Articles
Looking for inspiration and equipping just for you, ministry leader? Check out our library of discipleship and leadership articles to give you room to breathe and room to grow in ministry. From reflections to advice you can trust, this collection is here to encourage you as you serve the kids and families you love.
A Moment With N.T. Wright
N.T. Wright—professor, theologian, and pastor—has a deep passion for shaping faith in the next generation. As he chats with Natalie Frisk, he reflects on the importance of teaching the nativity story to children, sharing how its tender moments and profound truths inspire us to lead with love and purpose, and offers words of encouragement to ministry leaders.
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Words of Love: An Advent Devotional
Love is the heartbeat of Advent—the reason God sent Jesus into our messy, broken world. This devotional invites you to pause, rest in the unshakable truth of God’s love, and let that love overflow into your ministry. Because when we’re rooted in His love, we can reflect it to the children and families we serve.
Words of Joy: An Advent Devotional
Advent is a season filled with celebrations, but joy isn’t just about decorations and carols. The angel’s promise of 'good news that will cause great joy' wasn’t fleeting—it’s a lasting, transformative joy rooted in Jesus’ arrival. This devotional invites you to pause, embrace that deep joy, and share it with the kids and families you serve, letting it overflow into everything you do.
Words of Peace: An Advent Devotional
Advent is a season of wonder, waiting, and the incredible promise of peace. Not just the calm-before-Christmas kind of peace, but the life-changing, heart-steadying peace that only Jesus brings. This devotional invites you to pause, breathe, and rest in the presence of the Prince of Peace—because His peace isn’t just for us to receive; it’s for us to share with the children and families we serve.
Words of Hope: An Advent Devotional
In the midst of darkness and uncertainty, there is a hope that shines brightly—unshakable and alive. This devotional reflects on how Jesus, the Light of the World, meets us in our struggles and fills us with peace and purpose. Discover the joy of embracing this hope and sharing it with others.
10 Thankful Bible Verses To Grow Thankful Hearts
Experience the joy of gratitude and watch how it draws us closer to God! Discover how to encourage kids to 'plant' verses in their hearts—seeds that can grow into lifelong guidance and strength. Here are a few inspiring Scriptures to plant together this season!
Two Keys To Unlocking A Child's Prayer Life
Unlocking a child’s prayer life starts with how they view God and themselves. How can we help kids see God as loving and approachable? How can we help them embrace their worth in His eyes? Discover practical ways you can nurture a child's confidence in prayer and strengthen their relationship with God.
God’s Promises for Everyone: A Sit-Down with Shell Perris
Shell Perris, formerly a singer with Christian girl band TBC, is a dynamic leader with a passion for sharing Jesus with children and their families. In this conversation, Shell talks about her new book 'God’s Promises for Everyone', her ministry in large-scale events like ALIVE 2023, and the wisdom she would offer if you were sitting down for a 'cuppa' together.
Rituals: Holy Practices With Our Children
How do rituals shape our faith and sense of belonging? From bedtime prayers to singing in church, these simple practices connect us to each other and to God. In this article, explore how intentional rituals can nurture children's faith and deepen their connection to the church community.
That Song From 1989: 8 Ways Music Impacts Learning And Spiritual Development
Ever catch yourself humming a song from childhood? Music has a lasting impact, shaping memories, emotions, and even learning. Read on to discover how music can influence spiritual growth and set a lasting tone for young minds.
4 Ways To Align Vision In Kids' Ministry
From the check-in to the classroom, to the conversations at home, your ministry can plant the seeds of faith in a way that makes kids—and their grown-ups—eager to come back. Here's four ways to align every aspect with a vision of warmth, fun and genuine care.
Explore Our Festive Curriculums and Collection!
We’re thrilled to showcase our Christmas content, designed to help you share the true meaning of the season with your kids and youth in creative and engaging ways. Whether you’re following one of our Jesus-centered curriculums week by week or looking for something extra special, we’ve got you covered!
