Thanksliving Comic Page
November 17, 2009
Here’s a comic page I drew for Thanksgiving that is available as a free download for duplication and use in your children’s ministry. I pray that this resource will be a blessing to you and your ministry.
Download Comic Page: [PDF] [PNG]
If you found this comic to be helpful, please leave a comment and let me know.
Devotions Don’t Have to Hurt
October 4, 2009
Here’s a booklet I wrote titled, “Devotions Don’t Have to Hurt to be Heavenly” where I share many practical ideas sample family devotion topics. I pray that this resource will be a blessing to you and your ministry.
Download Booklet: [PDF] [Word]
If you found this booklet to be helpful, please leave a comment and let me know.
Choosing Curriculum
March 10, 2009
One task of the children’s Pastor or leader is to choose the right curriculum for their church. This is what we want to explore today. First let’s make the purpose of curriculum clear.
It provides a pattern for the systematic study of God’s word and its application. If followed, students will learn Bible stories, scripture facts, and application of the same for everyday living.
Lois Lebar writes in 1952, “If we provide small children frequent opportunities to say, “yes” to Christ in accordance with their limited comprehension of Him, we shall never err by hindering them from coming to the Savior, nor by being responsible for their making a mere profession before the Spirit has prepared the heart. We shall never be guilty of going to either extreme if we give our groups of children numerous occasions to confess their love of Christ, and then deal individually with those who seek salvation, a miracle which happens once for all time and eternity.” (171)
Lawrence Richards wrote, “The real challenge in ministry with boys and girls is to provide that context in which the first step can be taken…and then a whole lifetime of growth be supported.” 1983 (374)
Good curriculum, if followed, will encourage students regularly to make Jesus their personal Lord and Savior and to grow in Him. This is a key factor in the salvation and discipleship of our children.
With that said, Curriculum is a recipe card. You are the Master’s chef. No curriculum is complete for every church in every village has its own distinctive personality. It is impossible for one curriculum to provide all for all.
How to choose it?
- Doctrinal purity – Look to your denominational curriculum first then others. It is important for children to get a proper foundation in what we believe.
- Cost – We live in a time where cost is a factor in choice. Budget is a reality every children’s leader must work with. Some children’s church curriculums are just too expensive. Certainly it is nice to have all the bells and whistles, but in reality how much of that do you use every week. If you are like me you adapt any curriculum purchased to meet the needs of your own children.
- Kid-friendly – Is it going to provide support to the kids in and beyond the classroom? What is included or available for the kids? Does it have take home papers, worksheets, quiz games, and/or bulletin layouts?
- Teacher friendly – All things being equal I then look at teacher friendliness. Is it easy to use? I don’t mean can a teacher use it without preparation? Can it be easily followed through the lesson time? Is it logical? Does it include everything required for a successful class/service?
- Long-term goals – Does the curriculum suggest or layout long-term objectives for the service/class? What will the child be like if this curriculum is used for a year, two years, or more? Will it provide ongoing growth, reinforcement of Biblical concepts, repetition of major stories and their themes? Some companies have published a scope and sequence chart giving you that kind of information.
- Don’t get caught up in fad – curriculums at the expense of your children. After all, Children’s Ministries is about the kids, with the kids, and for the kids. Now, more than ever before substance is of the upmost importance. Many churches have done away with any semblance of Sunday school and so the curriculum choice for children’s church will determine the doctrinal foundation laid in the child’s life.
- Prayer – Make this choice a matter of prayer. Think about, pray about it, and then buy what will best meet the needs of the children you serve.
When I was a young married guy working construction, my boss would occasionally come by, grab my hammer and pound a couple of nails. He would pause; look at the hammer, then me, and state, “It’s not the hammer.” Curriculum is a tool. When used properly, it can yield great results. Take care in choosing the curriculum that is right for your children, for your church, for this time.
For more information regarding choosing curriculum, listen to episode 17 of Children’s Ministry Talk.
Bibliography
Lebar, Lois. Children in The Bible School. New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1952.
Richards, Lawrence. Children’s Ministry (formerly A Theology Of CM). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1983.
