Guidelines for children's spots

If your church does "kids' spots" during a morning meeting, here are some guidelines that have been produced by Andy Byfield at my church (Emmanuel Wimbledon) that may keep them on the right track.How to do a Children’s Spot at the 11am Service

The spots at the 11am are a key way to teach gospel truths simply and clearly to both children and adults. They also serve to make the service more appealing to families and to show that we take the children in our church family seriously.

1. BE SHORT: You have just 3 minutes, so there is only time for one point with one illustration and a one sentence prayer. It is very easy to overrun. Our usual format is to show us the Bible verse, then tell us your one point in a sentence then move on to the illustration. Finish by re-reading the Bible verse then close with a prayer.
2. BE BIBLICAL: In the attempt to simplify, watch out that you don't become misleading or inaccurate. Please teach the verse, not your own ideas.
3. BE SIMPLE: Young children only understand very basic vocabulary and short sentences. Concrete illustrations are better than abstract ones.
4. BE DOCTRINAL: We want to teach the children truth rather than just our illustrations. Please also try to illustrate positively if the verse is positive. For instance ‘Blessed are those who mourn’ – don’t tell us about wrong things to cry about (negative illustration) but what kind of tears are "good tears" (positive illustration).
5. BE SAFE:  Only give out simple chocolates with no nuts. Wrapped ones are cleaner and give parents of children with allergies time to intervene. 
6. BE VISUAL: Toddlers may not even notice you are speaking to them unless you are doing something or holding up an object or a picture (A3 please or bigger). Do use PowerPoint if you like but point to it for the kids.
7. BE IN CONTROL: Only a very unambiguous and easy question will get the answer you are expecting. You may get answers to rhetorical questions too!
8. BE HEARD: Go very slowly and as loud as you can to be heard over the racket children make, especially as you begin. You'll need to rehearse it. Perhaps ask a friend to listen to it and comment.
9. BE SEEN: Please stand on the platform at all times and not on the floor. Speak to the children rather than the adults or they will switch off. The adults will listen anyway...
10. BE KIND: Please smile a lot. Ask any volunteers their name and thank them. Help them up and down steps. It is easy to make toddlers cry so please avoid sudden movements. Loud noises are also scary and if you act mean or cross they can't tell you are pretending. Remember their parents are watching and may not be Christians - we want them to be assured that we love the children and don’t simply see them as teaching aids for our spots!

To this we might also add - be prayerful that God's Spirit would take your clear points to the hearts of both adults and children.

Thanks Andy