Volunteer Handbook Cheat Sheet
Need a handbook for your volunteers but not sure what to include? Here's a handy checklist for what should go in.
Leading Up: Learning Your Boss
Understand leadership styles to communicate well with those above you.
Stepping Into Multisite Ministry
Leading Kidmin across a multisite ministry is both challenging and rewarding. David Murphy reveals his strategies for uniting diverse teams, his effective leadership model, and essential advice for thriving in this dynamic environment. Discover how to turn challenges into opportunities and inspire your ministry to flourish.
Can Video Games Be Used For Discipleship?
Can video games nurture children's faith? Absolutely, says Zach Fay, the creator of 'Lightgliders', a vibrant virtual world where Christian faith, games, and community blend seamlessly. Through his experience and the positive feedback from users, Fay asserts that video games, when used thoughtfully, can indeed be powerful tools for fostering children's spiritual growth.
How Bluey is Shaping a New View of Fathers: Lessons for the Church
The Australian animated series Bluey is redefining fatherhood by portraying Bandit, the father, as emotionally intelligent, patient, and playful. Unlike traditional media that often depicts dads as incompetent, Bluey highlights the positive, engaged role fathers can play in their children’s lives. So how is Bluey shaping a new view of fathers and what lessons can the Church learn from it?
A Conversation with Gemma Hunt: TV Presenter, Author and Actress
Gemma Hunt, a cherished TV personality in the UK, is best known for her role as Gem in 'Swashbuckle' and as a host in the Alpha Course Series. Beyond television, she's an accomplished stage performer and author. Her journey, which includes working at Buckingham Palace and extensive travels, is deeply rooted in her faith. In this interview, Gemma shares her earliest church memories, faith journey, and experiences in the media.
Movin' On Up! A Transition Playlist for Your Advancement Practices
Move up? Level up? Next up? Upgrade? Whatever you call your transition time for children to move from one classroom to another, there may be many questions and unknowns that require skillful navigation for children, their caregivers, leaders, and you. Here are some of our best tips and tricks that will, hopefully, benefit your community whenever you advance your kids!
Parenting with Mental Illness
The journey of navigating parenthood amidst mental health challenges is difficult to talk about. With candid honesty and warmth, Natalie Frisk explores the power of open conversations, the significance of self-care, and the invaluable support of community. If you're walking a similar path, you're not alone—this article is a gentle reminder that compassion and understanding can light the way.
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day brings both joy and tension as people navigate family dynamics and personal experiences. This article reflects on childhood memories, struggles with gift-giving, and the evolving role of motherhood, emphasizing the importance of hope and inclusivity in supporting individuals, especially children, during this celebration.
Four Things Senior Church Leaders Can Do To Support Children’s Ministry
In a church where all generations find belonging, the nurturing of our youngest members is paramount. As a pastor with a heart for multi-generational ministry, Derek Vreeland has witnessed the importance of passing on the faith to children. Inspired by biblical wisdom and personal conviction, here are four essential ways senior church leaders can actively support and enrich children's ministry within their congregations.
Holy Spirit, Kids!
We believe God is love. Love is communal – it is something experienced between persons. God in his very being is love, and we know God is communal in his mysterious and wonderful 3-in-1 way. So how and when should we introduce kids to the Holy Spirit?
Activating the Voice of God
What do we understand about the prophetic? Does God really speak to everyone? What are activations? Drawing on his latest book, prophetic minister, pastor and speaker Matt Holman offers his insights into hearing the voice of God.
A Conversation with Joanna Adeyinka-Burford: Author, Actress and TV Presenter
Meet Joanna Adeyinka-Burford, the British actress and TV presenter behind an exciting new book—an interactive devotional journal designed for kids aged 7-11! In a candid chat with Natalie Frisk, Joanna shares her influences, inspirations, and personal faith journey that sparked the creation of this delightful resource.
