Info

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
RSS Feed
FourFiveSix.org: Great Ideas for your Preteen Ministry
2023
October
August
July
June
May
April
January


2022
December
November
October


2021
April
March
February
January


2020
October
September
May
March
February
January


2019
November
October
September
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
November
October
September
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: August, 2015
Aug 28, 2015

Today’s idea was inspired by Maria Gargano.  We met Maria through The Launchinar – if you are starting a preteen ministry, we’d love to meet you, too: check out The Launchinar for more info.

Today on the podcast, we explore ideas for family events, including Maria’s “God is Colorful” event.

What events involving parents have you done?  Share your ideas with us.

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/.

 

Aug 27, 2015

 

If you are feeling STUCK in your creative process, sometimes you just need a whack on the side of the head.  That’s exactly what Roger von Oech’s Creative Whack Pack is intended to do.  And now, you can find the Creative Whack Pack on the app store for Android and iPhone.

Listen to today’s podcast to get more information about the Creative Whack Pack.  And listen to Idea #57 from FourFiveSix entitled Forcing Creativity”.

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/.

 

Aug 26, 2015

 

You probably have at least a vague sense of why your preteen ministry exists, and why you are in ministry.  But, as today’s podcast points out, defining that “Driving Purpose” with greater focus will benefit your ministry in HUGE ways!

Here are two resources that can help you with the process of defining your Driving Purpose:

  1. The Advantage, by Patrick Lencioni
  2. The retreat 2 ADVANCE

We’d love your thoughts on this topic. Share YOUR ideas with us.

Are you taking your first steps into the world of preteen ministry? We’d love to partner with you as your discover how to have a THRIVING preteen ministry. Check out the Launchinar!

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/.

 

Aug 25, 2015

 

What board games and video games do your preteens like playing? Why not transform these games into something that your entire preteen ministry can enjoy playing TOGETHER?

On today’s podcast, we talk about this concept and share a few ideas of life-sized games.

Check out this video of a life-sized Hungry-Hungry-Hippo gameto get your creative juices flowing.

What life-sized games have you played with your preteens? Share your ideas with us.

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/.

 

Aug 21, 2015

 

Today’s idea was shared by Nate Cumming.  When he was the preteen ministry leader at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville, CA, he led a Wednesday night program called “BEYOND”.  Each week, he set the tone for the night with a short video.

Today on the podcast, we explore this idea, and how using the same video each week can be a powerful cue the preteens.

Want a video for your preteen ministry, but don’t have anybody with video creating talent?  You can get a video made for just $5 at Fiverr.com.  We first talked about Fiverr.com on this post: Do What You Do Best…and Outsource The Rest.

Do you use video intros and transitions?  Share your thoughts with us.

Mentioned on today’s podcast is “retreat2ADVANCE”.  Find out more online at www.fourfivesix.org/retreat-2-ADVANCE

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/.

 

Aug 20, 2015

 

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” –Proverbs 16:24

In ministry, encouraging words can be such life-giving.  Sometimes, however, in our moment of weakness, there is no other human being there to encourage us.  That’s when today’s idea, The Folder of Encouragement, can come in handy.

Listen to today’s podcast, as Sean opens his Folder of Encouragement and shares his thoughts about this useful ministry tool.

How have you seen the truth of Proverb 16:24 in your experience as a ministry leader? Let us know.

Have you checked out The Map of preteen ministry worldwide?  It has ministries, events, and networks that could benefit your preteen ministry, and help you to find some people in your area that might need some (or provide some) encouragement.

Are you on Twitter?  We’d love to connect with you @preteenministry.

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/.

 

Aug 19, 2015

 

Do you ever find yourself standing in front of a group of students trying to teach them, WHILE trying to deal with behavior issues?  It’s kind of like trying to be a mouth and a pair of hands at the same time.  God wants us to function differently than that: we are a part of the Body of Christ.  So…we need to stop trying to be the mouth, the hands, the feet, AND the ears. 

Today on the podcast, we discuss the concept of splitting task items and maintenance items, and how that can help your ministry to be more effective.

We’d love your thoughts on this topic.

Are you taking your first steps into the world of preteen ministry?  Or just looking to take your preteen ministry to the next level? We have conferences and trainings just for you!

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/.

 

Aug 18, 2015

 

As ministry leaders, we are creators.  And sometimes, we can get stuck.  Today’s podcast explores a couple of ways to FORCE ourselves to come up with something.  Because, sometimes, the best thing to do is just put the pen on the paper and see what comes out.

