Summer Unscripted: Fresh Ideas for Kids to Learn, Grow, and Explore

Webmaster Note: Guest Post by Lily Tamrick from The Parent Hubspot. The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the author, and may or may not necessarily reflect those of ad Dei Gloriam Ministries. We have no relationship with any of the organizations linked within the article.

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Summer arrives with a promise of freedom and discovery, but for many parents, that promise quickly morphs into a logistical challenge. How do you keep your child engaged when school’s out, screens beckon, and neighborhood options wear thin by mid-July? If you’re a parent either struggling to find options or just hoping to go beyond the expected, there are plenty of creative, enriching paths to explore. These activities can spark curiosity, build confidence, and introduce your child to new possibilities—all while keeping summer fun and fresh.

Supporting Artistic Expression

Children are natural creators, and summer is the perfect time to let them embrace their inner artist. Enroll them in a local community center art class or supply them with the tools to dive into at-home projects. Think beyond crayons and coloring books—introduce them to pottery, abstract painting, or collage-making from recycled materials. The goal isn’t to create masterpieces but to give kids permission to explore self-expression in vibrant, unstructured ways.

Creating Art with AI Tools

As technology blends with creativity, AI-generated art is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new avenues for self-expression. Your child can type in a prompt to create an image, then customize the style, colors, and lighting to make it their own. Handy online tools offer ways to generate AI art that can be printed, displayed, or even turned into comic books or cards. This activity blends digital literacy with imaginative thinking, and it’s perfect for kids interested in both tech and visual storytelling.

Coding Isn’t Just for Adults

You don’t need to wait until high school to introduce your child to coding. Platforms like Scratch, Tynker, and Bitsbox make programming accessible, playful, and rewarding for even elementary schoolers. Coding builds problem-solving skills and encourages your child to think logically while creating their own games, stories, or animations. Plus, it’s a quiet activity that still feels like screen time, which is often a win-win scenario for kids and parents alike.

Giving Them the Stage

While some kids are shy, others love the spotlight—and theater arts offer a unique outlet for both. Drama workshops, improv classes, and puppet-making groups give children a space to practice empathy, storytelling, and self-confidence. If there’s no theater camp nearby, try homegrown alternatives: help them write a script and stage a backyard production with neighbors or siblings. It’s a collaborative process that can help children understand different perspectives and think creatively on their feet.

Encouraging Entrepreneurism

Even young kids can dip a toe into the world of small business with surprisingly rewarding results. Instead of the traditional lemonade stand, encourage your child to brainstorm services they can realistically provide pet-sitting, car washing, tech help for grandparents, or tutoring younger peers. Walking them through simple budgeting and marketing not only develops math and communication skills but instills a deep sense of ownership. A summer venture like this can spark a lifetime of self-starter mentality.

Volunteering as a Family

Getting your child involved in volunteer work teaches compassion, responsibility, and perspective. Look for family-friendly opportunities like sorting donations at a food bank, reading to seniors, or walking dogs at a local shelter. Some organizations even run youth-focused programs that combine volunteering with learning modules and peer collaboration. When kids give their time for something bigger than themselves, they come away with more than a line on a college resume—they grow as humans.

Leveraging the Magic of Gardening

You might not think of gardening as a high-energy summer activity, but it taps into both science and patience in deeply fulfilling ways. Give your child a small patch of soil or a few containers, and let them grow herbs, vegetables, or flowers from seed. In caring for something living, kids learn consistency, observation, and environmental stewardship. Watching something sprout and bloom under their care gives them a quiet sense of pride that's hard to match.

Instead of viewing summer as an obstacle, it helps to see it as a blank canvas. Whether your child is curious about languages, plants, tech, or performance, there’s a way to harness their interests into something memorable. These months can foster emotional growth, academic development, and lifelong passions if given the right outlets. And when the first day of school rolls back around, your child won’t just return older—they’ll come back transformed.

Misunderstood Verses: Camel Through the Eye of a Needle

In Matthew 29, verses 16-30, we find Jesus telling His disciples the parable of the rich young ruler (see also Mark 10:17-21 and Luke 18:18-30). Most of us are familiar with the parable. A rich young ruler approaches Jesus with the question of how to be saved. Jesus then tells him to keep all of the commandments, and the ruler claims that he has. Jesus then instructs him to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor so that he might have treasures in heaven. He further instructs him to “come follow Me”. Unfortunately, the ruler rejected Jesus'command and went away sad because he refused to part with his earthly wealth.

Jesus then said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Mt 29:23-24). These two preceeding verses sometimes cause some difficulty in their interpretation for some readers.

The first difficulty is in regard to the statement about the camel going through the eye of the needle. Some have interpreted the “eye of the needle” as a city gate in Jerusalem called the “Eye of the Needle” or the “Camel Gate”, a gate so small that a camel could only pass though by kneeling or crouching. This however, strongly appears to be an urban legend. Another version of the legend states that its rider had to dismount, thus becoming vulnerable to predators. These false illustrations did not begin before the eleventh century AD and there is no backing evidence. Jesus is using hyperbole to illustrate the impossibility of anyone obtaining salvation by trusting in riches or anything else other than Him.

The second misunderstanding is that Jesus was stating that it is easier to get to heaven if you are poor. But this is not the way the disciples interpreted His words. If they interpreted Jesus' words to mean that it was almost impossible for rich people to be saved, their reaction would have been of relief because they were poor. Instead, they clearly interpreted His words as meaning that no one could be saved. Notice their reaction in verse 25. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”.

