This section of our site is devoted to providing helpful
hints and suggestions that you can apply in using our curriculum.
We hope this will KICK Start your ministry.
We don’t just write curriculums, we also use them
to minister to children in our local church. Always feel
free to modify and adapt our material as “teachable
moments” present themselves in class. These are the
times when the Holy Spirit brings the Truth alive.
Monday Not Saturday
Plan ahead! Our lessons are very visual and hands on. This
greatly enhances the learning and retention of the lesson
for your children. We use a lot of common objects that can
be found in your own home, particularly if you still have
children! We try to use practical objects that the children
in your ministry can relate to and will encounter in everyday
life. Do not wait until Saturday night to open your lesson
and gather objects and supplies for Sunday morning. Start
early in the week looking over the lesson and getting a
general feel for what you will be doing. Material lists
are provided at the top of each section or activity of the
lesson. If you start early, this will give you time to coordinate
with people and do some shopping if necessary. This is more
desirable than frantically calling around and going to stores
Saturday night or even Sunday morning!
Study Early
Study early so that you will be ready spiritually. It’s
hard to be spiritual, prepared, and excited on Sunday morning
or Wednesday night when you are gathering things at the
last minute. By starting early, skimming the lesson, and
reading the scriptures, you allow the Holy Spirit to work
through the week. As you meditate and pray, the Holy Spirit
will bring creative and impacting ideas to your mind. There
is nothing more frustrating than having a great, fun, and
captivating point, skit, or activity that can’t be
used because there is no more time to gather the stuff or
prepare the skit and recruit volunteers.
Read the scriptures for the lesson early. Let the Word get
into your spirit first before you try to teach others. Ask
the Holy Spirit to open up your understanding. Ask Him to
reveal the truth He would like to teach your kids. Use the
lesson scriptures in your private devotion time!
Take ownership!
You know your kids best. You know what works and what doesn’t.
You know their age spread and spiritual maturity. Our lessons
are written in such a way that inexperienced teachers can
go virtually word for word in each section. However, the
most effective lesson is presented from your own words.
We encourage you to modify and enhance the lesson to fit
your ministry style and strengths. Have fun with it. Take
“creative liberty”.
If a particular activity is working well, don’t rush
through to the next section. The longer you stay and emphasize
a point, the more it will sink into children's spirits and
memory. I have learned in over 18 plus years of teaching
adults and children that success in teaching is not measured
by completing an outline. Don’t force things and rush.
Go with what is working that day and don’t be rushed
to do the rest. Save it for another time. Give the Holy
Spirit liberty in your class! Trust that He knows what your
children need most. Also, if an activity isn’t
working, drop it and go on. We strive to give you several
different options to emphasize the lesson point. Again,
you know your kids, adjust as necessary to achieve the best
results.
Change it up!
Some people have shared that they don’t always use
a puppet for the Kidnabber section. We have used an assistant
to play the character of KICK RiCK. Some use teens that
dress up like KICK RiCK to play the part. You don’t
have to follow every detail in the curriculum to make it
work for your class.
|
