What are the Steps in Beginning a Children's Bible Drill?

1. Contact your state Childhood Ministry Group for instructions on how to conduct Children's Bible Drill in your state.  Also, ask for the dates of the state drills.

2. Set the date for your church drill.  Usually the church drill occurs approximately two weeks before the associational drill.  Contact your association office for the date of the association drill.

3. Determine a schedule for your meetings.  Some churches begin six months before their church drill. Others begin three months before the drill.  Others begin with the new church year in September.  The churches which allow more time are able to use more games and fun activities to help children learn.

4. Decide when and where you will meet.  Reserve these times and places on the church calendar.  Possible times to meet include the hour before children's discipleship, during children's discipleship, after school, Saturday morning, or Wednesday night.  Choose a time that will allow the most children to participate.  Include any special meetings such as kick-off, parent orientation, or parties.  The best place to hold Children's Bible Drill is in a children's room although an adult  room will work.  You will need a cabinet to store Bibles, workbooks, games, masking tape, and other supplies.

5. Advertise when Children's Bible Drill will begin.  Along with articles in your newsletter, letters to the parents of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, and announcements in the children's Sunday School classes, you might wish to have an exhibition drill during worship with some of last year's drillers.

6. Other supplies you will need include masking tape, markers, and pencils.  If you plan to use Children's Bible Drill Games and Activities, consult it for other supplies that you may need.

7. Hold an orientation meeting for drillers and their parents.  Here are some suggestions for that meeting:      a.  Explain the purpose of Children's Bible Drill.     b.  Go over the four drills.     c.  Give children the Child's Card for the cycle you will be doing.     d.  Include a sheet with the schedule for your meetings.     e.  Discuss how important the role is that parents play.            Children will need parents to help them learn the Scriptures           and Key Passages and the books of the Bible.     f.   If the children are to use the workbook at home, look at it           with the parents and explain the procedures.     g.  Some churches may ask parents to contribute to the purchase of           Bibles, workbooks, and special T-shirts.  Discuss these costs at           this meeting. If overnight travel is involved in attending the           state drill, talk about these plans.

8. (optional) Hold a special kick-off.  The kick-off could be as simple as an all-day party at the church or as elaborate as a lock-in.  Use this time to help boys and girls get a jump-start on learning the Scriptures and the books of the Bible.  Make the time fun with refreshments and games to help them learn.

9. Meet weekly for at least an hour to help children learn the material and to practice drilling.

10. (optional) Plan a midway party.  The party should include some time practicing the material along with other fun activities such as playing miniature golf, going to the park, playing games in the gym, or eating pizza.

11. Hold the church drill.  Send the names of successful children to your association.

12. Attend the associational drill.

13. Attend the state drill.

14.  Recognize children in your newsletter and church service.