A Conversation With Aimee Reid: Author, Teacher, and Storyteller
Aimee Reid is an accomplished author whose journey from teaching to motherhood sparked her passion for writing children’s books. Natalie Frisk caught up with her to explore why she thinks books are so important to kids’ spiritual journeys, her hopes for their adventures, and how her stories can light up ministries everywhere.
Revealing God's Story: The Power of Biblical Art for Kids
We all have stories that shape us. We carry them with us as we grow, and they have the power to affect how we see ourselves and the world in which we live. As kidmin leaders, we have the privilege of introducing kids to the most important story of all: the story of God's great love for us. But how we present that story matters, and the images we choose are as important as the words we use.
Game-ifying Your Teaching Time in KidMin (And Why It’s Effective)
All kids love games! But digital natives, in particular, consider games to be the preferred way to learn. Discover how you can use gamification in a positive and productive way in your ministry, and give kids ownership over their spiritual learning and development.
10 Ways to Create Accessible Sunday School Environments
With the heart of a children’s ministry leader, we always want to include and encourage every kid in our ministry. And yet, we know that sometimes there are barriers that need to be overcome to envelop all kids into a joy-filled environment. Here's 10 ideas to help you make your Sunday School more inclusive.
The Church-and-Home Connection
Struggling to bridge the gap? Spark connection between church and home with these 8 ideas for creating an integrated and supportive network which helps families thrive in their faith.
Keeping Young People in the Faith: A Surprising Discovery
I was wrong. Embarrassingly so. I had been working with leaders in training at a Christian camp every summer for twenty years, and I thought I knew what made Christian young people tick. And I gave the wrong answer to the most basic question of all.
Learning to Wait in the Dark
When we find ourselves in a time of waiting, it can feel like we're waiting in the dark, unable to see the path ahead, fumbling around trying to make sense of the surroundings. But what if the darkness is not really darkness at all but the shadow of the Lord? What does it mean to wait in the dark with the Lord? And what can we learn while we're there?
Camp Connection: How Christian Camps Transform Young Lives
Partnering with Christian camps offers an opportunity to bring a fresh, dynamic dimension to your children's ministry, building a future where faith is not just learned but lived with joy and enthusiasm. In this article, explore the ways camps help kids experience Christianity as a thrilling, everyday adventure, then find practical ways to partner with Christian camps and learn how you can take the next step.
8 Ideas for a Kid-Friendly Extravaganza on a Budget!
Planning a shindig for the kids that won't break the bank? As children’s ministry leaders, we know that sometimes you’ve got a small budget that you need to stretch. We've got your back with a carnival of kid-fun ideas, packed with joy and variety on a budget! From treasure hunts to DIY crafts to scientific wonders, these activities are not just budget-friendly but also promise oodles of laughter and excitement as you seek to build community in your ministry. So, lace up your planning shoes, and let's dive into a world where joy knows no budget constraints!
Praise Packs: 13 Things to Include in Worship Activity Bags for Kids
All-age or family services offer a unique opportunity to engage kids in a worship setting. Here's some ideas for how to not just occupy kids, but help them engage and participate in the service, teaching them that 'big church' is for them too.
My RaiseUpFaith Story: Trusting the Captain
It's been a voyage of discovery through stormy waters and foggy skies as God teaches us to trust Him to steer the ship, and raises up faith right within the hearts and lives of the employees of the so-named organization.
"Courage, Dear Heart", Easter is Coming
As a children’s ministry leader, the word Easter can induce some panic, for we know that Easter Sunday is one of the highest attendance dates in our calendar year. We know what that means prep-wise. We know what that means volunteer-wise. We know what that means sanity-wise! So let's get prepared.
My RaiseUpFaith Story: Finding Joy In Tidying
I love tidying. It's what I do best. So why have I been surprised by the tidy up God has been doing in me?
