For many kids, church can feel like just another classroom—sit still, listen, follow the rules. But what if kids’ ministry looked completely different? What if it was a place where creativity, play, and curiosity led the way?

In our ministry, we intentionally design an atmosphere that engages all five senses—where kids learn through movement, play, and hands-on experiences. Instead of just hearing about God, they interact with His Word in a way that sticks.

But creating an engaging space isn’t just about the activities—it’s about shaping how kids experience church and take ownership of their faith. That’s why we’ve moved away from traditional rules and classroom structures to something simpler yet more powerful.

One Rule That Changes Everything: Show Honor

Rather than enforcing a long list of rules, we focus on one core principle: Show Honor. Each week, the kids define what that looks like in their own words. They recognize that honor means:

• Listening when others speak.

• Respecting leaders, classmates, and personal boundaries.

• Choosing kindness, even when others aren’t.

• Understanding that honor isn’t just for the classroom—it follows them wherever they go.

We don’t just tell kids to follow rules; we empower them to set the standard. Instead of behavior management, we’re cultivating a culture of character.

Why Honor? The Biblical Foundation

Teaching kids to show honor isn’t just a good principle—it’s biblical. Romans 12:10 (NIV) says, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

What we take from this is that honor is about recognizing the value of others, treating them with kindness and respect, and putting their needs before our own. When kids embrace this, it transforms how they treat others, how they view themselves, and how they interact with the world around them.

Letting Kids Lead in Prayer

Just as we want kids to take ownership of their actions, we want them to take ownership of their faith—and that includes prayer.

God loves to hear their voices, and there’s no magic formula—just open, honest conversation with Him. Prayer isn’t about sounding perfect or saying the right words; it’s about developing a real, personal relationship with God. Encouraging kids to pray out loud builds their confidence, strengthens their faith, and shows them that their prayers matter.

To help them feel comfortable, try using simple, open-ended prompts like:

• "God, I’m thankful for ___ because ___."

• "Jesus, please help me with ___ today."

• "God, I love You because ___."

• "Lord, show me how to be more like You by ___.”

This practice doesn’t just impact the classroom—it equips kids to pray with boldness in their everyday lives.

Takeaways & Practical Ideas

Whether you’re a children’s pastor, a volunteer, or a parent, here are some practical ways to make your kids’ ministry more engaging, personal, and transformational:

Engage all senses:

• Set up activity stations with playdough, art supplies, and building materials.

• Use interactive storytelling—let kids act out Bible stories, use props, or build scenes.

Simplify rules—focus on one guiding principle like "Show Honor.”

• Instead of listing multiple rules, ask one key question each week: "What does showing honor look like today?"

• Create a "Show Honor" board where kids' answers are displayed.

• Model it in real-time by acknowledging and praising moments when kids show honor.

Empower kids to define their own expectations for kindness and respect.

• In small groups, let kids brainstorm what honor looks like in different situations (e.g., honoring a friend, a teacher, or a new student).

• Role-play real-life scenarios where they practice honoring others through words and actions.

Encourage kids to take ownership of prayer.

• Rotate a "Prayer Leader" each week who prays for the group.

• Create a prayer wall or journal where kids can write or draw their prayers.

• Use sentence prayers to help kids grow in confidence.

Foster ownership of faith by inviting kids to lead, participate, and engage.

• Give kids opportunities to lead, such as welcoming the group, reading Scripture, or sharing what they learned.

• Allow them to make small choices in class (e.g., choosing a group activity).

• Challenge them with weekly faith-building tasks (e.g., "Find one way to show honor at home this week and tell us about it next Sunday!").

The Bottom Line

When we break the mold and reimagine kids' ministry, we unlock their curiosity, creativity, and confidence in their faith. When kids take ownership of their learning, actions, and prayers, they don’t just learn about God—they experience Him in a way that stays with them for life.

Kids don’t need another classroom. They need a space where faith comes alive. Let’s create that space together.

Tish Striegel has served in Children's Ministry for over 25 years and is currently the Children's Pastor at Hill City Church in Southern Indiana, a suburb of Louisville, KY. She graduated from the inaugural KidMin Academy class in 2016. Tish is the author of four books: My Journey to Wholeness, Truth About Baby, The Truth About Me, and The Truth About Me: Preteen Edition. She is passionate about children’s and family ministry and loves good coffee, writing, and helping others realize their potential. She and her husband, Tim, have been married for 30 years, raised three children, and are currently enjoying being grandparents to eight grandchildren.