group’s kidmin conference flair meets disney world trading pins to create dawson’sdawson kids kidlife (vbs) bling. after a recent trip to disney world and my obsession for the celebration buttons and trading pins, i wondered how could we incorporate this idea at our vacation Bible school this summer.
each 1st-5th grade child will have the chance to collect kidlife bling from one of our high-five guy volunteers as they learn and grow in our theme for the week. these high-five guys will be available throughout the day to greet, encourage, and share bling with the children.
we wanted to push kids to learn a longer passage of scripture so we created the challenge verse bling.
each day we have a bottom line for kids to memorize. if they commit it to memory they receive that day’s bling.
each day we have a bottom line for kids to memorize. if they commit it to memory they receive that day’s bling.
each day we have a bottom line for kids to memorize. if they commit it to memory they receive that day’s bling.
each day we have a bottom line for kids to memorize. if they commit it to memory they receive that day’s bling.
each day we have a bottom line for kids to memorize. if they commit it to memory they receive that day’s bling.
if kids bring a friend to KidLife they receive this bling.
our kidlife mascot, champ, has his own bling that he hands out during the week.
if kids memorize our verse for the week they get this bling.
all non-dawson kids receive this large bling with their name in the middle. this helps us reach out to kids that are new on our campus.
we also have a button for each day’s main point. these buttons lay out the Gospel and we hope they will be reviewed many times at home after kidlife week ends. we can’t wait to see how these buttons promote outreach to visitors, scripture memorization, and lesson follow-up.
as the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” these candid shots from tonight’s vine family worship speak more beautifully and clearly than i ever could about my heart for family worship. enjoy!
family prayer timeactive and “hands-on”confession prayersdaddy/daughter prayer timeprayer can be fun!sweet family prayer timemother/daughter share timemaking memories while we prayenergetic kids leading worshiplove seeing families pray.confessing our sins to God and one another.
over 15 years ago, when i was just beginning in the kidmin world, i had such a burden for children to be given the opportunity to participate in an event that was intentional about Bible study and discipleship. i knew their youth world would be scattered with “disciple now” type events, but why not provide a one night event for children where they are brought together to:
– study God’s Word in a interactive way – worship God in a kid-friendly setting – be poured into by passionate adults and youth – build relationships with their peers in a safe environment and more.
so, from this vision came 24 Hours 4 Him – a spring discipleship event that begins at 6p.m. on a friday night and ends at 6p.m. on saturday night. yes, the kids sleep. we even put them to bed in order of their age. no, we don’t sleep in family homes. we nestle down right in church classrooms so we don’t lose anytime driving back and forth to the church.
children arrive, report to BIble study rooms, and play a get-to-know-you game
dinner
Bible study (by grade)
worship
1st & 2nd graders go to bed while 3rd-5th graders participate in special areas (i.e. cooking, crafts, drama, puppets, secret service, etc.)
3rd & 4th graders go to bed while *5th graders have a special late night event.
bedtime
saturday
wake up
breakfast
morning celebration
quiet time
Bible study
lunch
BIble study
recreation
Bible study
clean-up, pack-up (kids help put the church back together for sunday morning.)
closing worship (parents are invited to attend with their children.)
go home
additional information
Bible study leaders are parents, college students, or older youth.
parents come and help serve meals and also make goody buckets for each of the Bible study leaders.
we have a designated first-aid/meds person that handles any medicine brought by parents for their children during the weekend.
we bring in a special speaker and worship leader for the worship sessions. (children also get the chance to lead in worship.)
children receive a t-shirt from the weekend and we encourage them to wear it to school the next week.
parents receive an immediate email after dropping their children off that shares with them what the children are studying that weekend and ways to continue the learning at home.
*the late night 5th grade activity is fun activity where children make bridges out of various random supplies. (i.e. straws, legos, rubber bands, paperclips, etc.) then, we talk through how Jesus alone is the bridge between our sinful selves and our Holy God. children then fill out a questionnaire about where they are spiritually, so that we can more effectively minister to them in their remaining months in kids ministry.
i have been blessed at both of the churches i have served at with pastors that understand the importance of children’s ministry and take time to promote and share the vision with others. below is an excerpt of what my current pastor, dr. gary fenton, is sharing in next week’s church newsletter about dawson kids first ever 24 Hours 4 Him.
“Speaking of children… as we do frequently at Dawson, because ministry to children, preschool, middle and high school students are a priority… this Friday, March 01 6:00 pm to Saturday 6 p.m. will be one of the more important 24 hour periods in the church this year. We will host “24 hours 4 Him.” This is an intentional step toward healthy Christian discipleship that involves interactive Bible Study, age appropriate worship and teaching for grades 1-5. In the last several years several books including You Lost Me and Almost Christian have documented that a large number young adults 18 to 30 indicate that their faith is not relevant to the issues they face in life. Many of them have not totally abandoned their faith in God; but they are unsure if and how it relates to their daily life. The Christian faith is unfortunately too often seen as a ticket to heaven, rather than a way of life. Some who drop out may have had experiences with God but have never learned about a daily walk with God. Others may have just heard enough to be confused. During 24 Hours 4 Him children will learn about heroes of the Old and New Testament as the Bible stories will be taught in an age appropriate ways. This is not a child evangelism program but an opportunity for spiritual preparation.
