KidsBibleClub

Reaching Kids in Your Community ............................................................................................... 2 Off to a Good Start.......................................................................................................................... 3 Launching Your KBC ..................................................................................................................... 4 The Five Ss .................................................................................................................................... 5 Equipment ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Practical Matters ............................................................................................................................. 7 Steering your Kids Bible Club....................................................................................................... 8 Leading a Kids Bible Club ............................................................................................................ 9 Before and after Kids Bible Club ................................................................................................ 10 Making it Your Own..................................................................................................................... 11 Teaching Resources ...................................................................................................................... 12

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KidsBibleClubTraining
ReachingKidsinYourCommunity
Matthew18:16AtthattimethedisciplescametoJesusandasked,Whoisthegreatestinthe kingdomofheaven?Hecalledalittlechildandhadhimstandamongthem.Andhesaid,Itellyouthe truth,unlessyouchangeandbecomelikelittlechildren,youwillneverenterthekingdomofheaven. Therefore,whoeverhumbleshimselflikethischildisthegreatestinthekingdomofheaven.And whoeverwelcomesalittlechildlikethisinmynamewelcomesme. Thewesternworldisquicklybecominglikemanyunreachedpeoplegroupsaroundtheworld.Kids aregrowingupwithlittleornounderstandingofwhoGodisorthepricethatJesuspaidforthem onthecross. Youngpeoplearematuringfasterthaneverbefore;theyarebeingexposedtoadultinformationand experiencesatamuchyoungerage.Manyyoungchildrenareexposedtounstablefamilysituations, inappropriatesexualbehavior,violence,sex,drugsetctheyhavetomakeadultlifedecisions whiletheyarestillyoung.Ourcitiesarefullofthesekids. Theresponseatthealtarshowsthatthosewhoaresearchingfortrutharebetween6and18years old,withthegreatestresponsefromthosebetween9and14yearsofage. Whoisgoingtoreachthemifwedontriseuptotheoccasion?Ifwedontreachthisyounger generationnow,wefaceadismalfuture.Considerthis,arewereallywelcomingtheminJesus namebyspendingonly3%ofourchurchresourcesonchildren?Childrenmayhavebeenthelow prioritytothechurch,buttoJesustheyhavealwaysbeenthehighestpriority.ThisiswhyKids BibleClubsaresuchanimportantadditiontoourcommunities.Letsexplorewhatthiscouldlook likeinyourneighborhood!

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OfftoaGoodStart
Study,prayer,andpartnership
First,studythedemographicsofyourcommunity

Population Howmanyschools Howmanyclubsarerunninginyourschoolsorneighborhood Howmanyworkingmoms/singlemoms Whatisthefeltneedinyourtargetarea

Thefoundationofprayer
1. PrayforGodshearttowardsyourcommunityandthechildreninit 2. Prayforspiritualinsightandunderstandingofhowtomosteffectivelyreachyour community 3. ThankGodforfavorwiththeparentsandfamiliesofyourcommunity 4. PrayspecificallywhatyourKBCshouldcoverintheBible 5. Prayforthekidsandtheirfamiliesasyougettoknowthemindividually

FindaPartner
IfpossibleteamupwithafriendandhostyourKBCtogether.ThebiblicalprinciplethatJesusused insendingouthisdisciplesinpairstoministeristhesametoday.Thereisstrengthandwisdomin numbers. Youcanpray,planandworktogether.Youcanencourageeachothertokeepgoingduringthe challengingtimesandrejoicetogetherduringthegoodtimes.Whenoneofyouhastobeoutof town,theothercancontinuetheweeklymeetings. Itishighlyrecommendedthatyoufindapartnerinyourneighborhoodorfromadifferentchurch. IfyouplanonstartingaKBCinaschool,itwouldbegoodtofindseveralChristianparentsfrom differentchurcheswhowanttoworktogether. Ifyoucantfindapartnertoworkwithasksomeonetopartnerwithyouinprayer.Maybeaclose friendorrelativecouldspirituallyliftyouup.Letyourpastorandotherchurchmembersknow whatyouaredoing.Yourchurchcouldbeagreatspiritualsupportinprayer.