To understand their reaction, remember that the New Testament had not even been started at this point. The only Bible they had was the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). In the Old Testament, the Jews were still under the Old Covenant that promised blessings for obedience and judgment for disobedience. During this time, the major OT “role models“ such as Abraham, Moses, David etc were also blessed monetarily.

Of course, in our day, regardless of economic status, there is still only one way to get to heaven, by trusting in the one-time sacrifice of our Lord Jesus.

The Stewardship of Knowledge: Why Lifelong Learning Matters for Christian Community Leaders

Webmaster Note: Guest Post by Lily Tamrick from The Parent Hubspot. The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the author, and may or may not necessarily reflect those of ad Dei Gloriam Ministries. We have no relationship with any of the organizations linked within the article.

Caution!!! Links in this article are priovided by the guest author and may link to Content Marketing / Natice Advertising and other sites containing first and third party ad trackers and cookies, along with other privacy threats such as passing on your info to social media sites. We urge our readers to take precautions such as using privacy browsers, ad-blockering apps, VPNs, anti-tracking devices, disabling third-party cookies and other appropriate measures before clicking on any external links.

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In your calling as a Christian community leader, you're tasked with the sacred responsibility of shepherding souls, resolving conflict, offering guidance, and cultivating unity. But leadership doesn’t end at the pulpit or the meeting table. Today’s most impactful leaders are those who continue to evolve—spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. Lifelong learning is not just a secular virtue; it's a biblical imperative. Paul urged Timothy to “study to show thyself approved,” a timeless reminder that discipleship and learning are inseparable. And in a fast-changing world where the needs of your community shift almost daily, keeping pace isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Biblical Foundations for Continuous Growth

Before diving into the practical benefits, it’s worth acknowledging the scriptural roots of lifelong learning. Proverbs is brimming with exhortations about the value of wisdom, knowledge, and instruction. “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser” (Proverbs 9:9). From Moses learning how to lead from his father-in-law Jethro, to the disciples undergoing transformation under Christ’s daily teaching, the Bible is a rich tapestry of lifelong learners. Your journey as a leader echoes this same path—learning not for vanity, but for service.

Preventing Stagnation in a Dynamic World

Even the most devout leader can become stagnant if they rely solely on past experiences. Ministries that once thrived may falter if leaders aren't adapting to new technologies, emerging needs, and cultural shifts. Lifelong learning keeps your vision fresh. It encourages curiosity, humility, and relevance—traits that your congregation and community instinctively recognize and respect. When you embrace education, whether formally or informally, you send a clear message: leadership is a posture of growth, not arrival.

Earning a Degree to Advance Your Skills

For many leaders, formal education can be the key that unlocks the next level of impact. Earning a degree is not just about a piece of paper; it's about deepening your toolkit. A business degree, for example, equips community leaders with strategic, financial, and organizational skills to effectively manage resources, drive local initiatives, and create sustainable economic impact. Online degree programs make it easier to juggle learning with your ministry and personal priorities. If this speaks to you, try this: research flexible university programs that cater to working professionals—you might find the perfect fit to sharpen your calling.. Check them out and you might find the perfect fit to sharpen your calling.

Learning Enhances Empathy and Interpersonal Skills

At the heart of ministry is people. And people are nuanced, complicated, and ever-changing. Whether you're navigating a counseling session or a heated board meeting, deeper understanding—especially of psychology, sociology, and conflict resolution—can be invaluable. Lifelong learning broadens your empathy. You start seeing situations from multiple angles, often disarming tension before it escalates. You become a better listener. From Moses learning how a better listener, a more thoughtful speaker, and ultimately, a more effective bridge between individuals and God.

Expanding Outreach Through Digital Literacy

In the digital age, your reach is no longer limited to a building or ZIP code. Mastering tools like social media, livestreaming, email marketing and even podcasting can help extend your ministry’s influence. Lifelong learning in tech doesn't require becoming an expert coder. It just means being open to new platforms that help you communicate timeless truths in timely ways. Imagine the impact of a virtual Bible study attended by believers from across the country—or even the world. Digital literacy is one of the most underutilized but powerful resources at your disposal.

Developing Leadership Capacity in Others

One mark of a great leader is their ability to grow other leaders. But you can't give what you don't have. By modeling a commitment to learning, you encourage your congregation and team members to do the same. You show them that education isn’t something you “finish” at 22—it’s a lifelong discipline. Whether it’s through book clubs, seminars, mentoring programs, or mentoring programs. From Moses learning how collaborative study, you set a tone that fosters maturity, ownership, and accountability. This ripple effect can fortify your entire ministry.

Navigating Change with Wisdom and Courage

Communities evolve. Economic shifts, social justice movements, political tensions, and generational divides are all realities you have to confront with grace and discernment. Lifelong learning equips you to do that with more than gut instinct. From Moses learning how more than gut instinct. It gives you frameworks, case studies, data, and context. You won’t just react—you’ll respond. That subtle but profound difference is what sets a wise leader apart from a merely well-intentioned one. And the people you serve will feel the steadiness that education can help instill.

Leadership in the Christian community is a high calling—and it deserves a high level of preparation. The old models of “one and done” seminary degrees or relying on Sunday-only insight no longer suffice in a world where people are looking for relevance, clarity, and authenticity. Lifelong learning is not about chasing credentials; it’s about staying tender to the Holy Spirit, adaptable to the times, and faithful to your mission. Whether through formal degrees, reading widely, attending workshops, or simply staying curious, you answer the call not just to lead—but to grow. And in that growth, you multiply your impact in ways you may not yet imagine.