Should We Really Try to Teach Children Bible Truths?

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

Scripture Response to Question about Trying to Teach Children Bible Truths

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)

So, even if you serve in a church nursery, it’s possible to communicate Bible truths even to babies.

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 of all ages than the Bible. The words of Scripture carry more authority and power than anything a parent or teacher can communicate.

How Children Best Learn the Bible

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

  1. Begin by understanding their age level traits. Take into account the whole person when planning what to teach and how to teach it — spiritual but also physical, emotional, mental, and social traits.

The PowerPoint presentation, Teaching the Bible to Children, helps you know “how” to teach Bible truths in accordance with their age level characteristics.

Also check out:

  1. Do not underestimate the role of consistency and repetition when teaching children.
  • a consistency between what’s in the parent’s heart and what they say (also true for teachers)

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (Deut. 6:6)

  • a consistency between what’s taught formally and informally

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when … (Deut. 6:7-9)

  • a repetition of truth in a variety of settings, using a variety of methods, teaching both verbally and visually

Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut. 6:7-9)

For More: Children’s Ministry Resources

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The Church Needs a Network of Shepherds

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Shepherding ministry in the church is about tending to the welfare of Christ-followers by watching over, nurturing, and guiding them. The needs of the flock are great and consequently shepherding is a big investment of time and effort into the lives of people. It will take a network of shepherds to best facilitate shepherding so people don’t fall through the cracks.

Shepherding by Pastors and Elders

Obviously people in the position of pastor would be included. But, the pastoral staff cannot possibly provide personal and consistent care for each member of the Body. And, God never intended for a single pastor, or two, to adequately care for everyone, which is why we find this command given to elders:
The Church Needs a Network of Shepherds with Elders and Pastors

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Pet. 5:2-3)

The congregation could be divided among the elders, or other designated persons, to help ensure that everyone in the Body has a shepherd. However, unless the span of care for each shepherd is small enough and the shepherd is willing, and able, to consistently be available, contacts will tend to be infrequent and therefore care will still be less than adequate in many cases on an ongoing basis.

Further Expanding the Network of Shepherds in the Church

God gave elders the role of shepherds but that doesn’t mean they must do it all themselves. They do, however, need to make sure it gets done. So, they, along with pastors, need to encourage and equip others in the Body to do their part in shepherding those in their spheres of influence.

Sometimes churches will relegate this responsibility to the small group ministry of the church. While that would help, those who aren’t members of a small group will probably get overlooked.

The best approach may be to expand the network even further. In addition to pastors, elders, and small group leaders, think about how Sunday School teachers, facilitators of support groups, ministry team leaders, equippers, mentors, and disciplers can help shepherd people in their sphere of influence. And, let’s not forget the role of parents in shepherding their own children.

In addition to content similar to what you find in this post, the Shepherding Ministry Manual includes a list of five benefits churches can experience when shepherding comes from a variety of sources as opposed to one shepherd over all.

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Effective Ministry Training

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Who doesn’t want effective ministry training? But, imagine if it became more e-e-e-e-e-effective.

When training is most effective, people are equipped and encouraged to do their part. As God’s ways for ministry are explained to them their understanding is expanded, their hearts are enlightened, and they are able to envision what God can and wants to do through them. Hence, their life of service is enhanced. As a result, they become more excited and enthused about serving. They are energized and emboldened to do their part.

When training is e-e-e-e-e-effective, a lot happens within the people being trained that will spill over onto those to whom and with whom they serve.

So, What is Effective Ministry Training?

Effective Ministry Training Help People Seek to Di Ministry God's Way
(Click image to learn more about this resource.)

For ministry training to truly be effective it must help people seek to line ministry up with the character and ways of a holy, righteous, loving, gracious, just, sovereign, merciful, all-powerful, creative, faithful, and wise God.

He is the authority. — He knows the best way to do ministry.

He is the source. — He provides what we need to do ministry.

He is the standard. — He sets the bar for how to do ministry.

How e-e-e-e-effectively are you training people in your church? How e-e-e-e-effectively have you been trained? The wonderful thing about our God is that He is also a God of new beginnings! Start now to train people to do ministry God’s way.

For Help: Ministry Training Resources

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Salty Christians

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Salty Christians who are the Salt of the EarthLiving as Christians in this world is about who we are as Christ followers. Jesus said, “You ARE the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). But, only salt that maintains its saltiness will have the impact salt is intended to have. Hence, we must be salty Christians.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by man. (Matt. 5:13)

How to Be Salty Christians

To know how to be a salty Christian, the salt of the earth, first think about the uses of salt:

1) Salt seasons.

