Kids Ministry Answers

020: 10 Tips for Summertime in Kids Ministry

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:09:43 -0400

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019: Teaching Difficult Bible Stories to Kids

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 26 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

There are so many wonderful Bible stories to teach to kids every week. But there are a few that seem more intimidating than helpful. We want to stay true to Scripture without confusing, overwhelming, or oversimplifying things for the kids we're leading. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Paul asked us a question about how to teach the difficult or harder-to-understand Bible stories to kids. So we asked Meredith Miller to join Linda and Jason to share thoughtful, age-appropriate strategies for teaching hard passages of Scripture with honesty, wisdom, and care.

QUESTION:
“How do you teach difficult Bible stories to kids in a way that keeps the environment safe, honest, and age-appropriate while still staying true to Scripture?” — Paul
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to...

Stay true to Scripture by wrestling honestly with difficult stories and understanding their historical and cultural context
Recognize when certain stories may not be developmentally appropriate for kids just yet
Teach hard passages honestly without feeling pressure to defend or simplify every tension in the Bible
Focus on who God is and what God is doing in the story instead of only focusing on people’s behavior

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Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

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Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.

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Resources Mentioned:

Meredith's Resources on Kids + Faith
Free 4 weeks of access to Meredith's Substack on tricky stories
Wonder by Meredith Miller

018: How to Leave Your Ministry Well (Crossover)

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 12 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Leaving a ministry role can feel overwhelming—full of mixed emotions, hard conversations, and uncertainty about what comes next. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we’re tackling a big question about how to leave your ministry well when it’s time to move on. So we asked Dr. Yulee Lee to join the show to share practical wisdom for navigating transitions with honesty, emotional health, and integrity.

QUESTION:
How do I leave my ministry well when it’s time to move on?

ANSWER:

In this episode, we’ll talk about how to...

Lower the emotional stakes by recognizing that leaving is a normal and healthy part of ministry seasons
Reframe your anger so it leads to clarity, advocacy, and growth instead of bitterness
Be honest about your reasons for leaving in a way that builds trust and maintains integrity
Set clear boundaries during your transition to protect your time, relationships, and future

Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

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Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for youth ministry ideas, small group strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.

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Resources Mentioned:

Leadership Labs

017: What We Wish We Knew Before We Got Into Ministry

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

When you’re starting out in kids ministry, it’s easy to feel like you need to have everything figured out—while simultaneously feeling unprepared. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we got a question about what experienced ministry leaders wish they had known before starting in ministry. So we asked a variety of Stuff You Can Use team members to share honest, practical insights, and Linda and Jason respond to their thoughts while reflecting on lessons they’ve learned along the way.

QUESTION:
What’s one thing you wish you knew before you got started in ministry?

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to...

Let go of the pressure to have it all figured out and embrace growth through experience
Trust your voice and discernment, even when you feel inexperienced
Build healthy structure and rhythms that support sustainable ministry and personal well-being
Remember that people are the ministry—including your team, your leaders, and yourself

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Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

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Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.

If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

016: Our Favorite Event Ideas

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

When planning events, it’s easy to focus on what sounds the most unique or creative—but not every event should be trying to accomplish the same goal. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, someone from our Facebook Group asked a question about favorite kids ministry event ideas. So Linda and Jason break down different types of events and share practical ideas to help you choose and plan events that build relationships, welcome families, and create meaningful ministry moments.

QUESTION:
What are your favorite event ideas?

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to...

Plan just-for-fun events that help kids build friendships and positive associations with church
Leverage holiday events like Christmas and Easter to connect with families and share the story of Jesus
Create outreach and family events that make it easy for new families to engage and feel welcomed
Maximize big opportunities like VBS to combine fun, discipleship, and outreach into one powerful experience

Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.

If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:

015: Engaging Kids Who Don't Participate

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

When a few kids hang back, avoid activities, or seem uninterested, it can feel discouraging and tempting to push harder for participation. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Allegra Collins has a question about how to engage kids who don’t want to participate during small group or Bible teaching time. So we asked Christina Paiva to join Linda and Jason to share practical strategies for building trust, creating emotional safety, and gently inviting every child to engage at their own pace.

QUESTION:
“What are your tips on engaging kids who don’t want to participate or who struggle to engage during small group time and Bible teaching time?” — Allegra Collins

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to:

Recognize that engagement looks different for every child
Focus on relationships first, knowing trust and safety often lead to natural engagement
Welcome and invite kids with low-pressure options that meet them where they are
Help kids find relationships with peers, leaders, and families to help connections grow over time

Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

014: How to Handle Behavioral Issues

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Handling behavioral issues can feel like walking a tightrope—wanting kids to feel loved and welcomed while also maintaining a safe and fun environment for everyone. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Jonathan has a question about how to respond to behavioral challenges in a way that focuses on positive outcomes. So Linda and Jason share a simple, grace-filled framework to help leaders and volunteers correct behavior with clarity, consistency, and care.

