My granddaughter proudly showed me her take‑home gift from her Children’s Church Easter program — a set of Resurrection Eggs. There were only six in her set, but they were a far cry from the homemade version I’d crafted years ago. Back then, buying a pre‑made set from the Christian bookstore was far too expensive, so I set out to make my own. After multiple coats of paint on a repurposed egg carton (because that cardboard drinks paint like a kid slurping a soft drink through a straw on a hot summer’s day), I bought plastic eggs from the cheap shop and hunted down miniatures to fit the story. Some I purchased, but most I painstakingly made by hand.

So imagine my astonishment when I held my granddaughter’s version. The egg carton was a beautiful blue — no paint required — clearly ordered in that colour. The lid featured the words True Story in a stylish black vinyl font. Someone had used a Cricut, one of those clever computerised cutting machines, to create it.

Inside, each egg was numbered with matching Cricut labels, and a legend was neatly glued to the lid so children could retell the story themselves. When I opened the eggs, I found miniatures of astonishing quality. I wondered aloud, “Where did they buy all these bits and pieces?” My granddaughter shrugged and said, “Oh, our church has a 3D printer.”

In that moment, I felt very behind the times. Children’s Church in my day was never like this.

Children’s Ministry has always been about helping kids encounter Jesus in ways they can understand, remember, and retell. For decades, that meant flannelgraphs, puppets, cardboard crafts, and a whole lot of improvisation. But today’s children live in a world shaped by technology — and they’re not intimidated by it. They expect interactivity, creativity, and personalisation.

The good news? Technology isn’t replacing the heart of ministry. It’s simply expanding what’s possible.

1. Technology as a Tool for Creativity

The Resurrection Eggs my granddaughter received weren’t just “fancier.” They were thoughtfully designed using tools that didn’t exist when I first made mine.

• Cricut machines allow volunteers to create professional‑looking labels, signs, memory verse cards, and themed decorations.
• 3D printers can produce custom miniatures, Bible story props, puzzle pieces, tokens, and sensory objects that fit perfectly into a lesson.
• Colour printers and laminators make durable resources that last for years.

These tools don’t replace creativity — they multiply it. They allow volunteers who aren’t “crafty” to still produce beautiful, meaningful items. They also help churches create resources that feel special, intentional, and worth keeping.

2. Technology as a Bridge to Engagement

Children today learn through interactivity. Technology can help you meet them where they are:

• QR codes linking to memory verse songs, parent follow‑up guides, or short devotionals.
• Simple animation apps that let kids retell Bible stories using digital puppets.
• Interactive screens used sparingly for worship lyrics, object lesson visuals, or storytelling enhancements.
• Digital scavenger hunts where kids scan clues around the room to reveal parts of a Bible story.

Used wisely, technology doesn’t distract — it deepens engagement.

3. Technology That Supports Volunteers

Many volunteers feel nervous about teaching, crafting, or storytelling. Technology can make their role easier:

• Pre‑made templates for crafts or games
• Automated check‑in systems for safety
• Shared digital lesson plans
• Video demonstrations of crafts or activities
• Printable scripts with visual cues

Technology doesn’t replace volunteers — it empowers them.

4. Technology That Connects Families

One of the biggest ministry challenges is helping parents continue the lesson at home. Technology makes this simple:

• Weekly text messages with a “Try This at Home” idea
• Short videos summarising the lesson
• Printable devotionals emailed directly to families
• A church app with memory verses, songs, and prayer prompts

When families feel equipped, children grow spiritually beyond Sunday morning.

5. Technology Must Serve the Message — Not Replace It

Technology is a tool, not the goal. A 3D‑printed miniature is wonderful, but it’s still just a doorway into the story of Jesus. A beautifully labelled egg carton is lovely, but it’s the Resurrection that matters.

Children don’t need high‑tech ministry. They need truth, love, connection, and Jesus.

Technology simply helps us deliver those things with clarity, creativity, and excellence.

6. Start Small — You Don’t Need a 3D Printer

If your ministry doesn’t have fancy equipment, don’t panic. Begin with what you have:

• A colour printer
• A laminator
• A phone or tablet
• Free apps
• A volunteer who loves gadgets
• A church member with a Cricut who’s happy to help

Technology in ministry isn’t about being modern — it’s about being effective.

7. The Gospel Is Still the Centre

Whether your Resurrection Eggs are hand‑painted or 3D‑printed, the message remains the same:

Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose again. And Jesus loves children.

Technology can help us tell that story with beauty and clarity, but it can never replace the wonder of the Gospel itself.

Final Encouragement

If you feel “behind the times,” you’re not alone. Many leaders grew up in a ministry world powered by cardboard, glue, and sheer determination. But technology isn’t here to intimidate you — it’s here to support you.

Start small. Experiment. Ask for help. Let technology enhance your creativity, not overshadow it.

Children’s Ministry has always been about innovation — from flannelgraphs to felt boards to puppets to projectors. Technology is simply the next chapter.

And who knows? The next time your grandchild shows you a take‑home craft, you might be the one who made it… with a little help from modern tools.

Free Children’s Church Lessons to Download

For a look at my modest Resurrection Egg visual aid, check out ‘Easter:  The Inside Story!’

Download here: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Easter-The-Inside-Story.pdf

And here’s Bible Lesson with a technological take:  ‘The Devil is a Hacker!’

Download here: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Devil-is-a-Hacker.pdf

For some AI action in the form of a teacher on a moon base, explore my short story series Moon Base Genesis 2

Download here:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/short-stories/moon-base-genesis-2/