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LaunchingYourKBC
WithDifferentMechanisms
Ifwewanttoreachthechildreninourcommunities,weneedtogowheretheyareandnotexpect themtocometoourchurches.Manychildrendontknowwhatchurchesareaboutsincetheyare notChristiansyet.Jesuswentwherethepeoplewereandrelatedtotheminalanguagethatthey understood.Weneedtofindoutwhatthechildrenrelatetoandspeakontheirlevelinsteadof Christianterminology. ThemostefficientwaytolaunchaKBCistoholdaspecialeventliketheImpactWorldTour,a VacationBibleSchoolorBackyardBibleClub.Thegospelmessageneedstocomeacross;wedont wanttohidethefactthatweareChristians.Thebestplacetoholditisinaneutralplacelikea schoolhall,communityhallorinaparkiftheweatherisgood.Ourexperiencehasshownthatifitis heldinachurchbuilding,manyparentswillhavesomeconcernsorwillnotallowtheirchildrento gobecausetheythinktheywillbecomereligious.Atthiseventtheinvitationforthenewclubwill begivenout.Thestartoftheclubshouldbethenextweekandnolongerthantwo,otherwisethe kidswillforgetaboutit.

UsingImpactWorldTour
IftheImpactWorldTour(IWT)iscomingtoyourtownyouhaveagreatopportunitytostartaKBC. Youandyourchildrencaninviteotherkidstocomefromthecommunity.Oncetheyrespondtothe altarcall(manydo)youhavethebeginningsofyourKBC. RememberthatyourKBCmaybetheonlyplaceortimeeachweekthatchildreninyourcommunity arehearingtheWordofGod.YourKBCliterallybecomestheirspirituallifeline.Youarediscipling themintheWordofGodanddemonstratingtothemwhatitmeanstofollowJesus.Whatan awesomeresponsibility!

UsingaVacationBibleSchool
IfyourchurchissponsoringaVacationBibleSchoolthatisalsoagreattimetostartaKidsBible Club.Invitekidsinyourneighborhoodalong,andthenastheyexpressinterestinlearningmore,or respondtotheGospelduringVBS,youllhavethestartofyourKBC.DuringtheVBS,youcan advertiseandemphasizetheKBCasawaytogrowasaChristianandcontinuethefunthroughout theyear.

UsingaBackyardBibleClub
IfyoudonthaveaccesstoaVacationBibleSchoolorIWT,ifyouwouldliketostartaKBCat anothertimeofyear,orifyoujustwanttobringtheGospelandthefuntoyourownneighborhood, tryusingaBackyardBibleClub(BBC).SimilarinsetuptoaVacationBibleSchool,aBBCusuallyhas minimalcosttothesponsorsandtherearelotsofmaterialsavailabletoyouforcurriculumand activityideasthroughyourlocalChristianbookstore. PublicizetheBBCthroughyourownkids,withflyersandinvitationsinyourneighborhood.When kidsshowinterestinlearningmore,orrespondtotheGospel,youcanidentifythestartofyour KBC.AswithaVacationBibleSchool,youcanbuildexcitementduringtheBackyardBibleClubfor theKBC.

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TheFiveSs
BuildingaSuccessfulKidsBibleClub
AfteryouvefiguredouthowyouwillgetyourcoregroupofkidsfortheKBC,youllneedtobesure tohaveagameplanforit.Therearecertaincomponentsthatarenecessarytoincludewhen planningyourKBC.Thesewillhelpyoumakethemostofyourtime,sticktoyourpurposeof disciplingthekidsandmakeitfun.

Schedule
WhenchoosingadayforyourKBC,firstcheckwiththekidssportsschedules,etc.Itisadvisableto startimmediatelyafterschoolandfinishby5:00,inplentyoftimefordinnerandotherevening events.Saturdaymorningsareagoodtimetoo. WeeklyMeetingSchedule(Sample) 3:303:50Snackanddrink 3:504:25kidsreadscriptures,Bibleobjectlesson/skit/orvideo 4:254:30prayer 4:305:00outdoorsport/game/craft

Snacks
Agoodkidssnackanddrinkisamust(cookies,fruitsalad,icecream,pizza,popcorn,lemonade, etc.).Accordingtothesizeandtypeofthegroupyoucangiveitatthebeginningortheendofthe program.