QUESTION:
“How do you handle behavioral issues in a graceful way that focuses less on consequences and more on positive outcomes, while keeping the environment safe and fun?” — Jonathan

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to:

Protect the environment so every child and volunteer feels safe and supported
Use a clear “Redirect, Remove, Refer” framework to respond calmly and consistently
Partner with families to support long-term growth, not just short-term compliance

Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Resources Mentioned:

Volunteer Handbook
Parent Conversations - Behavioral Problems

013: Empowering Volunteers to Lead

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

When ministry projects pile up, it’s easy to unintentionally let your volunteer team building take a back seat—leaving even great teams feeling under-equipped or under-engaged. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Amanda Holt has a question about how to empower volunteers to lead in kids ministry. So we asked Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use, to join Linda and Jason to share practical ways to recruit, train, support, and inspire volunteers to lead with confidence and ownership.

QUESTION:
"How can I help my volunteers step into leadership and take initiative?" — Amanda Holt

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to:

Ask big by casting a compelling vision that helps volunteers see the meaningful impact of their role
Recruit well by inviting the right people into the right roles and structuring teams intentionally
Train them with clear expectations, vision resets, and ongoing leadership development
Support them emotionally, relationally, and practically so they feel valued, equipped, and inspired to keep leading

Ask a Question:
Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

Resources Mentioned:

Volunteer Handbook

012: How to Stretch Your Curriculum Over 2 Weekly Programs

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Trying to plan two weekly gatherings can leave leaders feeling stretched thin—worried about being repetitive, running out of energy, or needing to use a variety of curriculum. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Mallory from Wisconsin has a question about using one curriculum for both midweek and weekend services. So we asked Linda Moon and Jason Sivewright to share practical ways to stretch a single lesson across multiple gatherings—no matter what curriculum you use—without doubling your workload.

QUESTION:
“How can I use my Grow Kids subscription for both midweek and weekend services?” — Mallory, Wisconsin

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to build sustainable rhythms by intentionally dividing one lesson across two environments in ways that play to their strengths.

Main Points:

Understand your program structure by identifying what each gathering does best.
Understand your lesson format so you know where to place setup, teaching, and application moments.
Divide your lesson strategically by splitting it evenly, by vibe, or by purpose—depending on your context.

Evaluate what’s working by testing one approach, getting volunteer feedback, and adjusting as needed.

Ask a Question:
Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

Resources Mentioned:

Grow Lesson Builder

011: An Event to Help your Team Connect

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:19:30 -0500

Building a strong kids ministry team doesn’t start with training—it starts with connection. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Jason Sivewright and Dr. Linda Moon respond to a great question from Pastor Elton about hosting intentional, quarterly gatherings that help volunteers connect, grow, and enjoy ministry together. This episode walks through practical ways to set the vibe, spark conversation, and create meaningful shared experiences for your team. You’ll walk away with ideas you can scale up or down to fit your ministry context and help your specific team.

What We Cover:

How to set the vibe with music, food, and a warm environment
Easy ways to help volunteers connect and start talking
Games and activities that build teamwork (not stress)
Strategic conversations that strengthen your ministry culture
How to help volunteers stay connected outside of church

Ask a Question:
Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

Resources Mentioned:

010: How to Get Some Rest!

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Rest can feel surprisingly difficult in ministry—especially when the work never really slows down. In this crossover episode, Brooklyn from Youth Ministry Answers joins Jason and Dr. Yulee Lee from the Stuff You Can Use team to talk about why rest often feels risky for kids and youth pastors, and how unrest can show up beneath exhaustion, overwhelm, or transition.

Ask a Question:
Have a kids or youth ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical ideas, leadership tools, and conversations you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

009: 5 Tips for Recruiting Parent Volunteers

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

If you’ve ever looked at your volunteer schedule and thought, We need more help, you’re not alone. In this episode, Linda and Jason sit down with Kegan DeWitt to walk through five simple, practical ways to recruit parent volunteers for kids ministry.

Ask a Question:
Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

008: Let's Prep for VBS!

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

VBS season has a way of sneaking up on you. In this episode, we’re joined by Emily Nguyen to talk through how to prep for VBS in a way that’s thoughtful, strategic, and actually doable.

Together, we walk through how to set clear goals for your VBS, simplify your planning, recruit and care for volunteers, and make sure families actually hear about it. We also talk about partnering with parents, other churches, and your community so VBS isn’t just a fun week—but something that sticks.

