Lead Well

Getting kids to learn scripture, especially long passages can be hard.  We have to make it fun and interesting for them to even engage.  A couple of my leaders did something really creative for their Ranger Kids (Kindergarten-2nd grade boys) to learn the 23rd Psalm. They challenged the boys, if they learned the Psalm they would have a party at local park to finish off their unit.  The cool thing about this park is that it has green pastures and still waters.  (I asked if they were going to use lawn darts for valley of the shadow of death. Thankfully, they said no.)  She also made sheep cupcakes. Last Sunday, I was teaching the 1st and 2nd grade boys small group and all the boys were eager to show off what they've learned. Many of us have curriculum that makes us think we don't have time for creativity.  In reality, there is time to do something fun and creative.  You don't have to do it every week.  Just doing something every once and a while will make a big im

Last weekend, the Royal Rangers went on a special campout hosted by the Frontiersman Camping Fellowship (FCF).  This is an elite group of Rangers and only sixth grade and up are allowed to join after they learn essential skills, such as starting fires with one match or flint and steel, tying several types of knots, and proper shelter building.  This is all fun for the boys, but the underlying reason for FCF is what makes it so great. FCF’s mission is to keep boys for Christ.  Unlike other Ranger outings, this group is focused on the discipleship of young men and provides a rite of passage that is so desperately needed in our culture.  We had 8 boys and 2 dads go through step one of their “initiation” last weekend.  It was fun and the boys had a great time, but I saw something special. On the first night, I saw one dad playing with his son.  Many times we get so caught up in life, work, family, church that we forget why we are doing all of these things.  We forget the litt