Children's Ministry in the 21st Century

by Craig Jutila, Jim Wideman, Pat Verbal and more!

Synopsis: Ten front-line Children's Ministry experts peeked out over the horizon to identify ten trends shaping ministry in the next ten years. See inside to discover…

How current culture is rewiring kids' brains- and secrets for connecting with children. The latest education trends embraced by schools – and how they'll impact your Sunday school Morphing Children's Ministry into Family Ministry – and how that supersizes your impact. What kinds of children are about to land in your ministry – and how to be ready for them. Plus six more must-know insights - and practical activities that help you take advantage of shifting trends in your Children’s Ministry

Simply Strategic Volunteers:
Empowering People for Ministry

By Tony Morgan and Tim Stevens

Great for Volunteer Coordinators!

Power up your ministry with empowered people! These in-the-trenches authors show you how to help volunteers use their strengths to benefit the church – and their spiritual growth. This comprehensive resource offers 99 straightforward solutions to help you recruit, train, motivate and keep volunteers in ministry. The authors give you field-tested ideas on how to create a serving environment, structure unique serving roles, help people learn how God has wired them for ministry, and more.

Ready to Go Service Projects

140 Ways for Youth Groups to Lend a Hand

by Ann Saylor and Susan Ragsdale

Synopsis: Teens want to help, but they're not always sure where to start. And even teens who are already serving others are not necessarily experiencing the richness and depth of personal and spiritual growth that is possible through service-learning.

This book explains to youth workers the theory behind service-learning, helps them identify meaningful but easy-to-do projects that will make a difference in their community, gives them practical tips on incorporating reflection and relationship-building into their service projects, and shows them how service-learning can change young lives.

5th and 6th grade Smart Pages

by Wes Haystead and Tom Prinz

Synopsis: Smart Pages is a treasure-chest of reproducible, down-to-earth ministry ideas – certain to boost your effectiveness in ways you've never imagined. It includes: topics ranging from building community in the classroom to leading a young person to Christ, 24 articles written by an experienced counselor and school psychologist to help parents cope with this age group, games for Bible memory, Bible story review, life application and just for fun and clip art to illustrate newsletters, flyers, handouts and more!

We Want You! Easy Recruiting Commercials for Children's Ministry

Synopsis: Humorous, emotional, and thought-provoking… these powerful commercials immediately encourage and motivate new and veteran volunteers to get involved in children's ministry - and play an important role in kids' lives!

A to Z Object Talks – OT

A to Z Object Talks – NT

By Susan Lingo

Age: 1st – 6th grade

Synopsis: Packed with memorable messages that will delight and excite your kids about God's Word. Kids will learn life-changing Bible truths along with tons of cool Bible trivia as they make unique crafts and edible wonders to help lock in the learning! Here are 26 clever messages that turn ordinary show-n-tell object talks into exciting discover-n-do delights! Perfect for Sunday school, VBS, children's church, or anytime you want to offer your kids a change of pace!

Children's Ministry
Volunteers that Stick

By Jim Wideman

A great book for all church sizes! It's tough to recruit volunteers--so hang on to those you've got! You'll keep volunteers longer and keep them happier by giving them more than just a volunteer job. Instead, give them a volunteer career. Help them become leaders as well as volunteers! Here's everything you need to know to get your volunteers in the right job, then help them to grow in their skills and enthusiasm. Noted children's pastor Jim Wideman, from Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers practical strategies for any size church. Learn the secrets of retention, and ideas that really work...instill proven leadership skills...and grow your church volunteers to be happy, inspired, and in it for the long haul.

Teacher Training on the Go

By Keith Johnson

Train and retain volunteers! Teacher Training on the Go is a year's work of painless, fun training volunteers desperately need! Reproducible handouts, an audio CD and more work around volunteers' schedules, giving them instant training – on their own time. You'll find 52 double-sided reproducible handouts to help volunteers be their best. Plus, you'll get a CD-ROM with 12 email blasts (pre-written encouragements and affirmations) and clip art. The CD-ROM also allows you to print the handouts – or email them to busy volunteers. The handouts will help to prepare volunteers in important areas like: how to lead a child to Christ, improving your small group leader skills, balancing your family and your ministry, how to make Scripture stick and many more!

First Impressions:
Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church

By Mark L. Waltz

Synopsis: Before a service even begins, first-time guests usually decide whether they'll return to your church. This means church leaders need to create no-fail, practical ways to ensure a visitor's first impression is the best impression. When guests feel valued, they will return. And when they do, they'll have the opportunity to experience Jesus' love. Let visitors know "You matter to God, so you matter to us." Author Mark Waltz shares the strategies that work in his church – and takes "greeting" to a whole new level. Adapt these practical ideas to your church's unique setting, and it won't be long before everyone feels welcome.

