You are not alone.
Tim teaches Explore the Bible: Kids at his church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. He’s passionate about helping kids dig deep into Scripture, which he pursues through his daily work as leader of the Explore the Bible: Kids team. Tim lives with his wife and daughters in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.
9:00 AM • Registration & Register for Door Prizes
9:15 AM • Preview of Family Night Celebration
9:30 AM • Praise & Worship
9:50 AM • Breakout Session 1
11:00 AM • Breakout Session 2
12:00 PM • Lunch & Door Prizes
12:30 PM • Breakout Session 3
1:40 PM • Breakout Session 4
2:50 PM • Breakout Session
3:50 PM • Conference Concludes
Choose from over 40 breakout session options for equipping and training in Children’s Ministry and Vacation Bible School. Descriptions of each breakout session are included below.
Location: Room 129
Why do kids still need to hold onto valuable Bible skills in the digital world? Come hear some tips on keeping kids engaged with God’s Word even in a digital environment.
Location: Room 128
Social scientists have researched what happens when children of different ages play and learn together. And guess what! There are advantages for kids of all ages! Come find out how your church will benefit from combined-age classrooms. Discover how preschool and elementary kids can effectively explore Bible truth together, and how, as their teacher, you can facilitate cooperation, community, and deep Bible discoveries.
Location: Room 105
Children think in concrete terms. The words we use to share the Gospel are vital to their understanding. Learn how to know if a child understands the Gospel and is ready for salvation.
Location: Room 121
James teaches believers to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Learn how to guide children to take the truth of your lessons and obey God’s Word out of a love for Christ.
Location: Room 124
Whether you are a first-time director or have served as one many times, find planning helps and resources of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including helpful tips for planning and organizing the VBS of your choice.
Location: Room 125
Location: Room Auditorium
A preview of the music and motions of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, with tips on reinforcing the day’s Bible truth.
Location: Room 123
A detailed look at preschool material for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum to make your preschoolers’ experience engaging.
Location: Room 122
Take a cue from Moses, Aquilla and Priscilla, Paul, and Jesus, leaving a legacy of faithful service by investing in the generation of leaders coming up behind you.
Location: Room 106
Writing policies can be much like a trip to the dentist, as it is something that can be painful, but it is certainly necessary. In this workshop you will examine best practices for safety and security for the kids in our ministries as well as the other policies that should be a part of our routines.
Location: Room 123
During this session we will look at implementing different strategies to involve children with special needs in your classroom environment. We will also explore ways to adjust your curriculum to meet children with special needs at their developmental level. You will leave this session with tools to engage and include children with special needs into your classroom community.
Location: Room 124
Many times, behavior management focuses on stopping the negative. In our time together we will discuss ways to highlight the desired behavior from the kids we serve. Understanding why kids often act out and how to encourage the positive behaviors we desire will be topics during this session.
Location: Room 129
Leading preschoolers is a valuable and rewarding experience. Come learn some techniques to help build solid biblical foundations for preschoolers.
Location: Room 128
A detailed preview of Group Publishing’s VBS True North, an ultimate Alaskan adventure pointing children to Jesus, their faithful friend and True North.
Location: Room 121
A preview of days one through five Bible study rotation for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified for students in grades 1-6, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum.
Location: Room 120
A preview of the crafts rotation of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, with connection points to assist craft leaders in reinforcing the day’s Bible truth.
Location: Room Auditorium
A preview of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified decorating tips and ideas to transform your rooms or space to help engage students as they hear God’s Word and help remember the day’s Bible truth.
Location: Room 125
Location: Room 129
Why do kids still need to hold onto valuable Bible skills in the digital world? Come hear some tips on keeping kids engaged with God’s Word even in a digital environment.
Location: Room 106
In many small churches, breaking up your kid’s ministry into individual grades is tough, if not impossible. In this break you will talk about how to equip, encourage and engage the kids God has entrusted to you when teaching in a classroom with a broad range of grades.
Location: Room 121
You only have a short time with your children. Make the time count by using dynamics in your lessons to bring them to life!
Location: Room 105
As a child grows to understand the world around them, so does their capacity to understand who God is. In this interactive session, you’ll learn about the Awana 3B ministry philosophy and explore the spiritual faith stages from birth to adulthood, leaving you better prepared to meet kids where they are on their spiritual walk.
Location: Room 122
Technology can be a very useful tool in children’s ministry as in life. As we navigate in this digital world, let’s discuss ways to reach children, enhance outreach, and apply guardrails all while focusing on our purpose to share the gospel.
