Teaching the Ten Commandments apart from the lens of the gospel can quickly descend into a lesson on moralism. Also, good teaching comes from the overflow of the heart. So here are eight points to remind your heart as you prepare to teach kids about the Ten Commandments through the lens of the gospel: God gave us the Ten...

I certainly advocate for limiting a young child’s exposure to media as well as refraining from talking in depth about violent and evil events that take place in the world while he or she is present. But I do think it is wise to be prepared to talk to kids about the evils of the world, particularly when a...

Sunday afternoons after I volunteer in our kids’ ministry are devoted to long, much-needed naps. Children’s ministry is hard work! If you’re like me, you might sometimes collapse on the couch and wonder, Did my efforts make a difference? Did they really understand what I said? These kinds of doubts have been floating around since Bible times. As people...

I return to this quote from Pastor Tim Keller over and over again:  The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”  The truth that I am loved and accepted in...

“Tell me about a time when you were a little girl,” I asked my mother time and time again growing up. There was something amazing and soothing, something funny and wonderful about hearing my mother (or father) tell me stories about their own lives; I listened enraptured to hear about the things they thought, or felt, or wanted when...

This year, make sure your kids remember Easter for more than pastel colors or candy or hunts in the park. The significance of Easter is so much greater than hollow bunnies. Jesus is so much greater. Why do we celebrate Easter? Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are essential to the Christian faith. If we teach Jesus as a respected teacher...