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607 Experience: LOVE IT!

By Lindsey | February 20, 2012 | Holidays and Events, Ministry Ideas: Lessons and Programs, Parents, Resources, Reviews | No comments

I’m a huge fan of the family ministry movement. I love the idea of involving parents more in the church and encouraging them to take a more proactive role at home. But, I have to be honest, I didn’t really know how the whole concept would flesh out in real life. The church has been handling “the spiritual stuff” for so long, how do we pull parents back into the picture?

My First Ideas

I tried putting great resources on display. Books for all ages, Bibles, and copies of killer blog posts I had happened upon. The table quickly became a coat rack.

I tried organizing a Family Easter Egg decorating party. Three parents attended. Two parents complained that their kids were going to get messy. Not exactly what I would call a success.

It Seemed Better in My Head…

I had a dream, a vision of what I wanted things to look like. I wanted parents sitting with their kids, worshiping together, hearing the lesson together, and then engaging with the content they just heard. I knew I couldn’t write a program like this (I can barely write a newsletter each week!), and I couldn’t really find one that fit my ideal description either.

Until 607 Generational Discipleship Experience. This is not an “everyday curriculum”. Instead, it uses major holidays to turn a regular service into a family experience. We planned to do a family service about once a quarter, so this was the perfect format for us. Plus, I think parents are more inclined to attend a “special holiday event” when a family service is advertised that way.

I took an extensive look at both the Christmas lesson and the New Year’s lesson, hoping to use them for a family service. However, the Wednesday between Christmas and New Year’s was cancelled at our church, and we all know an audience of zero is no good. I did teach the Christmas lesson to the kids in Children’s Church just to see their reaction, and they were completely engaged.

I love the fact that there’s a video midway through the lesson with “real-people” interviews or some other little vignette. And the props used during the lesson (for Christmas, it was 3 wrapped gifts containing a clock, a red heart, and CD) are simple, easy-to-relate to, memorable, and not too distracting. I’m a fan of object lessons, but it kills me when kids get all caught up in the “way-cool illustration” (you know, the ones we love to force into the lesson even when they don’t exactly fit) and totally miss the point of the lesson. These weren’t that way at all.

The Best Part

The best part about this curriculum is that parents walk away with a skill and a tool to use at home. Here’s what each lesson explains:

607 is all about helping parents live out Deuteronomy 6:07. 607 will help you host an inter-generational worship experience that’s so much more than a typical worship service: parents will walk away with an experience, a skill, and a tool.

Experience

The children’s sermon and the 607 Experience Sermon will guide
you through a themed teaching and interactive time for families of all ages.
Through this inter-generational worship experience, parents, kids, and teens
alike will be inspired to grow in their faith in Christ.

Skill

Each 607 Experience Sermon will teach a specific skill that moms, dads,
grandparents, aunts, uncles, and mentors can implement at home and into
the way we impress faith on the next generation.

Tool

Each parent or leading adult will walk away with a Drive It Home Tool
to help them impress faith on their kids and the next generation of disciples
in Jesus Christ.

For the Christmas lesson, it was ways to keep Christ the center of Christmas. For New Years, it was a worksheet that helped parents develop a family mission statement and family faith plan.

So far, there’s about ten holidays available, including Mother’s and Father’s Day. The rest of the holidays are promised by August 30th. The regular price for a year’s worth of 607 is $299.

I have to say, we just signed up to use 252 Basics for a year, and I’m not entirely impressed with the Family Experience lessons they have as part of the curriculum. I think the ones found in 607 are much better organized, more meaningful, and a lot more practical for parents. I’ll let you know how the Valentine’s Day lesson plays out!

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Truth in Tinsel: Day One!

By Lindsey | November 30, 2011 | Christmas, Holidays and Events, Parents | Comments Off

We’re off! The first day of the Truth and Tinsel book. We’ll be doing all 24 days (or at least trying to!), but you can pick and choose as you like or do the most important days (Amanda has an alternative 6-day schedule mapped out in the book).

Today’s Ornament: Tissue Paper with Candle

Check the Truth in Tinsel. book for Scripture that coordinates with this project and for a discussion guide with your kids.

