This blindfolded maze game teaches obedience to children. My kids loved playing this game, wanting to try completing the maze over and over again. Teaching through games speaks volumes to kids. The concepts resonate with them because kids learn through play. Some people are questioning whether obedience is outdated. They don’t want their children being...Read More

While a daunting task and key responsibility for ministry leaders, cheerleading for families doesn’t always have to be over-thought. Yes, there should be strategies in place to help move families from here to there, but there are easy ways to make this happen.

Here's a free youth group lesson on "unity". Bible: Galatians 3: 26-28. Bottom Line: Being one in Christ requires love and forgiveness.

Here's a fun and easy Raising of Lazarus game to play in your Sunday School class or with your kids at home, all you need is some toilet paper and some willing volunteers.

I used this idea in an assembly yesterday, focussing on people we trust and what it means to trust God. This would work really well if you are exploring miracle stories or stories about trust. Suitable verses to use with it might be: Joshua 1:9: Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Psalm 56: 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. John 14: 1 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me I have to admit that this trick is not an original idea. I found the trick in this book: Simple Science Object Talks by Heno Head Jnr and would definitely recommend getting cold of a copy if you can! You will need: A glass of water (about half- 2/3 filled) and an index card. This is what you do: place the index card over the top of the glass, making sure that the whole of the rim is covered by it, and press down. Hold onto the top of the card with one hand and move your other hand down the glass, towards the bottom of it. Carefully flip the glass upside down, making sure you keep holding the card in place. You may get a TINY bit of drip page at this point, but don't panic! Now slowly move your card holding hand out from underneath and the card should stick, holding the water at bay! I love using science in assemblies because it is generally fool-proof, as long as you have a little practice first. I got a teacher in the assembly to sit at the front and asked if they trusted me to turn the glass of water upside down on top of their head? Even if I covered it with the card? They were not too eager! I then performed the science and it went down very well! We talked about the fact that what was holding the card in place was the air pressure pressing upwards (stronger than gravity pressing downwards). Please forgive my scientific explanations- they are not my strong suit! We can't see the air pressure but we know it must be working or the water would drop out. We can't see God but we know that he is there holding us up and supporting us too. The teacher might not have wanted to trust me, but I knew what I was doing and God knows what He is doing! Talk about: What is trust? Who do you trust and why? Have you ever trusted God? When might you need to God? Encourage children to all have a go at he trick, but make sure you have something ready to collect the drips just in case!

Play an advanced version of Simon Says, where pairs of players have to hold a balloon between their backs. Use this youth group game to teach about submitting to authority.

Use m&m candy to teach Bible object lessons for children, youth or adults on being who God called you to be and sharing God's love!...also prayer ideas & more!

ym360 Contributor Chris Wesley challenges youth workers to be proactive in how they deal with disruptive students

From time to time, churches call new pastors. For some churches, this is a regular interval of every couple of years. For some churches, this only happens every couple of decades. Regardless of the frequency, every church wants to make their new pastor feel welcome. Here are ten ways you can help to make your new pastor feel welcome.

I’ve wondered a few times in my life what it would be like to be on Family Feud. SURVEY SAYS: I don’t really want to find out. I’m pretty sure that I wou…

On sharing stories with Kenda Creasy Dean, learning a TON about innovation, and a free tool for starting Bible discussions with youth.

My oldest son, Jake, taught Family Home Evening a couple of weeks ago. It all started with a simple experiment. I told Jake that if I poured oil on water it would float on top of the water. Then we went for the food coloring. Then it turned into a discussion, mostly his idea, that ended up being our lesson for FHE. He presented it all by himself. Here is how it went..... The water in the jar represents THE WORLD (meaning the things of this world, pride, basically the things that are not of the Lord). The Oil in the jar represents US. 1 John 2: 15-17: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. *What does "of the world" mean? *What can we do to "present [our] bodies a living sacrifice" to the Lord?" The food coloring (which was supposed to be red...but we were out) represents THE SINS OF THE WORLD. The oil repels the coloring and it passes straight through in droplets and then colors the water. The kids LOVED that part! It is pretty fun to watch! (Stir all together) Sometimes we sin and we become like the "world". Then we need to repent. (while everything starts to seperate again we read the scriptures below) John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his eonly begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting ilife. Isaiah 1:18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (When it is all settled) Doctrine & Covenants 63:47: He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world. (Shine a Flashlight behind the jar. The lights won't cut through the bottom part but really lights up the oil.) Matthew 5:14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. *How can we let our light shine so that it cannot be hid? 1 John 4:1-11: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. I love that last scripture! I could read it over and over again! Jake did such a great job. Mallory was totally into the lesson. I would consider that a success! :)

so..in my church (go here to read more about it) we have a young woman's program (ages 12-18) We have mutual every tuesday night and we work on our personal progress (goals and activities to

