Kidologist's Zone

A Thanksgiving lesson by Karl Bastian & Tom Bump that challenges kids to show thanks in creative ways. 

A fun and interactive way to teach on the parable of the talents. This was originally taught in a school chapel on responsibility.  

This is an activity that illustrates in a fun way the difference between a prediction and a prophesy.

A document once thought lost forever in the archives of the Kidologist’s vast children’s ministry vault of hand written resources from before the dawn of the computer has recently been uncovered. Could it reveal a ministry strategy that will revolutionize your ministry today?

Can you draw the church?

This unit is an overview of the Spiritual Disciplines that uses a baseball "team" theme. Features the popular "NoDuh the Wise One" videos by Karl Bastian.

A fun game that illustrates the need to focus to listen to the Holy Spirit over other "voices" in our lives.

A FUN interactive game by Karl Bastian that visually illustrates the eternal impact of sharing your faith. Watch a complete video of the game in action!

A preteen lesson from Karl Bastian featuring David and Goliath and what it means to be an alien in this world! Small Group hand out included.

Karl says "Thanks" while giving a rare glimpse at the history of Kidology.org

Everyone knows Rock, Paper, Scissors - this large group version is a LOT of fun and teaches teamwork, encouragement and the power of prayer!

This is a "Get to Know You" game based on the popular website Pinterest.com. It helps a large group of kids or teens quickly find people with common interests.  

An easy form for getting to know your Middle Schoolers.

Karl Bastian provides some practical tips on engaging and keeping the interest of middle schoolers when teaching. (Bonus: Comes with a sample middle school lesson.)

An evaluation worksheet that can be used to help gain feedback as well as help volunteers evaluate their performance.

I hear it often... "I'm having trouble recruiting." May I be so bold as to suggest your problem isn't recruiting. If you focus on something far more important than recruiting, you'll have all the volunteers you'll ever need. You may even have extras! Read on for the secret to building the largest team in the church!

Karl presents his Biblical Philosophy of Children's Ministry, why you should have one, and a Word doc version so you can modify it for your own ministry use.

A tragedy is happening! The Bible is a rare object in most children's ministries today. What are the steps for action that we need to take?

We do not need to be afraid, because Jesus is our helper in times of need. Use this object lesson to communicate this important truth to children!  

Using a toaster to demonstrate to children that Christians do not need to be afraid of death!

Exciting relay that gets all the kids involved as they work as a team to pass the water.

Originally published in Groups CM Mag Professional Edition, Karl challenges your thinking about church communication from "How can I better get information out?" to "Why aren't they listening?"

Help kids understand how much what we read can shape us through this object lesson.

Here is a simple and fun game you can do at almost any time in your ministry.

Karl answers Greg Baird on what is the ONE THING that is most important aside from his walk with God.

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, made this contribution to the book What Matters Now in Children's Ministry.

Teach kids about repentance in a memorable way through this exciting game. Make your lesson visual and active.

Do you ever feel like your whole ministry is about to come crashing down? This may encourage you...  

Help your kids understand gifts and the impact they make when you receive them at the right time.

Encourage the kids in your ministry to repent from their sins.

Karl Bastian reviews Michelle Anthony's books, Spiritual Parenting and The Big God Story.

Karl talks about ways to Keep It S.I.M.P.L.E. in your ministry when you are starting to feel overwhelmed (Post includes an MP3)

Ideas for communication with leaders and volunteers

Maybe The Hunger Games ought to have been titled Mirror Mirror, since in many ways it mirrors our culture today.

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, reviews a pre-release of the movie October Baby due in theaters March 23, 2012

How do you evaluate kids Bible knowledge? Schools test kids, why not at church? People are often surprised to learn that the Kidologist had quarterly testing in his Sunday School. Here he explains why and how.

Helps the kids see the importance of how they represent the kingdom through a humorous object lesson.

Teach your kids about the consequences of their choices through a fun object lesson using dominoes!

How important is technology to our ministries? How important should it be to the decisions we make?

Encourage missionaries by having your kids write letters to them.

Instructions on how to create a book of all your kids testimonies.

An inspiring story from Karl about at 67 year old that is not making excuses when it comes to ministry.

Fun impromptu acting game that gets your kids outside of their box and thinking creatively.

Learn to turn something boring into something creative, the way disney does.

Have your kids race with this fun relay as they transfer water.

Get your kids praying for each other using this simple activity.

Cup stacking game that applies to help brothers and sisters learn to respect each other.

A visual way to teach your kids what repentance means.

Use this Prediction Illusion to lead kids into a lesson on the prophetic books of the bible.

Show kids that the Bible is many books combined.