I took part in a roundtable discussion yesterday with pastors and staff from churches around the area. The topic and reason for the conference was the subject of evangelism. It was a great time of church leaders sharing different ways that they try to reach people for Jesus. I was the lone children’s pastor in attendance so I gave my thoughts on my strategies for reaching children and their families. When it came to evangelism methods and techniques that were being shared I really couldn’t add anything novel or innovative to the discussion that hadn’ t been heard before. Therefore, I simply worked my ministry vision into the the discussion. I explained that the main principle of my strategy is to simply clearly explain and share the Gospel.
As children’s ministry leaders and parents, you are very aware of the myriad of options that are available when it comes to curriculum, programming, events, etc. But there is one area that I feel strongly about and try to constantly remind my teachers and volunteers and that is the intentionality of keeping the Gospel central in whatever we do. What do I mean by that? I mean that to simply never forget to teach the Gospel: the good news that God sent His son Jesus to the earth to rescue sinners from eternal death by dying on the cross for their sins, and later raising from the dead after three days and ascending into Heaven to rule at the right hand of God. And that all who repent of their sins and follow Him will receive eternal life.
No matter what curriculum you are using it is very easy to lose the forest for the trees when teaching children. For instance, when teaching about David and Goliath do you ever teach the lesson redemptively? Do you ever explain that David was one of Jesus’ ancestors? And do you then take the segway into telling how Jesus is our Savior? Do you ever explain to them that just as David trusted God to protect him from lions and Goliath, so we can trust Jesus to save us from eternal death?
You may ask, “What does a random Old Tesament story have to do with Jesus?” My answer: Everything. There is indeed a scarlet thread that runs throughout all of Scripture. That scarlet thread represents the blood that Jesus shed on the cross as he redeemed his people. No matter what story children are being taught, the good news of Jesus should always be presented because, quite simply, that good news should be the penultimate reason that a child is at church in the first place.
More Children's Ministry Ideas
Don’t Miss the Gospel When Sharing Jesus With Kids
Recently I attended an event at another church for children. They had a special speaker who entertained the children with demonstrations of physical strength...
Gospel Light’s VBS 2009: “Son Rock Kids Camp”
It won’t be long before the official information on the 2009 VBS themes. I just got an email from Gospel Light publishers about their...
Jesus and the Adulterous Woman (Children’s Church Lesson)
This Bible lesson for children is based on John 8:1-11, the story of the Adulterous Woman talking to Jesus. This lesson shows how willing...
Children’s Bible Lesson: Zacchaeus and Jesus
This lesson is the second in a series of five that explore the theme “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” through Bible stories that each...
Children’s Bible Lesson: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine
This Bible lesson for children is from John 2: 1-11 where Jesus changes water into wine. This lesson is the first lesson in a...
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it was Spurgeon who said that whatever your text, “Make a beeline to the cross.”
Great post. Thanks for the challenge!
Thanks for that !
I Needed the reminder and to remember to refocus. It is appreciated
I have the 3-5 age groups and I tend to get caught up in them remembering the lessons and getting the point but I haven’t been tieing it in all the time with salvation.