Location: Room 120
A preview of the crafts rotation of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, with connection points to assist craft leaders in reinforcing the day’s Bible truth.
Location: Room 124
A preview of the missions’ rotation of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, with helpful tips on teaching kids to pray for missionaries and participate in hands-on mission projects.
Location: Room Auditorium
We were made to magnify God! As you plan for Worship Rally and events that gather families together, come learn ways to engage them and to magnify and proclaim the greatness of God.
Location: Room 122
Kids + Ministry programs = VOLUNTEER NEED. Inviting volunteers to be part of what God is doing in your ministry requires strategy, asking the right questions, and shifting culture.
Location: Room 106
Most churches tend to overlook the unique dynamics of preteens when it comes to discipleship, which leaves these young people feeling caught in the middle. Join us as we talk about the characteristics of today’s preteens and share some strategies for creating large group, small group and VBS programming that engages them and helps them develop a faith that will last.
Location: Room 128
Prayer is so much more than asking God for stuff. It’s an opportunity to talk with God, praise God, and join with others who trust and depend on God, too! Together, we’ll explore both traditional and unique prayer experiences that help children spend time with God. Along the way, we’ll rediscover how prayer helps kids and leaders grow in relationship with God and each other. You’ll walk away with fresh and fun prayers to implement in your children’s ministry. Plus, you’ll be reminded of the power of prayer in your own life and your ministry.
Location: Room 123
During this session we will look at implementing different strategies to involve children with special needs in your classroom environment. We will also explore ways to adjust your curriculum to meet children with special needs at their developmental level. You will leave this session with tools to engage and include children with special needs into your classroom community.
Location: Room 105
Children are curious about our God and His great love for us. We will take a look at some tough questions children may ask.
Location: Room Auditorium
There is no question that when words and melody are put together, the memory of a song can stick with a child for a long time, so why not the truths of God’s Word? Even in our VBS music, are children merely making motions and singing words, or do they see the true God in what they are singing? In this breakout, we will examine a method of helping children grow in their faith through music. We will do this by delving into the scriptural foundation for the VBS songs that we sing. Additionally, we’ll explore developing reinforcement activities during your music rotation that will encourage your kids to remember these important truths.
Location: Room 120
The message of hope and love through Jesus is not just for adults! Let’s learn together how to use the 3 Circles Conversation Guide to clearly explain the gospel message to kids leading them to decide to follow Jesus as their Savior. Kids can learn to use the same method to share Jesus with their own friends and family members. We are all called to evangelism, so let’s work together and be ready for this life changing conversation with others.
Location: Room 121
A preview of days one through five Bible study rotation for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified for students in grades 1-6, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum.
Location: Room 120
The youth in your church have much to offer as volunteers for VBS. Let’s discuss the strengths and energy of our teens and the advantages of having them help children magnify God for His greatness during VBS.
Location: Room 105
Let’s be real. Kids today face so many different issues. Whether it’s anxiety, gender identity, family instability, or a constantly changing culture, this breakout will identify what’s impacting our kids. We’ll share practical discipleship tips and resources to help you answer, “Who are these kids who show up to our ministry every week? And how can we step into their worlds and disciple them?”
Location: Room 128
Have you noticed? Kids today are dope…fire…and all the other new words they say! They’re inquisitive, full of energy, tech savvy, and oh so witty and fun. Perhaps you’ve also observed that tried-and-true teaching techniques don’t quite engage your class like they once did. In this workshop, we’ll help you upgrade your teaching methodology so you can deliver Bible truths that truly sync with kids’ hearts and lives. Expect practical takeaways and simple ideas that’ll help you more effectively disciple the children in your care.
Location: Room 122
Rejuvenate and Refresh! Let’s look at steps to take to keep from burn out!
Location: Room 121
Kids love a fun Theme Night! Leave this breakout with a kid tested list of theme nights and service projects kids can do to use for midweek or summer programs.
Location: Room 124
Whether you are a first-time director or have served as one many times, find planning helps and resources of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including helpful tips for planning and organizing the VBS of your choice.
Location: Room 123
A detailed look at preschool material for Lifeway’s VBS Magnified, including teaching helps for use with any curriculum to make your preschoolers’ experience engaging.
Location: Room 106
A preview of Lifeway’s VBS Magnified recreation rotation, explaining games, and transitional activities with tips to help rotation leaders reinforce the day’s Bible Truths.