Ask a Question:

Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:

Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more practical ideas, creative activities, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:

What's Cookin'? Free VBS —A 4-day VBS for children's ministry from Grow Curriculum!

007: Merry Christmas from KMA!

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:30:00 -0500

Merry Christmas from the Kids Ministry Answers team! In this short holiday episode, Linda and Jason take a moment to say thank you, wish you a merry Christmas, and share a quick preview of what’s coming up next on the podcast.

Whether you’re wrapping up a busy season of ministry or finally getting a chance to rest, we hope you’re able to slow down, celebrate, and enjoy time with the people you love. We’ll be back soon with more practical conversations and ideas for kids ministry leaders.

Ask a Question:

Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

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006: Our 10 Best Christmas Ideas

Stuff You Can Use — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:30:00 -0500

Christmas is a huge moment in kids ministry, and sometimes you just need a few fresh ideas to keep things fun, meaningful, and memorable. In this episode, Linda and Jason share ten creative Christmas ideas from the Stuff You Can Use team—simple, affordable, and totally doable no matter your ministry size. From cozy events to high-energy games to activities that bring families together, this episode is packed with inspiration for the season.

Ask a Question:

Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!

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Resources Mentioned:

Christmas Bundles from Grow Kids — Each bundle includes a teaching series, an event, and an original Christmas song from Grow Music. Available at growcurriculum.org

005: Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Team

Stuff You Can Use — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Volunteers are the heart of your kids ministry — but celebrating them consistently (and creatively) can be tough. In this special crossover episode, Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use, joins Linda and special co-host Damean Easter of the Youth Ministry Answers podcast to share practical and meaningful ways to appreciate your team all year long. You’ll learn how to celebrate volunteers for what they do and for who they are — without breaking your budget or burning yourself out.

What We Cover:

How to celebrate volunteers annually, monthly, and weekly
Creative ideas that build culture (not just hype)
Why “boring but consistent” matters more than big gestures

Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for children’s ministry ideas, volunteer care tips, and Sunday School strategies you can use right away.

If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:

004: 4 Fun Ways to Memorize Scripture

Stuff You Can Use — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Scripture memorization doesn’t have to feel boring or forced. In this episode, Jason and Linda share fun and practical ways to help kids memorize Bible verses — and actually enjoy it. You’ll learn how to make Scripture stick through creativity, repetition, and play.

What We Cover:

Setting realistic expectations for Scripture memorization
Turning Bible memory into a game kids love
Building repetition into your rhythm so Scripture lasts

Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more kids ministry ideas, Bible teaching strategies, and Sunday School resources you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:

Grow Kids Curriculum — Every series includes sign language videos!

003: How to Better Connect with Parents

Stuff You Can Use — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:58:59 -0400

Parents can be the hardest group to engage—and the most important. In this conversation, Linda and Jason share a simple, relational strategy to move from “I hope parents show up” to “we earned their trust.” You’ll get practical ideas you can calendar, repeat, and scale in any context.

What We Cover:

Why you should host parent-specific events
How often to communicate with parents
Why you should spend time with parents in your ministry

Ask a Question:
Got a question about parents, volunteers, or teaching? Send it at kma.show—yours might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical kids ministry ideas you can use right away. If this helped, a quick review helps other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:

Parent resources from Grow Curriculum!

002: How to Keep Kids' Attention!

Stuff You Can Use — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:58:56 -0400

In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Linda and Jason talk about one of the biggest challenges in kids ministry—keeping kids’ attention. They’ll unpack how to move beyond just entertaining kids and instead help them listen, reflect, and respond to what they’re learning about God.

What We Cover:

The importance of a structure
Adding variety and creativity so kids stay engaged
Building a weekly rhythm that helps kids listen, reflect, and respond

Ask a Question:
Got a question about kids ministry, teaching, or volunteers? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more kids ministry ideas, Sunday School strategies, and practical tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:
Try a Grow Kids Teaching Series for free!

001: 4 Ways to Re-Inspire Your Volunteers

Stuff You Can Use — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:58:53 -0400

Volunteers are the heart of every kids ministry, but how do you get them energized and inspired for serving? On this episode, Linda and Jason share a few a few tips to get your team excited and ready for what's ahead.

What We Cover:

Why volunteer excitement matters for your kids ministry
How to plan a Volunteer Kick-Off that builds energy and connection
What to include so your team leaves inspired and equipped for the year ahead

Ask a Question:
Got a question about leading your kids ministry or training volunteers? Visit kma.show to send it in — your question might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Resources Mentioned:

Volunteer Kick-Off Event from Grow Curriculum