• Do your children bring their Bibles to church?
• Do your children USE their Bibles at church?
• Are Bibles needed by your children during your programs?

These questions are meant to stimulate thought, not guilt - though my asking gives away a serious concern I have with what I would call the growing "Bibleless Trend" in children's ministry. I consider teaching with and out of a Bible to be the FUNDAMENTAL BASIS of my time with kids. I use puppets, object lessons, media clips, illusions, and other tools to creatively teach and engage children, but never as a replacement or substitute for using a Bible. Only the Bible has God's promise of effectiveness. And yet, the Bible is a rare object in perhaps most children's ministries today. This is a tragedy!

I don't care about the attractiveness of your ministry facility, the innovation in your programs, or how creatively you teach - if you are neglecting to show kids the value of God's Word by example (teaching with and from it) you are teaching them a lesson: that the Bible really isn't that important.

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

BIBLELESS TREND?
From DiscipleBlog.com: "I travel to many churches as a guest speaker or trainer and am very often stunned by how little need there is for Bibles in most children's ministries. I consider teaching with and out of a Bible to be the FUNDAMENTAL BASIS of my instruction with kids."

» DiscipleBlog.com: Read the blog post
» Discuss in the Kidology Forums

MOVIE REVIEW: THE INCREDIBLE HULK
"Was this The Incredible Hulk or was it not?" asks Kidology CP Team member Darlene R. Kelley in her movie review. "If there ever was an extreme makeover for a film, this 2008 version of the franchise qualifies as such – not only a new cast, but also a completely different spin on the Hulk that we have known in years past."

"There was no surprise that this movie was filled with a ton of violence, and in my opinion way too much for young children. However, The Incredible Hulk is filled with many teachable themes."

As with all Kidology movie reviews, we provide children's ministry-oriented teaching tools such as an overview, areas of concern, teachable themes with scripture, and discussion questions.

» Read the Review
» Discuss the Film in the Forums!

Also of interest:
» Game: The Hulk & God's Power
» Movie Review: The Hulk (2003 version)

GOT YOUR COPY OF THE KIDOLOGY HANDBOOK?
For over ten years, The Kidology Handbook has been a blueprint for an effective teaching ministry. Learn the Kidology Method of relational ministry, in addition to insightful instruction on preparing & teaching lessons, sharing the Gospel, shepherding kids, classroom discipline, and more.

Print The Kidology Handbook to read... PLUS, fill your need for on-the-go training by listening to the audiobook version of this publication. Either way, you get a complete self-study course for those who teach children.

» Order your copy today!

HUNG OUT TO DRY?
Kidology Network Forums member nacckidszone shares: "I was reading about another Kidology member being called 'the Antichrist' in a previous post, which prompted me to recall my own fond memories of being accused by parents of 'leading children to hell.'

What decisions you've been "hung out to dry" for? It's soooo good to know that we're not alone!"

» C'mon, you know you want to join this conversation!

MOVIE REVIEW: KUNG FU PANDA
"Nobody believes in Po, the overweight panda... and anticipated Dragon Warrior. He is rejected by the other Masters and treated as inferior, insignificant, and worthless," explains Kidology CP Team member Spencer Click in his movie review of Kung Fu Panda.

Po is an unlikely hero and reflects 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people..." Throughout the movie, everyone else learns to see more than what is on the surface.

As with all Kidology movie reviews, we provide children's ministry-oriented teaching tools such as an overview, areas of concern, teachable themes with scripture, and discussion questions.

» Read the Review
» Discuss the Film in the Forums!

ONLINE TRAINING LAB #4: "Partnering with Parents "
Have you picked up the 4th installment of Kidology Online Training yet? This Special Edition Leadership Lab, titled Partnering with Parents, is our LARGEST LAB to DATE, packed with great training materials and tons of bonus features!

If the very thought of 'family ministry' and 'partnering with parents' stirs up feelings of failure and discouragement, maybe it's time to change the way you think about ministering to kids and parents! In this Leadership Lab, Karl Bastian offers a fresh approach that will both challenge and energize, offering a unique perspective on the topic.

Purchase the accompanying Leadership Lab Download Kit for the complete training experience!

» Start "Partnering with Parents" course online
» Continue with the Leadership Lab Download Kit

Kidology Online Training is exclusive to Professional and Group Members.
Want to access free online training videos and more? Upgrade today!

KID U CHICAGO: VOLUNTEER WORKSHOPS
Volunteer-Focused Workshops at Kidology University Chicago continue our 10-year tradition of offering a volunteer-based collection of practical training, refreshing encouragement, and access to expert children's ministry resources. It's just a part of the 4-day training conference that takes place October 1-4.

Ideal for both those in leadership of children's ministry as well as those serving on a volunteer basis, Kid U's Volunteer-Focused Workshops match you up with presenters that provide training in areas you can actually use!

Packed into the day are multiple sessions of 50-minute workshops, along with an engaging opening and closing program, complete with quality teaching and lively worship. Oh, and lunch is included!

Presenters for the Volunteer-Focused Workshops include Tim Balogh, Kim Bobb, Dick Crider, Dave & Rennie Garda, Todd Liebenow, Karl Bastian, and more!

Have you registered for Kidology University Chicago yet? What are you waiting for? Never has a conference offered so much for so little cash!

» Learn more about Kid U Volunteer-Focused Workshops
» Register for this conference today!

JULY 4 IS COMING SOON!
Here in the United States, Independence Day is soon approaching (that's July 4). Looking for some creative ideas that tie into a holiday such as this one? Drop by our Patriotic Idea Zone and see what other Kidology users have submitted. Better yet, contribute your own ideas!

» View the Patriotic Ideas Zone
» Network Forums Discussion: Why Patriotism?