We’d love your thoughts on this topic. How do you push yourself forward when you’re experiencing creativity block?

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/.

 

Aug 15, 2015

 

Today’s idea comes from Chip Henderson, a pastor at New Covenant Church in Clovis, California. Chip has developed a program, called the 12 by 12 program, which challenges preteens to do 12 things by the time they turn 12 years old.  These 12 items include:

 

·         memorizing scripture

·         writing a testimony

·         designing and complete a service project

Listen to today’s podcast to hear more about how Chip is encouraging and equipping his preteens to grow through the 12 by 12 program.

Have you checked out The Map on www.fourfivesix.org? It’s a great way to get connected to the world of preteen ministries!

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/.

 

Aug 13, 2015

 

Preteens beginning to relate to music in a different way that when they were younger, and the music they listen to can affect them in a powerful way.  As preteens are searching for music that they like, we can help them to find music that they like that also directly glorifies God. More than that, we can use music as a catalyst for the lessons we are teaching.

Here are some songs that Sean has used in his preteen ministry to teach and reinforce a lesson:

 

·         Mission Control by LZ7 (Featured in today’s podcast)

·         Birthday by Canton Jones

·         House of God, Forever by Jon Foreman (Featured in Podcast 27: Drawing Psalm 23)

·         Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North

·         Hide by Joy Williams

 

What songs are your preteens listening to?  Subscribe to Interlinc and get new Christian music quarterly sent to your mailbox.

Mentioned on today’s podcast is “retreat2ADVANCE” and “The Launchinar”.  Find out more online at www.fourfivesix.org/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/.

 

Aug 12, 2015

 

Looking for a way to connect with the families in your preteen ministry?  On today’s podcast, we will discuss a way you can open the door for preteens and parents to connect with you and each other every week.

Even if you aren’t near a Jamba Juiceor a Cold Stone, this idea could work for your preteen ministry with a little bit of thought and creativity. By the way, did you know that Jamba Juice has a secret menu?

So, how about you: where do your preteens like to hang out? Is there a way you can use that information to build a bridge with preteens in your ministry and their families? Share your thoughts with us.

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/.

 

Aug 11, 2015

 

Today on the podcast, Sean sits down with Lori Seals, Children and Preteen Pastor at New Life Commity Church in Fair Oaks, California.

Lori shares a simple way that can help you connect your preteens to the words in their Bibles – Highlighters.

This is an idea you can easily start using this week!

I found this interesting discussion online about what pens and highlighters (and crayons) are best to use in marking up your Bible.

How do you engage your preteens with The Word?  Share your thoughts with us.

Mentioned on today’s podcast is “retreat2ADVANCE”.  Find out more online at www.fourfivesix.org/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/.

 

Aug 6, 2015

Preteens love slime.  Whether your teaching your preteens about the slimy pit of Psalm 40, or you just want to teach about sticky situations in life, what better object experience than to slime a few kids.

On today’s podcast, Sean shares about his hesitation to slime: the mess, the danger, the distraction.  He’ll share an easy recipe that he discovered to make safe, ingestible slime that smells good and leaves preteens cleaner than when they started. Haha.

Get ready to slime your favorite student or leader!

Mentioned in today’s podcast are:

 

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/.

Aug 5, 2015

 

As kids get older, it becomes more difficult to have “touch points” where we can communicate information to parents.  And yet, they are still young enough that communication with parents is vital.  So, how do YOU do it?  Today’s podcast explores a handful of ideas of how to communicate with parents, but we want to hear from you as well.  Share your ideas for communicating with parents in the comment section at http://fourfivesix.org/communicating-with-parents/.

Mentioned in today’s podcast is the 1…2…3...4 plan of connecting with parents.  Check that out at http://fourfivesix.org/inviting-visitors-to-become-a-part-of-your-preteen-ministry-community/

Also mentioned is retreat2ADVANCE.  Check that out at http://fourfivesix.org/retreat-2-advance/

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/.

 

Aug 4, 2015

 

Preteens love to express themselves, and their bedrooms are one place that many preteens have an opportunity to do that very thing.  Trophies on shelves, artwork and schoolwork hung on walls, color choices, and decorations in a preteen’s room can tell you a lot about who they are.

On today’s podcast, you’ll hear about how a lesson about Heaven and who God is can lend itself to involving preteens in a unique way.

Looking for some great preteen ministry training? Check out our training and conference page at www.fourfivesix.org/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/.

 

1