1 Children s Ministry Purpose Statement: Building a strong foundation for a life of spiritual formation through: Enabling every child to experience the love of Jesus Encouraging every child to learn about Jesus and the Christian life Equipping every child for intentional ministry involvement Expecting every child to life a daily life pleasing to Jesus Biblical Focus and Foundation: Jesus said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:38-40 Love is the common language of all cultures and the one thing all children respond well to and are looking for. Children also have an immense capacity to give love. Children s ministry must share His love through example and word and then teach children how to live a life of love to Jesus and to others.
2 Process of Spiritual Formation: Human development occurs in five core areas of growth: moral, spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual. With the spiritual core being the first to develop and thus determining how the other four core areas develop. A child s spiritual aptitude determines their moral value system, emotional attitude, physical perspective and intellectual depth. Clearly, spiritual formation of our children is crucial in their over-all development. In addition, we are told that a child s moral code is set by age nine and that they begin to adopt values by age two. This means that children s ministry must begin very young the process of building a strong foundation for a life of spiritual formation. We cannot wait until they are physically capable to sit still and listen, emotionally ready to behave properly, intellectually ready to read it themselves, or analyze and examine each idea before we begin teaching them spiritual truth. Therefore intentional spiritual formation is crucial in the lives of the children we minister to and it must begin very early. Spiritual Formation includes: Developing a love for Jesus with their heart that s the work of evangelism Developing a love for Jesus with their head that s the work of discipleship Developing a love for Jesus with their hands that s the work of service Developing a love for Jesus that is lived out in holy living that s the work of training
3 Four Target Components: Heart The heart of the child is their center. To touch the heart of the child is to impact them for a lifetime. Trust Security Belonging Exploration are words that describe a child s learning style. ( Mark 10:14,16) Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Due to the developmental nature of children, spiritual formation traditionally begins with their heart. They are not rational beings but emotional beings looking for security and stability. They learn through example and imitating. They enjoy exploring with their bodies and learn through tactile means. They are very trusting and accepting wonderful imaginations and open belief system. While they are very egocentric, they enjoy being with others and interaction. Heart transformation is best achieved through evangelistic approaches that stress that Jesus loves them (trust), wants to be their forever friend (security) and wants them to be a part of His family (belonging). This occurs through inter-personal, safe relationships and exploration using their bodies to worship, learn Bible truths, and minister to others.
4 Head A child s mind is open to truth and capable of capturing enormous amounts of knowledge. (Deut 6:1-9: These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. ) It is astounding the information a child s mind can retain and the ease in which they learn. What a tremendous opportunity in the formative years when in many ways they are like a sponge, to pour into them Biblical truths and principals. As they develop their rational capabilities, they need to be given opportunities to explore, question, and analyze Christian ideals and concepts begin to formulate for themselves a personal belief system based on learned knowledge and explored truths. Head transformation is best achieved through discipleship means that relate to their tremendous mental capacity. Catechism and Scripture memorization are key. Provide them with opportunities to interact physically and mentally with the Bible, truth, and doctrine.
5 Hand Children enjoy the opportunity of serving. They want to please others and interact with their peers. They want to know they matter, are special, and have significance. Hand transformation can best be achieved through service opportunities both in the church and their community. Children must be provided a chance to serve in the local church through using their talents, time, and giving their treasures. This will provide them with confidence in who they are, a sense of belonging to the fellowship, a chance to please, and an opportunity to see the difference they can make in the lives of others. They also can take initial steps in outreach and compassion ministries through entry level opportunities in a controlled setting within their own community provide them a chance to see how others live, give to others, and share Jesus love through words and actions.
