You’ve found out Mrs. Jones was a Missionary for 40 years.  Wonderful!  You’re planning a morning about Missions.  How good would it be if she came and shared her first hand experiences with the children?  But times have changed since Mrs. Jones taught by the banks of the Limpopo River.  As she talks at the children, not a visual aid in sight, they become restless and distracted.  Ten minutes in, two or three children need to go to the toilet.  Mrs. Jones is displeased.  She says in her day misbehaving children were thrown in the river to the crocodiles.  Felicity, the sensitive child with the highly strung mother, bursts into tears.  Snap!  Your hopes for the much anticipated Missions morning being a success are crushed. 

Okay, so that’s an exaggeration.  But I hope it highlights the need for you to give any visiting speaker guidelines to make their visit to Kid’s Church a success.

Tell your visiting speaker these 7 things…

1.  You don’t have a lot of time…

It’s hard for children to sit for long periods.  A lot depends on the age group you are talking to.  A four year old can sit for four minutes and a ten year old can sit for ten.  Mostly.  Of course there are exceptions, but you need to keep your teaching to the point, and make it clear and engaging.

2.  Give the kids something to look at…

Children need visuals.  If you have photographs to accompany your talk, put them on a USB for the leader, so they can put them on a computer and project them larger than life.  Bring along non-breakable souvenirs like hats, clothing, instruments and objects that will interest the children.  Demonstrate their use with the children as models.  Put them on a table out of reach until you’ve finished talking, then invite the children to come and look and touch.

3.  Let the Leaders handle the behaviour…

Our Leaders are trained in redirecting children’s behaviour.  They will be watching and will attend to children in the appropriate way.  They know the children very well.  Don’t let anything put you off, ignore distractions, and keep on going.

4.  Keep your talk child-friendly…

Children come from very different families.  What some children are allowed to watch on television could cause other children to have nightmares.  Children are still largely ruled by their emotions, and stories can make a deep impact on them.   So keep your talk G rated.   Use suspense and enthusiasm to keep the children focused but don’t put fear into them.

5.  Make Jesus the hero of your talk…

Everything comes back to our Lord and Saviour Jesus.  How did He help you?  How did you know He was with you?  When did you see His plan?  What did you do afterwards?  Did you remember to say thank you to Him?  Did others get to know Him?  You may like to have an altar call, or hand over to the Leader to hold one.  Discuss this beforehand.

6.  Safety!

Every Kid’s Ministry has strict policies in place.  Everything from identification to toileting.  The Leaders will direct you.  Please respect and follow the procedures.

7.  HAVE FUN!

Ministering to children is the best!  We know you and the children will have a wonderful time.

Always thank a speaker for taking the time to visit your Kid’s Ministry.  Present flowers, chocolates or a handmade card from the children.  Organise a short thank you speech from one of the children and a round of applause.  Show you appreciate the time they have given in preparation and visiting.  You may want them to come again.  It’s also great advertising when your speaker gives a good report about how wonderful their Kid’s Church experience was.  It may encourage other people to visit or volunteer.  Linking Big Church and Kid’s Church any way you can is beneficial to the whole Church. Don’t succumb to that ‘them’ versus ‘us’ mindset that creates embittered Kid’s Church leaders.  You don’t want to end up like Mrs. Jones! 

Be sure to check out our ‘Missions’ Curriculum!https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Missions.pdf

Here’s a lesson I took to the Solomon Islands.  It it suitable to use with school children and youth.

https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Heart-Trouble.pdf

Here are the accompanying visual aids. I took a huge red felt heart backed by a piece of calico that I could hang up wherever I went. The illustrations had Velcro dots stuck on the back so they could be added to the heart. The brightly coloured pictures were attractive and the children looked forward to each new one being revealed.

https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Visuals-for-Heart-Trouble.pdf