You start off with a piece of black construction paper, and trace the template on it twice. I wanted it to be a little more personal for my daughter, and since she can’t use scissors, I let her color the black paper before we cut.

If you fold over the paper on itself, you can cut out two of the candles lickity-split!

Since she’s so young, I decided to let her try and paint the pieces on while the candle cut out sat on wax paper. We spread modge podge all around (check out this site for how to make your own) and then let her stick the colored paper wherever. I also let the girls (A. had a friend over) rip the tissue paper up themselves. Fun!

Just make sure to pick the ornament up within 5 minutes or it will stick to the parchment paper.

Sticky mess!

Here’s the (almost) finished project. We have to trim the edges and put contact paper over it, but you get the idea! We let ours dry on the parchment paper, just remember to flip after 5-10 minutes to keep it from sticking!

Have fun!

Tips from the Trenches

We also did this project last night at Kids for Christ (our mid-week program). Our elementary teacher expert Jen suggested making a yellow circle that fits inside the template first. Have kids glue tissue paper or construction paper (we used construction paper — less messy!) on both sides and then glue the candle on either side. It makes it a lot more sturdy too. Thanks for the tips Jen!!

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Holidays or Holy days?

By Lindsey | November 29, 2011 | Christmas, Holidays and Events, Parents | Comments Off

I recently read a post over at Impress Your Kids about turning Holidays into Holy Days. Between the hustle and bustle, Christmas play prep, shopping, cooking, baking, planning all-nighters, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, and decorating — it’s pretty easy to forget about the real reason for the season. But these cultural celebrations are a fabulous time to really drive home some Scriptural truths to the kids.

So, I’m going to take a break from the kidmin stuff and focus on the family a bit this month. I’ll be “giving December” to my kids as suggested by Amanda, the author of Impress Your Kids as we work through the wonderful e-book, “Truth in Tinsel” (have you grabbed your copy yet?). Stay tuned for some fun ideas and pictures of our adventures!

I’ll be working a day ahead of the book, so I can have my post up first thing in the morning for all you readers to see. Let me know how yours went by posting a comment or by heading over to the Truth in Tinsel facebook page and leaving a comment.

I’m looking forward to it and hope you are too!

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Truth in Tinsel E-book: Great Resource!

By Lindsey | November 25, 2011 | Christmas, Holidays and Events, Parents, Resources | 2 Comments

I’ve been following a blog called Impress Your Kids for some time now, and have admired the creative ways the author Amanda uses to teach her kids about God and Scripture. When she announced she had written an e-book called Truth and Tinsel, and was looking for bloggers to review it, I nearly lunged out of my chair in an attempt to send her an email. I just finished browsing through the book, and I can tell you, I am not disappointed. Not one bit.

In her introduction, she shares the history of the book, which goes like this:

When my daughter was just a year old, I bought her an Advent Calendar book. Each day, she’d open a tiny flap in the back and then we’d read the corresponding page in the book. The first day the book instructed us to make a Christmas ornament to go along with the story. We did (I think it was made out of construction paper and had some stickers slapped on it) and my daughter was in love! Every single day of December she wanted to make an ornament. However, the book didn’t continue with ornaments each day, so we made some up ourselves! They were mainly made from paper, glue, markers and maybe a ribbon if I could scrounge one up.

We had so much fun making a little craft together during that Christmas season. What was even more fun is that my little bitty girl started understanding the Christmas story. She’d talk (or babble) about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Amanda goes on to tell how she tried a few new things over the next few years, but she and her daughter always returned to the Christmas ornaments, because of their story value. My daughter is just about to turn two, so I am especially interested in ways to make Christmas meaningful for her this year.

Won’t Break the Bank!

As I opened up Truth in Tinsel, I was so impressed with all the super cute and easy ideas. I especially love that most people will already have most of the supplies on hand already. Even if you had to go out and buy things, the cost for making everything in this book would probably be under $10 and you would have some truly wonderful memories.

Up for a Challenge?