6 Holy Habits Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Prov. 22:6) The habits begun in childhood last a life time. Provide an environment where holy habits are modeled, taught and expected. A child s characteristics, traits, and life responses are formed and set in childhood. What a tremendous opportunity to help them establish good habits for living a Christ-centered life. Daily life transformation is best achieved through deliberate teaching of the spiritual disciplines - incorporating them into all the programs of the local ministry, setting a level of expectation for the children, holding children accountable, and providing positive rewards. Prayer, worship, fellowship, Bible study, meditation, and even fasting should be incorporated into every ministry. Peer pressure and the desire to conform develop in mid to late elementary. It is crucial that children are expected to live a life of holy habits, understand they will be outside the secular circle and be encouraged to be leaders in setting an example to their friends of an alternative life style one of holy habits.
7 One life at a time becoming more like Jesus! 1 Head Encouraging every person to learn about Jesus and the Christian Life 2 Heart Enabling every person to experience the power of the Gospel and passion of Jesus 3 Hand Equipping every person for intentional ministry involvement for Jesus 4 Habits Expecting every person to live a daily life pleasing to Jesus by connecting their beliefs with behavior
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9 Heart: - Evangelism and Outreach (initial introduction) Children s Ministry helps every child develop a love for Jesus with their Hearts through local church programs such as: VBS Camping Family Ministry After school programs Big Events Sports Ministry Holiday specials In-school programs Suggested Resources to enhance your programs: VBS Smart Pages by Gospel Light Camps and Retreats to Go by Connection Counts The Power of Teachable Moments by Jim and Janet Weidman Parental Guidance Required by Andy Stanley and Reggie Joiner The Most Important Place on Earth by Robert Wolgemuth The Praying Family by Kinm Butts Secret Keeper Girl by Dannah Gresh, Lexi Gresh Upward Bound Ministry by Upward Mega Sports Camp by Gospel Publishing Parties with a Purpose by Marlene LaFever Organizations: Child Evangelism Fellowship www.cefonline.com heart America Kids www.kidcareamerica.org Focus on the Family www.family.org
10 Head: - Discipleship and Catechism (structured programs) Children s Ministry helps every child develop a love for Jesus with their Head through local church programs such as: Sunday school Midweek Children s Church Parent Education/Training Day Care Day schools Suggested Resources to enhance your programs: Building Faith Kids by Wesleyan Publishing House Bible Story Cards by Wesleyan Publishing House Hands on Bible, FW Friends, Kids Own Worship by Group Publishing Christian Life Club by Light and Life Communications www.llcom.net Worship Time by WordAction 252 Basics by Familywise, Inc. Bright Beginnings by Gospel Light Organizations: Day Care: A Resource for Parents and Providers www.daycare.com National Child Care Information Center www.nccic.org National Child Care Association www.nccanet.org head
11 Hand: - Service and Compassion (ministry opportunities) Children s Ministry helps every child develop a love for Jesus with their Hands through local church programs such as: Talent/Gift Training and Education Ministry Teams Puppet Greeters/Friendship Worship Leadership Technical Music Missions - WKFM Community Outreach/Service Experiences Missions/ Compassion/Service Suggested Resources to enhance your programs: Teaching With Heart by Jody Capehart The Treasure Inside Your Child by Pam Farrel Instant Puppet Skits by Group Publishing Teaching Children How to Lead in Worship by Integrity Music Teaching Children to Worship by Lifeway Nurturing the Leader Within Your Child by Dr. Tim Elmore Shout to the Lord Kids CD Series by Integrity Music Every Move I Make by Willowcreek through Zonderkids iworship Kids by Integrity Music Preschool Music Options by Karyn Henley Missions Made Fun by Elizabeth Whitney Crisci Kids Around the World by The Caleb Project Organizations: hand Wesleyan Kids For Missions at www.wesleyan.org Hope 4 Children at www.worldhope.org Brentwood Kids Music Club at www.brentwoodbenson.com One Way Street at www.onewaystreet.com Juke Box downloadable children s music and charts at www.childrensministryjukebox.com
