Disciplers and Specialists

My third grade Sunday School teacher …

• Ministered to me EVERY Sunday
  • Prepared and taught the lesson
  • Created the craft
  • Brought snacks
  • Had a game to play
  • Challenged me to memorize a memory verse and followed if I did
  • Mailed me cards
  • Had us in her home for parties
  • Called me on the phone
  • Visited me at my home
  • KNEW me beyond what family I belonged to
  • Had me to her home to cook with her
  • Made me feel very special and loved
  • Oh yes – she was praying for me, and the others in my class too

In the midst of our busy modern life it is difficult to find individuals able and willing to do all of the above.

There was a similar problem in the early church.

The apostles were expected to do everything – but they weren’t able. There just wasn’t enough time.

Acts 6 records this struggle for us.

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4 ESV)

The Acts 6 Model makes it possible for a local Family of God to provide a ministry to children that meets each child’s individual needs. Specialists use the gifts God has given them to provide a high quality, creative, interactive presentation of God’s Word. Disciplers are thus freed to build relationships with kids and walk through life with them.

DISCIPLERS

 A Discipler makes a nine month commitment to walk through life with 5 children.

• The Discipler is with those five children at a children’s gathering at church once a week.
  • Writes out a Discipleship Plan for each of the five children (that MIGHT have in it items below.
    • Connects with each child during the week (not necessarily every week).
      • Phone calls, cards, email, text.
      • Attend sports events, concerts, etc.
      • Have families into your home.
      • Visit in their homes.
      • Plan outings.
    • Knows and interacts with each child in regard to individual child’s interests/needs.
    • The Discipler is a prayer warrior.
      • He acknowledges that apart from Jesus he can do nothing. However, he believes that with Jesus all things are possible.  He daily brings the kids to the throne of his heavenly Father.
    • The Discipler plans at least two parties, along with other Disciplers, during the year.
    • Connects with Primary Disciplers to know what they want for their child.

 SPECIALISTS

Specialists use their spiritual gifts and their talents (Romans 12:4-6, Ephesians 4:11&12, 1 Corinthians 12: 27-31) to provide one portion of ministry. Their commitment is whatever they are able to give.

Specialists may serve every other week, once a month, every other month, and even do things at home during the week. If individuals are not able to serve as Disciplers there is something they can do that will play a part in the discipleship of the children in the list below and yet not be overwhelming. The list can go way beyond the one below – depends on size of church.

• Story Specialist
  • Actors/Actresses
• Crafts Specialist
• Worship Specialist
• Recreation Specialist
• Memory Verse Specialist
  • Memory Verse Partners
• Bucks and Banking Coordinator
• Supplies Coordinator
• Store Coordinator
• Preparation Specialist
  • Crafts
  • Snacks
  • Reality Learning supplies
  • This list can be endless depending on the church.
• Intentional Prayer Warriors – this is a great role for elderly home bound believers.
• Special Events Coordinator
  • Christmas Activity
  • Palm Sunday
  • Maundy Thursday
  • Good Friday
  • Saturday Vignettes
  • Easter Sunday
  • Family Festivals
• Summer Coordinator
• Summer Counselors
• Summer Presenters
• Camp in the City Coordinator
• Family Discipleship support
• Intergenerational Services Director
• Recruitment Director

As the entire Family of God becomes aware of just how important the intentional discipleship of children is to the Triune God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 10:13-16) and  due to their love of God they are motivated to play a part in that discipleship the church becomes essential to children.

We also are intentional in the Tag Team approach to children’s ministry – Primary Disciplers and the Family of God discipling together.

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