Treatin' Kids Right

By Susan Cutshall

Synopsis: From the author of "Treat Em Right" Susan Cutshall has now developed a book to show kids how special they are with fun messages accompanied by a treat.  With a quick, inexpensive trip to the supermarket snack and candy aisle, you can build up your kids by helping them remember important Scripture verses, encouraging them to attend faithfully, equipping them to invite their friends to church, showing them that God loves them, and so do you! Includes over 70 reproducible pages.

A Little Taste of God's Love

by Carol Molski

Ideal for Preschool or Church Ministry

Synopsis: With a pinch of Scripture, a cup of Gospel, and a whole lot of God's love thrown in, this collection of 28 Bible stories includes tried-and-true recipes and craft activities to reinforce the central idea of a Bible story. Children will learn about Moses, Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, and many more.

Stranger Safety DVD

Synopsis: Join Safe Side Superchick and her friends Buddy and Fang on a laugh -out-loud journey into the world of being smart. cool. safe. We know - safety can be sooo boring or maybe a little scary. Well prepare yourself for something really different. You'll learn how to avoid potentially dangerous situations with people you don't know and kinda know in a fun and memorable way. Safe Side Superchick will share her seven Hot Tips for cool kids with you. It's never too early (or too late) to learn to be safer at home, at school, and while you're outside playing. A must for the whole family.

Prop Box Play

by Ann Barbour and Blanche Desjean-Perrotta

Ideal for Preschool or Church Ministry

Synopsis: Encourage more dramatic play in your classroom with Prop Box Play. Children love to express themselves and exercise their imaginations, and props to inspire different roles, help them interact with each other and cultivate important social skills. Set the stage for hours of dramatic play and creativity with 50 themes that include lists of props, easy extension activities, vocabulary and children's literature.

Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

by Clarissa Willis

Ideal for Preschool or Church ministry

Synopsis: A straightforward, easy-to-understand guide to working with children who have autism. It explains the major characteristics associated with autism and helps teachers understand the ways children with autism relate to the world. Each chapter offers specific strategies for teachers to use, including setting up a proactive preschool environment, helping children learn life skills, managing behavior, and more.

Alphabet Adventures the Bible from A-Z

by Karen Miller

Synopsis: Take an adventurous journey through the ABC's! This great resource  associates Bible stories with letters to create a wonderful lesson reinforcement for children.The ideas in this book are categorized into songs, movement activities, snacks, and take-home crafts- something for everyone.

Toe Ticklers
Foot-Shaped Bible Crafts

By Lorie Miescke

Age: 4-7

Synopsis: 30 fun ways to use a foot shaped pattern to teach children how to walk with Jesus. These great crafts for 4-7 year olds are designed to be completed in one sitting with little help from adults. Get set for some toe-tickling fun that leaves every child with a creative reminder of the Scripture passage being discussed.

Fearless Pharaoh FooFoo and
Other Dramas for Children

by Larry Vogel

Synopsis: A school year's worth (34 dramas) of simple reproducible dramas for use by children in a day school chapel, Sunday school, or other children's worship or lesson opening session. Each drama is based on a Bible story, but as the title drama suggests, students will have fun while learning and teaching one another the stories. Some of the dramas incorporate songs sung to familiar tunes, such as "Let's Go Fly a Kite" or "Little Bunny Foo Foo."

Treat 'Em Right!

By Susan Cutshall

Standard

Age: Adults

Synopsis: Great ideas for encouraging your volunteers. Includes 70 Reproducible Messages, which incorporate scripture, candy, cereal, cookies and other sources to encourage.

My Father's World

The Praise Baby Collection

by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D, with Diane Eyer, Ph.D

Synopsis: Combining popular praise and worship songs with images of children, colorful animation and real world objects, My Father's World, will actively engage your baby's spirit and mind, stimulating early learning in the areas of tactile, cognitive, social, emotional and , most importantly, spiritual development.
Songs include: Better is One Day, He is Exalted, How Great is Our God, Blessed Be Your Name, Great Light of the World, O Worship the King/This is My Father's World, You’ve Given Life to Me, Your Love, Oh Lord, and God of All I Am.

Praises and Smiles

The Praise Baby Collection

Synopsis: Combining popular praise and worship songs with images of children, colorful animation and real world objects, My Father's World, will actively engage your baby's spirit and mind, stimulating early learning in the areas of tactile, cognitive, social, emotional and, most importantly, spiritual development.
Songs include: I Could Sing of Your Love Forever, Open the Eyes of My Heart, Shout to the Lord, God is Love, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, Wonderful, Merciful Savior, Shine, Jesus, Shine, You Are My All in All, and Holy, Holy, Holy.

