Ministry-to-Children.com » Jeri Tanner

St. Patrick: Hero of Christian History

Jeri Tanner — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:44:15 +0000

The True Tale of Patrick

Much myth and legend surrounds the story of Patrick, born in Britain in the late 4^th century. St. Patrick is often reduced to a mythical figure who performed magical feats (like driving all the snakes out of Ireland). The truth, as usual, is better than fiction!

All that can be known about Patrick comes from two documents written by him, one of which is “The Confession,” his short autobiographical account. In it, Patrick tells how he was kidnapped as a youth from his devout father’s comfortable home in Britain. Though Patrick’s father was a deacon in the church and had taught him God’s ways, Patrick had become a careless and rebellious young man.

“I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people, according to our deserts, for quite drawn away from God, we did not keep his precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation.”

Patrick was made a slave and a pig herder. There in the difficult and desolate country he found himself in, Patrick called on the Lord he had previously neglected.

“But after I reached Ireland I used to pasture the flock each day and I used to pray many times a day. More and more did the love of God, and my fear of him and faith increase, and my spirit was moved so that in a day [I said] from one up to a hundred prayers, and in the night a like number; besides I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, in rain, and I used to feel neither ill nor any slothfulness, because, as I now see, the Spirit was burning in me at that time.”

Patrick eventually escaped, having been directed in a dream to a ship which took him home to Britain. His relieved family entreated him never to leave! But one night he had a vision:

“I saw a man whose name was Victoricus coming as if from Ireland with innumerable letters, and he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter: ‘The Voice of the Irish’; and as I was reading the beginning of the letter I seemed at that moment to hear the voice of those who were beside the forest of Foclut which is near the western sea, and they were crying as if with one voice: ‘We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us.’ And I was stung intensely in my heart so that I could read no more, and thus I awoke. Thanks be to God, because after so many years the Lord bestowed on them according to their cry.”

Patrick did return to Ireland, bringing the true gospel and establishing the church there. You can read the entire “Confession” here. There is also an article on Wikipedia about Patrick.

A Brief History of Sunday School

Jeri Tanner — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:29:15 +0000

For many of us, Sunday school is a deeply rooted tradition, although it is actually a rather modern institution. Have you ever wondered about the origins and history of Sunday school? If so, here are a few facts you may find interesting.

The idea of a “Sabbath school” for poor and uneducated children began in England in the late 18^th century. Visionary evangelicals like Robert Raikes devised a plan to gather poor, uneducated working children into education classes on Sundays, the children’s only day off. Clean clothes and learning materials were provided, and instruction given in reading, writing, hygiene and good citizenship. The churches hoped that this effort would serve the dual purpose of bettering the future of society and curbing the rampant delinquency. Though neither evangelism nor religious training were the expressed goals of the new schools, there was the hope that the morality taught, being based on the truths of Scripture, might bring about a transformation in the hearts of the children. And so the Sabbath or Sunday school was born.

By the early 1800’s, the goals of the Sunday schools were changing. Young, newly converted Presbyterians saw the Sunday School as an opportunity to teach the gospel and doctrine to children; in fact, many Sunday School leaders began to lobby for free public schools for the needy, so that they could concentrate on religious instruction. The regeneration and conversion of children now became the goal. As this focus grew, Sunday school students were often encouraged to memorize large portions of the Bible, earning prizes and incentives for doing so. This idea was dropped when it was realized that the students were more interested in the prizes than in God’s word!

In America, the first national Sunday School effort began in 1824; its stated purpose was to organize, evangelize and civilize. The focus was intentionally evangelical, and so within the next 100 years the Sunday School had become the primary outreach arm of the church. The Sunday School organization now expanded to include all ages. Sunday School became a way for unbelievers to be introduced to, and then assimilated into, the life of the church. By the late 1800’s, Sunday School was looked to as the main hope for church growth, a view that continued until the mid-twentieth century.

Sunday School attendance has seen a slow decline in the last 50 or so years. One factor generally agreed to be a reason for this is the shift away from evangelism and toward discipleship and fellowship over the last half century or so. Studies do indicate that where Sunday Schools are thriving and growing, church membership increases.

