal for everyone, no matter what we have done.

Justice

The Bible offers hope to those who are being bullied. One day we will live in a world where wrongs will be made right, justice will be served, and we won’t have to suffer anymore.

And until that time, it is not our job to seek revenge or to hurt people who have hurt us.

The person being bullied can stand up for themselves and for what is right, report the bullying to a trusted adult, and pray for the person who is doing the bullying.

How to Stop Bullying at Church

To stop bullying at your church, take the following steps:

Create a Safe Environment

Bullying is more likely to occur when kids are bored or not well supervised. So it’s important to enlist enough volunteers and leaders in your church to provide adequate leader-to-child ratios.

It’s also wise to structure your environment strategically—the class rules you post and the way your train your volunteers to enforce the rules is important. And be sure to look for opportunities to call out positive examples and talk about kindness and compassion often.

Support the Bullying Child and Family

Kids who bully are more likely to have parents who are less present and involved in their lives than kids who do not bully.

When parents are transformed by their faith, lead their kids spiritually, and teach about compassion and kindness in the home, kids are less likely to bully others.

You can reach and teach parents through small groups, mentors, and Sunday morning worship services and teaching.

Offer Support for Kids Who Have Been Bullied

There are many ways to help people who have been hurt by others. Pray with and for them. Offer referrals to trusted and licensed family counselors. Extend community and support.

You may not be able to fix or solve their problems, but you can offer empathy. You can remind them of their value and worth to God and encourage them to seek their identity from Him—not from others.

Create Rules and Procedures to Minimize the Risk

You can reduce the chances of bullying in your church by having healthy ratios of trained, responsible adults in every group of kids.

Train your leaders to identify kids who may be targets of bullying and who may be the instigators. Coach them to take action immediately if they see kids being bullied.

Setting expectations for respect and kindness from the very beginning, and reminding kids of those expectations regularly can help stop bullying from happening.

Implement a zero-tolerance policy for violence in your ministry—anytime a child is intentionally violent toward another child or adult, contact the child’s parents immediately.

You may need to sit down with the child’s parents or guardians to come up with a plan to help the child before that child can be a part of the children’s ministry again. It’s important to avoid shaming the child and the parents.

Train Leaders to LOOK, STOP, and PREVENT

Look for warning signs—not just physical violence, but also rumors and tendencies toward isolation. Look for kids who are potential targets, who are new to the church, or who seem isolated.

Stop bullying immediately when they see it or when it is reported.

Prevent bullying by actively engaging all kids and reminding them of the expectations to treat others with kindness regularly.

Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?

Get ready to help families with their most important task, in our guide from Ministry Spark: 7 Ways to Encourage Today’s Parents as Spiritual Influencers at Home.

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Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?

Get ready to help families with their most important task, in our guide from Ministry Spark: 7 Ways to Encourage Today’s Parents as Spiritual Influencers at Home.

Download your free guide

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Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?

Get ready to help families with their most important task, in our guide from Ministry Spark: 7 Ways to Encourage Today’s Parents as Spiritual Influencers at Home.

Download your free guide

Free Guide

How to Help Victims

When a child admits to being bullied, show them empathy rather than overreacting or trying to fix the situation immediately.

Create an atmosphere of safety where they are comfortable sharing and feel cared for. Then remind the child their identity is in Christ and they are worthy and loved by Him.

If kids are being cyberbullied, parents or guardians should be notified. The child may need to be removed or separated from the device or online account where the bullying occurred.

Parents need to closely monitor all online and social media their kids use.

They can set time limits for kids with devices. Products like Circle with Disney help parents set limits and manage their kids’ devices.

Bark is another program parents can use to help monitor their kids’ devices. This program sends notifications when kids are at risk with harmful data or content on their devices.

When kids are bullied, they may withdraw from their friendships and extracurricular activities or may act out with destructive behavior. They may attempt to get revenge on their bully or become aggressive.

Kids who experience bullying need adults to help them process their feelings and respond in healthy ways.

When we coach kids, they can respond to bullying with confidence and stand up for themselves without retaliating or seeking revenge.

We can also teach kids to separate themselves from the situations and atmospheres where bullying tends to happen.

And we can help kids understand why people bully and even pray for those who are hurting them.

What about “Turning the Other Cheek?”

If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also (Matthew 5:39, NIV). Some interpret this verse (also taught in Luke 6:29) to mean Christians should not stand up for themselves. But other scholars interpret these passages in different ways.

Some Bible scholars say the phrase “slaps you on the right cheek” refers to a figurative “slap” and not a physical act of violence. In cultural context, the phrase Jesus uses signifies a “deep insult.” He admonishes us not to retaliate.

Jesus Himself, when physically slapped, questioned His accusers. And kids who are being physically hurt by someone else can physically stand up for themselves if they are able. Or they can leave the situation and tell a trusted adult.

How to Encourage Kids Who Have Been Bullied

It is essential for kids who have experienced bullying to know that God loves and values them. They need to understand their worth and identity.

Remind them often who they are in Christ—a child of God (1 John 5:1).

Remind them God has not given them a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and that they are conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37).

Help them carry Scriptures with them (whether physical cards or memorized verses) to remind them of their identity in Christ and the love God has for them.

Jesus gives an example of how to respond to bullying with confidence, grace, and forgiveness.

Jesus’ contemporaries treated Him unfairly and unjustly, and He was perfect. We can follow in Jesus’ footsteps and teach others to do the same by showing strength and also forgiveness to those who have hurt us.

What You Can Do to Stop Bullying

We can help kids deal with bullying by helping them:

• manage their emotions
• stand up for themselves
• learn to problem solve
• surround themselves with the right people
• treat others with kindness
• make wise choices

We need to encourage kids to look out for people being treated unfairly and to stand up for them.

To help stop bullying, parents, church leaders, community leaders, and educators should be aware of the warning signs and work together to create safe and healthy environments for kids.

Offer support to kids who have bullied and who have been victimized to help them heal.

Jesus taught the “golden rule” to “Treat others as you want them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12).

This is more than just a good saying. The “Golden Rule” is the Christ follower’s way of life. We must model and teach this attitude over and over until it’s ingrained in our kids’ hearts.

Empathy and love are the opposite of bullying, and the biggest part of the solution. And when we model this, teach this, and encourage this in kids, we can help stop bullying.