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FourFiveSix.org: Great Ideas for your Preteen Ministry

Looking for great (game, object lessons, worship, volunteer celebration, etc. etc.) ideas to take your preteen ministry to the next level? This podcast is created and curated by FourFiveSix.org, a community of leading voices in preteen ministry. Our goal is simple: a short (4,5, or 6 minute) podcast a few times a week (4, 5, or 6 times) that gives you a quick, easy, free idea that you can use in your preteen ministry THIS WEEK. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org
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Now displaying: December, 2015
Dec 17, 2015

The idea of simulating events as object lessons was inspired by the creative people at Christ in Youth – specifically their preteen weekend event, SuperStart!

Sometimes the best OBJECT for an object lesson is an event that takes place within your ministry. Today, Sean gives four examples of how he’s used this concept in Elevate to introduce and reinforce the lessons he was teaching. From having his daughter almost smash a brand new guitar that was her unexpected gift (to set up the lesson about God’s test of Moses to sacrifice Isaac), to having leaders wandering the pre-service area with heavy loads that they could use help carrying (to set up the lesson about opening your eyes to the need around you), simulated events can really bring a punch to teaching a lesson to your preteens.

Dec 16, 2015

Today you’ll hear Sean share how they turned their preteen ministry space into an “airport” one summer, and how this creative environment was used as a teaching platform.

TELL US: What’s the most creative transformation of your ministry space that you’ve ever done? Help inspire others by sharing your stories in the comment section below.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 15, 2015

Today, Sean speaks with Pastor Eric Saathoff about turning weaknesses into testimonies. Just like Moses, who was being called by God to lead God’s people despite a speaking challenge, Pastor Eric has struggled with stuttering since he was a child. Pastor Eric talks today about reconciling his weakness with God’s call on his life, and gives us a GREAT IDEA of what to do with our weaknesses as ministry leaders.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 14, 2015

Many ministries use name tag stickers during service, but what happens after the service is over? Where do all those stickers end up? Destroying clothes in the washing machine? Giving away a child’s identity to strangers at the store?

Today Sean sits down with one of the Children’s Pastors at Destiny, Eric Saathoff, to talk about some great ideas for the destiny of those name tag stickers.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 11, 2015

When Sean first came on staff at Destiny Church, the 1st-5th grade students were all together. His first step in creating a preteen ministry was creating a program within the existing Children’s Ministry called Fifth Grade Helpers.

For over a decade, this program has been evolving as a discipleship program, specifically focused on helping students learn to serve the Church, and to build relationships with others who are dedicated to serving the church.

It has created long-lasting servants, many who are now adults and who continue to serve the Church and maintain friendships with the others who served with them back when they were preteens.

Today is part 4 of a 4 part series about the Fifth Grade Helper program. On today’s podcast, you’ll hear Sean give four ideas to get your student leadership program started in the right direction:

  1. Organize your first season of the program
  2. Involve another leader to help manage the program
  3. Charge a nominal fee for students to participate
  4. Think about where the program is leading students

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 10, 2015

When Sean first came on staff at Destiny Church, the 1st-5th grade students were all together. His first step in creating a preteen ministry was creating a program within the existing Children’s Ministry called Fifth Grade Helpers.

For over a decade, this program has been evolving as a discipleship program, specifically focused on helping students learn to serve the Church, and to build relationships with others who are dedicated to serving the church.

It has created long-lasting servants, many who are now adults and who continue to serve the Church and maintain friendships with the others who served with them back when they were preteens.

Today is part 3 of a 4 part series about the Fifth Grade Helper program. Today’s podcast gives an example of what a Fifth Grade Helper Meeting looks like.

Each meeting has three components (about 10-15 minutes each):

  1. Leadership Challenge (aka Lord of the Flies activity)
  2. A Short Leadership Lesson
  3. Skills Training

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 9, 2015

When Sean first came on staff at Destiny Church, the 1st-5th grade students were all together. His first step in creating a preteen ministry was creating a program within the existing Children’s Ministry called Fifth Grade Helpers.

For over a decade, this program has been evolving as a discipleship program, specifically focused on helping students learn to serve the Church, and to build relationships with others who are dedicated to serving the church.

It has created long-lasting servants, many who are now adults and who continue to serve the Church and maintain friendships with the others who served with them back when they were preteens.

Today is part 2 of a 4 part series about the Fifth Grade Helper program. Today’s podcast is focused on the how the preteen leaders are chosen.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 8, 2015

When Sean first came on staff at Destiny Church, the 1st-5th grade students were all together. His first step in creating a preteen ministry was creating a program within the existing Children’s Ministry called Fifth Grade Helpers.

For over a decade, this program has been evolving as a discipleship program, specifically focused on helping students learn to serve the Church, and to build relationships with others who are dedicated to serving the church.

It has created long-lasting servants, many who are now adults and who continue to serve the Church and maintain friendships with the others who served with them back when they were preteens.

Today is part 1 of a 4 part series about the Fifth Grade Helper program. Today’s podcast is focused on the “Who” and “Why” of the program.

A few months ago, we released a podcast that gave an overview to the Fifth Grade Helper Program.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 4, 2015

Some truths from scripture are so fantastic and mind-blowing that the best way to explain them is through a “magic trick”, an illusion.

Today, Sean explains why you shouldn’t shy away from doing an illusion, even if you’ve never done one before. You have the skill – and with practice, you, too, can amazing and fascinate. More importantly, you can create a powerful ministry moment when you turn that illusion into an illustration of a spiritual truth.

If you are looking for illusions that you can learn before this Sunday, check out these two resources:

  1. Gospel Magic
  2. Pinterest Page with Bible-themed Illusions

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 3, 2015

Many preteens love #selfies. But really, this is just a modern version of the classic photo booth, right? So, why not build your own photo booth for preteens to enjoy at your next service or event?

Today, Mike Sheley returns to talk with Sean about how you can build your very own old-school photo booth for less than $100. You could probably do it for $50, actually. We talked about another similar, less expensive (but not nearly as cool) option on a podcast episode back in May.

As Mike talks about building a photo booth, he shares these two resources:

Would you rather read Mike’s thoughts on this? Check out the article he wrote for juniorhighministry.org.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 2, 2015

Mike Sheley from Indiana talks with Sean today about a major event they are putting on this Friday – Black Light Night: an event that can easily be altered and tailored to your own preteen ministry.

As Mike discusses black light night in today’s podcast, he mentions these three resources:

  1. Blacklight.com
  2. S&S Worldwide
  3. Dude Perfect’s Black Light Episode

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Dec 2, 2015

This can be a really great time of year to celebrate and spend quality time with your volunteers. A Christmas Party can become a tradition that your volunteers look forward to with great anticipation.

Today, Sean talks about Elevate’s yearly Volunteer Christmas Party, how it’s structured, and what the intention of the evening is.

Raise the value of your preteen ministry leaders this Christmas season with a volunteer party! What a great idea!

Mentioned in today’s podcast was Caine’s Arcade – a YouTube Video that can inspire you and your volunteers any time of year.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

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