The idea of Sunday School as a primary opportunity for evangelism may be new to some of us. Is it possible that a return to that model could help revitalize our churches? Has Sunday School attendance declined in your church, or is it thriving? One thing is certain, much has changed since the idea of a Sunday school for the reform of unruly street children was first envisioned!

Fool Moon Rising (A Book Review)

Jeri Tanner — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:55:23 +0000

“Dear God,

“I heard a cosmic story and wondered if it’s true. The Moon was stealing glory and this is what he’d do.”

So begins a highly enjoyable and quite profound new children’s book from Crossway Books, cleverly titled Fool Moon Rising. Husband and wife team Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty wrote and illustrated this “rhyming, rollicking tale” about the moon’s prideful folly in believing that his radiance and light actually emanate from himself! The moon’s boasting and posturing prove very annoying to all who have to endure it, until finally one day the proud fellow catches a glimpse of the real star of the show…the sun. The moon’s heartfelt repentance, and consequent boasting in another’s true glory, and not his own, are a great end to a meaningful tale.

At 40 pages, each humorously illustrated with larger than life planets, outer space monkeys, and a host of other creatures irritated at the moon’s foolish self-absorption, Fool Moon Rising is aimed at children 3-7 years old (although my 13-year-old and I both relished it!) I haven’t seen a children’s book before written along the theme of learning to boast only in God, and to give Him the glory for what we have and are.

Enough can’t be said about the rich artwork. T.Lively (Tom) Fluharty is an illustrator whose artwork has appeared in Time magazine, Sports Illustrated and Focus on the Family. Deep purple and blue backgrounds give the pages the mysterious feel of space. For the outer space loving youngster there is a short study guide and some fun moon facts at the back of the book.

Though the poor moon (which in real life has never boasted of its own glory at all, but has always done just what it was created to do: reflect the glory of the sun!) gets an undeserved bad rap in the story, it’s all in good fun, and communicates an important message for old and young moon gazers alike: “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7, NLT)

One nice bonus: the book has its own website at www.foolmoonrising.com. There you can view and download free screen savers, read about the authors, and more.

The Westminster Bookstore has a full PDF preview of the book.

You can purchase Fool Moon Rising here. Pick up a few as Christmas gifts for all the little star-gazers you know and love.

Why Catechize Kids?

Jeri Tanner — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:05:57 +0000

Q: Who made you?

A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12: 1; Acts 17:24-29)

from A Catechism for Boys and Girls

What is catechism? The term “catechism” is one that may well bring up images of a strange, outdated method of instruction. But catechizing has been a time-honored and effective practice throughout Protestant as well as Catholic history (though the catechisms of each obviously differ dramatically in content.) There are some very good reasons to consider using a catechism in teaching children, both at home and at church. First, a little history and explanation of what a catechism is and does.

For an example of an old-school catechism, you might want to check out my video clips from the Baptist Catechism set to music.

Catechism comes from a Greek word used in the Bible, katacheo, that simply means “instructed” (Luke 1:4). Catechism is a question and answer method of instruction in basic Christian doctrines; it forms a framework for personal interaction with the Scriptures. The series of questions and answers develops a fundamental understanding of God, sin, salvation, prayer, the Bible, the church, and heaven and hell; each answer in the catechism is supported by Scripture references.

Socrates and other philosophers made great use of this method of teaching. Martin Luther and other leaders of the Reformation dealt with the terrible ignorance of Scripture and doctrine prevalent in their day by making catechisms and catechizing. Charles Spurgeon urged and promoted the use of catechisms, saying that “if we could revive, more and more, the use of a good catechism…we should be doing a world of good. The way to secure the masses would be to secure them when young.”

Three Reasons To Catechize

Here are several good reasons to consider implementing a catechism style of teaching with your kids at home and at church:

1. A catechism encourages the unity of essential beliefs among God’s children. Many people want to know what constitutes a true Christian essential teaching. What are the primary teachings of the Christian faith? Catechical instruction can help promote unity among Christians by helping establish the fundamentals of the faith.

