Jesse Joyner, PhD

Category: Children’s Ministry

  • Diabolo, not Diablo

    The oversized yo-yo that’s not connected to the string is called the Diabolo.  Some people mistakenly think that the name comes from the Spanish word for “devil”, which is diablo.  But the case is quite to the contrary.  The Spanish word came later etymologically, since “Diabolo” comes from the Greek for “throw across”.  Check out…

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  • The Persistence of a Puma

    Dave Ramsey speaks of “gazelle intense.” I like to think about the persistence of a puma, as shown in this video, which is among my favorite all-time YouTube videos due to the illustration it makes. Whether you’re juggling, serving in ministry, or building a tower out of Legos with your child, NEVER GIVE UP!

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  • Age Discrimination in the Church

    We are surrounded by many forms of prejudice and discrimination in church and society.  One that I see first hand is age discrimination in local churches.  This applies to both younger people and older people.  Let’s start with the younger people: Prejudices Against Kids in the Church: 1. Even though 50% of people who profess…

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Popular Posts

  • “Holy Fools”: Exploring the Journey of Calling for Christian Variety Performers

    I am happy to announce that my PhD dissertation has been published to ProQuest, an academic database for published research. I have made the dissertation open source, which means anyone anywhere can access the full content free of charge. Here is the full dissertation: https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/holy-fools-exploring-journey-calling-christian/docview/2622316783/se-2 Please share far and wide. I am very much excited…

  • The Easiest Large Group Game Ever
    The Easiest Large Group Game Ever

    This is probably the easiest large group game ever invented.  If you can think of an easier one, please let me know in the comments. Heads or Tails! This game of heads or tails involves EVERYONE in your large group.  It is actually better the larger the group gets.  There is an elimination factor to…

  • A Children’s Ministry Poem

    From the mouths of children come questions galore about heaven and angels and Satan and more. They speak what their hearts say without holding back, so the wonder of God is something they never lack. Oh God, who are you? Who inspires the minds of little ones many, so that they may find this Jesus…

  • Joyner Family Christmas 2024 Update

    Merry Christmas from the Joyners! Here’s a little bit of our life this past year. We hope and pray the Lord’s peace and blessing over you this Advent season. D – Our little guy is now 5 years old! This year he played Tee Ball in the Spring and started soccer this past Fall when…

  • Children’s Sermon: Ezekiel’s Vision

    One Sunday last month, I taught the children’s sermon. In our church, the children are with the adults for the first half of the Sunday morning worship. Then they come to the front for a blessing and/or children’s sermon before being dismissed for a separate teaching time during the adult sermon. I have found that…