I am honored beyond belief to have been named 'Favorite Counseling Website' by Liana Lowenstein in her November Newsletter! I'm totally blown away...I have been using Liana's material ever since I started working with children and families (many moons ago). I first discovered Liana Lowenstein's work when I started working as a counselor at Whaley Children Center. 85% of our residential and foster care children were victims of sexual abuse and to be frank, I had no idea how to help young children who experienced such horrible acts. That's when a colleague lent me her copy of Paper Dolls and

Nobody said this job was easy but you probably never imagined that you'd ever be confronted by an angry parent but it happens. (That's no slam to parents. Children's Ministry Leadership Tips for Dealing with an Angry Parent

Are you dealing with kids who lie? Here is a family devotion on lying that will help you have a spiritual discussion with them.

Camille's Primary Ideas: Lip Sync Review singing time lesson plan review activity using fun faces of prophets and people found in the scriptures

What is grace for kids? We'll cover what is grace of God with youth games on grace, children’s activities on grace, and object lesson on grace—all that are perfect for teaching grace to kids in youth group, preschool Sunday school lesson, or homeschool.

An engaging way to teach the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew 1.

An object lesson about the offering teaches children about cheerful giving. Here are 10 Bible-based, kid-friendly lessons about generosity and stewardship.

Lesson 5 - Hearing Story: Saul Disobeys Theme: Obey God completely. Verse: Luke 11:28 But He said, "On the contrary, blessed ar...

A super fun activity that will be a crowd-pleaser for your young men and young women! AN ESCAPE ROOM! Solve clues, figure out what's next to finally open the treasure! A great test of your

This is a powerpoint based game where students identify the original speaker of each quote (Either Kanye, who calls himself "Yeezus", or Jesus). You're welcome! Supplies: Projection Capabilities How to Play: I've seen these types of games played where the host of the night will

This character building object lesson about forgiveness takes a fun science experience and relates it to the risks of choosing not to forgive. This is one more activity in my character building series. Object lessons helps connect a hands-on and visual experience with the heart. A picture like the one presented today is more likely...Read More

Persistence Spoons is one of my favorite bible games for kids of all ages. All you need is a wooden spoon, some aluminum foil and a Bible!

You’ve heard the old rhyme about sticks and stones, and words not wounding? Not true! Our words do matter; to others, and to God! God really cares about the words that we use and how we use t…

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Most Sonoma County schools will be closed for the week March 19-23, meaning that many families will be taking advantage of the time off and head someplace fun and exotic. But for the rest of us, that means being held hostage by bored kids who have nothing to do, expect us to entertain them, or

This is a great visual illustration for thinking about God's protection and can easily be used in a school assembly. You will need: An orange, a deep, clear container, water. Also useful are items such as sun cream, a bike helmet and a hi-vis jacket I used the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace but any story involving God's protection is good- Daniel in the Lions' Den, for example. Tell the story and get the children to participate with sound effects and actions if possible! Next bring out your 'protection' items and talk about what we do and wear to keep us safe in the sun, on the road etc. What about people who help us to feel safe? Talk about God keeping the characters in the story safe and speak about times in your life when you ask God to keep you safe. Put an orange in the container of water and watch it bob along the surface. Then peel off the skin and watch it sink. The peel is what protects the orange and stops it from sinking. God can be our protection! Ask the children to think of those people who help them to stay and feel safe and say a thank you prayer to God for them.

Here is where my Cub Scout days pay off. I adapted the "Paper Plate Relay" for a Seminary activity. Yesterday, I had the students name t...

games to play in your youth group

Now that a new school year is starting, we had our “move-up Sunday” for all the student ministries. We had several Kindergarteners move up into the elementary class, and we have a huge …

Activities and Combined Activities Mutual Activities After brief opening exercises, Young Women and Young Men activities are usually held separately. Class or quorum activities usually last 30 to 7…