2. Catechism promotes a faster, deeper understanding as verses are tied to appropriate questions. Children are helped to tie verses to meaning through the use of questions and answers. Children begin to understand the usefulness of God’s Word as they see how clearly it answers important questions.

3. Catechism stimulates and motivates learning, because most children, especially younger ones, love to answer questions. Questions are a teacher’s most useful ally, because through them one gains access to precious minds. As Jesus showed, questions are invaluable when teaching truth!

Instruction in the catechism can often begin in a church simply by integrating it with current curriculum. If you’d like further information, see A Catechism for Boys and Girls online here, and the Shorter Catechism for younger children here. You can also download a wonderful Kids 4 Truth PowerPoint presentation, from which I quoted above, here.

“It is worthwhile to be a Shorter Catechism boy. They grow up to be men. And better than that, they are exceedingly apt to grow to be men of God.” B.B. Warfield

The Catechism About Catechisms

This is a little Q & A about catechisms that I wrote in the form in catechisms. I’m adding it here to Jeri’s excellent introduction to catechizing children. ~ Tony K.

Q: What is a catechism?
A: A simple way to learn Bible truth.

Q: In what does a catechism primarily consist?
A: A catechism contains questions and short memorable answers.

Q: How might a person instruct their family in right doctrine.
A: The diligent use of a catechism.

Q: Does the catechism method ensure right doctrine?
A: No, only biblical answers ensure right doctrine.

Q: Do all catechism teach Roman Catholic doctrine?
A: No, many protestant catechisms have been written.

Q: Are catechisms only for children?
A: No, both young and old can benefit from orderly instruction.

Q: Does the use of a catechism detract from the authority of Scripture?
A: No, a good catechism will explain and uphold the Word of God.

Q: Do catechisms make children bored?
A: No, a wise teacher may use this form with great benefit for children.

Q: Are catechisms educationally appropriate for modern children?
A: Yes, the curiosity of an active mind is drawn to answer questions.

Q: Will using a catechism cause my children to become Puritans?
A: By the grace of the Lord, a catechism may convert one’s children.

Q: What are the best catechisms?
A: The Westminster Shorter Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism are praiseworthy.

Q: Do these teach the errors of the pedo batistss?
A: Yes, a wise teacher will also use the Baptist Catechism. (a revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism.)

Q: Can I learn the Baptist Catechism through song?
A: Yes, the servant of God, Jim Orrick, has produced them on CD.

Q: Are their any exceptional collections of catechism?
A: Yes, many books contain catechisms. Truth and Grace Memory Books 1-3

Q: Where can a person learn more about catechisms?
A: The internet has many resources. Wikipedia Article. Tim Challies on the Benefits of Catechisms. An Encouragement to the Use of Catechisms by Tom J. Nettles. James P. Boyce “A Brief Catechism of Bible Doctrine”. Tom J. Nettles A Catechism for Boys and Girls.

Q: What catechism does Tony Kummer’s children learn.
A: The Kummer children use the The Baptist Catechism , Big Truths for Little Thinkers, and A Catechism for Boys and Girls (preschool age catechism).

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Charles Spurgeon’s Encouragement for Children’s Workers

Jeri Tanner — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:30:56 +0000

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” served as Pastor at Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England from 1854-1891. Here are words of wisdom on children’s ministry taken from a chapter in his book “Come, My Children:”

“Nowadays, since the world has in it, alas! so few of Christian mothers and grandmothers, the church has thought it wise to supplement the instruction of home by teaching held under her fostering wing. Those children who have no such parents the church takes under her maternal care. I regard this as a very blessed institution. I am thankful for the many of our brothers and sisters who give their Sabbath-days, and many of them a considerable part of their week evenings also, to the teaching of other people’s children, who somehow grow to be very much their own. They endeavor to perform the duties of fathers and mothers, for God’s sake, to those children who are neglected by their own parents; and therein they do well.

“Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that the Sunday-school is intended to ease them of their personal duties. The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Let holy grandmothers and gracious mothers, with their husbands, see to it that their own boys and girls are well taught in the Book of the Lord. Where there are no such Christian parents it is well and wisely done for godly people to intervene.

“It is a Christly work when others undertake the duty which the natural doers of it have left undone. The Lord Jesus looks with pleasure upon those who feed His lambs, and nurse His babes; for it is not His will that any of these little ones should perish. Timothy had the great privilege of being taught by those whose natural duty it is; but where that great privilege cannot be enjoyed, let us all, as God shall help us, try to make up to the children the terrible loss which they endure. Come forward, earnest men and women, and sanctify yourselves for this joyful service.”

Children’s Ministry blogger Wayne Stocks is working through this book by Spurgeon and offering summaries on his blog. Click here to read his synopsis of Come Ye’ Children.

Scripture Memorization Music: Hide The Word CD’S

Jeri Tanner — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:11:41 +0000

I’ve listened to quite a selection of Scripture cd’s over the past 30 years, but haven’t found any I like better than the Hide the Word cd’s put out by Mark Altrogge, senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Indiana, Pennsylvania and writer of such great songs for worship as “I Stand in Awe” and “I’m Forever Grateful.” From Mark’s Forever Grateful Music website: “Hide the Word combines the power of music with the power of repetition to make memorizing God’s Word easy. Each Scripture, including its reference, is made into a song. Each Scripture is repeated at least 3 times per song. As you play the music while driving, doing dishes, or any other time throughout your day, you will find yourself quickly picking up the verses and recalling them from memory.”

This is all true, as I can attest to! The memorable arrangements and excellent production of these cd’s makes them irresistible. Kids and adults alike love them, and the fact that they make Scripture memorization so effortless and enjoyable makes them a truly wonderful resource. A total of eight cd’s—that’s over 160 Scriptures set to music—are available at the website. They will make helpful additions to your church’s and family’s efforts to memorize Scripture, and they make great gifts, as well. I intend to use them as giveaways and awards in our AWANA program.

We need to hide God’s word in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him, and a resource that so wonderfully facilitates that is a good find! You can order Hide the Word Scripture memorization cd’s at Forever Grateful Music.

How To Connect Older Adults and Children in Your Church

Jeri Tanner — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:09:27 +0000

Do the elderly members of your congregation know the names of the children and their parents in your church? Is there much meaningful interaction between the youth and children’s departments? Does fellowship exist across the generations? If the answer is no or you’re not sure, you may want to consider some creative planning to bring together the different age groups in your church. This is a good thing to do because it promotes love, unity and warm fellowship. Such intentional embracing of all the members of Christ’s body is very instructive to young ones.

It was not so long ago that congregations worshiped together without the partitioning we often see in the church today; old and young tended to mix and mingle more both in and outside the church walls, and both benefited from it. Dividing up the church into age groups is a fairly recent innovation, and as with all progress, something was lost even as something was gained. Children certainly can benefit from a time of Bible teaching and instruction geared toward their cognitive development, and moms certainly appreciate being able to sit through a service without distractions! But the result of each age group evolving into separate ministries with its own interests and focus can be a segregation that doesn’t please God. We must pray and work hard towards overcoming this result; the rewards will be well worth it as the church grows in maturity and love. Titus 2 provides an example of how this should work in the church, with older women teaching and training younger women to love their husbands and children. It will be hard for this to happen, though, if there is rarely any interaction between them!

5 Ways To Connect Generations at Your Church

Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing as you think through how to bring together young and old in your church:

Have your Sunday school class pay a short visit to an adult or senior Sunday school class. (Plan this ahead with both teachers.) Sing a favorite song for them, or recite a memorized Scripture passage. Encourage introductions and eye contact!
Have children “adopt” elderly shut-in members of your church. Make cards and send gifts; try to post pictures so the ones who haven’t met him or her can visualize who they’re communicating with.
Make cards and simple gifts for new moms and babies, or for youth celebrating birthdays.
Help clean or decorate an area of the church normally used by seniors or toddlers.
Host occasional after-church luncheons; invite two specific groups, like young marrieds and senior members, so that names and faces can (finally!) be put together, and friendships can begin to develop.

