Lesson One: Video Clip

Video clips are a great way to emphasize Spiritual points. I've used a lot of Veggie Tales clips since they are so obviously Christian in nature. However, I have realized that a video doesn't have to be "Christian" to illustrate a point. I often find myself looking for Biblical points in every G-rated movie I watch with my kids, and I usually find at least one.
The video clips included in this curriculum are just suggestions, based on the movies I had available to me. You may not have these movies; if so, just search through what you have for clips that illustrate the point being made.

Let me just make a note regarding videos: kids today are often over-saturated with the entertainment industry. They often spend hours throughout the week staring at the TV or playing video games (much of which is anything but sanctified). I try to keep the video clips short and I try not to use them as a babysitting tool or as just a time-filler. As with every activity, video clips should help to emphasize the point being discussed, giving the kids a visual reference to remember the lesson that was being taught.


Video Clip:
Muppet’s Treasure Island: Scene 3, “Something Better”
Approximately 3-4 minutes long
Introduce the clip by saying: People often wish they had more to their life - something better - but only in Jesus will we find true adventure and fulfillment. Life without God is just plain boring and depressing.
After showing the clip, spend a minute or two allowing the kids to discuss what kind of things people do to find adventure and excitement. Discuss whether these things are good or bad. Then re-emphasize that, unless we have Jesus in our heart, nothing else will satisfy.

Lesson One: Craft

I must admit, I don't like crafts for several reasons. They can be messy, involving a lot of clean-up. They can require supplies that are expensive, especially as your Children's ministry grows. It's hard to find crafts that keep a 9-year-old interested but are not too difficult for a 4-year-old. And crafts take preparation, sometimes a lot of preparation: cutting out shapes, gathering supplies, making a sample craft, etc.
So I've tried cutting out the craft altogether. When our Children's ministry grew to over 10 children, I decided the craft wasn't necessary. Unfortunately, the children disagreed with me. They hounded the daylights out of me: "When are we gonna do a craft?" "Why haven't we done a craft?" "It's been a LONG time since we did a craft!" The other reason I re-incorporated a craft time was because of the Native American children that were coming to our church. This group is often very quiet and reserved, but I found that once I brought out the supplies for our craft, their little faces would light up like a Christmas tree! They love to work with their hands, and I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to teach them God's Word in a way they can relate to.
It's still very tricky to keep a craft time from becoming a free-for-all, especially when we have 20 or more children in our small room. But I feel that it's worth the effort. For "Pirates and Princesses," I determined to keep the crafts as simple as possible and for the most part, they've been a success. Just keep in mind that crafts can be adjusted to any situation, so be creative and don't feel tied to a particular instruction. Keep it fun - for the kids and you!


Craft:
Beads of Paradise

Supplies: Elastic Cord or Licorice candy strips
Lifesavers candy, Fruit Loops, Cheerios, or any food with a hole in it.

Measure the elastic cord around each child’s wrist, allowing an extra few inches for the knot. Thread on the candy. Tie ends in a knot and slip onto wrist.

OR

Rings

1. Cut a heart shape from craft foam or use pre-cut shapes.

2. Cut a 4-inch length of pipe cleaner. Bend it in half and push the ends through the foam from front to back. Slip a bead on the pipe cleaner before pushing through to the other side, if desired.

3. Place the ring on your child's finger to measure the size. Twist the pipe cleaner ends together until the ring fits comfortably. Remove the ring and trim and tuck any excess pipe cleaner.

4. Glue on faux jewels, buttons, craft foam shapes, or other items for decoration. Allow the glue to dry. Use a marker or pen to write a few words on the back of the ring, if you like.

Lesson One: Puppet Skit

10- to 12-year-olds: What to do with them? Once a child reaches age 10, they are beginning to feel too "grown up" for Children's Church or Kid's Club, but they are still too young to join Youth Group. Unfortunately, this is also the age when most children tend to quit coming to church altogether. So how do you reach this age group that so often falls between the cracks?
I've developed an "Honorary Helper" system that can keep 10- to 12-year-olds interested in coming to church and has an added benefit of helping me out, too! Once a child reaches age 10 (or sometimes 9, depending on the maturity of the child), they become an honorary helper. This means that they can still participate in Children's Church, but I use them to help younger children with craft projects, stay after to help clean up, and - here's their favorite "rite of passage" - do puppet skits! This age group isn't always perfect with their puppet performances, but I've discovered that 5- and 6-year-olds don't care; they are just simply delighted to see any kind of puppet pop up over a sheet.
The puppet skits I've organized for "Pirates and Princesses" are not my own creation, though I've had to modify almost every one. Most puppet skits I've found use too many puppets, are too long, use props we don't have, or seem a little "corny" to me. To solve these problems, I've re-written most of them and limited them to no more than 2 puppets. Most of the skits involve interaction between one puppet and a human (usually me, the teacher). You can find the original puppet skits at www.puppetresources.com.

