Valentine's Day Newsletter

 
 

BECAUSE JESUS LOVES CHILDREN
I've been signing off with "Because Jesus Loves Children" since my first full-time ministry in 1993, the same year I got married. Every time I was asked "why" in response to something crazy or bold or daring or messy or hysterical or embarrassing or expensive or ambitious or unheard of in my ministry, I usually found myself explaining that the core reason for everything I did was because Jesus loves children. I want to love them with His extravagant love. Everything else aside, it's really why I do what I do. I am so completely convinced that if Jesus was a children's pastor today He too might use messy object lessons or silly puppets instead of figs or wine or dead fish. But more importantly, I know whatever He did, it would be motivated by a deep love for children. So during this month when love is celebrated, ask God to show you a messy or zany or different way to show the kids you love them. And if anyone asks you why you did it, well, you know the answer.

Because Jesus Loves Children,
Karl D. Bastian - a.k.a. "The Kidologist"

 

"I LOVE KIDOLOGY" MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL
Friends Don't Let Friends Do Ministry Without Kidology.org! During the month of February, refer a friend to Kidology.org and get 3 months FREE added to your Kidology Membership! If you love your friends... and love Kidology... then do your part to bring them together!

» Learn more about this February special!

KID'S CHURCH LESSON: SUPER LOVE FOR OUR SUPER HERO
"There is a lot of confusion about the meaning of love," explains Kidology contributor Ryan Frank. "Some kids think of love as mushy stuff between a boy and a girl. Love is more than that." This Kid's Church Lesson teaches that love is putting others before yourself.

» Check out the full Kid's Church Lesson

Kidology Kid's Church Lessons are exclusive to Professional and Group Members.
Want to access these lessons and more? Upgrade today!

HEART IMPROVEMENT KIDS' CHURCH UNIT
The Heart Improvement Kids' Church Unit, written by Karl Bastian, includes 8 lessons and teaches children that Christianity is not just for Sunday. The included Teaching Guide features detailed lesson plans, "This Old Heart" skits for each lesson, Bible stories, memory verses, review questions, and more! Available for immediate download!

» Only $25 for Kidology members

AT THE HEART OF IT
From the Kidology CM BlogWatch: "At the heart of everything in CM, nothing matters more than the heart of a volunteer... If volunteers don't show on a Sunday... we are lost! They are the lifeblood of the ministry, the heart & soul of how Sundays happen."

» Read the full blog post and add your comments

OBJECT LESSON: 3 HEARTS, 1 LOVE
"Because our heart is wicked, Jesus changes our hearts," explains Kidology contributor Paul DeYoung. "The purpose of this object lesson is to visualize that our hearts are yucky and empty without Jesus." First, you'll need to purchase 3 candy heart boxes...

» Learn how to prepare this lesson

VALENTINE'S DAY BACKGROUND GRAPHICS
Need some Valentine's Day-inspired background graphics for use in your church? The Love Mini-Collection from Worship Photos is an exceptional collection of 34 creative original backgrounds that you can use with Microsoft PowerPoint or other presentation software. Available for immediate download!

» Kidology members save $2!

DEALING WITH BROKEN HEARTS IN MINISTRY
"How do you keep your heart from breaking as you watch the ones you've worked with for years slowly become engulfed by the world?" asks Kidology Network Forums member dgerlitz. "I've seen so many of the children 'love the Lord' and 'give their hearts' at a young age... only to apparently 'turn from the faith' as young adults. It's breaking my heart..."

» What are your thoughts? Join the discussion

MEET PINK CAMO
Who said you can't blend in and be fashionable at the same time? Get your hands on the Pink Camo design... part of the Speed Stacks Premium Collection. What better way to stack fast while also adding that feminine touch. Now available in the Kidology Store! Includes nylon bag and training DVD.

» Spend some time with Pink Camo!

THE STEADFAST ACTION FIGURE
"Written for Valentine's Day, this skit discusses what toys do after everyone leaves a toy store," notes Kidology contributors James & Karen Williams. "However, it also teaches about abstinence, done in a very innocent way... there is nothing sexual or romantic in this skit."

» Take a look at this skit!

GUARD YOUR HEART GAME
Karl Bastian shares an ideal group game you can use to teach about true happiness, Guard Your Heart. Great for Valentine's Day! First, you will need to give each child a paper heart with their name on it. Then, help them to place it in the middle of their back with masking tape...

» Get the rest of the directions...

VALENTINE'S DAY ZONE
February 14 is next week, so it might be a good time to check out Kidology's Valentine's Day Zone for some great teaching ideas. And hey, if you have a great idea for the holiday, why not submit it and share it with everyone else? We would "love" it if you had the "heart" to do so!

» Visit the Valentine's Day Zone

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