resources for effective children's ministry

    Christmas is a special and wondrous, fun filled time of the year - one looked forward to by most of us.  It is also a great time for parents to teach their children about Who Jesus really is and why He came to Earth.  There are many excellent books and resources available for families to utilize to help keep the focus on the real reason we celebrate - many of which were reviewed in our last issue of "About the Children's Department".  In this issue I am taking a look at three unique, extremely well done resources, "What Nick and Holly Found In Grandpa's Attic" and the "Adorenaments" resources.
 
 

 

    This book tells the enjoyable story of how a trip to Grandpa's attic to look for a box of Christmas tree decorations ends up being a treasure hunt as they discover 12 items that help illustrate some of the names of Jesus.

    favorite features:

forward by Barbara Rainey challenges families to take advantage of the Christmas season to help "make room for Jesus . . . and come to know and worship Him more deeply"

excellent, helpful information on how to use the book with the "Adorenaments" and how to get the most out of them

story truly focuses on what Christmas is really all about

"discoveries" in the attic help teach and understand some of the names for Jesus

story ties Jesus' birth with why He came - to be our Savior

includes 10 simple steps for leading children to Christ

excellent, colorful artwork

 

 

    This unique resource is designed to help families develop some special traditions as they learn how to see "Jesus as more than a baby in a manger" while they learn about 12 of His names that help us see more about Who He is.

    favorite features:

12 ornaments - each illustrate and teach a name of Jesus

each ornament is colorful, lightweight and unbreakable and includes a hanging cord

comes in a sturdy storage cubes

includes a small booklet with excellent, helpful information on how to get the most out of the ornaments

chart with each ornament, the name of Jesus it represents, and the scripture reference where that name is found

outline and explanation for each ornament

clearly teaches why Jesus came and provides opportunity to lead others to Christ

includes 10 steps to lead children to Christ

 

 

    I found the book, "What Nick and Holly Found In Grandpa's Attic" and the "Adorenaments" to be excellent resources for families and churches to utilize, but the Activity Book makes them even better - and a more effective resource.

    favorite features:

reproducible book with excellent resources to help parents, teachers and even pastors teach the meaning and application for 12 of the names of Jesus

reproducible adorenaments so children and even adults can make their own copy of the adorenaments ornaments ( would be an excellent tool for children's sermons and for missionaries to utilize )

reproducible booklet about the names of Jesus - illustrates and explains each name and includes a verse for each name as well

directions to make a craft to accompany each adorenament to help children learn and understand the names of Jesus

each craft includes a verse for the name, a clear objective, supply list, teacher preparation time, time to make each craft and clear instructions

    I cannot recommend highly enough all three resources for families as well as for use at church.  Families who utilize these excellent tools will find that they are able to help their children and family to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, learn more about Jesus, even lead their children to Christ while developing an important and meaningful family tradition.  Churches that utilize these resources will find that they are able to help children and families learn more about Who Jesus is and why He came  - may even see it as an excellent evangelistic tool.  They would make wonderful resources for a pastor or missionary to use to teach a series on some of the names of Christ 12 weeks before Christmas.  However you decide to utilize these excellent tools, you will find them to be extremely effective and ones that will be looked forward to each year!  Extremely well done Melody, Jose', Gold 'n' Honey, Randal, Family Life, Ben, Diane, Mary, Lee and Mark!

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    Traditions are a very important part of building a strong family and Christmas is probably one time of the year when we think the most about developing and observing traditions.  In my family we - my husband our two children and I - join my siblings and their families at our parents home on Christmas eve.  We all bring food - kind of a family "pot faith" - and then after supper gifts are opened.  When we return home, my husband and I have our children stuff each others christmas stockings and they go to bed.  It is an evening for family and memories!

    For families with young children a tradition you could begin would be to select a book that tells the Christmas story to read together every Christmas Eve and then on Christmas morning read the actual account from Luke.  There are many excellent books to choose from - many were reviewed in the last issue of ATCD.  "King of the Stable" is another excellent book that communicates the wonder of Jesus coming to Earth.

    favorite features:

communicates the facts of the Christmas story

emphasizes that Jesus is the Son of God - the King of Kings

communicates that Jesus really does know how we feel

challenges us to always serve Him

beautiful, colorful artwork

    This book would make an excellent choice to read as a family every Christmas Eve.  Very well done Melody, Chris and Crossway!

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Table of Contents

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About The Children's Department - Volume 2, Edition 4

Copyright © Lynda Freeman

Last Updated Dec. 1, 1998

Web Page by Lynda Freeman

Send an e-mail to Lynda at dfreemansr@earthlink.net