It Only Takes A Spark

By Kim Marxhausen

Concordia Publishing House

Ages: 6-10

Synopsis: Interactive, visual lessons that include faith concepts illustrated through scientific experiments. Devotions are written in sections for different age groups and include Bible verses with Bible application.

More Than Mud Pies

Group

Synopsis: 48 3-D crafts that become fun games that Preschoolers will play again and again! And every time they play, your preschoolers will be reminded of important Bible truths.

• Reinforce important Bible truths and stories,
• Develop children's language, thinking, and counting skills,
• Build your children's confidence as they quickly and easily complete crafts themselves, and
• Give children fun-to-play games they'll treasure!

Educating Your Gifted Child

by Vicki Caruana

Synopsis: "Every child is a unique and precious treasure from God. And while each one has been given talents and strengths, some children are more obviously gifted academically. If you've been blessed with one or more gifted children, you know that this joy also raises plenty of questions and concerns. What will keep them challenged and best meet their needs? Will traditional schools suffocate or stimulate their gifts?" These and other questions are addressed as well other topics such as, characteristics and myths about gifted kids, matching teaching and learning styles and handling family dynamics.

Nursery Smart Pages

A Guide for Nursery Directors & Caregivers

Age: Adults/Teachers

Synopsis: Jesus loves the little children, and with Nursery Smart Pages you have everything you need to guide little ones as they take their first steps in His kingdom. Nursery Smart Pages lets you provide babies and toddlers with much more than just great child care. This indispensable manual equips you and your nursery workers to nurture little ones physically, emotionally and spiritually!

The Giant Encyclopedia of Art & Craft Activities for Children 3 to 6

Edited by Kathy Charner

Synopsis: Teacher-created, classroom-tested art activities to actively engage children's imaginations! The result of a nationwide competition, these art and craft activities are the best of the best. Just the thing to add pizazz to your day! This book is written by teachers for teachers.

Preteen Ministry Smart Pages

By Gordon and Becki West

Ages 10-14

Synopsis: Because most children's spiritual beliefs are in place by age 13, the preteen years are a crucial time to teach kids God's truth. This resource gives you a solid, practical and comprehensive understanding of how to build an effective ministry that reaches this vital age group. Topics include: Understanding preteens, making preteen youth groups work, motivating and nurturing preteens, ministering to the families of preteens, recruiting and managing ministry volunteers.

Making Toys for School-Age Children

By Linda G. Miller and Mary Jo Gibbs

Gryphon House

Synopsis: Gives ideas on how to make unique, exciting toys and props that help children learn, while using inexpensive, around the house items. Crafts are divided into age appropriate categories that can tie in with any curriculum.

How to Have a Great Sunday School

By Wes and Sheryl Haystead

Gospel Light

Age: All

Synopsis: Teaching or overseeing Sunday School is a great privilege. It can also be a real challenge. The expert advice and proven methods in this book are designed to give you confidence and make your Sunday School the best it can be. No matter the size of your church or the level of your experience, How to Have a Great Sunday School will equip you for excellence!" Includes: reproducible checklists, charts and diagrams, easy-to-use index and "quick-start" pages, sample forms and job descriptions.

Sign & Say

Abingdon

Age: Preschool - 1st Grade

Synopsis: Children will have fun learning Bible verses while using both their bodies and their minds! Using the hand motions of American Sign Language they are sure to have fun as they learn and remember each verse. This book is easy to use and comes with helpful illustrations.

Creating Rooms of Wonder

By Carol Seefeldt

Synopsis: What children see around them affects what and how they learn. Displaying children's artwork with thoughtfulness and care benefits children, teachers, and families. Ceilings, floors, table-tops, windows, doors- it's all useful space to display the beautiful works of children, enhance the learning process, and communicate to parents what their children are experiencing in school. Learn how to create rooms of wonder using the basics: color, line, texture, composition, focal points, and rhythm.

The Big Book of Bible Crafts

Gospel Light

Age: 3-12 yrs.

Synopsis: What a fun way for kids to reinforce Bible learning - with imaginative and fun crafts! Every one of these creative crafts relates to a Bible story , character or principle. There's added educational value because every craft comes with Bible Bits - age-appropriate questions and discussion starters about God's Word.

Baby Praise

Age: Infants and Toddlers

Synopsis: A high-energy music video designed to hold the attention of infants. Includes popular children's songs-Jesus Loves the Little Children, etc; with babies clapping and moving along to the tunes. **Babies love to see other babies on video.

