Handing down the faith is one of the most joy-giving things the parents and grandparents of the children in your ministry will ever do. But, there are certainly going to be times when they are tired. Times when they wonder how to hand down the faith. Times when they wonder if what they are doing is making a difference. It is in these times you are able to come alongside them and encourage them with the truth. Look what I posted this morning on my other blog - Grandmas with Heart -
This morning I posted on one of my other blogs - Grandmas with Heart - about taking time to see what God is doing in our lives and I decided to share it with you. Please read and then share it with the parents and grandparents in your ministry as well. If you are like me you have many things which fill your days - time spent growing in our walk with God, time with family, things to keep us busy at home, possibly a job, volunteering at church and the list goes on. And, since the Holiday Season is nearly upon us and there are less than two months until Christmas, we are likely to become even more busy. While we may be busy, it is essential for us to make time for those things which matter the most - such as praying, growing in our own walk with God and in handing down the faith.
There are certainly many things for us to pray about when it comes to praying for the children, families and volunteers in our ministry, but I think we can take a cue from Jesus as to the most important thing for us to pray about. In Matthew 22:37-40 someone asked Jesus which command was the most important; He said, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
chance to make them feel as if your church is a place where they are welcome and wanted. The saying, "You have one shot at a first impression" is very true. Consider the following ways to make a great first impression when you have visitors to your Children's Ministry -
I'm certain if I were to ask anyone in Children's Ministry we would all say we are completely against bullying. But, stop for a moment and think. Do we actually "tolerate" some types of bullying? Are there some types of bullying to which we "turn a blind eye"? Consider the following -
Sadly in far, far too many homes around this country and around the world children witness and often experience domestic violence. This is a tragedy which passes from one generation to the next as children who experience this violence often grow to experience it again as an adult, or to go on and become an abuser themselves. Those of us who serve in Children's Ministries need to be aware of what to look for, so we may reach out and help children and adults whose lives are marred with this hideous violence. These children are often in our midst . . . we must help. Actual and accurate statistics are difficult to find as so many cases of domestic violence go unreported, but on the Shasta Women's Refuge website I found the following information . . .
My background is fairly conservative when it comes to church. I grew up in the church when children sat and listened to their teachers, wrote in their student books and memorized Scripture. In High School I participated on a quiz team and loved everything about it. I wanted my children to experience the same "church" as I did, so when they were little I had them involved in a mid-week program with lots of Bible memorizing. My children excelled at Bible memory and moved through their books quickly and amassed their pins and badges. I was sure all of this was how it "should" be until something happened during one awards ceremony which began to completely change my opinion. All the little four year olds were waiting to receive their awards for the progress they made in their books . . . all except for one little boy. This boy had great difficulty memorizing. He did not receive an award that evening . . . and went home in tears. When I saw this I wondered what this little boy's "view" of God looked like. Did he see God as Someone Who would only be pleased with him if he were able to memorize Bible verses? Was this the view of God I wanted children to have? Of course it wasn't.
The other day I posted about how our actions speak louder than our words . . . today I'd like to consider how just a few actions are able to communicate our love so much better than any amount of words. Every church has children who have a difficult time "connecting" with other children. What can we do to help these children feel like they genuinely belong? Consider the following -
Your new Fall ministries have begun, but did you take time to sit down with the parents/grandparents and share your vision/purpose, the curriculum their children will be learning from and how they will be able to continue the learning all week at home? If not, it isn't too late to do so! Consider the following -
I watched a video by George Barna today and want to share a few of the main points he makes . . . consider the following -
Children are THE most important mission field you as an adult will ever encounter!
Children are THE mission field God sent parents and grandparents to win over for Him!
Nobody else will have the impact on children a parents and grandparent is able to have!
We all agree, children are the most important mission field in the world - and we agree parents and grandparents have the most influence on their children and who they become, but as Barna said, "The problem is, parents surrender this impact to the world." We surrender children to -
I like video clips with George Barna . . . they give me definite things to think about. Please take a moment to listen to this clip with George Barna as he talks about how the church is able to minister more effectively today . . .
Do you ever listen to sermons from pastors at churches you do not attend? I'd like to share a sermon by Dr. Jim Samra on I Corinthians 13 - Think. Love. Live. Love Never Ends with you. Take 33 minutes and seven seconds to listen to this sermon . . . you will be so glad you did! There! Did you listen to it? If not, please do! Okay, now, a few thoughts . . .
Handing down the faith is one of the most joy-giving things the parents and grandparents of the children in your ministry will ever do. But, there are certainly going to be times when they are tired. Times when they wonder how to hand down the faith. Times when they wonder if what they are doing is making a difference.
This morning I posted on one of my other blogs - Grandmas with Heart - about taking time to see what God is doing in our lives and I decided to share it with you. Please read and then share it with the parents and grandparents in your ministry as well.
There are certainly many things for us to pray about when it comes to praying for the children, families and volunteers in our ministry, but I think we can take a cue from Jesus as to the most important thing for us to pray about. In Matthew 22:37-40 someone asked Jesus which command was the most important; He said, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
I'm certain if I were to ask anyone in Children's Ministry we would all say we are completely against bullying. But, stop for a moment and think. Do we actually "tolerate" some types of bullying? Are there some types of bullying to which we "turn a blind eye"? Consider the following -
Sadly in far, far too many homes around this country and around the world children witness and often experience domestic violence. This is a tragedy which passes from one generation to the next as children who experience this violence often grow to experience it again as an adult, or to go on and become an abuser themselves. Those of us who serve in Children's Ministries need to be aware of what to look for, so we may reach out and help children and adults whose lives are marred with this hideous violence. These children are often in our midst . . . we must help.
My background is fairly conservative when it comes to church. I grew up in the church when children sat and listened to their teachers, wrote in their student books and memorized Scripture. In High School I participated on a quiz team and loved everything about it. I wanted my children to experience the same "church" as I did, so when they were little I had them involved in a mid-week program with lots of Bible memorizing. 
Do you ever listen to sermons from pastors at churches you do not attend? I'd like to share a sermon by Dr. Jim Samra on I Corinthians 13 - Think. Love. Live. Love Never Ends with you. Take 33 minutes and seven seconds to listen to this sermon . . . you will be so glad you did!