We’re really into crafting right now (I have another girl that comes to my house for child care). I’m always browsing around on Pinterest trying to gather up ideas. With Amanda’s book, I now have 24 simple crafts that all tie into the Christmas story and I couldn’t be more excited about it! She also issued a challenge to “give” December to your kids by participating in the crafts and Scripture every day. I’ll take the challenge! Stay tuned for more posts and pictures of all the fun. Check out the list of days at the bottom of this post!

Good for Kidmin Too!

Another great way to use this book is in your Children’s Ministry during the down time of the Christmas play practice. If you’re in kidmin, you know this problem all too well. What do you do with the kids who aren’t actively practicing? Or with guests for that matter? You want something that’s going to be engaging, but isn’t going to suck up too much man-power, or require a ton of set-up or clean-up. Truth in Tinsel is a perfect solution! kids will be engaging in the Christmas story, but will also be readily available to practice when their part comes up. Fabulous.

My Favorite Parts

Okay, want to hear my favorite parts about the book? I’ll tell you a few, but I don’t want to give it all away! Of course, I love the fact that each craft has a corresponding Scripture passage or story. I also love the “do more together” feature. This is perfect if you’ve a few extra minutes one day and want to make a really good memory with your kids. I also love that the crafts are designed for the younger set, and there are parts of each ornament that even a toddler can participate in.

Some of my favorite crafts?

Mary and Elizabeth who have pop-dots for their pregnant bellies!
The city of Bethlehem made out of an egg carton.
The temple made out of an old Christmas card
The scented ornament made out of homemade dough.

Does it all seem like too much?

Don’t think you have enough time to do it all? Amanda has a “just the basics” schedule with only 6 of the most important ornaments!

Get Yours Today!

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Impress Your Kids. and snag your copy today! They are currently $4.99 and will be on sale for $2.99 on Black Friday! You’ll be glad you did!

Got Questions:

Check out the FAQ page or contact Amanda through her blog.

Our Adventure

Day One: Jesus is the Light of the World

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Parenting Resource Round-up

By Lindsey | October 30, 2011 | Parents | 1 Comment

Here’s some links to check out!

Trick or Tracker: Where will your kids be this Halloween? Now you can pinpoint their location with this app!
Find a Role Model: There’s nothing like a parent who’s a little further down the road to ease your worried mind!
Getting Started with Family Faith Talks: Movies, outings, and more! Creative ways to bring God into everyday living.
Texting and Risky Behavior: Is there a connection?
Seven Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe on Mobile Devices

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Count to 10 (It’s not what you think!)

By Lindsey | October 25, 2011 | Parents | 2 Comments

I have discovered that’s it’s much harder to discipline my own children than it is to discipline other kids. In fact, I was a terrific parent before I actually had any kids. I had all the answers, displayed superb boundaries, and gave out advice like it was candy.

Now, things are different.

Now I have my own two adorable little bundles of joy, and I find it increasingly more difficult to say “no” to anything. Not a good start to life. As soon as the tears start falling, I am ferociously tempted to give in to whatever boundary I have established and let things slide “just this once”. ”After all”, I reason, “the poor kids is tired. Or perhaps sick. Or nervous.” Or maybe they are just exercising their sinful nature and trying to get their own way.

I think that last one is the most accurate.

At any rate, I’m trying a new technique. It’s called “Counting to Ten”. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?

Usually, this technique is used when someone is trying to control their anger. I’m using to control my tendency to give in. For example, at nap time, I put Abigail (almost 2 years old) in her bed and say it’s time for a nap. She immediately starts crying (usually). In the past, at the first sign of distress, I may have taken her out and rocked or, or put her in my lap, or put her in my bed for a together nap. Now, I count to ten. Usually, by the time I get to ten, she has accepted her fate and, miraculously, laid down and gotten all comfortable for a nap.

That is simply amazing.

I now have begun using this little trick for all kinds of situations, and remarkably, it’s quite versatile. I have heard that kids actually WANT boundaries. They want to know that a parent is in charge and it going to establish rules and order. The quick acceptance of whatever discipline or boundary I try to enforce proves this to be true.

So, if you struggle with saying “no” to that cute little face, try counting to ten and see where it gets you!

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