Puppet Skit:

(starts with Spike and Pete, puppets, looking
down, searching for a four leaf clover)

Leader (human): Hey you guys. What's goin' on?
Spike: Oh, nothing much. (keeps looking around and down at the ground)
Leader: Well, what are you doin'?
Pete: We're just looking at the nice green grass.
Spike: There's one!
Pete: No, it can't be!
Spike: Oh, I guess not.
Leader: Hmm. It doesn't sound like you're just looking at the grass. It sounds to me like you're looking for something.
Pete: Oh, Spike thinks he found a four leaf clover.
Spike: Shhh.
Pete: Oh yeah, we're not suppose to be doing that, are we?
Leader: Well, I guess I should ask why you are looking for one, Pete.
Pete: You know, isn't it true you'll have good luck if you find one?
Spike: No, I heard you get to make a wish that's suppose to come true.
Pete: There's one!
Spike: No, it's mine!
Pete: I saw it first!
Spike: Hey, gimme that!
Leader: Guys, guys. (they stop fighting, pause and turn slowly forward)
Pete: You crushed it!
Spike: It's ruined! Now we'll all have 7 years of bad luck.
Pete: No, that's if you break a mirror.
Leader: Hey guys, all that stuff is nothing more than fables!
Spike: You mean St. Patrick was a bad guy?
Pete: There’s nothing bad about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, is there?
Leader: Of course not. But believing in luck is just silly. The Bible teaches us not to believe in fables, but to search for truth.
Spike: Say (Leader's name), what is a fable anyway?
Leader: Well, It’s a made-up story or something someone tells you that’s not true.
Spike: Kind of like a lie?
Leader: No, more like belief in stories which are not true. There’s really nothing wrong with looking for four leaf clovers.
Pete: But isn’t it superstitious?
Leader: Well, that’s the thing. If you are looking for one and believing that it will bring you luck, then you are putting your trust in something other than God.
Spike: Oh yeah, like that Psalm we learned about, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...”
Leader: ...That’s right!
Spike: “...but in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
Pete: Hey wow Spike, you remembered it all.
Leader: Very good, Spike! You see, there really is no such thing as luck.
Spike: What?!
Pete: You’re kidding!
Spike: But I’ve spent so much time looking for... good fortune.
Leader: See now you don’t have to do that anymore. Instead, you can seek the truth and trust in the Lord!
Spike: And the truth will set you free!
Leader: You got it, Spike! That’s what missionaries are always busy doing.
Spike: Seeking truth?
Leader: Well, that too, but they’re helping people in other countries learn the truth about Jesus and how to live forever with Him. Actually, St. Patrick was a kind of missionary. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which helped him to convert the Irish people to Christianity.
Spike: Well, forget all this "green" searching!
Pete: But my favorite kind of rock is green.
Spike: I never heard of a green rock.
Leader: What kind of rock is it, Pete?
Pete: Why, it’s a shamrock, of course! (laughs)
(Spike leaves and says): Oh brother!
Pete: See ya later, boys and girls. I'm going to start looking for the truth in the Bible.

Lesson One: Object Lesson

Object lessons are a great way to begin any lesson; they help to drill the overall point home quickly and concisely, and bring all the following activities together under one message. I've had some children mention an object lesson they remember that I did years ago! Think of an object lesson as a sermon for kids - a powerful, visual message that is delivered in only 5 to 10 minutes.

Lesson 1: Seeking
We will only find real “treasure” when we search for it with all our heart. (The Merchant)
Matthew 13:44-46

Opening Object lesson:
“Treasure Stones” -- Ultimate book of kid concoctions, p. 78.

What you will need:
1 cup flour
1 cup used coffee grinds
½ cup salt
¼ cup sand
up to ¾ cup water
"Treasures," such as quarters, dimes, and nickels

1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Slowly add water and knead until the mixture is the consistency of bread dough.
3. Break off a piece of dough and roll it into a ball the desired size.
4. Make a hole in the center of the ball big enough to hide treasures in.
5. Fill the hole with treasures and seal with some extra dough.
6. Let your treasure stone air dry for 2-3 days or until hard, or bake in the oven on a cookie sheet at 150 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (I found that baking in the oven was a better idea. The coins inside do tend to tarnish the longer they sit in the mixture.)