200+ Ideas for Teaching Preschoolers

by Kathryn W. Kizer and Ethel McIndoo

Synopsis: 200+ Ideas for Teaching Preschoolers includes an assortment of more than 200 creative things to do with preschoolers. Teach about nature by making snow, or about missionary travel using simple poster board games. You'll find ideas for art, games, music, recipes, and more.

Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions

By George Barna

Regal Books

Top Pick by Children’s Ministers

Synopsis: A brilliant resource for children's ministers, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and parents. Includes statistics from Barna Research on what effective churches are doing to reach the largest hidden mission field in America-our children!

Cut & Tell Bible Stories

Group

Age: 3-9

Synopsis: Cut-and-Tell Bible Stories help you actively tell Bible stories to children ages 3 to 9. As you tell the story, you cut more and more of your paper as shown in the book. As the story unfolds, so does your paper to reveal a surprise cutout that helps children remember the story.

Edible Object Talks – That Teach About Values/ That Teach About Jesus

By Susan Lingo

Age: 1st – 6th grade

Synopsis: A delicious collection of 25 life-changing messages that are as attention-grabbing and Bible-based as they are fun to make-n-eat! These are solid Bible messages with clever concoctions kids whip up then nibble down. Through a change of taste kids will learn how to apply Bible truths to everyday life! With Edible Object Talks your kids will devour and digest God's Word, whip up a batch of cooperation, communication and team-building fun, and get cookin' with Bible truths. Perfect for Sunday school, VBS, children's church and munch more!

101 Easy Wacky Crazy Activities for Young Children

by Carole H. Dibble and Kathy H. Lee

Synopsis: 101 ideas guaranteed to prevent bored children! With quick and simple ideas, 101 Easy, Wacky, Crazy Activities is guaranteed to enliven any day. Try Tongue Painting (yes, Tongue Painting!) or Squishy Squeezy (a clean and messy activity!) and open the door to creative discovery. Encourage children to think creatively, solve problems, and have fun while learning.

200+ Activities for Children's Ministry

By Susan L. Lingo

Standard Publishing

Age: Elementary

Synopsis: 200+ Activities for Children's Ministry is the definitive teacher handbook of help - the one idea book you'll reach for time and again for every classroom concern. From devotions and worship ideas to crafts, snacks, and help for substitute teachers.

Collect-n-Make Crafts for Kids

By Susan Lingo

Age: 1st – 6th grade

Synopsis: Craft projects with a purpose! Each is based on a Bible theme and Scripture verse. The Making it Memorable section of every craft idea gets kids thinking and learning about God and His truths. Short prep time and everyday items help to create 50 cool craft projects. Ideal for Sunday school, VBS, mid-week programs, children's church or anytime you want to offer kids awesome craft projects with a purpose.

Collect-n-Play Games for Kids

By Susan Lingo

Age: 1st – 6th grade

Synopsis: Games with a goal! Each indoor activity, outdoor relay, lively race, or quiet classroom game is based on a Bible theme and Scripture verse. The Pep Talk section of every game gets kids thinking and learning about God and His truths. Short prep time and easy to find items make for over 60 super games. Ideal for Sunday school, VBS, mid-week programs, children's church or anytime you want to offer kids great games with a goal.

I Can Make it Myself:
Bible Story Crafts for Preschoolers

From Group Publishing

Now you can bring out the creative best in your children while teaching important Bible lessons. Favorite Bible stories come to life in this super-easy craft guide. Written with a visual See-It Do-It approach, this book offers 44 awesome craft ideas to unleash your kids' hidden creativity. Help them express themselves, and give them fun Bible experiences they will remember.

I Can't Sing Book

By Jackie Silberg

Gryphon House

Top Pick by Sunday School Teachers and Parents

Synopsis: Most of us would love to teach our children music, but don't feel qualified to do so. Now, you can introduce music, rhythm, etc. to very young children, even if you don't feel qualified. Offers purposeful age appropriate and developmentally challenging activities that are easy to do with little preparation, materials and expenses

Fun Bible Learning Projects for Young Teenagers

By Stephen Parolini and Lisa Baba Lauffer

Group

Age: 6^th grade-junior high.

Synopsis: Focuses directly on an age group that is often overlooked and a challenge to place in a particular area of ministry (6^th graders). Authors really understand the age group being targeted. Includes young teenager tips with ideas that clearly communicate what is needed and how to apply scripture to their lives today.