Gruber Thesis on Child Evangelism
November 11, 2008
I have finished my Master of Arts Degree in Christian Leadership and below I have attached for your enjoyment my thesis entitled, “The Biblical Mandate and Philosophical Considerations for Child Evangelism with a Practical Response for the Christian Church.” My plan is to use this as a foundation for a larger work/book on evangelizing children. If you find this work to be a blessing, leave me a comment and let me know.
Photo courtesy Chronicle/Darren Breen
Hallo-What? Halloween Outreach Ideas
October 6, 2008
Hallo-What?
As Halloween approaches, parents often ask me, “Should we participate in Halloween?” Others ask, “How can we impact our neighbors on this night, this year?”
In answer to the first question, I say follow your convictions. The words of Jesus found in Matthew 5:14-16 can give some direction in this. It reads, 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
The observance of Halloween has dubious beginnings at best. The celebration has progressed from it’s early superstitious roots to the costume and candy gathering event of today. Most children and families in our communities either do not know of it’s beginnings or in spite of this knowledge, choose to have fun in spite of past practices associated with this day.
Wearing a Costume?
Here are some guidelines to follow should your family and children choose to dress up this Halloween night.
- As a believer, you want to do “everything as unto the Lord.” You also have a desire to honor and glorify your Savior in all that you do. In light of this, avoid scary, embarrassing, or disgusting costumes.
- Make certain that whatever the costume or make-up you look your best for Jesus. Make-up should be neat, clean, and safe. Avoid the thrown together or unkempt look.
- If you are walking the neighborhood include light colors in your costume. In this way, those driving can easily see and avoid hitting you.
- I recommend that you and/or your children can dress in three categories of costumes. These include:
- Bible person, place, or thing
- Historical figure, or
- Clown/animal.
- Write and rehearse a short testimony that goes with your costume. That way when people acknowledge how cute or interesting you look, you can come back with a brief but poignant explanation of what or who you are giving the listener something eternal to think about.
- Have fun. Christians should be the example of joy at any season. Jesus was the kind of guy you would invite to a party. The wedding at Canaan is an example of this. So do what you can to show the joy of the Lord and the fun that a Christian can have.
- You may want to carry a Gospel tract with your costume. This can be given to those who show interest when you explain who or what you are.
Further Thoughts
Churches have adapted to this night by hosting everything from “Trunk or Treat,” in the church parking lot to “Light the Night,” events in neighborhoods. Whether we throw a harvest party, or not, children will be combing their neighborhoods asking for a handout on Halloween night. Kids will dress in costumes as cute or scary as their parents allow while neighborhood homes will hand out everything from cheap penny candies to popcorn balls and peanut butter cups.
What is a “Christian” family to do? I’ve known some that turned out the lights and locked the doors. Again, I encourage you to act upon your convictions in this matter. If you choose to do nothing for children on Halloween, turn the light off on your porch so that passing children will not be disappointed when knocking on your unanswered door.
Halloween Outreach Guidelines
Here are a few simple guidelines for those who choose to bless children on Halloween.
- Pray! Pray for your neighborhood, the children, parents, and strangers that will pass down your street. Pray for God’s anointing on neighboring churches that are hosting outreach events on this night. Pray that God will make you and your home a lighthouse in this darkened world.
Ideas for those who are simply handing out candy:
- At the least hand out extra candy and a Gospel tract. Bible book stores carry some good ones geared just to children on this day. Master reproducible artwork is provided with this writing. Make as many copies as you need. By handing out an extra portion of candy with the message, you are insuring that most children leaving your front step will read the tract.
- Smile, get happy, and hand out genuine compliments with the candy and tract. You want your neighbors to know that yours is a household that loves children. A kind word concerning a costume or behavior will go a long way with the child and their accompanying parent.
- Don’t be too in-your-face preachy. This is the only night all year on which children will come to your door asking for something good. Do not “scare” them off with obnoxious or offensive preaching delivered under the guise of witnessing. Jesus said, “Let the little children come.” He didn’t say, force them, scare them, or trick them into the treat of salvation.”
- You may also want to have some fun Christian children’s music playing on your front porch.
- Happy non-scary decorations on your lawn or porch can have a positive impact on your neighbors.
- Make certain that your sidewalk and porch are well lit and free of debris.
Ideas for those that want to do a little bit more:
- Set up a mini carnival on your driveway or front lawn. Remember, it’s your party. You can do as much or as little as time and finances allow. Here some things you can do to set up a mini carnival atmosphere.
