September 2019 FUN is a central element of any after-school program. Can you increase student engagement by adding more fun into your small group? In our online leader workshop this month, we shared practical ways to make Bible lessons more fun and interactive for kids. We also discussed some of the following points on why…Continue reading Raising the Fun Factor
Starting Off Strong
The first day of club is like the first day of school: it’s absolutely essential to setting the tone for the year. In our online workshop for leaders earlier this month, we talked about the following tips for starting the year off strong in small groups. 1. Set a positive group culture. A few years…Continue reading Starting Off Strong
Birthday Postcard Templates
Here are two Birthday Postcard Templates you can use for your Kids Club. Click the links below and download the files you want. Edit the second page of the Word document by filling in your church’s return address. Print double sided, preferrably on cardstock. Cut them out and personalize them with a birthday message. Birthday…Continue reading Birthday Postcard Templates …Continue reading Birthday Postcard Templates
Icebreaker BINGO for kids
This is a fun first day of club activity to get kids talking to one another in a small group or large group setting. The activity template can be downloaded and adapted for your club or group, or used as is. Materials: Copies of the Icebreaker Bingo sheet, one per child Pens, pencils or other…Continue reading Icebreaker BINGO for kids
A Guide to Reaching Gen Z
Thanks to Relevant Children’s Ministry for this article on reaching Gen Z, the generation most of us our serving in our Crossroads Kids Clubs. Hope you find some of the insights in this article series helpful! Today is the third installment of “A Guide to Reaching Gen Z.” We are looking at the unique characteristics…Continue reading A Guide to Reaching Gen Z …Continue reading A Guide to Reaching Gen Z
Enhancing Your Cross-Cultural Connections in Ministry
You may not immediately think of your Crossroads ministry as “cross-cultural.” But the reality is that kids in your club and their families most certainly come from a variety of backgrounds, traditions, religions, races and ethnicities. In our diverse modern culture, virtually all ministry is “cross-cultural” and effective connections and relationship building will depend up…Continue reading Enhancing Your Cross-Cultural Connections in Ministry …Continue reading Enhancing Your Cross-Cultural Connections in Ministry
Behavior: Collaborative Problem Solving
Collaborative Problem Solving By Kim Kline, Director of Ministry Development At club, one of our biggest challenges is dealing with difficult behaviors of kids. In our last online workshop for leaders, we discussed this topic and presented some strategies for dealing with difficult behavior, including collaborative problem solving. The idea behind collaborative problem solving is…Continue reading Behavior: Collaborative Problem Solving …Continue reading Behavior: Collaborative Problem Solving
Principles for Managing Difficult Behavior
February 2018 This month, our leaders engaged in an online workshop on dealing with difficult behaviors in club. Check out some of the content from that discussion below. If you missed it, check our events page for upcoming online workshops. Here are some key principles we for managing difficult behaviors in club: Remind When a…Continue reading Principles for Managing Difficult Behavior …Continue reading Principles for Managing Difficult Behavior
Teaching Kids to Pray
Teaching Kids to Pray In your small group, you may find that kids have a variety of perspectives on prayer. Some may have learned about prayer from their family or a church setting or Crossroads. Others may have no experience whatsoever with praying. Teaching kids to talk to God and hear from him is one…Continue reading Teaching Kids to Pray …Continue reading Teaching Kids to Pray
4 Tips for Gifting a Bible to Kids
Earlier this fall, I was in a Kids Club where the large group teacher was introducing the children to Crossroads and the purpose of the club. They were told that in Crossroads, they would be learning stories from the Bible each week. One child raised her hand and said, “What’s the Bible?” I was reminded…Continue reading 4 Tips for Gifting a Bible to Kids …Continue reading 4 Tips for Gifting a Bible to Kids
7 Habits of Highly Effective Small Group Leaders
Here are 7 tips for being an effective small group leader: #1 Proactively prepare. Read the lesson before club. Pray for God to help you teach and love the children in your group. Come to club early to make sure you are ready and have all your team leader’s instructions before the kids arrive. #2…Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Small Group Leaders …Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Small Group Leaders
Games Bag Instructions
Click the link below to find printable PDFs of the items in each leader Games Bag. Games Bag Printables If you would like to order your own Games Bag, contact our staff team at contact@crossroadskidsclub.com. The cost of $15 will be deducted from your club’s budget, or you may choose to make a donation to…Continue reading Games Bag Instructions …Continue reading Games Bag Instructions
“We Missed You” Postcard Template
Here is a postcard template to mail out to kids when they are absent. If a student misses more than a week in a row, it’s a nice reminder to them that you care about them and miss having them at club. Download the file. Edit the second page by filling in your church’s return…Continue reading “We Missed You” Postcard Template …Continue reading “We Missed You” Postcard Template
One Simple Thing You Can Do Now to Change A Child’s Life Forever
Thanks to Dale Hudson from Relevant Children’s Ministry for this re-posted article. How can you impact a child’s life? How can you be a difference maker for a child who is struggling? If I ask you to make a list, you might write down things like prayer, quality time, teaching the Bible, influencing the child’s…Continue reading One Simple Thing You Can Do Now to Change A Child’s Life Forever …Continue reading One Simple Thing You Can Do Now to Change A Child’s Life Forever
Birthday Donuts Printable
How do you celebrate birthdays for kids in your Kids Club? One leader started a tradition in her club of bringing donuts to the children on their birthday at school during their lunch hour. She’d give them two donuts – one for them and one for them to share with a friend. Imagine how special…Continue reading Birthday Donuts Printable …Continue reading Birthday Donuts Printable
Top 10 Reasons Kids Misbehave in Children’s Ministry (And How to Fix It)
Thanks to Relevant Children’s Ministry for this re-post. The easy thing to do is to quickly place the blame on a child when he or she is misbehaving in class. While it is true, we all have a rebellious nature we acquired from the fall that can cause us to misbehave on our own…Continue reading Top 10 Reasons Kids Misbehave in Children’s Ministry (And How to Fix It) …Continue reading Top 10 Reasons Kids Misbehave in Children’s Ministry (And How to Fix It)
How to Rock Your Small Group Discussion Time
1. Establish a safe environment. Early in the year, make sure that you talk with your group about what you expect small group discussion time to look like, and clarify the boundaries. Set ground rules regarding respecting one another’s turn to talk, listening to others, and being accepting of what others have to share. In…Continue reading How to Rock Your Small Group Discussion Time …Continue reading How to Rock Your Small Group Discussion Time
8 Tips for Communicating With Kids One-on-One
Thanks to Andrew VanDerLinden from Organized KidMin for this article! Kids crave the attention of adults. In today’s culture it is rare for a child to have the undivided, uninterrupted attention of anyone, especially an adult. If you want to stand out in the eyes of the kids in your ministry, practice these 8 Tips for Communicating…Continue reading 8 Tips for Communicating With Kids One-on-One …Continue reading 8 Tips for Communicating With Kids One-on-One
Turkey Talk!
A fun Thanksgiving themed set of conversation cards to use with your Small Group. Turkey Talk: Conversation Cards For a full Thanksgiving themed lesson which includes these cards, see our Curriculum Store….Continue reading Turkey Talk!
Names Matter!
Thanks to Relevant Children’s Ministry for this re-post. As we begin the school year, challenge yourself to learn the names of those in your club or small group and greet each child by name. A few days ago, as I was doing my Bible reading, this verse jumped out at me. “Peace to you. The…Continue reading Names Matter! …Continue reading Names Matter!