Storytime
ThestorytimeshouldbeaneasilyunderstoodandinterestingBiblelesson,designedtocapture theirattention.Itcanbeintheformofanobjectlesson,skit,puppets,picturesorvideos.Keeping thekidsinvolvedwithasmuchhandsonlearningaspossibleisessential.Kidshaveshort attentionspans.Ifyoustandupandpreachyouwilllosetheminaminute.Butmostimportant istheheartthatyouputintoit.Ifthekidsseethatyouarenotenjoyingitornotputtingtheeffort, thentheywonteither. AnotherthingtokeeponhandisBiblesavailableforeveryone.Askthemtolookupatleastone scripturetogetthemfamiliarwiththeirBibles.Remember,thefirst612weeksafteraBBCorthe ImpactWorldTourshouldbespentteachingbasicfoundationaltruthsintheBible.Inoneofthe KBCstheleadersintroducedthekidstothelifeofChristthroughtheVisualBiblesMatthewvideos.

Supplication/SmallGroups
DependingonthesizeofyourKBCyoucaneitherprayasawholegroupordividethemafterthe storytimeintosmallgroupsandprayattheendofthattime. Ifyouhavesmallgroupsmakesurethesameleaderisthereeveryweekwiththesamegroup.Use thingslikedifferentcolorednametagsforeachgrouptomakethekidsfeelconnectedtoeachother andtheleaderanduseaquestionasanicebreaker.E.g.:Whatwasyourmostenjoyableexperience thisweek? Haveaspecialtimetopraytogetherforeachoneofthem(struggles,afriend,family,schooletc.). Encouragethekidsthemselvestoleadoutinprayer.

KidsClub|Training Sports
Kidslovecompetition,especiallyagainsttheirfriendsandotherpeers.Everythingwithinthem wantstowin.Thisisanopportunitytopromoteteamworkandfairplay,whichismoreimportant thanwinning. Youoranolderteencanoverseethechosensportorgame(basketball,kickball,volleyball,soccer, etc.)WhenweatherdoesnotpermitorifyourKBCisnotsportminded,youcantryBibletriviaor evencraftprojects.PlanactivitiesaccordingtowhatfitsthekidsinyourKBC.

Equipment
Beingprepared

Ipraiseyou,Father,Lordofheavenofandearth,becauseyouhavehiddenthesethingsfromthewise andlearnedandrevealedthemtolittlechildren.Yes,Father,forthiswasyourgoodpleasure. Matthew11:2526

Aswithanyendeavor,youshouldcountthecostbeforeyoubeginandbeprepared!Theequipment youllneedisminimal,andoftenyoucanborrowthethings,whichyouneed.Churchesand Christianfriendscanbeabighelpinprovidingthematerialsyouneed.

Biblesforeveryone(paperbackNewTestament)
ItisveryimportantthatkidsstarttogetfamiliarwiththeBible.Everyweek,theywilleachlookupat leastonescriptureandreaditaloud.Infact,theyareupsetiftheydontgetachancetoreadverses outloud.IfyourkidscametoChristatIWT,theywouldhavebeengivenaBibleatthecampaign. HavingBiblesavailableforthemiseasierthanaskingthemtobringone.Kidsseemtoforget!

Sportsequipment
Itwouldbehelpfultohaveanassortmentofbasketballs,kickballs,volleyballsandsoccerballs availableforwhateversportyoudecidetoplay.YoumayhaveyourownfavoritesportthattheKids liketoplay.

Videos
Someofthevideos,usedinKBCwereborrowedfromchurchesorfriends.Otherswerepurchased forthepurposeofusingitlongterm(seethelistattheendofthismanual).

WhiteboardandMarkers
Awhiteboardishelpfulinsomeoftheteachingtimes.

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PracticalMatters
TipsandideasforyourKBC
Makeitfun! Keepitsimple
Ifyoustartplanningelaboratelessonsandbakingtimeconsumingdesserts,youwillburnyourself outandeventuallytalkyourselfoutofyourKBC.Youarealreadyabusyperson;sodontputany unnecessaryburdensonyourself.

