Annemarie Rivers 21/5/25 Annemarie Rivers 21/5/25

Fostering a sense of belonging in kids ministry

Low and irregular attendance at church is a concerning trend for leaders today. As someone particularly concerned with the discipleship of children, sporadic attendance is discouraging, so we can’t ignore the impact this will have on children.

Here’s one area I think children’s ministry leaders need to consider - fostering in our young people a sense of belonging at church.

Annemarie Rivers 28/4/25 Annemarie Rivers 28/4/25

Why routine is a kids ministry leader’s best friend

Routine isn’t boring; in fact, it makes kids’ ministry engaging and effective. From familiar games to visual schedules, predictability helps children feel confident, cooperate, and absorb new lessons without overwhelm. Leaders love it too—less stress, smoother transitions, and more time to plan and prepare for lessons!

Annemarie Rivers 20/2/25 Annemarie Rivers 20/2/25

Should we add a new gospel bead?

Have you taught your kids how to share the good news with gospel beads? It’s a great way to equip young people to share their faith. It’s simple, memorable… and wearable.

In his new book, The Child in God’s Church (2025)Tim Beilharz makes the point that we are missing a bead.

Annemarie Rivers 30/1/25 Annemarie Rivers 30/1/25

Fresh ideas for kids spots

With the start of a new year, here are some fresh ideas for kids spots in church gatherings. I encourage you to evaluate their suitability for your context based on your convictions about the purpose of that time.

Annemarie Rivers 13/11/24 Annemarie Rivers 13/11/24

The three R’s of gospel-shaped discipline with kids

One of the biggest fears people have about serving in children’s ministry leadership roles is around behaviour management. What do you do when a child refuses to cooperate? What do you do when the group won’t settle down and listen?

Annemarie helps us understand that the gospel should be guiding not just what we share in teaching times, but also how we relate to children who misbehave, and provides 3 helpful guidelines that you can take into your interactions with misbehaving children.

Annemarie Rivers 9/8/24 Annemarie Rivers 9/8/24

Exploring the Epistles with kids

Teaching Paul’s epistles, such as Colossians and Ephesians, to children may seem challenging. However, these letters offer rich opportunities for spiritual and moral development that are invaluable in a child’s faith journey. Here are some helpful ideas to help you engage children with God’s Word.

Annemarie Rivers 31/7/24 Annemarie Rivers 31/7/24

Why our Theology of Sin Matters

Talking about sin can seem negative and risky, especially when kids are part of the equation. Yet it is undeniably important if we want to be faithfully teaching God’s Word and pointing young people to Jesus.

How we understand sin will impact not only how we seek to disciple young people but also how we understand ourselves. Here’s a few observations on how our theology of sin speaks into our life and ministries.

Annemarie Rivers 19/4/24 Annemarie Rivers 19/4/24

Responding to Big Emotions in Children

Join Annemarie on a journey into the heart of children's emotions, where frustration, anger, and sadness often run wild. Discover why it's crucial to acknowledge these feelings without judgment and how to clarify boundaries while offering support and empathy.

Annemarie Rivers 19/4/24 Annemarie Rivers 19/4/24

Gospel-shaped Discipline and Sin in Children’s Ministry

Where do we turn to when children are misbehaving? Read how you can respond in a godly manner.

Annemarie Rivers 23/6/23 Annemarie Rivers 23/6/23

Encouraging kids to read their bible daily

We want kids to be learning the spiritual discipline of daily bible reading and prayer, and forming these habits that will nurture their faith for a lifetime. The question is how do we help them get started?

Annemarie Rivers 5/5/23 Annemarie Rivers 5/5/23

When we forget the heart in teaching the Bible

Ensuring to not miss out on the heart when preparing to teach the bible.

Annemarie Rivers 5/5/23 Annemarie Rivers 5/5/23

Keeping it real in SRE

Helping young people see that SRE is not like other subjects at school. It’s about a God who is very real and wonderfully good. A God we can not only learn about but be in right relationship with, because of Jesus.

Annemarie Rivers 4/1/23 Annemarie Rivers 4/1/23

Seven ways to keep your SRE lessons engaging

Practical steps to make your SRE lessons engaging and keeping your kids focused.

Annemarie Rivers 2/8/22 Annemarie Rivers 2/8/22

Preparing and Delivering an SRE Lesson (Module 3 Refresher)

A refresher of the Module 3 training, Preparing and Delivering a Lesson (Primary).

Annemarie Rivers 8/6/22 Annemarie Rivers 8/6/22

Three principles and three skills for group management

It takes skills and confidence to manage a group of children well. These often come with experience supplemented with training and support. Here are some tips on how to grow in your management skills in children’s ministry.

Annemarie Rivers 8/2/22 Annemarie Rivers 8/2/22

Back to basics in SRE

As a new year begins and the SRE Teacher’s Manuals are pulled out and dusted off, it’s a great time to remember the basics of an effective SRE lesson and set a goal for continued improvement.