Most sermons on OPEN are weekend messages delivered as part of a teaching series 2-5 weeks in length. You’ll find resources that apply to the whole series (promotional videos, loops, artwork, etc.) as well as materials specific to each week of the series (teaching videos, message notes, transcripts, etc.).
How do I prepare for an experience that uses video teaching?
Watch the entire message you’ve downloaded – all the way through. Even though you might have previewed the majority of it when you chose it, watching it again is important for several reasons:
How can I create smooth transitions between the live worship service and the video teaching?
One of the ways to transition from your live worship service to the video teaching is to use pre-recorded or live music that can play during a live introduction and prayer as you transition into the video teaching. To transition out from the video teaching, try bringing your lighting up slowly, and fading out your video sound while the microphone for your live pastor fades up. Also, you can use an instrumental song (played via CD, iPod or using your computer presentation software) that can be played during the final moments of the video teaching: begin playing this instrumental music during the final minute(s) of the video and allow it to continue playing as your live pastor does a wrap up in prayer or worship.
How can I lead into the message?
It’s a good idea to set up the theme of the message—not articulating what is in the message but sharing something that highlights the problem or issue the message is about to address. You’ll also want to quickly recap each week if you’re in a series, highlighting the major points.
How can I lead out of the message?
As mentioned above, invest time and thought in the transition from video to live. Also, it is helpful for the live pastor to match the emotional intensity of how the video message ends as he leads out of it. Reinforce the main point of the message and make any calls to action that feel are appropriate for your setting.
How do I avert video playback failure?
If at all possible, use a backup resource for showing the video. If you use one of the popular video presentation software programs, you might consider using another computer for backup, or you can switch to a DVD player. Once you start your main source, begin your backup video source about 5-10 seconds afterwards. Then, if you have to use your backup, it will create little to no loss of the video teaching time. Also, it never hurts to have at least one extra video message for backup beyond the message you are showing that week. In case of massive technical failure (like a power outage), it’s a good idea to have a message outline in your Bible ready to preach at a moments notice.
If I don’t want to use these messages in my weekend services, are there other ways they can help me?
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The LifeKIDS ministry at LifeChurch.tv has created age-appropriate, engaging curriculum for kids from toddlers through teens. It’s all here on OPEN—animated videos, teaching messages, fun activities, materials for volunteers, and more! Below, you’ll find short descriptions of the different resources we offer for kids and students. For a detailed listing, view our [complete guide to curriculum, tools, and supplemental resources].
Kids, ages 2-5
LifeKIDS has created a year-long block of preschool curriculum for four different ages:
Each of the above year-long blocks contains 10 units for each age group, including a five-week Christmas unit and a five-week Easter unit.
If you are working with a smaller number of children and would like to consolidate groups, use Under the Sea for 2s and 3s, and The Ark for 4s and 5s. If you’d like to have all of these ages together, The Ark includes the most complete package (but you could rotate through In the Jungle and Crosstown as well for a loop that would last three years).
Kids, ages 6-11
LifeKIDS curriculum consists of weekend messages for children ages 6-11 years old. The 4-week series are created on an ongoing schedule. Each lesson is 60 minutes and includes teacher notes and a weekly take-home challenge card. Resources for the series include artwork, video teaching, and loops. Corresponding parent resources are available.
Students, ages 10-12
THE LOOP is a curriculum specifically designed for students 10-12 years old as they make the transition between children’s and youth ministry. The weekend messages are created on an ongoing schedule of 4-week series. Each lesson is 60 minutes and includes teacher notes and a weekly take-home challenge card. Lesson plans include a weekly handout. Resources for the series include artwork, video teaching, loops, and activity plans.
Students, ages 13-18
SWITCH is a mid-week ministry for students ages 13-18 consisting of a worship experience (live music and video/live teaching), activities/games, and relational groups. The weekly lesson is 45 minutes. Resources include artwork and activity plans for each 4-week series.
Discipleship, ages 6-10
KONNECT is a mid-week discipleship, small-group experience created for kids in elementary school. The 28 weeks of curriculum is designed to match the length of a school year. Each experience last two hours, making it an ideal ministry to offer while parents attend home small groups. Kids are assigned to Circle Groups and rotate through all activities together. Since kids will enter the program each year as they become old enough, a church could start with any year of curriculum and continue through them. After four years, kids have encountered the stories of the Bible along with life application.
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At LifeChurch.tv, we believe the lifeblood of the church resides in small groups. Within these small groups, true discipleship occurs as groups strive to grow spiritually and relationally by gathering together on a regular basis in homes, coffee shops, businesses, and online. While the church grows larger, we believe it must also grow smaller through groups, which is why we place a heavy emphasis on creating resources that small groups can use to foster an atmosphere of discipleship and spiritual growth.
What types of small group resources are available?
Talk It Over.
LifeChurch.tv creates a one-page study guide for every sermon called Talk It Over. This PDF document contains seven to nine questions related to the message, scripture references to read with the group, next step ideas for groups to take the message one step further, and a short five-day micro devotional. There are also short Talk It Over videos produced for each message that can be viewed at the LifeChurch.tv YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/user/LifeChurchtv.
For those sermon series that were done prior to the creation of Talk It Over, there will be a one- to two-page small group study guide for each message that is similar to Talk It Over with questions and scriptures for groups to read and discuss.
Additional Small Group Studies. LifeChurch.tv also creates additional curriculum aimed for use in small groups that are not related to message series. Many of these studies are designed to help groups dig deeper into such books as Craig Groeschel’s Weird and The Christian Atheist.
Chazown. There is a six-part video series and workbook called The Chazown Experience that has been created for use by small groups based upon Craig Groeschel’s book Chazown. This series is designed to help participants develop a vision for their life. These resources are available for download at www.chazown.com.
Where do I find small group resources?
Because all small group resources are included with each sermon series package, there’s not a section on the OPEN site designated just for small group resources. For example, if you are seeking the Talk It Over small group questions for the Masquerade sermon series, you will find them packaged together for download with all of the other resources for that message series. Additionally, any other small group resources created specifically for a sermon series will be packaged together with all the resources for that sermon series.
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In addition to small group resources, the Tools section includes resources for behind-the-scenes ministry at LifeChurch.tv. You’ll find materials for human resources, newcomers events, staff training and guidelines, forms, learning sessions, and more!
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Languages
OPEN Resources are currently offered in several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, German, Chinese (traditional), and French. We chose a selection of some of our favorite resources and translated them to make it easier for you to use them in your ministry. You can download them for free. Just create an account and you’ll be able to download them right away.
Want to see more resources in your language? If you can help us translate existing content from English to Spanish, please contact the OPEN team
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