Archive for the ‘Children's Ministry’ Category

Can Children Really Learn the Bible?

Friday, August 28th, 2009

The Bible is an adult book, written in adult language with adult concepts.  Some therefore question if you can really teach the Bible to children, especially young children.

The Apostle Paul answers that question in his words to Timothy:
“… from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15)

Paul goes on to in the very next verse to provide the ways God’s Word helps us.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

What better source to teach, rebuke, correct, and train children than the Bible.  The words of Scripture carry more authority and power than anything a parent or teacher can communicate.

The question is not “if” children
can learn the Bible but HOW.

The new PowerPoint presentation, Teaching the Bible to Children, helps you know “how.”

It one of the many teacher training resources available as part of a membership on TrainBibleTeachers.com and also is a separate item in the MinTools store.  Be sure to check it out because children really can learn the Bible!

Posted in Children's Ministry, Teacher Training | No Comments »

The Importance of Children’s Ministry

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Children, as well as adults, need the touch of Jesus on their lives.

1)  Children are precious in Jesus’ sight.  He loves them!  He wants children to be brought to Him.

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  (Mk. 10:14)

2)  Children need help in learning how to navigate in today’s world … and they have so much of life ahead of them.

Faced with war, terrorism, divorce, crime and other anxieties, many children are feeling

  • . . . vulnerable – What if this happens to me?
  • . . . frightened – Where can I go to be safe?
  • . . . hopeless – Who is going to protect me?
  • . . . helpless – There’s nothing I can do to keep it from happening.

They need the touch of Jesus.  They need His help to cope and deal just as we adults do.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come.”

3)  Children are a part of today’s church, not merely the church of tomorrow.

They are just as much a part of the body as adults if they know Jesus as their Savior.  “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

As you look at the Greatest Commandments and the Great Commission and  read passages about the church (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4), no one is excluded.  You will not find degrees to which this is to be happening based on age or any other criteria.

4)  Children need a Savior and are at a prime age to trust in Him.

According to a Barna report, “nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (43%), and that two out of three born again Christians (64%) made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday.”

Based on these findings, childhood is a critical time to reach people for Jesus.  “Let the little children come!”

Ministry to children is important.  Whether you teach or help in any other capacity, you have a strategic role that goes beyond simply showing up and following a script.  You have a vital purpose.

Here are some resources to help you in your children’s ministry.

What are the practical implications of these four points for you?

Posted in Children's Ministry | No Comments »