KidMin Backstage

Today I'm joined by Bro. Brent and we're talking Sunday School Characters!

Whether you’re playing a prophet, a talking sheep, or a knight from a medieval village, characters can bring the Bible to life in ways kids will never forget. But the question is: how do we go all in—costumes, voices, and all—without losing sight of biblical truth?

Let’s talk about how to make Bible characters and theme characters come alive while keeping your theology on point. 

Some of the things we try to cover:

• Become the character - from head to toe
• Commit to voice, emotion, and accent
• Connect character to the lesson

Today I'm joined by Bro. Matthew, and we're continuing a conversation we had while traveling.

We're talking about the balance between taking creative liberties and maintaining biblical accuracy.

In our Sunday school we try to bring Bible stories to life each Sunday through an interactive Bible theater experience. There is a necessary balance between creative expression that grabs kids’ attention and biblical accuracy.

When we add dialogue to biblical characters that Scripture doesn’t record their words, or when we imagine the thoughts and feelings of people like the unnamed servant girl who suggested Naaman visit Elisha, we enter a delicate balance. We don’t want to just entertain; we want kids to understand that Bible stories are fundamentally different from fairy tales. Our creative additions should illuminate rather than obscure biblical truths.

• Some of the things we try to cover:
• Establish some boundaries
• Maintain distinction between facts and "parable"
• Create feedback through review
• Know the story

Today I'm joined by Bro. Kyle and we're talking about the process.

In the relentless pursuit of ambitious targets, leaders often fall into the trap of goal obsession—fixating on outcomes while neglecting the fundamental systems that create those outcomes. This approach, while seemingly logical, frequently leads to short-term thinking, unsustainable practices, and ultimately, inconsistent results. The most effective leaders understand a counterintuitive truth: sustainable success comes not from chasing goals, but from designing and committing to the right processes. 

Some of the things we try to cover:

1. Reverse Engineer Your Vision into Daily Actions
2. Have Systems that Don't Depend on Motivation
3. Measure Discipline, Not Just Outcomes
4. Refine the Process

Today I'm joined by Bro. Aaron, and we're discussing the Michelin Star Rating and how some of the same criteria can also apply to Sunday school.

The Michelin Star is a prestigious award given to restaurants by the Michelin Guide, a widely recognized and respected culinary guide. It signifies exceptional quality and is a symbol of excellence. 

The Michelin Star is a highly sought-after award, signifying that the restaurant is among the best in its city or region. 

In 1889, two brothers founded a tire company, and in 1900, they published a free guide for motorists that included maps, tire repair information, and restaurant recommendations. 

By 1926, this was a paid guide, and Michelin Tire Company began awarding single stars to fine dining establishments. 

In 1931, 3-star ratings were introduced: one star for “a very good restaurant”, two for “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” and three for “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”. 

In 1936, Michelin published the criteria for the star rankings:

1. High-quality ingredients 
2. Mastery of flavor blending 
3. Technique and skill 
4. Chef’s personality 
5. Consistency 

We use the above criteria to discuss how this applies to children's ministry.