It’s exciting to think how such simple efforts could result in such rich benefits to the church. Where the motive is to promote love and fellowship among members of Christ’s body, God is honored and glorified and the church is built up.

Your creative ideas are welcome!

Children and Storytelling

Jeri Tanner — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:13:45 +0000

The July 31, 2009 broadcast of the Albert Mohler radio program features an interview by guest-host Dr. Russell Moore with singer and musician Andrew Peterson on the need children have for rich, wonderful story. Dr. Moore asks the question, “Does storytelling matter to children?” The program discusses the importance of telling the right stories–and telling the right Story–to children, demonstrating how storytelling has everything to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Children need narrative that includes dealing with evil as evil, and the recognition of the wonderful provision that has been made for evil. Dr. Moore makes the case that it’s not our job as parents and teachers to disengage from that, or as one caller said, to change God’s story and sugar-coat it for children. A fascinating interview, and 34 minutes of information that every teacher and parent would benefit from hearing. You can listen to and download the broadcast here, and learn more about fueling a child’s moral imagination through story-telling.

Four Storytelling Tips for Children’s Ministry

Lifeway’s “Levels of Biblical Learning” Craft Packs

Jeri Tanner — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:15:18 +0000

Do you know about Lifeway’s “Levels of Biblical Learning” craft packs? These are some pretty nifty craft ideas along with the materials needed to make them, sold in packages of 10.

Some of the projects they offer include wooden cross magnets, a color-your-own cloth iron-on, and a foam pouch for carrying Bible verses being memorized.

Each kit is designed to complement Lifeway’s Bible Teaching for Kids lessons, but can be creatively used with your own Bible lessons, as well. Cost per child ranges from under a dollar to a little over a dollar-and-a-half. This offering from Lifeway looks like a time-saving resource where your church budget allows.

Children’s Workers Need “Big Church!”

Jeri Tanner — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:59:02 +0000

Your church, like mine, is likely blessed with dedicated volunteers who gladly give their time and energy to children’s ministry. But have you ever known volunteers who serve so willingly they never seem to make it to “big church” on Sundays and Wednesdays? I’ve seen that happen at times in my church–a worker gradually falls into a pattern of rarely gathering with the church to hear God’s word preached, to pray and sing together, or to partake of the Lord’s Supper. This is either due to the demands of the ministry or their own comfort level in being with the children. Either way it’s not an ideal situation.

In some cases, a good plan for rotation or recruiting new workers can help. In other cases, the workers themselves may need to be encouraged to gather with the church when they have the opportunity. Some adult volunteers can actually lose their “taste” for congregational worship, preferring instead the familiarity of the childrens or youth department. It’s an easy thing to happen, but it’s something better avoided for several reasons:

1. It can cause us to miss what we need. Congregational worship offers unique means of edification for us. Hearing the Scriptures taught and preached, singing and praying together, the witnessing of water baptisms and the taking of the Lords Supper are all important ways that God has prescribed to build us up in our faith. If we never join with the church in doing these things we’re missing something vital God has for us.

2. It can set a wrong example. Children, as we all know, see and notice everything; we should be careful to model faithfulness and submission to God’s word for them. Our eagerness to join with other believers in a corporate setting should be displayed for them to see.

3. It can prevent others from serving. If the same folks are teaching a Sunday School class on Sunday morning, working with children’s church during the main service, helping in the nursery on Sunday night and hanging out with the youth on Wednesdays, other people in the church may not see the need to volunteer in these areas, even though they are gifted to serve.

Obviously, it is often hard to find enough people to volunteer in children’s ministry, which makes the task of dedicated workers participating in corporate worship even trickier. But with prayer, sincere effort and good communication, a way can be found! After all, it is God Himself who commanded us not to neglect assembling together as the church (Hebrews 10:24,25); where He has commanded He will also provide!

Has your church experienced and dealt with this problem? What are some ways you’ve addressed it?