How can we we expect untrained adults to disciple children so they want to walk with Jesus into eternity?
“Many faith-based organizations have good intentions but lack professional expertise about children’s developmental and mental health.” Statement of a researcher studying the results of the mentoring of children. This I gleaned during my time of training churches to minister to at-risk children in after school programs. I understood the researcher to be saying that this faith based mentoring was less effective than the secular programs due to lack of training.
I believe the above must be taken seriously and apply it to our overall ministry to children within the church. Research shows we are losing 70% of our church raised children. I believe that if we are intentional in the training of adults the Triune God will honor the effort we give by drawing more of our children to Him. There is no fool proof plan; however throughout the Bible we see how God responds to faithful men and women.
Prayer is key to drawing the children to the Triune God. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (ESV) James 5:16
In the process of equipping adults to disciple children they are walked through a discipling of themselves. Parents are trained not only to serve the children of others but how to disciple their own children. One pastor told the Childrens’ Director, “Children’s ministry has done more to positively affect the spiritual condition of men in our church than any other ministry.”
Matthew 18:1-14
Click here to go to a study you can download of Matthew 18:1-14. Powerful scripture on the importance of children to our Heavenly Father.
- There are Director and Staff manuals that can be downloaded.
Reality Learning: How Children Learn
The adults serving your children need to know how children learn so the truth is presented in a way children can understand.
Reality Learning is a tool used in Sunday Plus Curriculum to help concrete thinking children gain an intuitive understanding of the abstract truth of the Gospel.
- There are Director and Staff manuals that can be downloaded.
Disciplers and Specialists
The apostles were expected to do everything – but they weren’t able. There just wasn’t enough time. 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.
Object Lessons – yes or no?
Do you use object lessons in your training of children to understand the Bible. Should you?
(More posts related to this topic coming soon. The site is being rebuilt. If you have a question you’d like an immediate answer to write Wanda at sundayplusachildrensvision@gmail.com)
Philosophy of Children’s Ministry
Do you have a Philosophy of Ministry for your children’s ministry? Here you will find a sample philosophy along with suggestions for creating your own philosophy. Gather some of the key adults in your children’s ministry to work with you to create the philosophy. It might be helpful to look at the training pages for Children’s Ministry Purpose Statement and Guiding Values before delving into the creation of the philosophy.
If you use the training materials a small gift would be appreciated, click PAYPAL
