3 Quick Wins for Kids’ Ministry | The Resurgence.
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3 Quick Wins for Kids’ Ministry | The Resurgence
10 01 2012Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Chrissie Wright, kids, ministry, teaching
Categories : Children's Ministry, Teacher/Leader Resources
Doctrine for Kids Debuts This Sunday! | Pastor Mark
7 01 2012
Doctrine for Kids Debuts This Sunday! | Pastor Mark.
Gonna have to keep my eye on this. Looks real good. Check out the cool track on their site.
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Tags: curriculum, doctrine, kids, mark driscoll, mars hill
Categories : Children's Ministry, Teacher/Leader Resources
How Everyday Moms and Dads Influence the Future
22 12 2011
For one of my classes in seminary I wrote a paper inspired by the Biblical passage in Exodus 20:5-6 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:9-10, which says,
…I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
I asked myself the question, being a dad of three young children, “How does what I do affect my kids and their future kids down through the generations?” So for all dads and moms, the questions that arise from this passage are extremely urgent. If how I brush my teeth affects future generations, how much more so will the way I treat my wife, work at my job and love my God! And if there is an affect, what kind of affect is it? How severe is it? How lasting? Then also, how important is it that I make very intentional decisions right now about how I live my life and raise my kids, because it will dramatically alter the course of history!? Our sin does have profound penalties on future generations, but do not be crushed by this thought. Rather, relish in the wonderful reward for those who love God: steadfast, unbreaking and forever love in everlasting covenant friendship with God!
If you’re up for it I challenge you to read the research paper I put together in the attached pdf. Doing so may shakeup the course of your life and future family history in incredible ways! While it will require some serious thought, the process will deepen your commitment to God and your family’s future legacy.
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Tags: children, collective retribution, consequences, dads, decalogue, generation, generational curse, generational sin, God, history, legacy, moms, sin, steadfast love
Categories : Children's Ministry, Christian Life, Family, Parenting
A Philosophy of Children’s and Family Ministry (Part 2)
15 12 2011(For part 1 click here.)
Challenges
Of course there are many challenges when it comes to ministry with children and families. As mentioned in the rationale, people have sinned and are separated from God and therefore, need that relationship repaired. So sin is the number one challenge. Leaders, parents, extended families and children are tempted to go after the pleasures of this world while forsaking the eternal pleasures in the next world. This leaves the whole world and our local communities in one large mess. To attempt to minister to children and families and not prioritize countering this human problem is folly.
So I believe one of the greatest truths we can teach our families is repentance. The Bible, over and over, calls people to turn from their sin, back to their Creator. Children are no exception. In fact, if this habit of repentance can be instilled from infancy, it will take hold as a pattern for their life that will lead them to finding hope in God, to fostering healthy relationships, to establishing strong life skills and give them peace for their souls.
Another challenge is to be aware of each child holistically. Dr. Wess Stafford proposes a solid model for this. His perspective is from that of moving children out of extreme poverty, however, it is relevant for all children as well. We cannot be satisfied to only attend to one aspect of a family’s life. We must consider the whole person including economics, health, social, spiritual, learning as well as environment. To do this well we need to know a child’s story, become familiar with their history, their family, their location and their interests. This is critical for positive ministry. This is massive and one leader can’t possibly know all these things or be able to minister in all these areas. Therefore leadership training is essential.
Stafford gives his solution to the challenge of children in poverty. He writes, “I still say that the most loving and strategic thing that can be done for children in poverty is to bring them to their heavenly Father.” That this is true for all children is clear.
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Tags: challenges, children's pastor, church, kids, ministry, roles, volunteers
Categories : Children's Ministry, Family, Teacher/Leader Resources
A Philosophy of Children’s and Family Ministry (Part 1)
15 12 2011
Rationale and Biblical Foundation
God loves people. In the beginning God created a universe to display his greatness. Then he created people to share and revel in it. When those people sinned, the intimacy they shared with God was forever broken. But God had an even bigger plan to show off even more greatness so people could share and revel in even more of it…if they would trust him.
When God created people, he said, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). This imperative instituted families and stirred in them the desire to go into all the world exploring, creating and delighting in the Creator together. However, because of sin, families were also broken and children would grow up not having known of the original intimacy their parents had with the Creator. Parents would then have to pass on this firsthand knowledge which would become second hand and so on.
Even though the relationship people had with God was broken, God was still working and present and very active. His aim was and is to mend what was broken, to heal what was wounded and to restore what was ruined. He chose throughout history to speak and to share promises of redemption. Whenever he spoke or demonstrated his power it was intended to be shared. In fact, how could such powerful demonstrations not be made known? Inevitably, stories would be written and told in community and within families. Significant rituals and marker events would be instituted as powerful reminders of God’s faithfulness. People would hear portions of God’s greatness and glory again and again even though it could no longer be seen in all its fullness here on Earth.
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Tags: biblical foundation, children's and family ministry, church, kids, ministry, philosohpy, restoration
Categories : Children's Ministry, Family, Teacher/Leader Resources
Quest for Compassion | A free Christian educational game
8 12 2011Quest for Compassion | A free Christian educational game.
Get your children informed about the poor around the world. Inspire your family to get involved!
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Tags: compassion, kids, poor, poverty
Categories : Children's Ministry, Family, Teacher/Leader Resources
What Are Kids Watching?
30 11 2011
I was checking out some kids tv over on YTV. There’s a new popular show called Victorious marketed to tweeners. A recent episode is called Ice Cream for Ke$ha. Tori basically is desperate to win a contest to have Ke$ha for a private concert. Ke$ha is a popular musical artist with a hit song called “Blow.” I don’t recommend your child view her music video on Youtube, however, as it is very sexually provocative. So how do you go about choosing what to watch or let your kids watch? Do you know or care what is being consumed? Media has a subtle influence. It can make sin appear fun and exciting. Yet it can also lead down a path of self-indulgence that leads us away from our selfless Jesus. Be careful little eyes what you see. What do you think? What are some of your kids favourite shows?
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Tags: kids, shows, sin, subtle influence, TV, Victorious, YTV
Categories : Children's Ministry, Family, Parenting, Teacher/Leader Resources
Westminster Shorter Catechism Flash Cards | D A N G I T B I L L !
23 11 2011Westminster Shorter Catechism Flash Cards | D A N G I T B I L L !.
For talking to your kids about faith in God.
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Tags: catechism, faith, flash cards, God, kids, westminster catechism
Categories : Children's Ministry, Christian Life, Family, Teacher/Leader Resources
Foundation Verses | Fighter Verses
9 11 2011
Kids need a strong foundation from which they can build their lives. A weak and shifty foundation will cause them to lose faith and lead a life filled with harmful decisions. A strong foundation can give them a great starting point for a life filled with peace and joy-filled decisions. As parents and leaders of kids we can instil the teaching and wisdom of God. One way you can do that is using Fighter Verses for kids. I’ve been doing it with my little ones for a few weeks now using the iPhone app which has an image to go along with it. Try it! You may in fact find that your own foundation gets stronger!
Foundation Verses | Fighter Verses.
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Tags: Fighter Verses, foundation, God, God's wisdom, kids, memory verses, verses
Categories : Children's Ministry, Family, Parenting, Teacher/Leader Resources