Set a small treasure box, secretly filled with dirt, next to a plain stone (with a treasure hidden inside). Choose a child to pick which one they would like to have (emphasizing that they can't keep the treasure box, only what's inside of it) . If the child chooses the treasure box, have him open it; then say, “Well, you get a box of dirt!” Choose a different child to break open the stone and let the child keep the treasure inside.
If the first child chooses the stone, try to encourage them to pick the box instead. If they insist on the stone, allow them to break the stone to find the treasure inside. Then commend them for not picking the obvious choice.
Say: We often look for “treasures” of happiness or success in "obvious" places, only to discover that there is no real treasure in those things after all. Real joy comes from seeking after God, and sometimes we miss that simple truth because we are looking in the wrong places.

Getting Ready

Decorating a room can be very exciting for children; just the tiniest efforts can make kids say "Wow!" That's one thing that I love about Children's Ministry: children are much easier to impress than adults and teens.
We have a very limited space at our church and absolutely NO outdoors play area. This has made it tricky for us to contain squirmy children! I've learned, through trial and error, how to keep our small Children's area interesting and fresh. Changing a theme and decorating the room to reflect that theme every 4 to 6 months can keep kids' attention and can even be a catalyst for some kids who have become sporadic in their attendance to "check things out" again.
Wall murals are a great way to add pizazz to a room, and are fairly easy to make. You can buy an inexpensive, white, flat bed sheet, buy a large piece of foam board from a hardware store, or use a large roll of newsprint to tack to one wall. (Our church acquired newsprint from an attender who worked at a newspaper office.) Then, Google "free coloring pages" on the internet to find whatever mural picture you are looking for - there are scads of choices. Try to find a simple design. Once you find the picture you want, print it onto a transparency sheet and use an overhead projector to project the design onto the bed sheet, foam board, or newsprint that is tacked to the wall. Use black markers to trace the design, and there you go! Markers or paints can then be used to color the design and add interest. We've even added cotton balls (for clouds) and craft butterflies to the mural to create a 3-D effect and add interest.
A unit craft is one way to keep kids coming more consistently. This is different from a one-time craft that the kids take home the day they make it. A unit craft is something they work on throughout the entire unit, adding things every week or two. The children can then take the craft home at the end of the unit, or the unit craft can be a way to gradually decorate the Children's Church room (which also continues to keep the room interesting).
Name tags aren't a major necessity, but I've found found them to be very helpful in a number of ways. First, I have a terrible time remembering peoples' names; name tags obviously help me with that. New attenders don't feel quite as uncomfortable if they can easily see everybody's names - including the teacher and helpers. Also, name tags are an easy way to track attendance; we hand out a star sticker every week, which the children put on the back of their name tag. At the end of the unit, we hand out prizes to everyone, giving special prizes to those who have been present the most (those who have the most stickers). Name tags can be made by using clip art to print a small design on a piece of paper. A regular sheet of copy paper should be able to produce 6 name tags, 3 on the left side of the sheet and 3 on the right. Cut the name tags out and laminate them by using clear packing tape to completely cover the front and the back. Trim the edges, then punch a hole in the top of the name tag, run a piece of yarn through and tie in a knot, making sure the piece of yarn is big enough to slip over the child's head. Make sure the children don't accidentally take their name tags home; they should be left at the Children's Church site to be used every week.


Unit Craft: Treasure boxes
Undecorated boxes can be purchased at a craft store. For a more inexpensive approach, you could instead ask church attenders to donate small plastic containers (such as sour cream or yogurt containers), and cover them with paper. Another idea is to use 2 disposable soup bowls per child; turn one bowl upside down, put it over the other, and attach by punching a hole or two on one side of both bowls and running yarn through the holes to secure the top bowl to the bottom. The top can then be lifted, like a lid. The children can decorate their "treasure" boxes with stickers, markers, or craft gems. Throughout the unit, the children will put beads in their boxes. You can have them gradually string their beads onto a piece of yarn or string, or wait until the end of the unit to have them make their necklaces or bracelets. Kids can then take their jewelry home to use for themselves or to give as a gift to someone they love (such as their mom).

Room Decorations: Two murals are needed to cover both "pirates" and "princesses": castle mural on one wall, pirate ship mural on another. Optional additions include: palm trees or fake parrots beside the pirate ship; artificial flowers, butterflies, and birds beside the castle. (Palm trees can be made with long paper tubes, such as what carpet stores use, and green construction paper for the leaves.) Sand (in clear containers) , seashells, and jewelry scattered here and there. Treasure chest, filled with goodies.