Usevideos
Itisokaytousevideosbecausewearelivinginavideogeneration.Ifyouareabusymomanddont haveanyoneelsetohelpyou(ordonotfeelcreativeinministeringtokids),theyarealifesaver! Theremightalsobegreatonesoutthere.Ifyoucantaffordtobuyallthosevideos,findagood churchlibrarythatwouldlendyousome.WehaveevenfoundsomeChristianchildrensvideosin thepubliclibrary.Christianfriends,andfamiliesinyourchurchcanalsobeagreatresourcefor videos.

Involveyourownkids
Yourkidscanbetheoneswhocangodoortodoorhandingoutflyersandinvitingkids.Theycan prayforthekids,helppreparesnacksandgetreadyfortheclubtocomeover.ATeenagercould organizeandoverseethesportsandgametime.Whatagreatwaytomobilizetheyouth.

Keepitsmall
Aneffective,manageablesizeforaKBCathomeis1012.Afterthatitmayjustbecomemanaged chaos.Whenitgetstoolarge,seeifyoucanhelpsomeoneelseinyourneighborhoodstartaKBCin theirhome. IfyouarehavingaKBCintheschoolyouneedtomakesuretohaveenoughpeopleleadingthe smallgroupstokeeptheatmosphereofbelonging.

Focusonelementaryage
Youcanmakeexceptions,butitgetsmorechallengingtoteachawideagerange.Itispossibleto havefewjuniorhighkids,butyouwillneedtodecideonacasebycasebasis.

Prizes
Specialtreatsorprizesalwaysaddanincentiveforgroupinvolvementandgoodbehavioraswellas addingsomethingextraforthechildren.

Rules
Youcanmakeyourownrulesasusingthelettersfromyourclubname.E.g.: CCareaboutyourneighbor.Dontbeaspaceinvader OObeyyourleadersanddontinterrupt OOnlymoveifyouhavepermission LLetsworktogetherandbewinners

KidsClub|Training Testimonies
Kidslovetohearstoriesandexperiencesfromtheirleaders,olderteensorsomebodyfromyour church.YoucanalsogetsomefromtheInternet.Testimoniesofeverydayexperiences temptation,answerofprayers,listeningtoGodsvoicehelpthekidstoseethatbeingaChristianis excitingandalifestyle(idea:Conversation/interviewstyleismoreinteractiveandleadseasierto thepoint).

Birthdays
Neverforgetabirthday!Thisspeaksvaluetothechildsidentity.Forsomeofthemitmaybethe firsttimetogetacakewithcandlesandagift.Thiscouldbeanunforgettableexperiencetothem (nobiggiftsneeded).

OpenClubDay
Onceatermhaveanopenclub.Thisisthedaywhentheparentsareinvitedtoobserveand participateintheactivitieswiththechildren.Thisalsoservesasabridgetobuildrelationshipwith theparentsandtogettoknowthembetter.

SteeringyourKidsBibleClub
Whatnottodo
Dontstray.
SticktothebasicfoundationaltruthsinGodsword.Dontgooffoncontroversialdoctrine,issuesof minorimportance,etc.

Dontallowdisruptions.
Dontallowoneortwounrulykidstoruintheatmosphere.Givethemawarningandthen graciouslyaskthemtoleave.Alwaysmakesuretoletthemknowthattheyarewelcomebacknext week.

Dontgiveuptooquickly.
DontabandontheKBCoranyparticularchildtoosoon.Workingwithkidstakesperseveranceand ifyoudopersevereyouwillseeresults.Youcanmakealastingchangeinachildslife.Howexciting isthat!

YouneedtoperseveresothatwhenyouhavedonethewillofGod,youwillreceivewhathehas promised.Hebrews10:36

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LeadingaKidsBibleClub
Thequalificationstolead
ThenlittlechildrenwerebroughttoJesusforhimtoplacehishandsonthemandprayforthem. Butthedisciplesrebukedthosewhobroughtthem.Jesussaid,Letthelittlechildrencometome,and donothinderthemforthekingdomofheavenbelongstosuchasthese.Whenhehadplacedhis handsonthem,hewentonfromthere.Matthew19:1314

