Kidologists Zone

A video Karl made for introducing the ZOOM Series from GO! Curriculum at his church. Used for talking about Zooming in and out over the Bible - the different between topical overview and digging in close to the details.

As shared on Kidmin Talk #99, this is the recruiting flyer I made for my church. And, YES! You can use it too!

This is an Object Talk Video created by Karl Bastian that teaches and illustrates the importance of listening carefully to God. Features the Bop-It electronic game.

This is an Object Talk Video created by Karl Bastian that teaches and illustrates what it means to be Free from the bondage of sin.

This is an Object Talk Video created by Karl Bastian to teach about what it means to Magnify the Lord. Features several fun magnifying tools.  

Here is everything you need to hold a Teen Training Volunteer Session to inspire, instruct and instill confidence in your youth volunteers.

A fun game that takes an ordinary daily chore (brushing your teeth) and provide a spiritual application on obeying God's Word.

Help children understand how, in a church, everyone needs to find out what their spiritual gift is and use it together with others in the Body of Christ.

This opening lesson activity helps to illustrate that while we have many things that make us different... there are some things we can all agree on.  

I love Minecraft. I play it with my son and other kids. It also teaches me things about children's ministry.

While we may have valid concerns to many of the practices associated with inviting children to receive Jesus into their hearts, Jesus' imperative to bring kids to him must be a priority for children's ministry.

Many churches today use a Large Group / Small Group format. For small group leaders, here are FIVE TIPS to make your time as effective as possible.

For any 5th Sunday, use the Bible-O-Rama Super Sunday, including several fun games that help kids review the Books of the Bible.

A bunch of kids accept Christ on Sunday - how do you follow up with them? In this post Karl shares the letters he sends out to both kids and parents. You are welcome to edit and adapt.

Webster's Dictionary defines memorizing as "committing (something) to memory," or "learning (something)by heart." Use this simple game to introduce a time of Scripture memory or show children the importance of memorizing Scripture.

Kids will learn how spiritual gifts by themselves are incomplete and missing something. They are designed to  fit together within the church and the Kingdom of God around the world.

A fun way to spark interest in the Bible or review Bible books.

This is an overview of the GOD'S TEAM series with links to all the lessons.  

Some Thanksgiving themed jokes to help with your teaching, skits or puppet routines.

This is a super fun idea to teach on how amazing the Bible is by using a very fun introduction of creating a "mad libs" Bible story. It is funny, but has a teaching point on how God's Word came to be and what it means to be "inspired" by God.

This is a sample lesson from the Awesome Adventure Children's Discipleship Series. If you have 3D glasses, you can view the awesome background! This lesson introduces children to the character of God and the trinity.

Originally published in Children's Ministry Magazine Professional Edition, Karl Bastian shares insights on how to deal with criticism in leadership.  

Easter lesson by Karl Bastian & Stanley Mearse exploring the fulfilled prophesies that prove Jesus IS the Messiah.

A Rubik's Cube that explains the Gospel message!  

Karl reveals one of his favorite methods of telling this popular story, but pulling TONS of Big Macs and Apple Pies out of a single bag!  

Using balloon sculting as an illustration, Karl presents four steps to being filled with the Holy Spirit: Thristing, Repenting, Trusting and Obeying.  

Two gloves are out for some spiritual climbing, but it seems only one is a true disciple who is holding on to the Truth! Based on John 8:31-32      

The Trinity is one of the most difficult to understand concepts of the Christian Faith. Professor Lufrednow Lrak reviews some of the traditional illustrations for understanding the Trinity as well as why all such illustrations fall short. Using props, magic and even a humidifier the Professor helps kids understand what the Trinity is and is not!  

NoDuh the Wise One is back, this time with some insight on what it means to walk in the Light and why we should never choose the Darkness.  

Educators have long called it a Scope and Sequence. Every thoughtful Bible curriculum has one. If it doesn’t, you might want to re-evaluate the quality of the material or the intentionality of its creators. If there is no scope and sequence, then it is a haphazard approach to education, and that is dangerous.

If you minister to kids you have a powerful opportunity to impact lives in dramatic ways, and the small amount of effort it takes may surprise you.

I think because New Year’s Resolutions often don’t last or are forgotten after several months, some people give up even making them. Others even encourage people not to for this very reason. I disagree. I think they are fantastic!

Download Karl's Galactic Christmas Carol Muppet Parody, available only to All Access Members.

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. Includes 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.