Karen DeBoer
When I worked as the Resource Developer for Faith Formation Ministries, I gathered ministry resources for online toolkits (including The Intergenerational Church, Family Faith Formation and more); created Dwell at Home resources for families; wrote resources for intergenerational faith formation; shared ideas on The Network and cohosted the Open to Wonder podcast. I'm the author of Home Grown Handbook for Christian Parenting and I served as a contributing editor for both You’re Invited: a Week of Devotions for Families on the Lord’s Supper and God’s Big Story Cards (Faith Alive Resources). Most recently, I was a chapter contributor for two books on intergenerational faith formation: A Gospel for All Ages, Teaching and Preaching for the Whole Church (Fortress Press) and All Ages Becoming, Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God's People (ACU Press).
Posted in: How to Choose a Children’s Storybook Bible
Thanks, Brandon! I'm glad you found the information to be helpful. And thank you for adding the Children's Illustrated Bible to the list. I've just flipped through it online and love the way it provides context for the stories by including maps, photos and other information. It's one that Elizabeth Caldwell points to in her book I Wonder as well. (And I can't recommend her book enough. It's one that belongs in every household with kids and in every church library!)
I have not had enough experience with graphic novel versions of the Bible to be able to comment on the Action Bible and Epic: The Story that Changed the World (although that category would be another interesting one to explore!). I'll pass your question along to my teammates and invite them to share their thoughts here. Perhaps others will comment here too.
Posted in: How to Choose a Children’s Storybook Bible
Thanks for this suggestion, Pam. I'm looking forward to checking it out!
Posted in: Palm Sunday Ideas for Including Kids in Online Worship During COVID-19
That's such a wonderful idea, Melissa. Thank you for sharing it here and for sharing the video on the CRC Children's Ministry Leaders Facebook page. It's amazing!
Posted in: 35 Tech Free, Faith Forming, Fun Activities For Families to Do at Home
Thanks so much for the feedback, Estar. I appreciate your comments. I used those descriptions for the idea suggestions because I wanted something that was instantly recognizable and familiar but I can see how those terms would be concerning to you. Another, much less familiar term for the popular origami game is "chatterbox". You could always use that term if you'd like to keep the game but change the name. Or make up your own name for it, that's always fun too!
In place of the more common "secret handshake" description, you could print on the idea slip: Create a handshake that has 8 different movements.
I hope those ideas are helpful. Blessings to you during this time.
Posted in: 35 Tech Free, Faith Forming, Fun Activities For Families to Do at Home
Thanks, Tracy. I'm glad you found them to be helpful!
Posted in: 35 Tech Free, Faith Forming, Fun Activities For Families to Do at Home
Thanks Staci. I like pulling ideas out of jars too:)
Posted in: This Might Be the Best Jesse Tree Set Ever
Yay! Thanks for letting us know that this will be helpful for you, Judy. We're so excited about this resource (and that we're able to provide it for free!)
Blessings to you in your ministry.
Posted in: This Might Be the Best Jesse Tree Set Ever
We're so glad you like it, LaVonne! Thanks for letting us know. (And we'd love to hear stories about how it's being used so feel free to circle back here after Christmas and tell us how things went!)
Posted in: This Might Be the Best Jesse Tree Set Ever
Craig that's a brilliant idea! Our graphic designer is working on it as I type and we should have that available for you by tomorrow.
Posted in: This Might Be the Best Jesse Tree Set Ever
Hi Craig, we've created the black and white version of the God's Big Advent Story ornaments and you're right, they are perfect for coloring. You'll find a link to them above, along with some other great ways to use this resource here.
Thanks again for the fabulous suggestion!
Posted in: This Might Be the Best Jesse Tree Set Ever
Yay, Leah! Let us know how it goes!
Posted in: 8 Ideas to Try With Intergenerational Small Groups
Great question, Sarah. Some of the ideas I shared are free (the Story Prompts, the list of questions from the Storytelling Toolkit and the Faith5 devotional method) and most of them could be adapted for free. Instead of purchasing images you could find a number of photos online, share them with your group and invite them to tell which one they would select (using the questions I provided or others that you have in mind) and why they chose it. Or, invite each person to bring a photo (or another object) which represents for them an answer to one of the questions (provided in advance.) For the Story Stones activity you can download the Story Prompts for free and then fill a bowl with stones found outdoors or from the dollar store. If you like, you could use permanent marker to draw a symbol on each stone or you could leave them blank and simply invite people to choose a stone and hold it while telling their story using the Story Prompt questions. (It's amazing how helpful it is just to have something to hold!) The Faith5 method is all free online and you could always make your own version of the bookmark if you wanted to keep a simple reminder of that practice with you. Hope that helps!