Nate Wright’s Blog Introduction: On this blog, you will find all the essential resources to help serve in children’s ministry. Whether you’re a new volunteer or seasoned veteran, Nate Wright, author of the best-selling book The Volunteer Leader’s Handbook, will guide you through best practices when it comes to serving with kids and teens. Early childhood ministry is an incredible opportunity to live out the gospel and bring glory to God. This book will help you develop a gospel-centered approach to serving in children’s ministry. It contains specific ways to teach and engage with children, but it is also designed to develop your heart. The last thing you want as a leader of young people is for them to be a higher priority than your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Serving in a children’s ministry can be difficult. Children are often impulsive, distracted, and can be hard to manage. At times it may feel like you are doing an impossible job. It is important to remember that you are not doing the work alone. God is always with you, and he has a plan for your ministry. I believe every child should have an opportunity to grow in their relationship with God. As a children’s ministry volunteer, I am called to help equip the children in our life and lead them into a deeper relationship with Jesus. I know many of you have questions about how telling Bible stories, singing songs and leading Bible time fits into the church experience. I hope this blog can help answer some of those questions.
Bible Verses About Serving In Children’s Ministry
Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 115 helpful votes
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Matthew 19:14 ESV / 113 helpful votes
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV / 87 helpful votes
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Psalm 127:3 ESV / 58 helpful votes
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Matthew 18:10 ESV / 53 helpful votes
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 45 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 41 helpful votes
Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
Psalm 8:2 ESV / 28 helpful votes
Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
Galatians 6:7 ESV / 25 helpful votes
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Matthew 18:6 ESV / 25 helpful votes
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 25 helpful votes
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV / 24 helpful votes
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:20 ESV / 24 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
1 John 1:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:23 ESV / 18 helpful votes
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
James 1:17 ESV / 18 helpful votes
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Philippians 4:13 ESV / 17 helpful votes
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 16 helpful votes
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Romans 3:23 ESV / 16 helpful votes
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
John 3:16 ESV / 16 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 14 helpful votes
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: …
Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 14 helpful votes
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Matthew 21:15-16 ESV / 14 helpful votes
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 12 helpful votes
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 12 helpful votes
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 12 helpful votes
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …
1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 11 helpful votes
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Pray without ceasing,
Colossians 3:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Ephesians 4:30 ESV / 11 helpful votes
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 11 helpful votes
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Isaiah 26:4 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV / 11 helpful votes
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
1 John 4:19 ESV / 10 helpful votes
We love because he first loved us.
1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 10 helpful votes
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Colossians 3:16 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 10 helpful votes
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Acts 16:31 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Matthew 22:39 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
Psalm 113:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes
He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Exodus 20:12 ESV / 10 helpful votes
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Genesis 16:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
1 Peter 2:2-3 ESV / 9 helpful votes
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
2 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 9 helpful votes
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Colossians 3:23 ESV / 9 helpful votes
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 9 helpful votes
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 9 helpful votes
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 9 helpful votes
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 9 helpful votes
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
2 Peter 3:18 ESV / 8 helpful votes
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
1 Peter 1:25 ESV / 8 helpful votes
But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
James 5:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Hebrews 4:1-12:29 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” …
Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:19 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
Galatians 6:9 ESV / 8 helpful votes
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Acts 6:4 ESV / 8 helpful votes
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 1:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
John 11:35 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Jesus wept.
Matthew 21:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes
And they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
Jeremiah 1:5 ESV / 8 helpful votes
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
1 Timothy 5:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
1 Timothy 2:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Brothers, pray for us.
Philippians 4:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