Nametags: Children can choose to be either a “pirate,” “princess,” or “prince.” Use clip art to put a picture of either a crown or a sword on each nametag.

Pirates and Princesses Overview

Following is the outline for our "Pirates and Princesses" unit. The history behind developing this theme started with Disney World. I noticed one day, as my children were glued to the Disney Channel, that the Disney company is the absolute king for capturing kids' imaginations. How could I harness that kind of "magic" for God? I've been to Disney World at least 10 times (I've actually lost count), and I realized that you could easily use the theme parks to connect to Biblical themes, such as using a World Showcase-type theme to emphasize Missions. Lately, Disney has been having "Pirates and Princesses" parties to appeal to both boys and girls (few boys want to be "princes," but pirates? now that's cool!). But what, I thought, connects these two different things? Jewelry, wealth, treasure... Immediately, I thought of Proverbs 8:10-11, and this curriculum was born.

Theme Verse: “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” ~Proverbs 8:10-11

Key Word: Wisdom

Lesson 1: Matthew 13:44-46 -- Seeking. We will only find real “treasure” when we search for it with all our heart. (The Merchant)

Lesson 2: Psalm 51 -- Repentance. Finding the “treasure” of God’s forgiveness requires acknowledging our sin and recognizing that we cannot save ourselves. (David)

Lesson 3: Proverbs 1:7 -- Salvation. Making Jesus Lord is the first step to the “treasure” of true wisdom. (The Lost Lamb and The Prodigal Son)

Lesson 4: Psalm 119:11, 130 -- God’s Word. The Bible is our “treasure map” for life, leading us down the right path and helping us avoid Satan’s traps. (Temptation of Jesus)

Lesson 5: Proverbs 18:10 -- The Name of the Lord. Jesus is a “treasure,” a strong tower in whom we can trust even when nothing else is safe. (God‘s name in Scripture)

Lesson 6: Matthew 6:19-21 -- Treasures in Heaven. When we do everything for God, instead of seeking to please only ourselves, we find the “treasure” of peace and contentment. (The Good Samaritan)

Lesson 7: Jonah 3:3 -- Obedience. Only God knows what is best for us, and when we obey Him, we find the “treasure” of reaching our fullest potential. (Jonah)

Lesson 8: Psalm 139:14 -- Creation. Each one of us is a “treasure,” a child of the King, made in the image of God. (Adam and Eve)

Hello! Welcome to a blog that is entirely devoted to sharing 20 years of ideas for Children's Ministry in a small church. I've discovered that it's almost impossible these days to expect a church to grow without a decent Children's Ministry, but getting one started can be very difficult. Perhaps you are trying to breathe life into an established church that has slowly stagnated to a point where there are few young families. Maybe you have ventured into the area of church planting, and have discovered that people aren't interested in a church - no matter how new and exciting - that doesn't have something for their kids. If so, let me encourage you! You can have an exciting Children's Ministry with few volunteers, limited space, and a reasonable budget.
I've started a Children's Ministry from scratch in an established church that averaged 40 when we began, with the youngest attender (other than our own children) being 14 years old. We now average over 80, with Children's Church averaging 15 and the nursery averaging 5. I'm also the wife of a Church Planter. I've dealt with ADD kids, ADHD kids, and just-plain-spoiled kids! I've prayed for kids who were in very disfunctional homes, and cried over children who were severely mentally handicapped due to fetal alcohol syndrome. I'm also a mother of 4 children of my own, for whom I created this ministry in the first place (to be completely honest).
After struggling to find decent curriculum that was relevant and fun, but also affordable, I finally decided to develop my own. I have created a curriculum entitled "Pirates and Princesses," which we have recently completed in our church, and another entitled "Aliens and Strangers," which we have just started. Each program will cover 4 to 6 months of Sundays. Since I've put so much time and effort into these themes, I decided to post them here for anyone interested. I plan to post parts of the curriculum every week.
Here's how it works: Each lesson will fill 60 to 75 minutes; however, since our church keeps the children during worship and then dismisses them for the sermon, we only need to fill 30 to 35 minutes. So, I divide the lesson into two parts: First Sunday - the object lesson, puppet skit, movie clip, craft, and prayer, then Second Sunday - Bible story, game, memory verse, unit craft, and music. Feel free to structure it however it suits your situation.
Some of these ideas are completely my own; some I have scavenged from others. I've tried to make sure that I give credit to the sources I've borrowed from.
That being said, here we go!