12 Holy Habits: - Spiritual Disciplines (components that are a part of the three above) Children s Ministry helps every child develop a love for Jesus with their Habits through local church programs such as: Worship Prayer Bible Study/Devotion Fellowship Meditation Fasting Stewardship Suggested Resources to enhance your programs: The One Year Bible for Kids Challenge Edition by Tyndale Kids Foundations Curriculum Series (Prayer, Bible Study, Stewardship, Fellowship) by Karyn Henley, Standard Publishing 52 Ways to Teach Children: to Pray, Stewardship, Read the Bible by Rainbow Publishers holy habits Hooray Let s Pray! by Group Publishing Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey by Catherine Stonehouse Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions by George Barna Rock Solid Kids by Larry Fowler Opening Your Child s Spiritual Windows by Cheri Fuller Faith Teaching by Steve Wambery and John Conaway Teaching Kids Authentic Worship by Kathleen Chapman Organizations: Today s Children s Ministry by Christianity Today and Promiseland at www.todayschildrensministry.com E Box Club by Child Evangelism Fellowship at www.eboxclub.com www.prayerkids.org
13 Why is intentional Spiritual Formation necessary for children? A. It is commanded by God. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says: These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. 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. And again in Matthew 28:19-20: go and make disciples teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. B. The time is short. By the age of nine, most of the moral and spiritual foundations of a child are in place. (George Barna) We need to work diligently so that our children s moral foundation will be based on Christian perspectives drawn from God s Word not on worldly perspectives drawn from the media and friends. C. Children can get it. Children can understand and digest doctrinal and theological teaching. Most of the great truths of the Bible which we organize into theology can be stated in such a way that a child can understand them. (V Gilbert Beers, Th.D., Ph.D.) Biblical truths presented in a developmentally appropriate way, lay the foundation for a child s spiritual formation. D. It is our purpose. The purpose of children s ministry is to build a strong foundation for a life of spiritual formation. That foundation includes ministry to the child s heart through evangelism, their head through discipleship, their hands through service.
14 Transformed Children Transform the world The Children s Division of the Spiritual Formation Department of The Wesleyan Church exists to assist the local church as together we strive to build a solid foundation for a life of spiritual formation by developing a child s love for Jesus with their heart (that s the work of evangelism), head (that s the work of discipleship), hands (that s the work of service) and through holy living (that s the work of training). Various ways The Spiritual Formation Department comes along side you to do that: The Huddle - Annual children s ministry leader training event that provides instruction, inspiration, and encouragement. This event is held annually in the fall at the World Headquarters Keys to Kids Ministry - A free resource produced on CD ROM for every local church that contains practical children s ministry assessment and implementation tools. A new volume is released each Fall. Visit our website for content information and downloadable files or contact us for your free copy. Building Kids Faith - A discipleship tool produced in cooperation with Wesleyan Publishing House that provides leaders 52 lessons on fundamental biblical concepts for preschool, elementary and middle school students. Available for purchase through Wesleyan Publishing House.
15 Children s Ministry Leadership Network - Available at no charge to every local church leader, membership in the network provides periodic communication, event updates, training resources, special promotions and gives a voice to leaders. Child Care Ministries - Through the leadership of CK Chitty, we provide local churches information and assistance in the areas of after school care, church day cares and Christian schools Children s Ministry Web Site - Provides downloadable teaching tools, resource reviews, current information and ministry trends. Children s Ministry News - A monthly newsletter providing connection and communication to the local leader
16 Take the Test: Y N Is your children s ministry focused on building a solid foundation for a life of spiritual formation? Y N Does your ministry intentionally provide ministry to the children s hearts? List the programs and resources used for evangelism: Y N Does your ministry intentionally provide ministry to the children s heads? List the programs and resources used for discipleship: Y N Does your ministry intentionally provide ministry to the children s hands? List the programs, resources, and opportunities provided for service: Y N Does your ministry train, model and expect the children and volunteers to live a life of holy habits? Y N Is prayer modeled and taught to the children? Y N Are children comfortable with using the Bible and expected to read it daily? Y N Is stewardship teaching a component of your ministry? Y N Are children given an opportunity to participate in worship? Y N Is Biblical fellowship practiced in your ministry? Y N Are children exposed to other spiritual disciplines: fasting, meditation, confession, etc? Y N Is your ministry intentionally helping each child grow in Christ?