Leading Up: Too Bashful, Too Bold
Effectively communicating ministry needs without overselling or underselling the need.
The "Real" Sin of Halloween
What would it look like if we taught our kids that when Jesus told us to love our neighbors he meant to actually love our neighbors? What if we modelled loving our neighbors – our actual, physical, right-next-door neighbors – to our kids on a 365-day basis? How would our kids’ world change? How would our neighbors’ world change?
10 Fall Fest Games
Fall season is here, which means Fall Fest season is here too. Here are 10 Fall Fest games/activities kids love! Happy Fall, Y’all!
When Things Go Toxic
Dear Children’s Ministry Leader, we know some of you are not thriving. We know you are struggling in your role or your confidence. You have questions about what God is up to and how to avoid burnout. We are listening and we want you to know we love you and we are with you.
The Future of the Church: It Matters
Where will the future leadership of the Church come from? At what point do we develop leaders? We know that you see the future of the Church differently than those who serve adults. So how do you point to the future with one hand and raise your other in praise as you lead little ones to follow Jesus?
Mission and Values
What does it mean for an organization, a church, a brand to live into its mission and values? Why do we think it matters that you know who we are, where we say we are going, and what matters to us?
Time To Update
The digital world is here to stay; it's the world that today's parents have grown up in. This excerpt from Brittany Nelson's book, Time to Update: 7 Areas to Integrate Digital Discipleship Into Your Children's Ministry, explains the concept of 'digital discipleship' - what it is, why it is important, and how we can be intentional about it.
Key Practices for Strengthening Your Relationship with The Bible
What role does The Bible play in your life? Is it where you want it to be? What are some hindrances or myths we may be believing that prevent us from having the relationship with Scripture that we want to? What are some practical steps we can take to strengthen our relationship with Scripture?
From Fine to Fun: Rediscovering the Joy of Childhood
As we disciple children in the way of Jesus, how can we curiously invite joy into the mix?
For the Love of Our Kids
Hey Children’s Ministry Leader! Here's an article to share with the parents and caregivers of the kids you get to love and serve. You are welcome to share it through your channels to encourage and support your families!
We Can Be Heroes (of Faith)
What might happen if, when teaching our kids about Bible heroes, we talked first about their faith? What difference could it make to our kids' own faith journeys?
Cultivating Biblical Imagination in Kids
Wonder invites questions. Wonder stirs curiosity. When we invite that sense of wonder into our teaching, we harness a powerful learning tool that fuels creativity and innovation.
The Story of Quilts, Quilting Bees, and The Hive
What happens when two quilting bees learn that their quilts share a pattern or a theme or a color scheme? Do they begin to stitch them together for a single purpose? This is the story of how RaiseUpFaith and CTA are partnering to create The Children's Ministry Hive.
New Feature - Team Builder
Team Builder has arrived! Find out here how this fab new feature works for you and your team, and leaves you time for a chair spin!
Reimagining How We Teach (About Women In) The Bible
By teaching 'stories of women in the Bible', do we risk putting these stories into a separate category marked 'special interest'? Perhaps there's another way - one that involves us reimagining how we teach the Bible altogether.
Equipping Parents To Lead Their Kids Spiritually
Whose job is it to lead kids spiritually? How can the church do so if the kids aren’t there? And how can the parents be expected to lead their kids spiritually if they themselves are struggling to walk as disciples?
Leading Up: Ability and Likability
Competence gets you in the room, character keeps you in the room.
20 Bible Verses to Grow Kids' Faith
Here at RaiseUpFaith we believe that pointing kids to Jesus, and God’s great big story, will help them navigate through life. We believe the promises of Scripture are really powerful, and helping kids learn key Bible verses can help ground them in different seasons of life. And God’s promises are not only for them, but also for their family, their church, their community, and the wider world. Sometimes I wonder if we focus on scripture memorization over scripture internalization, though. I think what we really want is for kids to understand who God says He is, and who God says we are, as His children. The scriptural foundations of our faith, and our knowledge of these truths, are the scaffolding of relationship with Jesus, and discipleship with each other.
