If something is popular, it means it is intended for or suited to the state, understanding, or means of the general public rather than specialists or intellectuals.  Pop culture (meaning popular culture) refers to the aspects of our modern culture that many people widely like.  It can be superficial and fast-changing, and sometimes puzzling, and I need my kids or grandkids to explain why something has suddenly become the latest ‘thing’.

And pop culture is actually about buying power, with corporations and businesses using social media and influencers to market their products.  It’s the way the world works.

That’s why I don’t like pop culture in Kid’s Ministry.  If I use Easter Eggs at Easter, it’s only to teach ‘the inside story’.  (https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Easter-The-Inside-Story.pdf)  If I use Santa at Christmas, it’s to show his irrelevance.  (https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Break-Every-Chain-Christmas-Play.pdf)  I don’t use clips from popular non-Christian movies or popular non-Christian music. 

I do use common genres and themes, such as spies, science fiction, action and adventure, country and western, and nautical, to name a few.  Although they may come in and out of fashion (yes, sometimes influenced by pop culture), to me, they are timeless. 

Stories with a Beach Theme: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/the-twins-at-sunshine-cove/

Stories with a Space Theme: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/moon-base-genesis-2/

Stories with a Time Travel Theme: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/history-hoppers/ and https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/a-matter-of-time/

Stories with a Circus/Fun Fair/ Show Theme: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/clowning-around/ and Bible Lessons: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Oh-Taste-and-See.pdf and https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Samsons-Bumpy-Ride.pdf

Stories with a Toy Theme: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Play-The-Proud-Tin-Soldier-1.pdf and https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Lego-Day-1.pdf

The bottom line is that I want Jesus to be the greatest influence on kids’ lives.  And I want them to understand the difference between the world and Christianity.  Colossians 1:13 ‘He (God) has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.’  

Last Sunday, one of our Pastor’s preached, ‘The customs of the people around you are of no value to you.’   He used 1 John 2:15 ‘Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.’  Worldliness is a problem.  It attacks our relationship with God.  The community of sinful humanity is united in rebellion against God, so why should we align ourselves with them?  James 4:4 ‘You adulterous people!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.’  James, paying attention to Old Testament examples, makes plain that idolatry goes hand in hand with friendship with the world, and the world lies in the power of the evil one.  (1 John 5:19)

Relevance

Of course, I believe in relevance.  Relevance is practical, socially applicable and appropriate.  We must always be relevant in Kid’s Ministry because it relates to a matter at hand.  If a subject, issue or thing is currently before children, we need to address it in an age-appropriate and Biblical way.  We need to respond to what is happening around kids while staying true to our Biblical values and God’s purposes.      

Fun

There has to be some fun in your Kid’s Ministry, or it will be boring.  When I say fun, I mean purposeful fun using games, characters and crafts that reinforce the biblical truth you’re teaching.   Children must be engaged in your program if they are to learn anything.  (Fun is good for grown-up volunteers, too.  Fun is a childlike posture of the heart!)    

Check out the Cooee Kid’s Ministry website for free Kid’s Ministry lessons that are biblical, relevant and filled with purposeful fun!    

Link here:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/

Whoops! I was writing a blog about characterization and looked up past lessons under the Super Sunday heading. What should I find but a lesson titled ‘The Tribe Has Spoken? Joseph and His Brothers.’ Of course, it is based on a reality television show. It’s a popular lesson regularly downloaded, so I know it’s still relevant, but I haven’t watched the show for many years. TBA!