As we sprinkle God’s love on others around us, it’s like we’re inviting them to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). When we consistently live according to God’s grace, we make what we have to say more palatable. – Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col. 4:6)

2) Salt acts as a preserving agent.

As we hold to the infallible Word of Truth, living like “the pillar and foundation of the truth” His Church is to be (1 Tim. 3:15), we’re a reminder to the world around us that God’s Word remains whether they agree with it or not. Though people through the ages have sought to destroy God’s Word, it remains to this day (Matt. 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25).

3) Salt purifies and cleanses.

By living a life of integrity rather than selfish ambition, knowing that a better day is coming (1 Jn. 1:9; 3:2-3), we show the hope and healing that comes from being found in Christ. We show that salvation isn’t just a future reality but something that makes a difference here and now.

Results of Being the Salt of the Earth

Given enough salt, people tend to get thirsty. They want water, or something to drink. The kind of saltiness described above tends to produce a spiritual thirst in others for the Living Water (Jn. 4:10-14). So, let’s be salty Christians.

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To Pray or Not to Pray?

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As we consider the condition of the world today, how can we not pray? That should be the question for God’s people.

Bible Verses about Prayer

When we consider just even the following six verses on prayer, we should find ourselves making prayer our first response. We will turn to the Lord first before complaining or giving in to fear or despair. And, we will continue in prayer regardless of the circumstances.

Pray - Prayer Bits
Order the Prayer Bits: Small Bits But Big Truths on Prayer Devotional Guide which uses these six verses. Each of the 30 devotions contains a small bit about prayer based on one of the verses but conveys big truths that make a difference.

As you reflect on the verses, you’ll find some helpful tips about praying.

  1. Be devoted to prayer.  When devoted to prayer, things happen. Pray and then watch for what God will do.  And, be sure to thank and praise Him for it.

    “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Col. 4:2)

  2. Be willing to sacrifice in order to pray. The psalmist likens prayer to a spiritual sacrifice when he refers to it as incense. As such it rises up to heaven and fills the throne room of God.

    “May my prayer be set before you like incense.” (Ps. 141:2a)

  3. Fully trust God as you pray. If you feel safe and secure with Him, such confidence will take you beyond the rote or token prayers to spilling out your guts to God.

    “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah.” (Ps. 62:8)

  4. Be in a constant attitude of prayer, praying for fellow believers everywhere.  To have such a perseverance and passion in praying, you need help. Look to the Spirit of God who lives within you.

    “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Eph. 6:18)

  5. Go on the offence as a prayer warrior.  You cannot be pulled in so many directions that you fail to pray. Instead, purposefully plan to pray. Prioritize it into your busy schedule.

    “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so you can pray.” (1 Pet. 4:7)

  6. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t see results.  Notice the small but encouraging word “is” in the following verse.  Your prayer “is” effective — present tense. It doesn’t say might be or will be but “is,” right now, powerful and effective.

    “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b)

In Light of These Scripture Verses, How Can We Not Pray?

As the truths in the above verse take root in our hearts and we put them into practice, we will begin to notice the following differences in our lives:

1) how we pray

We will no longer ask ourselves the question, “To pray or not to pray?” as we will see no other option. We will pray when happy or when sad, when confident or fearful, when full of faith or feeling uncertain. We will pray when faced with challenges or going through the routines of life.

2) how we process life

Even if the world around us doesn’t change as we wish it would, we’ll still be able to cope and find peace. We will gain a renewed purpose as we work in cooperation with a Sovereign and Almighty God through prayer.

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Christ-like Communication

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Jesus valued relationships with people and hence communication since it is such a vital element to healthy relationships. Christ-like communication makes such a difference in all we do. It only stands to reason that we follow His example if we want effective ministry.

Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders

The Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders encourages leaders to see such Christ-likeness as imperative, going beyond mastery of a skill-set to something that flows from the core of our being “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Lk. 6:45). The guide includes implications of aspects of Christ-like communication that follow below.

The Way Jesus Communicated and the Content of His Communication Flowed from the Essence of Who He Was

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn. 1:4)

Being called “the Word” lets us know that Jesus came to earth to communicate what God the Father wanted people to know. He came full of BOTH grace and truth. He spoke out of the essence of who He was.

Other Specific Aspects of Christ-like Communication

Read through the Gospels and you should be able to pinpoint various aspects of Christ-like communication. Click on the following links to learn how Jesus communicated in these ways.

Be sure to check out the Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders.

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