Working Towards Inclusion in Kids' Ministry
What does inclusion look like in kids' ministry? How can we love everyone well? What practical steps can we take?
It Begins With Death: Sharing The Truth Of Easter
'He is risen.' 'He is risen, indeed.' When I hear this exchange, my heart skips a little. I’m excited, and appreciative, and joyful, and so many other things all at once. But what does it mean to my child?
5 Reasons to NOT Run VBS (Holiday Club) at Your Church This Summer
So. Easter has been celebrated. And it’s a long way ‘til Christmas. It’s time for churches everywhere to put their feet up and enjoy a few months of relative quiet. Unless, of course, you look at the calendar and note the great expanse known as the summer break looming. If you do, you might just find yourself asking a big question: Do I run a VBS this year?
Balance - Finding and Maintaining It
There is something about ministry that can leave us feeling like there are fewer hours from one week to the next: events, midweeks, meetings, discipleship, programs, curriculum, and Sundays... And just when you think you’ve got a rhythm figured out, you find your week upended and wonder how you’re chasing the clock again.
Practically Preschool
When you hear the word “preschoolers,” what immediately comes to mind? Do you feel passion or panic?
Creating Space for Children to Listen
In Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby he teaches that “God is always at work around you”. As Christ followers we can be assured of God’s presence. He is at work, and he is present. In John 5:17 Jesus says, “my Father is always working, and so am I”. He is at work around us regardless of our age. Our job is to be on the lookout for his work and to be listening for him. As we are discipling world changers it’s important for us to keep that truth at the forefront of our minds.
Theological Guideposts for Biblical Literacy: Boundaries, Borders, and Bears (Oh My!)
I was recently on a very long walk with my daughter. Not two-blocks-with-the-dog-instead-of-one long; rather, it was 25 kms each day, for 5 days. When they aren’t sure which way to go, remind them what the way markers look like so that they may find their way back to Jesus.
Statement of Faith
Our delight is to equip you with what you need, and free you up to lavish God’s love on the community you serve.
The Presence of Peace
The season of Advent lays out for us four postures to consider in the waiting. So while we wait, what do we tell kids about peace? What do we say to each other, let alone to kids, in a world that is riddled with injustice, oppression, inequity, war, hatred, division, about peace?
Joy to the World
Every church has a nativity on the front lawn; inside, children’s ministry leaders—you—are working like elves to bring the story of Jesus to life. You have had countless hours of meetings, planning, and preparing for the advent of our Saviour, Jesus. You can’t imagine a better time to kneel next to a child and whisper, 'He came for you,' and so you seize every weekend, every Sunday, every moment to do so.
What is Love?
Love builds character. In fact, love only builds. Whether in the throes of the lows or stormy seas, loving well and being loved through it builds strength and resilience. It builds faith and hope, and feeds joy. Love matters because presence matters. And in all the spaces in between, love leads and carries and holds your hand. Because Love has come. And it is for you.
Hope Has a Name
Hope has a name, and as followers of Jesus, we know it to be His. But in a recent deep dive into the book of Hebrews, I found that Hope is not only rightly named, it is so clearly defined that to miss it would be, well, hopeless.
Wells, Fences and The Jesus Water
If you’re involved in kids ministry, I hope that the main reason you got involved is because, at some point in your life, you were shown the Jesus well. You tasted it for yourself, and you saw that it was good. Do we trust our young people to recognise the well? Do we trust Jesus to be life-giving enough?
Defining Identity
To dive deeper into this conversation, and unpack some of the tough questions with Christie, we invite you to watch her recent interview with Keith Ferrin, story teller, author, and speaker, and friend of the KidMin community.
