Ever feel like your lesson is too much and not enough at the same time?

This episode dives into the K.I.S.S. principle—Keep It Simple, Silly!—and why clear, focused teaching is the key to reaching kids (and keeping your sanity). 

Key Takeaway: If it’s too complicated to live, it’s too complicated to teach. 

Challenge: Cut the clutter, find the one big truth, and teach it simply, clearly, and powerfully—just like Jesus did.

In this fun and heartfelt episode, James is joined by his favorite person & cohost—Kimberly, for a deep dive into one of the most effective and enduring practices in their Sunday School: Little Things Big.

What started over a decade ago with 'Rut Busters' and a timely visit from Bro. Rodney Betts has become a weekly tradition: taking something small and turning it into a joyful, engaging moment for kids.

From silly socks to gummy bears, from snowball fights to kaleidoscopes, the duo shares how these seemingly simple elements are tools to magnify the Lord and make spiritual truths come alive for children.

You'll hear the origin story, categories of activities, favorite object lessons, and practical tips for making it work—on a budget and without losing your mind!

🔑 Key Scriptures:

• Psalm 34:3 – “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

• Zechariah 4:10 – “For who hath despised the day of small things?”

• 1 Corinthians 1:27 – “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

• Matthew 18:3–4 – “...become as little children...”

• Mark 9:37 – “Whosoever shall receive one of such children...”

• Psalm 8:2 – “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings...”

• Clothes: Silly socks, hats, crazy hair, Backwards Day, Elder Sunday

• Food: Gummy Bears, Laffy Taffy, Hot Chocolate, Cotton Candy

• Games: Snowball Fight, Water Bottle Flip, Bible Bingo, Oreo Roll

• Objects: Erasers, Kaleidoscopes, Kazoos, Rocket Copters

• How Jesus taught with relatable objects (spit + dirt = blind man healed!)

• The origin of Little Things Big and how it evolved from ‘Rut Busters’

• Real-life fails (like the infamous Nerf War with one gun!)

• Tips for budgeting, planning, and communicating these ideas weekly

💬 Listener Challenge:What’s one small thing you can make big this week?Try it this Sunday—and let us know how it goes!

📬 Feedback & Community:Got an idea? Want to share a favorite “Little Things Big” moment?
👉 Email James at [email protected]👉 Or drop your idea in the Children's Ministers of the Apostolic Movement WhatsApp chat

Between prep, props, and planning, it’s easy to forget the real reason we’re in ministry: Jesus.

In this episode, we walk through five reminders—using the story of Mary and Martha—to help you refocus and keep God first in everything you do. 

Key Takeaway: If Jesus isn’t at the center, we’re just doing activity. 

Challenge: Take a quiet moment before you serve this week to sit at His feet and make sure He’s still the Main Thing.

This week, we're diving into the sponge analogy—yes, really. You were made to soak in God’s presence, His Word, and spiritual growth... and then pour it out into the lives of your students.

💡 Key Takeaway:

You can only release what you’ve absorbed.
🎯 Challenge:

1) Soak intentionally.

2) Pour out completely.

📌 Episode Summary:

“If you want to catch beasts you don’t see every day,
You have to go places quite out of the way.
You have to go places no others can get to.
You have to get cold and you have to get wet, too.”
— Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

In the final part of our Route Ministry Roundtable, we’re digging into the lessons learned in the trenches. What really makes a route successful? What spiritual resistance do outreach workers face—and how do they keep showing up week after week?

Kimberly, Alicia, Lindsey, and Whitney reflect on the cost of route ministry—time, finances, fellowship, and even comfort—and how those sacrifices plant seeds with eternal results. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s worth the effort, this episode is your answer.

💡 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• What “success” in ministry really looks like

• Why route workers often face spiritual pushback

• The role of leadership in supporting outreach teams

• How parents, pastors, and youth can bridge the gaps

• Personal moments that revealed God’s faithfulness in hard places

🗣️ Notable Quotes:

• “Route ministry will cost you money, time, tears, and pain… but it's worth it.” – Lindsey

• “You never know what God is doing beneath the surface.” – James

• “They don’t forget you—even 10 years later in Walmart, they’ll still say, ‘That’s my bus lady.’” – Whitney

• “We’re going to war for these babies.” – Alicia

• “If God’s calling you, don’t wait. Grab your keys. Fill up your Ford Ranger.” – James

📚 Themes & Scriptures Referenced:

• 1 Corinthians 3:6 – Planting and watering, but God gives the increase

• Luke 14:23 – Go out into the highways and hedges

• Perseverance in spiritual warfare

• Leadership's role in sustaining outreach

• Reaping a harvest in due season (Galatians 6:9)

🛠️ Takeaways:

• You may never see the full impact of your efforts—but God does

• Route ministry builds spiritual endurance and sacrificial love

• Success isn’t in numbers—it’s in faithfulness

• Support from church leadership and youth ministry bridges the generational gap

• Every act of outreach—no matter how small—matters

🔁 Series Recap : Everyone Is Worth the Effort

1. How It All Began – Personal testimonies & callings

2. The Good, the Bad, and the Bus Route – Wild stories & emotional moments

3. Seeds, Sacrifice, and Success – Deep takeaways and lasting impact

Abraham Lincoln said "I may walk slowly but I don't walk backwards."