Soyourethinking,Thisallsoundsgreat,butcanIreallydothis?!WhoshouldleadaKBC?Ifyou canansweryestoanyofthethreefollowingquestions,thenyoucanleadaKBC! 1. DoyoulovetheLordandwanttoseepeoplecometoChrist? 2. Doyouwanttoseethespiritualatmosphereofyourcommunitychange? 3. AreyouaparentwhowantstoteachyourchildrenhowtowinkidstoChristandtodisciple them? OneofthekeyadvantagestoaKidsBibleClubisthatitcanworkwithyourscheduleandtheneeds ofyourneighborhoodorcommunity.Thismakesitidealfor: Stayathomemoms Homeschoolmoms Workingparents Grandparents SomepeopleaskhowaworkingmomcanstartaKidsBibleClubintheirhome.Theremaybe marriedcouplesthatwanttodoittogetherafterworkinghours.TryhavingyourKBConaweekday eveningorSaturdaymorning.Pickatimethatworksbestforyouandforthekidsinyour community.

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BeforeandafterKidsBibleClub
Changesweveseeninourneighborhood
TestimonyfromKarenAnderson,KBCleaderinLeesSummit,Missouri:
Ministrytokids!ThatwasthelastthoughtIwantedtoentermymind.Asahomeschoolingmom ofsix,kidsweresomethingIneededabreakfromnotmoreof.YetIjustcouldnterasethose thoughtsthatkeptcomingtomymindthatfirsthotsteamyMissourisummer.WastheLordputting thispromptinginmyheart? Thatfirstsummerwasalongone.Withconstantdoorbellringing,ourhomeseemedtobethe centerhubofactivityforourneighborhood.Ievenstartedresentingthoselittlefacesconstantly paradingtoourdoorstep.RememberLord,Iwouldtellhim,Ineedabreakfromkids.Myhusband travelsaroundtheglobetospreadthegospel.Ihaveatoughjobworkingalongsidehimandraising thesekids.Ihomeschoolanddonthavetimetobearoundmorekidseveryday.Iamnotcalledtokids ministry.MylistofexcusesswirledaroundmymindasIresistedwhattheLordwasputtingonmy heart. Ittookawholeyearbeforemyheartstartedtosoften.Iamnotsurewhatexactlybrokemefirst.It mighthavebeenlittlekidsinoursuburbanneighborhoodcallingeachothertheFword.Oritmay havebeenafterseveralintensefistfightsinourbackyard.Istartedtorealizethatsomeofthese kidsdontgetachancetogotochurchorSundaySchool.SomecomehomeandwatchJerry Springerafterschool.Therejusthadtobesomepositivealternativesforthesekidswhoseemedto havesomuchtimeontheirhands. Evenourthen9yearolddaughterKirstensheartwasbeingtouched.Onesunny,hotsummer afternoon,Kirstenburstintoourdoorsobbing.CollapsinginmyarmsIaskedher,Whatswrong? Areyouhurt?Didsomeonedosomethingtoyou?Inbetweensobsshesaid,Ivebeenthinkingabout thepeoplewhodontknowJesusandthepoorandthosewhodonthavehomes.Whoisgoingtohelp them?ItseemedGodwasstirringnotjustmetoreachoutmore,butourownchildren. ThatsamesummerIwaswatchingthroughourfrontwindowwhileKirstenwastalkingtotwoof thetoughestkidsintheneighborhoodonourfrontstep.Afterafewminutestheybothwalkedaway withadollarbillintheirhands.AfteraskingKirstenwhyshegavethemeachadollar(ofherown money)sheexplainedtomethatbecausetheyneverlistentohertellthemaboutJesusthattheonly wayshecouldkeepthemstillandattentivelongenoughistopaythem!Iguessthatsonewayto evangelize! Theideasstartedtoflow.SummerbackyardBibleClubwithBibleobjectlessons,snacks,water games,andsports.AneighborhoodafterschoolBibleClub,aplacewherekidscouldcomeandhear andbeintroducedtoJesus.Videos,Biblelessons,snacks,gamesandoutdoorsports.Isharedmy visionwithmyneighborCindyHillandshecaughtit.TodayweteamuptogethereveryWednesday afternoonandinthesummertohostourneighborhoodBibleClub.HersixteenyearoldsonRyanis ourSportsDirector.

