By: Kathy Kovalchuk
Everyone in children’s ministry has heard the words, “Let’s think outside the box,” but rarely are we comfortable doing that, instead we stick with what’s worked in the past or what’s been done before. Is it really okay to, or even possible to, think outside the box? Absolutely!
Think about this, children constantly think and act outside of the box. It’s the way God wired them! How else do you explain the fact that children will climb as high as they can up a tree without a second thought (and sometimes without a plan on how to get down)?
The difficulty for adults to think outside of the box can be the result of many things- preconceived notions/ideas, past successes and/or failures, cultural norms, and sometimes the desire to be accepted by others. Children don’t think, “It would be great to climb that tree, but….” Instead they think, “Let’s climb up that tree, and go higher than last time.” If we are trying to reach children, we need to think like children.
Here’s one way to start thinking outside of the box: Let’s say you are planning an event. List out your four major limiting factors. In other words, what are the the sides of your box made up of? For example, maybe your box has sides labeled: budget, staffing, resources, and spacing. Now that we know the four major factors that have us bound, get rid of them. Take that box and recycle it, break it down, reuse it to identify the four most important factors or goals for the event. Start imagining how high up the tree you are going to climb. Throw every idea regarding the event out on the table, no matter how crazy or unrealistic it may sound. Write it down, and remember no limitations and definitely no objections allowed…just ideas. Next pick which tree you are going to climb, which idea(s) are you going to focus on. Start climbing and don’t look down, focus your eyes on those four goals or factors you identified in the beginning. As you begin to plan your ascent up that tree, the box you took a part will start to resurface, but that’s okay. Once you are up and in that tree you start to realize that there are other ways, other branches, you can use to move around and through the limiting factors that once held your feet on the ground.
Remember the story of Zacchaeus, he thought outside of the box and climbed up a tree so that he could better see Jesus (now that song will be stuck in your head all day, sorry). In the end, Zacchaeus was rewarded. The Lord called him out of the tree and went to Zacchaeus’ house and fellowshipped with him. Go ahead my friends, break up the box, climb the tree, so that you and the children you serve can better see Jesus.
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About the Author: Kathy Kovalchuk is passionately in love with Jesus Christ. Her wonderful husband and best friend, Moses, have been married for 16 years. They are blessed to have three beautiful children; Hannah, Nathan, and Samuel. She has the amazing privilege and joy of serving and teaching the students in grades 1-6 of our local church.
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