While I do not believe that the duty of a Children’s Ministry program is to “entertain” the children; I know, without question, that it is through “fun-filled” activities that they learn best. For that reason, I believe all lesson materials used in Children’s Ministry programs ought to satisfy two criteria.

First, all lesson content should be firmly grounded in the Scriptures and second, it should be filled with fun things to do that encourage the children to enjoy the process of learning about Jesus, the Bible, and the Church.

Materials offered through Autumn Light Publications, whether lesson materials or event materials, are designed to help you provide the children in your Children’s Ministry department with fun-filled opportunities that will make them want to continue coming back.

Nearly every product offered through Autumn Light Publications has been used, in part or in whole (some many times) in the Children’s Ministry program at the author’s church. Our children have enjoyed the classes and the special events and continue to look forward to new ones. To be a part of the programs again, many of the children return as helpers.

It also includes “Quest for the Treasure of Logos Mountain”, a full 10-week curriculum of lessons that each focuses directly on learning God’s Word, and “Challenge of the Lamp”, a one-year Scripture Memory Challenge Program. The materials on this CD Rom are generally intended for use with 1^st—5^th grade, but many can be adapted for older or younger children.

 *  Other ways to use this product: Hide His Word in Their Hearts is intended as a resource to help teachers and children’s ministry directors to create exciting ways to promote Scripture Memory in their programs. Other ways this resource can be used include: 1) as a personal resource for parents to help their own child or children gain more interest in learning Bible Verses, 2) as a source for specific puzzles or activities sheets to entertain a child on a long trip, 3) as a source for a full 10 day summer camp program for 1^st—5^th graders.

Each booklet has 16 pages of puzzles for children to enjoy. Children who complete each booklet become a little more familiar with the specific verses and also learn that Scripture Memory can be fun.

Current titles in this series include: “The 23^rd Psalm”, “The Roman Road”, and “The Armor of God”.

 *  Other ways to use this product: These booklets are intended to be stand-alone activity books to be used independently by 4^th—5^th grade children, but younger children can also enjoy many of the activities. Some additional ways they can be used include: 1) prizes for Scripture Memory achievements or other accomplishments, 2) aids to help teach the particular passage or verses of the booklet, or 3) “stocking stuffers” for a special child.

 **  Similar Future Products: More booklets are planned for the Hide It In Your Heart Scripture Memorization Activity Book Series.

Each lesson focuses on one small piece of information that is illustrated and reinforced through the use of multiple types of activities.

Each of the 12 lessons includes a description of the primary information to share and detailed instructions for several activities, with illustrations when necessary. Supplementary pages are supplied as needed and a take-home paper is provided for each lesson.

The Narrow Gate: Celebrate Jesus introduces the series with lessons regarding who Jesus is, what He had done for us, and what our response should be to Him.

* Other ways to use this product: The Narrow Gate was designed to be used as a monthly gathering, giving the children a special time and place to look forward to each month. Other ways it could be used include: 1) as a weekly session for one quarter, with a “party” or “review” scheduled for the 13^th week; 2) as a day camp or summer camp program, using one or more lessons per day to fill the number of sessions you need; or 3) as single, independent lessons to use whenever you need a “filler” lesson that the children will enjoy.

** Similar Future Products: Since The Narrow Gate series is designed for use with K-5^th grade, it will eventually have 6 different titles. The next title scheduled to be released in this series will be The Narrow Gate: Where Jesus Walked. Each of these lessons will focus on a place where Jesus lived and taught. Pictures made available, by permission, through holylandphotos.org will help children to visualize the places where Jesus actually walked.

It is the prayer of the author that the simple activities described here will create similar cherished memories for all the children who will have the opportunity to share in the events.

Reflections of Childhood includes 15 different events that you can plan for the children. Each one is designed to last 1½ to 2 hours and most can be conducted on a very limited budget. Every chapter includes detailed instructions with illustrations when necessary. Supplementary pages are supplied as needed. When props or game pieces are needed, instructions are included regarding either where to find them or how to make them.

* Other ways to use this product: Reflections of Childhood was created to be used as independently scheduled events. Other ways these events could be used include: 1) as a weekly summer series to offer a chance for your group to gather for fellowship and fun 2) as an addition to your day camp or summer camp program or 3) as special party themes, even for non-church-sponsored gatherings.

** Similar Future Products: Reflections of Childhood, Vol. II, currently in production, will include at least 15 more exciting events that you can share with your children.

Reflections of Childhood is only available as a PDF file on CD.

Every lesson includes instructions to teach the specific details of the lesson, activities to explain or reinforce the concepts involved, and a Background section that provides the necessary historical information for the lesson. In addition, since Christian newspapers played a prominent role in the Restoration Movement, each lesson includes a Newsletter-style hand-out.

* Other ways to use this product: Passing the Standard was created to be used as a 13-week series of lessons. Other ways the information could be used include: 1) as an initial overview of the Restoration Movement, through the Background sections of each lesson; 2) as independent, specialized lessons on the particular historic individuals; and 3) as a targeted history unit for home school students.

** Similar Future Products: Future lessons include Forging the Sword, which will teach the history of the Written Word; Birth of the Church, which teaches about the institution and growth of the early church; At the Master’s Feet, which deals with the specific lessons taught by Jesus; and Casebook of Old Testament Heroes, which teaches about many of the heroes of the Old Testament that are often overlooked. Production schedules for these products have not been set. More information will be added as it is available.

Passing the Standard curriculum is only available as a PDF file on CD.

Each of the 53 chapters of Playtime at the Feet of Jesus provides a short Bible reference, a craft or activity, and a brief suggestion of how to discuss the facts or concepts of the verse with your child as you do the craft or activity together.

Using the lessons of Playtime at the Feet of Jesus gives the parent the opportunity to share her faith and love of Jesus while building a cherished memory with her child.

Nearly all materials created and distributed by Autumn Light Publications is intended for use with Kindergarten through 5^th grade children. Playtime at the Feet of Jesus is the exception. Playtime at the Feet of Jesus was originally created as a scrapbook style gift-book for a friend. For that reason it is available in two versions—the 8” x 8” scrapbook insert sheets, which would require the purchase of a scrapbook and insert pages to complete, or the comb-bound version.

* Other ways to use this product: Playtime at the Feet of Jesus was created for personal use, to be shared by a parent and child, or children. Other ways some of the lessons of this book can be used include: 1) as supplementary activities in preschool churches classes, 2) as time-filling activities for “extended” sessions, 3) in Christian nursery schools or Mom’s Day Out programs.