Still speaking of children…If you sense excitement on my part, you are right. The first time I heard of 24 Hours 4 Him I thought it was probably a children’s version of a lock-in during which exhausted kids would be manipulated into some type of emotional decision. Then my first grade grandson participated in one in another state and I saw how helpful and healthy it was for him to hear Bible stories. I learned sleep and rest were built into the program. It was like spending the night at Christian friend’s house that involved healthy Christian teaching. I invite you to be praying this wonderful foundational discipleship event.”
i so look forward to what next weekend will be and what God will do at dawson kids first 24 Hours 4 Him. for those of you who want more info, i have provided some links to some promotional and leader information from our present 24 Hours 4 Him.
they say a picture is worth a thousand words. sometimes a video can be worth millions. i love how this KidMin 2013 video captures the true heart of this very unconventional conference. to learn more or to register, go here.
as i picture Jesus speaking to people in towns and on hillsides, i see families sitting together. through scripture, i hear Him using everyday objects (bread, fish, sheep, etc.) to build bridges from abstract concepts to concrete beliefs for all ages. i imagine kids asking their parents questions as they heard Him speak and family discussions continuing on long after He left. i envision faith being built and strengthened as families. these thoughts encapsulate reason number one of why worshipping as a family is a passion of my heart.
another reason is because i see sweet spiritual fruit from these intentional times spent together as families. fruit shared in an email i received the next morning after vine family worship that had a subject line stating: “One more for God’s Kingdom!” after our first dawson kids vine family worship, a young boy went home and prayed to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. how cool to think that a worship song sung and a hands-on activity shared as a family (things he referenced from the night of family worship) contributed as one of many puzzle pieces that lead him to the cross, confessing his need for a Savior. glory!
our theme for our first vine family worship was “love, why?” we were following a church-wide emphasis from matthew 22:37-39 to “love God and love people”. i wanted the children to see in God’s Word why were are to love and not do so out of: religious ritual, because i told them to, because the church was emphasizing it, but because God said so and He first loved us! below is the order of our service for that night along with pictures that help paint the story. i am already smiling as i think about what God may do in the lives of families in our next family worship.
vine family worship – “love, why?”
click to see larger image
– we began with a “why” family intro activity that families had to work on together. (it was important that they sat as families so each part of the night could be shared as a family.) each table had dot stickers and an info sheet that gave them instructions. (see pic) i was overwhelmed by something someone shared with me during this opening activity. she said, “you realize there are three languages being spoken in here tonight?” as i panned the room, i could see many english speaking tables, but it was the spanish and arabic speaking tables that made me beam. such a sweet picture of the body of Christ.
– we then opened with a child led worship song that was straight scripture. here is the one we used for this service. i love seeing the kids up in front leading and the parents doing the motions.
– then a family and another child performed a skit entitled “the love family.” this was precious, because the young boy that played “the love man” is a new believer and his part was to share the love of God with this family so they could be freed to love with God’s love.
– next, families discussed what the skit meant to them. i think this part is crucial because each person could have received something different. if we are not intentional to discuss it immediately, we may lose valuable family faith teaching time. i loved sitting back and listening in on families grappling with what this skit had to do with their daily lives.
– after they discussed the skit, a young man came and read the scriptures for the evening and i talked about two reasons why we are to love: 1) because God says so and that is enough (it was a command, not a suggestion) and 2) because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
– i ended my talk confessing and challenging families that maybe we don’t love like we should because we forget all the many ways we see proof of how God loves us. (i.e. His Son Jesus, His comfort, He made us, etc.) families were then challenged to take each dot off of themselves and place it on the pot of their vine plant. with each dot they removed, they were to name one reason why they know God loves them. i told them if they ran out of reasons (which we really never could) they could say the name of Jesus, because no other has given up their life for sinners like us. this was my favorite part of the evening. watching families count the ways they see God loving them was priceless. a child at one table even turned to grandparents and an uncle to hear from each of them.
– we then ended the night in worship singing “i could sing of your love forever” and “amazing love.” i don’t think i will ever tire of watching families worship together.
– after closing prayer and me encouraging them to take their pots home and put them in a place where the family would always see them, we ended with dinner and sweet fellowship.
i still stand amazed at how our great big God showed up and blew us all away with His love.
dawson kids kidlife (vbs) bling. after a recent trip to disney world and my obsession for the celebration buttons and trading pins, i wondered how could we incorporate this idea at our vacation Bible school this summer.
