The Early Bird Catches the Word

Pre-Service Activities with a Point

INTRODUCTION

In The Early Bird Catches the Word, you get instructions for 70+ fun and engaging activities that will exercise your kids’ Bible skills. So often, there’s not time during a lesson to do that, and kids are not getting practice at home. When kids arrive 20 minutes early to class, capture those early bird moments and get rid of the mindless games that are time-fillers. With this book as a tool, there’s no reason to ever use a time-filler again!

Inside these pages you’ll find a variety of activities designed for readers and non-readers, for those who have absolutely no Bible skills and those who are fluent in using their Bibles, as well as tapping into a multitude of intelligences and learning styles. Kids can join in as they arrive with minimal instruction, and most of the activities utilize easily attainable supplies or ones that you already have on hand.

The book is divided into two sets of activities: preschool (non-readers) and elementary (readers). Age-appropriateness and developmental stages are especially addressed with the preschool activities, where things they are learning and motor skill development are incorporated.

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WHAT'S INSIDE

Helpful tips and guidelines

All of the activities have been tested with kids to ensure that they work well and are fun and educational. Throughout the book, you will find extra tips and guidelines to help you be successful—from what flavors of candy canes kids like best to tips on how to keep materials organized. Tina’s advice is priceless!

38 activities for elementary schoolers

Using a wide variety of learning approaches, kids will be become familiar with the Old and New Testaments, learn the order of books, locate chapters and verses, and much more! Active, fun, and engaging activities appeal to kids of all skill levels as they work individually or in small groups to meet each challenge.


Includes preteens and teens

The preteens and teens in your church are a wonderful resource for children’s ministry! Old enough to be mentors to younger kids but still young enough to play and have fun, preteens and teens will become a great asset each week as they set up the games and activities and help your kids with their Bible skills.

26 activities for preschoolers

Even before learning to read, preschoolers can learn all kinds of wonderful information about the Bible! Through these fun and educational activities, kids will become familiar with the Old and New Testaments, books of the Bible, what the big and small numbers are used for, and general truths about the Bible. In addition, kids will be working on their motor skills, counting to 10, letter and color recognition, and many other important skills.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After more than thirty incredible years in children’s ministry in the local church, Tina thrives on being able to train those who share her passion for reaching kids for the kingdom. She has authored eighteen other books, one of which is used as a textbook in select universities. Tina loves spending time with her three grandkids, who give her tons of ideas to use in children’s ministry and refer to her as “silly Grandma.”

ENDORSEMENTS

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Tina is not just filling time slots or creating fun activities. She’s doing both those things, but being intentional about it with an eternal purpose of putting God’s Word in children. Help kids fall in love with Jesus and grow in their faith by using these ideas in your classroom..

Yancy

Dove Award-winning songwriter and worship leader for kids

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Tina Houser has done it again! If you are just becoming aware of the deep well of knowledge that Tina possesses, you need to limber up your credit card. I have every book that Tina has written in my personal Kidmin library and will be purchasing “Early Bird Catches the Word” to add to my collection.

Tina has an amazing ability to connect with and effectively teach both preschool and elementary students. EBCW is a treasure trove of fun, practical, pre-service and transition ideas that will have the children in your ministry laughing and building relationships together, while systematically teaching Bible skills that help kids become more familiar and comfortable with using their Bible. Definitely a Win-Win!

Kelly Presson

AG National Children's Ministries Director

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Tina Houser is one of the most creative and respected authors in children’s ministry. Her impact on children’s ministry leaders whom she has trained, mentored, and inspired through her life and books can’t be measured, and through them, the number children reached for Jesus is beyond count. I’m always one of the first to pick up her latest book, as I know I will be better equipped to reach and teach kids because of it.

Pastor Karl Bastian

Children’s Pastor and Founder of Kidology.org.

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Tina Houser has done it AGAIN! This book is a priceless collection of games, illustrations, and activities to inspire kids in ministry. Tina is a hands-on practitioner and has run all these activities in local churches! This resource is not only good for kids, it is GREAT for busy leaders who need effective and yet easy to execute, Biblical activities. You need this resource!

Josh Denhar

KidMinScience.com

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I am so proud of Tina Houser and her new book, The Early Bird Catches the Word! Tina has more ideas to bring the Bible to life than anyone I have ever met. This book is going to be one you can’t miss out on. It will help you make every minute count with your kids!

Ryan Frank

CEO KidzMatter

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Just when I thought I had seen it all, Tina Houser brings us The Early Bird Catches the Word! That time we have before the service and even that time when we’re finished but “they,” the adults, are still at it, can be terrifying. This book is the answer and guarantees that scary time becomes FUN time! Thank you, Tina!

Jack Henry

Children’s Pastor

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Tina Houser has done it again! If you are just becoming aware of the deep well of knowledge that Tina possesses, you need to limber up your credit card. I have every book that Tina has written in my personal Kidmin library and will be purchasing “Early Bird Catches the Word” to add to my collection.

Brian Dollar, Pastor, Author, Kidmin Champion

Highvoltagekids.com

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Leave it to Tina to use her many years of work, service, research, creativity, love for children and for God’s Word as fuel for this new treasure chest of ideas. What BRILLIANCE! Anyone working in children’s ministry knows arrival time is rarely maximized. But now … with this book full of instructions … children may be asking parents to HURRY UP and get to church early! Thank you, Tina, for giving us tools with which we can utilize every moment we have with these children, planting more seeds of faith by depositing the Word into their little lives.

Jean Thomason

Miss PattyCake