EVERY Step matters! I have a feeling this one is going to turn into a full episode one day soon - but for now, here's a Snippet to challenge you to keep going this week!!!!

Here's links to the projects mentioned in the episode as well:

ACTS In Action - https://www.actscurriculum.com/

SPARK Magazine - https://wpfkids.org/spark

A Spider's Gotta Do - https://a.co/d/4Wt2rPL

Instead of a Snippet today - I'm coming at you full force with Part 2 of our "Everyone is worth the effort" series.... Part 3 is scheduled for our regular release date - Tuesday May 6th!

📌 Episode Summary:

“You have to go places no others can get to.You have to get cold and you have to get wet, too.”— Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

In this second episode of our 3-part Route Ministry series, the gloves come off—and the stories roll in. From competing with rival bus drivers to frozen jeans, pit bulls, talkie bribes, and emotional reunions at Walmart, this episode is filled with the wild, funny, and deeply moving moments that only happen when you're reaching kids who really need it.

Kimberly, Alicia, Lindsey, and Whitney share the behind-the-scenes reality of Sunday School route ministry—where love, chaos, and compassion collide in the best (and most unexpected) ways.

💡 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Funny and chaotic moments from the front lines of outreach

• Getting “beat to the door” by other churches

• Dealing with angry dogs, busted vans, and exhausted volunteers

• Kids who showed up in frozen jeans just to make it to church

• • Why even the hardest days are still worth it

  🗣️ Notable Quotes:

• “We had to leave 45 minutes early just to beat Ralph there.” – Alicia

• “That chihuahua literally bit me on the ankle… I came to church bleeding.” – Whitney

• “One of our kids put on frozen pants just so she could come to Sunday School.” – Alicia

• “They’re not just kids. They’re my kids.” – Lindsey

• “Don’t ever show up empty-handed. You bring candy and you bring love.” – Whitney

📚 Referenced Themes:

• Ministry in messy places

• Humor in hard moments

• Emotional cost and spiritual reward

• • Consistency through adversity

  🛠️ Takeaways:

• Route ministry is messy, unpredictable, and full of resistance—but also full of reward

• Kids will remember you for your love, your candy… and your consistency

• The ones who need church the most often come from the hardest situations

• You never know when a seed you planted years ago will show up grown and grateful

🔗 Next Episode:

🎧 Part 3 – Seeds, Sacrifice, and SuccessIn the finale, we explore what makes a route truly successful, how leaders can better support these ministries, and the spiritual lessons learned along the way. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s worth it… don’t miss this one.

📌 Episode Summary:

“If you want to catch beasts you don’t see every day,You have to go places quite out of the way.”— Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

In this first episode of our powerful 3-part roundtable series, we're joined by Kimberly, Alicia, Lindsey, and Whitney—four women who built thriving Sunday School routes from scratch. No bus. No blueprint. Just a burden.

They share their personal testimonies, how they came to truth, and how they were drawn into children's ministry—not by accident, but by divine appointment. Whether it was an invitation from a friend, a nudge from the Spirit, or a van full of cousins, their stories remind us that ministry doesn’t begin with a title—it begins with a yes.

💡 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How each guest came to the Apostolic faith

• The surprising ways God led them into route ministry

• Why “just one kid” is worth the effort

• The spiritual connection between calling and compassion

• The impact of consistency in ministry

• Your ministry might start with one kid—but it can grow into generations of impact

• Route ministry is more about love and consistency than logistics

Ever feel like your kids just shut down mid-lesson? You’re not alone—turns out, kids come with built-in screensavers!
Inspired by Karl Bastian (The Kidologist), this episode dives into why kids “check out” and how you can keep them engaged with energy, movement, and surprise.

💡 Key Takeaway: Keep “bumping the mouse” with intentional moments that snap kids back into focus.
🎯 Challenge: 1) Prepare with motion and interaction, and 2) Be ready to react when screensavers hit!

Isn't Children's Ministry only for the young????

In this episode, we explore the vital role elders play in Sunday School ministry. From foundational wisdom to steady leadership and lived example, elders remind us that you never age out of making an impact.

💡 Key Takeaway: Silver hair isn’t retirement—it’s reinforcement.
🎯 Challenge: Find an elder who’s impacted your journey… and let them know!