Big Book of Service Projects

From Gospel Light

Age: 3rd – 6th grade

Synopsis: Packed with ideas that will encourage kids to begin a lifetime of Christian service. Many of the projects can be completed right in class! Plus, the projects have been designed with options, so you can adapt them for children of other ages! You'll help students encourage each other to do what God's Word teaches, discover the joy of giving to others, accept responsibility to complete a task, learn to work together, and recognize that God's Word leads His people to action!! 93 ways your kids can put God's love into action! Reproducible pages.

Serving with Eyes Wide Open

by David A. Livermore

Synopsis: Short-term mission trips are a great way to impact the kingdom. Yet they can lack effectiveness because of mistakes or naiveté on the part of participants. In this insightful and timely book, David A. Livermore calls us to serve with our eyes open to global and cultural realities so we can become more effective cross-cultural ministers. Serving with Eyes Wide Open is a must-have book for anyone doing a short-term mission or service project, whether domestic or overseas.

Parties and Special Events

From Pioneer Clubs

Age: 4th – 6th grade

Synopsis: Jam packed full of ideas for every party or holiday event imaginable. Christmas, birthdays, picture parties, award ceremonies and even service projects. This handy resource can guide you through any celebration guaranteeing your party will be a hit! With basic materials outlined for every event and multiple ideas for games you will never need another resource to enhance your party headquarters!!

Learning In Spite of Labels

Practical Teaching Tips and a Christian
Perspective of Education

by Joyce Herzog

Age: Adults/Teachers

Synopsis: This book shares practical strategies for working with children with learning disabilities. Included are chapters on Learning Styles, The Law, Learning Problems in History, Attention Deficit Disorder, Speech and Language Development and more.

You Are Special Video

Impact/Crossway

Synopsis: In Wemmicksville, the wooden villagers are awarded with stickers: golden stars for the talented and clever and ugly gray dots for the less talented and clumsy. Punchinello is covered with gray dot stickers, but through a mysterious wood carver, he discovers his true worth. This animated story by Max Lucado is sure to become a classic.

Reclaim your School!

10 Steps to Practically and Legally
Evangelize Your School

By Brad and Susanne Dacus

Pacific Justice Institute

Synopsis: This book is an excellent tool for those who recognize the need to share Christ in our world. Written for students, parents, teachers, and pastors, it is an effective motivator for those who want to impact the public school system in powerful, legal ways. Offers ways to legally share Christ in the public school system, and gives excellent explanations and resources.

Holiday Dramas for Kids

For Kids Only, Inc.

Age: Elementary

Synopsis: Dramas depicting stories of Jesus: birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Written by nationally known playwright and FKO presenter, Kathleen Chapman

You Got It All

Dean-O and the Dynamos

Song titles: Rad-Dude Attitude (Philippians 2: 5-11); He Is Really God (Colossians 1:5-17); For God So Loved (John 3:16); God’s Way Right (Ephesians 2:8-9); Never Alone (Psalm 139:9 & 10); Rulers of the Jungle (Hebrews 11: 32-34); You Got It All (Romans 8:32); One Way to Godsville (John 14:6); Train to be Godly (1 Timothy 4:7 and 8); Faith Will Do (Hebrews 11:6); You Can’t Run (Jonah 3:1-3); Loving God Is Great (Acts 1:8).

You Got a Lot

Dean-O and the Dynamos

Song titles: Pray (based on the Beatles song "Help"); You Got A Lot (Ephesians 1:6 & 7); Train to Be Godly (1 Timothy 4: 7,8); Loving God is Living Great (Acts 1:8); You Have Been So Good; Big House; High Adventure (Hebrews 12: 1,2); For God So Loved (John 3:16); Be Confident (Philippians 1:6); Never Alone (Psalm 139: 9,10); I Know (Job 19:25); I’m A Believer (based on the Monkeys song "I’m A Believer").

Soul Surfin’

Dean-O and the Dynamos

Song titles: Soul Surfin’ (Acts 17:2-3); Up for the Word (John 20:31); Speed of Sound (Acts 4:20); Free Inside (2 Tim. 3:15); Hey, Hey, Hey! (2 Peter 3:9); G-Mail (1 Thess. 2:13); Outta Sight (Acts 17:24-25); He’s Got Plans (Jeremiah 29:11); I’m in Good (Romans 10:9); Believe His Promises (1 John 4:9); He’s the One (Acts 4:12); Bye for Now (3 John 14)

The Inclusive Early Childhood Classroom

Patti Gould and Joyce Sullivan

Gryphon House

Synopsis: This resource manual, based on the inclusion model, describes practical and easy ways to adjust centers and classroom routines for children with special needs. These suggestions, addressing six categories of special needs, will enable all children to learn by keeping them involved in developmentally appropriate routines and center-based activities.