Starting out in Children's Ministry

If you're in children's ministry and you're tired, confused, or discouraged, pick this book up. I found myself highlighting every concise, wisdom-filled, Christ-centered chapter. For those starting out in children's ministry, it's my #1 recommendation. | What a joy to find such a short book that packs so much in! From cover to cover, there is everything a new Sunday School leader needs to start thrilling children with Jesus Christ. I will be using this book to train our young leaders, one to one, a chapter at a time. Thank you! | This book is easy to read, well written, practical, engaging and inspiring. It'severything I want to say to my teams. The 'prayer pause' takes it from being abook about learning how to do children's ministry to actually doing children'sministry straight away! | Here is a great book for those working with children. It allows the Bible to shape its thinking whilst being wonderfully practical: this is distilled wisdom from a master-practitioner. There are so many strengths:• it shows how a Bible passage can be broken down and taught, inspiring confidence to have a go• the layout is in short, easy-to-read chapters• the material could easily be used for Sunday School training - there is free team-training material on the Good Book website• it could be used by any size of church.I could go on. Suffice to say why not buy it and see for yourself. I know of nothing better and cannot praise it too highly. | The book is only eight chapters, each one short and sweet, but between them they cover a rich sweep of pretty much everything you’d want introduced. Ranging from the general (‘Why Children’s Ministry?’) to the specific (‘Digging into the Bible’ and ‘Staying safe’), they’re an engaging blend of input, questions & activities, personal examples and prayer points. | It is short, easy to read and engaging. Alison lays out the biblical basis for our work with children in church and the book is full of sensible and practical ideas. She honestly recognises that many children’s workers worry about issues of discipline, and helpfully explains that this is not a separate issue, but underlies our planning, teamwork and enabling children to focus on and hear the gospel. Throughout the book there are helpful ‘discipline tips’ and a focus on praying for the children that we know through regular ‘prayer pauses’ in each chapter. It is so good to be encouraged to pray for the children in our groups even while reading the book. | Alison Mitchell is a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company, where she has worked on a range of products including Bible-reading notes for children and families, and the Christianity Explored range of resources. She is the bestselling author of The Christmas Promise and the award-winning Jesus and the Lions' Den.