“Hey, science guy! Do something amazing with what’s on our table right here,” I called out from across a busy restaurant at a children’s ministry conference over 10 years ago. I hadn’t met Josh Denhart yet, but my fiancée (now wife) and a friend had been to one of his breakout sessions and wouldn’t stop talking about him. If he was so great, I wanted to give him a chance to prove it.

And he did.

Josh introduced himself and got to work. Using a Coke, some salt, and some pepper, he created a foamy mess that guaranteed our server would get a generous tip. That day, I made two new friends in Josh and Sarah Denhart—and learned what a nucleation point is.

Whenever I think back on this, I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.” I certainly didn’t offer a favorable time that day, but Josh’s preparedness left an impact that I still feel today.

I believe every Kidmin leader—and every minister, really—should have 3 to 5 lessons they can deliver at a moment’s notice. We’re blessed to live in a time with access to the creativity and gifting of others through curriculum, and we love when our carefully crafted object lessons leave kids in awe. But what about when we’re given an audience unexpectedly?

Maybe a teacher calls out on Sunday morning, and you have to step in. You’re at camp, and everyone is sent back to the cabins due to bad weather. Your child asks about God in the car. Or, yes, even when a stranger calls out to you from across a restaurant, demanding something worthy of your attention. Believe me, it happens.

Our readiness in those moments can have a profound impact. That’s why I believe every Kidmin leader should always have a few lessons in their back pocket. Here are three I keep ready. They’re like the book of Hebrews—no one knows who the original author is, but they’ve been used for God’s glory!

1. The Trust Fall
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You’ve probably seen this using Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” To teach about the confidence we can have in God, have a student stand a few steps in front of you, facing away. Tap their shoulder, assuring them you’re there, and ask if they trust you. If they do, ask them to fall back. The most important part—catch them! Remind them that, just like you caught them, God is always with us, even when we can’t see Him.

2. You Can’t Put It Back

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” For this, use toothpaste, shaving cream, or something similar. Have a child squeeze toothpaste onto a plate, then ask them to put it back in the tube. They can’t. This serves as a reminder to be mindful of our words, as they can build people up or tear them down. We can apologize for hurting someone, but we can’t unsay things.

3. The Roller Coaster
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This one’s my favorite. You only need a chair and a good-natured child. Take the child out of the room, and privately instruct them that when you call them back, everyone will be silent. They’re to walk to the front, sit on the chair, and pretend they’re on a roller coaster—flail, scream, and act out the experience. Before bringing them back in, tell the group that the child will actually pretend they’re sitting on a toilet. The kids will laugh, and once the performance is over, you can reveal the trick.

I use this to illustrate 1 Samuel 16:7: “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” The child’s actions seemed odd because the group didn’t know the whole story—just like we can’t always judge people based on what we see. God sees the full picture and the heart.

Use these lessons if you need to, but more importantly, create your own! My life was changed by a minister who was prepared, and now I get to join Josh in taking The Amazing Chemistry Show across the country. Who knows what fruit your readiness might produce in 10 years!

Jared Lilly serves as the NextGen Pastor at First Assembly in Gastonia, NC, bringing over a decade of experience in full-time kids ministry. Passionate about nurturing the spiritual growth of children and youth, Jared also captivates audiences with The Amazing Chemistry Show, blending science and faith to inspire the next generation. He and his wife, Hannah, enjoy life with their three wonderful children—McKenna, Abby, and Judah. To connect with Jared, reach out at jaredleelilly@gmail.com.