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KidsClub|Training
Wehavenoticedachangeinthespiritualenvironmentinourneighborhoodforthebetter.Thereis lessswearingbythekids.Therehasntbeenafistfightforquiteawhileeither.Ourneighborhoodis notperfect,butthereisagreatersenseofunderstandingrightfromwrong.Whenkidsdomess up,weareabletospeakintotheirlivesandbringcorrection. Wehavealsobeenabletodeveloprelationshipswiththeparents.Theirkidsgiveussomethingto talktothemabout.Manyparentsareveryappreciativeforthetimeyouinvestintotheirkids.Also becauseofthetrustthathasdeveloped,theparentsallowustotakethemtochurcheventsand evensummerBiblecamp. HostinganeighborhoodBibleclubcanbechallenging,butyetsorewardingasyouseekidsreceive theloveofGodanddevelophealthyrelationshipsintheneighborhood.Weareabletoencourage positivecharactergrowthandrespecttotheirauthorities,includingtheirparents. TheloveofGodandthetruthofHiswordareworkinginourneighborhood.NowwhenIaskmyself isitworththe1hoursofmytimeeachweekandbakingaplateofchocolatechipcookiesto touchkidswiththeloveofGod,myanswerisaresoundingYes! KarenworkswithherhusbandMark,whoistheInternationalDirectorofImpactWorldTour,a ministryofYouthWithAMission.ImpactWorldTourusescuttingedgemethodsofsports,extreme sports,artsanddancetopresenttheGospelon5continentsaroundtheworld.

MakingitYourOwn
BetheKBCGodhascalledyoutobe
Nomatterwhatnationality,race,oreconomicbackground,allkidshavethesamespiritualneed thatistoknowJesusChristastheirSaviorandLord.WerecognizethatinyourBibleclubyoumay wanttodothingsdifferentlythenassuggested.Youmaywanttoaddmorecomponentstobe relevanttotheparticularneedsofthekidsinyourcommunity.Feelfreetoaddyourownflavorto it! OurvisionistoseeamovementinAmericawhereChristianfamilieswilllookattheirown neighborhoodsasamissionfieldandreachouttothemillionsoflostkidsinournation.Thereare kidsthathavehadlittleornoBibleteaching,butwouldhaveanopportunityiftherewasaKids BibleClubintheirownneighborhoodorintheirschool.Ournationneedsit!

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TeachingResources
Helpfulaidsandcontactinformation
VisualBiblesMatthewandActsvideos
ThevideosareavailableatChristianbookstoresandofferedatadiscountpricethroughthemail orderChristianBookDistributors(CBD).Youcanalsopurchasethemonlinefor$13each: http://www.ibs.org/bibles/video/index.php

WillieGeorgeMinistrymaterialsandvideos
SomeKBCkidsespeciallylovethewesternseriesofBillGunter.(CimarronTrail)Call:1800888 7856.OravailableonlineasDVDsetsfor$80: https://www.churchonthemove.com/store/index.html

TheWWJDOneYearDevotionalBook
TherearemanyhandsonobjectlessonsandstoriesdesignedforawiderangeoftopicsintheBible. Itisveryeasytouseandrelevanttotheissueskidsface.Multnomahisthepublisheranditis availableatyourChristianbookstoreoratAmazonforca.$10: http://www.amazon.com/WWJDTodaydailydevotionsyouth/dp/0805416889

JesusFreaks
SomeKBCleadershavereadthekidsreallifestoriesofpersecutedChristiansfromaroundthe world.VoiceoftheMartyrspublishedtheJesusFreaksbook.ItisavailableinyourChristian bookstore.

Helpfulwebsitestocheckout

http://discipleshipideas.com Greatforchildren.Notforfree,butlowcost:LessonsinPDFfilesfor$5.99(Power Point):http://www.metroministries.org www.thesource4ym.com http://children.calvarychapel.com/site/curriculum.htm Kid'sSundaySchoolPlaceisagreatresourceforChildren'sministryworkers.And, they'vejuststartedprovidingsomeresourcesinSpanish.Therearemanyfree resources,andagoodnumberofresourcesformembers(tohelpcovercosts).Thesite providesSundayschoollessons,crafts,objectlessons,stories,skits,games,songs& mountainofotherfunactivities. http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Preschool/index.php http://www.zonderkidz.com http://www.answersingenesis.org Goodmaterials,butwithacost:http://www.onewaystreet.com ForKids:www.duggiedugdug.co.uk

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