- Set up one or two simple carnival games such as a bean bag toss or rubber duck race in a wash tub. Ideas for these can be found at these websites:
http://www.smalltoys.com/page/st/CTGY/wholesale-carnival-supplies-prizes-novelties
- Serve hot cider or chocolate to those coming to your house. This can be made on the spot or prepared ahead of time.
- Some people have set up their BBQ and cooked hot dogs for the kids. Be sure to have your cooking area roped off so that children do not get burned on the BBQ. Set up a table with covering to hold condiments. If you want the dogs to be really fun, add food coloring to your ketchup or mustard. Include non-traditional items for the dogs like chocolate sprinkles, caramel syrup, or peanut butter and jelly.
- Decorate with fun, non-scary decore. Balloons, pumpkins, and other fall type items can be displayed. Keep anything dangerous away from the kids.
- Set up a TV and DVD/VCR with a fun kid’s movie playing. Several chairs or hay bails can be spaced as seating for this.
- Set up a covered table where children can make their own treats. Cookie decorating is probably the easiest make-your-own treat to set up. Sugar cookies can purchased at a local bakery. (People are less suspicious of store-bought food items.) The children can decorate these with colored frosting, sprinkles, or mini M&Ms.
- Welcome every child as if he/she was Jesus Himself. Some kids will return to your event again and again throughout the evening. Love on them every time they arrive.
- Prepare some treat bags ahead of time. These should include a large portion of candy and a Gospel tract.
Things to avoid
- Clowns or costumed characters in your yard will tend to scare off smaller children. If you must have one of these, make certain that he/she is neat, clean, and attractive, and has a human counterpart. Make sure that he/she allows children to approach him/her rather than the other way around. Clowns and large costumed characters should not invade a child’s space.
- Hard selling the Gospel on this night will not endear you to your neighbors. Consider this a drink-of-water kind of ministry. Blessing children and families will bring a return. Gospel Tracts, Christian videos, songs, and even puppet shows should be utilized to deliver the Gospel message.
- Making this a complicated event ruin it for you and the kids. Do not stress out over this. You can do as much or as little as time and finances will allow. The point is to have fun helping the children to have fun and to share the love of Jesus with all who come to you.
- Scary costumes, decorations, or entertainment must be avoided. Preschool and elementary children do not need a “Hell House,” kind of experience. Fun spooky games like guess what’s in the bucket are acceptable. (Guess what’s in the bucket is a game in which several buckets hold things like cooked pasta, Jell-o, or oiled grapes. A towel is thrown over each bucket. Children reach under the towel and guess what’s in the bucket.)
- Poorly lit or cluttered walkways. Make sure that when children step on your property that they can get around without tripping over boxes, bags, or buckets. Lighting with construction lights or household lamps will help children to see where they are going and what to avoid.
- Foods that might cause an allergic reaction. We know that most anything could do this, but there are some common foods that rise to the top. Peanuts should not be served in any form. Check with your public school nurse to see what should be avoided in this category.
- Offending the return child should be avoided. Some kids will want to come back to your “fun” yard after trick or treating in the neighborhood. Bless every child with as much love, food, and attention that you can whether they show up once or return five times that night.
- Put away anything that might be deemed dangerous to the health and well-being of children.
Have Fun!
This booklet is available for download in either Word .doc or Adobe .pdf formats. If you find this resource to be a blessing, leave a comment!
Trick or Treat Tract
October 6, 2008
I developed this tract to share with share with children during Halloween outreaches. This tract is available for download in Word .doc and Adobe .pdf formats. If you find this tract a blessing, leave a comment and let me know!
The New DickGruber.com
July 6, 2008
In case you’ve not yet heard, my revamped website has just gone live at dickgruber.com.There you’ll continue to find a host of resources, helps, articles, and links related to children’s ministry.
In addition, my blog is now combined with the site, making it easier to be notified when I post new updates as well as to post comments on items you find to be a blessing. My new site is also searchable, so if there’s something in particular you are looking for, just give the search a try! There’s a bunch other new features that I’ve added, but you’ll just need to take a look for yourself.
Take a moment to stop by my new site and leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you. God bless!
Sample Featured Post
July 5, 2008
Sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post
sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post sample post