Where Sunday School Failed Me
God wants us to be good little girls and boys. That’s what I thought. And though it might have been there in the subtext, what wasn’t actually said was: “because Jesus…” Jesus loves us so incredibly deeply, he wants us to follow him and his way, and he wants the very best for us. That’s what’ll make it good.
Leading Up: Come with Solutions, Not Problems
Overwhelm with excellence by approaching your leaders with proposals, not with problems.
A Walk to Remember
Friend, we know you well enough to let you know that the seeds you are scattering are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, imagination, unity, grace... Come on a walk with me along Scottish Borders as we consider what it means to pay attention to the ground beneath our feet as we till the soil.
We Rode an Elephant
When we swim in the waters of children's ministry for long enough, it can seem like we need to get bigger and better with every season. More glitz, more glam. But at the end of the day, children will want to be in our ministries for two large reasons: our willingness to be present with them and our willingness to show them Jesus.
Generosity and Gratitude
Hey Leader! We see you!! We see you getting ready on Sundays and every day in between. We see the planning and preparation that goes into Christmas that likely started weeks ago. We see you loving those kids, embracing their grownups, and walking with families, as family.
Centering like Jesus
Children centered on Jesus when He showed up because He centered on them. When we center on others and draw them into His light, they will center on Him. And when we center on children, we look like Jesus.
Knowing who I am because of who He is
The gift within God’s plan to redeem His kids back to Himself, the Church–the body of Christ–is that we get glimpses of what God is like by showing up for each other, looking like Jesus. Through Jesus, God’s own image knit into us is put on full display for the world to know Him.
Defining Jesus-Centered
As the team at RaiseUpFaith prepares to attend MegaCon, a Kids Ministry conference in Nashville this October, we are focusing on their theme, Jesus Period. Not Jesus and, or Jesus but; Jesus period. This idea has a way of refining how we think about what we do, and centering us on our why: Jesus. Jesus is our what, our why, our who, and He knows our how and our when.
How a Simple Search Will Help You Find Time
This article follows the journey we have been on together, leading up to fall, to get back into healthy rhythms. From Sabbath to seasonal planning, this practical piece will help you fill your toolbox on RaiseUpFaith while building time back into your week!
New Rhythms, Healthy Margins and Pie
As our lives fill up with the possibility of events, midweek programs, and the many activities our personal lives include, it can be difficult to discern how to make it all fit (and if it all should). Read on for an opportunity to make some decisions about what gets added to the calendar, and maybe also what doesn’t.
The Rhythms of Sabbath
There are so many demands pulling at our days but there is only one habit that can bring order to my chaos in the changing winds of a season without exception: observing Sabbath.
The Future of Church? It’s Peachy!
It is no secret that the number of children and young people attending church is declining rapidly. How can we effectively grow our children’s and youth work? Let's find out!
Teaching Children to Pray
This article suggests ways we can all journey towards a vibrant prayer life that combines talking and listening to Almighty God.
9 Tips For Building Children's Ministry Volunteer Teams
There is one universal issue that all churches face: How do we find, grow and cultivate a team of volunteers who can lead effective Children’s Ministry? Read on to discover the 3 key volunteer categories, and 9 ideas for keeping them motivated!
Junk Media & Your Kids Digital Diet
It is not just the food our kids eat that effects their health; it is also the content they consume. As parents and kids’ workers, knowing your cyber super-foods from your streaming string cheese is key to effectively communicating the gospel in the digital age.
How to: Encourage discussion with Young People
Three top tools for encouraging discussion and engagement with young people
Encouraging Encounter with God Through Children’s Ministry
Ever heard an adult say to a child, 'You’re too young to really follow Jesus – wait till you’re older'? Or perhaps you heard something similar growing up? NEWSFLASH: Children CAN encounter God! We wholeheartedly believe this.
Communicating with God's littlest children: Sharing God's big story with our churches children's groups
Sharing a message can be a bit nerve-racking at the best of times. But sharing it to a roomful of four-year-olds? That’s in a whole other league!