Five Smooth Stones

Some lessons don’t stick until we feel them. In this episode we explore Smooth Stone #2— experiential teaching —and how Jesus used unforgettable moments to imprint truth on hearts. From feeding the 5,000 before declaring “I am the bread of life,” to filling Peter’s empty nets before calling him to follow, to washing feet before teaching servant leadership, Jesus often let experience prepare the wa...

A newborn baby was found abandoned in Southwest Uganda and given a name that carries hope: Emmanuel —“God with us.” In this episode, that unforgettable moment becomes a lens for Easter. From Mary Magdalene hearing Jesus speak her name at the empty tomb (John 20:11–18) to a child’s story of rescue and reunion, we’re reminded that no one is overlooked by God . Easter declares that Jesus is alive, ev...

A five-year-old was asked to draw a picture of the church—and he drew a person. That moment captures a truth we can’t afford to miss: for many kids, “church” becomes real through relationships. In this episode we launch a new focus on the Five Smooth Stones through the ministry of Jesus, starting with Smooth Stone #1: relationship . Centered on John 13:34–35, we’ll see why love is the defining mar...

Children don’t just hear God’s Word—they can respond to it, often with a faith adults forget is possible. In this episode we explore Smooth Stone #5: response (Deuteronomy 6:8–9). From a child’s life-shaping call to stay and serve, to a simple, unforgettable act of generosity, we’ll see how Moses points to a three-fold response that shows up in personal life (hands/forehead), family life (doorpost...

Teaching kids Bible facts isn’t the finish line—transformation happens when truth meets real life. In this episode we explore Smooth Stone #4 from Deuteronomy 6:7: “talk about them.” Moses calls leaders to move beyond lecture-style ministry into genuine conversation—at home, on the road, at bedtime, and in the morning—so Scripture becomes the fabric of everyday life. With a striking contrast betwe...

Kids are surrounded by “giant lies” about worth, identity, and relationships—and they need the freedom that only truth brings. In this episode we explore Smooth Stone #3 from Deuteronomy 6: God’s Word must be impressed on children through faithful, repeated teaching. From a childhood lamp-breaking “stonewall” that finally crumbled under the weight of truth, to a moving moment of sacrificial giving...

Why do so many kids grow up with “head knowledge” that never becomes heart-level faith? Because truth was taught as information, not interpreted through lived experience. In this episode we explore the second smooth stone of children’s ministry: experiential teaching. From a hilarious (and painful) sushi moment to Moses’ everyday-life discipleship in Deuteronomy 6, we’ll see how children learn bes...

David didn’t need Saul’s armor—he chose five smooth stones. In the same way, children’s ministry doesn’t start with programs, polish, or the “latest model.” It starts with something simpler and stronger: relationship. In this episode we unpack Deuteronomy 6:1–9 and the first “smooth stone” for discipling kids—relational ministry—showing how God’s Word becomes believable, visible, and life-giving w...

In this foundational episode of The Five Smooth Stones , we step back to see the full picture of transformational children’s ministry. Just as David faced the giant with five smooth stones, God has given children’s ministry leaders five essential tools to help boys and girls face the spiritual giants of their generation: Relationship, Experience, Truth, Discussion, and Response . Through a powerfu...

In this episode of The Five Smooth Stones , we focus on the final—and often missing—element of transformational children’s ministry: Response . Hearing God’s Word is essential, but transformation begins when children are given the opportunity to act on what they’ve learned. Through a moving story from a small church in Mexico, we’re reminded that genuine obedience is not measured by the size of a...

In this episode of The Five Smooth Stones , we explore why biblical truth must be more than something children hear —it must shape how they live. Rooted in Deuteronomy 6:4–9, this reflection challenges common children’s ministry models that emphasize correct answers and memory verses without engaging real life. Through a powerful story from Egypt, we are reminded that children carry real grief, fe...

In this episode of The Five Smooth Stones , we focus on the third essential element of transformational children’s ministry: Truth . But not just teaching truth— sharing it. we unpack the difference between presenting Bible lessons as information and communicating them as personal transformation. Children don’t just need polished lessons; they need leaders whose hearts have been changed by the tru...

In this episode of The Five Smooth Stones , we explore the second essential element of transformational children’s ministry: Experience . Teaching God’s Word isn’t just about explaining it—it’s about helping kids live it. Experiential teaching invites children to feel, move, and engage with Scripture in ways that connect deeply to their hearts. We walk through a simple four-step process—Lesson Aim...

In this episode of The Five Smooth Stones , we explore the first essential element of transformational children’s ministry— Relationship . Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 2:7–8, we look at how the Apostle Paul modeled a nurturing, maternal kind of leadership—one marked by affection, compassion, and sacrifice. Ministry that transforms isn’t just about teaching lessons or running programs; it’s about s...

Welcome to The Five Smooth Stones , a new podcast series exploring the foundations of transformational children’s ministry. In this opening episode, we uncover how Deuteronomy 6:4–9 outlines five key elements— Relationship, Experience, Truth, Discussion, and Response —that shape the way we lead children toward a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. This model has changed the lives of children a...

The way a child responds to God's word, is what really makes a difference in his or her life. You can find out more about Response in Children's Ministry by reading this week's blog or listening to the podcast.

There is no Children's Ministry without Discussion! Check out this week's blog or podcast to learn more about transformational children's ministry

To learn more about truth, and teaching children how to avoid becoming self-centered in a world that promotes narcissism, listen to this week's episode!

To learn more about experiential teaching in children's ministry by looking at Deuteronomy 11, listen to this week's episode!

To learn more, please visit www.egminstitute.org

In this episode, we are going over the first Smooth Stone, Relationship, and it's importance in modeling children's lives. To find out more, you can read the blog on www.egminstitute.org.

To learn more about the emphasis of Deuteronomy 6 and 11, listen to the podcast, part of a new Deuteronomy 11 series.

Advent is about Jesus first coming at Bethlehem and his second coming in glory. Good news for children!

To learn more, please visit www.egminsitute.org.

To learn more about the importance of RESPONSE in Children's lives by looking at Jesus' and Peter's example, listen to this week's podcast.