Concordia Publishing House

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s the perfect time for encouraging children and teens to give thanks for all the special gifts God has provided. Here are a few ideas to get your children’s ministry started.

What's the best way to share the Gospel with children? Whether you're a children's ministry volunteer or leader, it's important to have a multitude of methods for sharing God's free gift of salvation with children. In her book Energizing Your Children's Ministry, author Cynthia Brown shares how to communicate the Gospel to kids in understandable and engaging ways. Use these three easy tips for sharing the Good News of Jesus' love and forgiveness with your kids at your next VBS or children's ministry event.

What do we do with Luther’s Small Catechism while students are still in elementary levels? Should we leave it on the shelf until our students enter confirmation class? Absolutely not! As these children develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically; they will be developing spiritually as well. Catechizing your elementary school students is crucial to nurturing their faith development. When we use Luther’s Small Catechism to teach students about the Christian faith, we give them a sure foundation that will carry them to their confirmation classes and for the rest of their lives.

Though Vacation Bible School season has come to an end, it's never too early to start thinking about next summer's VBS. Now is the perfect time to get church members on board with the new theme and think about VBS fundraisers to garner the support and income you need for this important children's ministry. From car washes to bake sales, there are so many fun ways to encourage funding, teamwork, and enthusiasm for VBS. Here's a list to get you started.

If you've ever been the "new kid" at a school or church, you probably remember butterflies in your stomach as you walked into the class. Being in a new situation where you don't know anyone can feel scary and unsettling. Sometimes as Sunday school teachers and leaders, we can forget what "being the new kid" feels like and have to remind ourselves to see everything through the eyes of a visitor. Here's a few easy ways to welcome your Sunday School visitors.

"We wish to see Jesus." (John 12:21)

Every Sunday School teacher wants to help her students see Jesus' love and care for them as their Savior. But every child is different. So what is the best way to reach out to your students? How do you encourage other teachers? Here are four books that every Sunday School teacher should read.

Why do a Sunday School checkup?

Checkups are valuable, even if they don’t always bring good news. For example, an automotive checkup can prolong your car’s life, avoid costly repairs, and make for safe driving. A Sunday School checkup is also good. Checkups help us identify our strengths and set new goals so we can be even better. What we measure is also important. Some things are not ours to judge. We are not checking faith in this exercise; we are checking other stuff—the means to the Means of Grace. We know that it is the Holy Spirit who brings children to faith and enlightens them through God’s Word and Sacraments. However, we are privileged to teach God’s Word, and because of the high value we place on this life-giving task, we seek excellence.

What? Teaching adults with special needs in a separate class? I thought that wasn’t the way we do things anymore. But it’s important to remember that one size doesn’t fit all. One type of classroom doesn’t meet everyone's needs. Just as all children with special needs don’t need the same thing, neither do adults with special needs.

Encouraging your volunteers is an investment in the future of children’s ministry. Volunteer support doesn't have to cost a lot, it just needs to be intentional. Here's some low-cost (and some no-cost) ideas for volunteer appreciation that we think you'll find useful!

What comes to mind when you think of Memorial Day? A day off work? The weekend when the pool is opened? People selling poppies in front of stores? If you polled some of the children you know, what would they say? Here are a few activities you can do with children at your church to remember Memorial Day.