Comments on: Is Your Kids Ministry Becoming Spiritually Toxic?

By: Tony Kummer

Tony Kummer — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:12:36 +0000

Thanks for the correction. I’ll update the post!

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:29:06 +0000

Hello Tony,

“…materials. As a parent, I shutter to think …”

A shutter is a protective covering mounted over a window on the outside of a house. One shudders to think of the cold wind and rain that would get in without it.

By: Laura Horton

Laura Horton — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:06:36 +0000

Great article with chunks of wisdom! I was one of those who grew up with a lot of head knowledge which led me to become a very proud and critical person. I praise and thank God that He didn’t leave me that way! It took many years of God chipping away using humbling situations before it became heart knowledge.

I have learned something very valuable lately. We have to be careful to show them how to apply the knowledge, too. For instance, we’ve been studying why praising God through prayer is important. We learned that hallowing means to honor and praising means to brag on God. We studied His many names. We learned about His many attributes. But when we sat down to actually pray, the children were reluctant to do so. They “didn’t get it”. If I had skipped that very important step of applying it and practicing it, they would have had a lot of powerless head knowledge. I decided that we needed to spend just as much time practicing what we learned as we spent on learning it. I am so glad we did!

By: Watchman Jeffrey Ray

Watchman Jeffrey Ray — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:54:54 +0000

I grew up being taught not to have a head knowledge but a heart relationship. I so much agree with this. Also, I have seen that too many times in the church we become so program oriented that we block the Spirit of the Lord from freely moving. Step-by-step we follow the program that worked for someone else. But God is not about head knowledge, nor is He confined to operate within a program or preconceived idea. One pastor once told me, “You have to lead the congregation into a fast song, then a slow song, then another fast song, and a few more slow songs. . . ” He was formulating worship base upon what other churches were doing. Lord Jesus, when will we wake up and see YOU and crave for fellowshipwith YOU . . .not a formula!”

By: Jeri

Jeri — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:31:29 +0000

Excellent thoughts. One thing we’ve been doing that needs to be corrected is implying to our kids that Scripture memorization = “hiding” (storing up and treasuring) God’s word in their hearts (Psalm 119:11). We can actually “innoculate” them to the gospel in these ways. Thanks, important stuff.

By: Tamera Kraft

Tamera Kraft — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:48:16 +0000

I totally agree with what was written here. Too often we focus on learning and forget that the relationship a child has with God is the fruit that will last eternally. Also focus on family ministry is something that is lacking in our children’s ministries.

By: Wayne Stocks

Wayne Stocks — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:16:42 +0000

Tony,

Great article! Your first point about Bible knowledge is one aspect of teaching that I try to spend a lot of time on. Obviously, scripture is foundational in the Christian life, and pumping kids full of information and stories from the Bible can help them to grow in their own Christian life. I think of my own kids who face choices and life situations and say things to me like, “…it’s kind of like Rack, Shack and Benny” (yes, they’re Veggietale fans). The knowledge of those Bible stories is helpful to them in formulating a Christian world view. That said, the Bible is not just a book full of stories. It is a book about God, and it is a book that has the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at it’s core. To tell kids bible stories as merely stories or moral platitudes and ignore how those fit into the bigger picture of God’s work truly is toxic. Likewise, kids must be shown how they fit into God’s story. The written part of God’s story is complete and fully sufficient, but he continues to work in and through people, and children should be shown their part in that continuation of God’s story.

Obviously, the “what” of the bible (people, places, stories, etc.) is important to learn, but the why, and the how, and especially the who (God) are vital to our children’s spiritual health.

That’s my two cents!

Take care.

By: Glen Woods

Glen Woods — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:12:49 +0000

I am adapting Karl Bastian’s VIP concept from his Kidology Partnering with Parents Leadership Lab. Here is my twist on it. The parents who opt in, sign up for a ten week session. They decide on one issue or area in their family life they want to work on. It can be anything which pertains to discipleship, spirituality, relationships, etc. I then work with them to find solutions and resources by providing coaching. It is their agenda. I am there to coach and cheer them on. Where necessary I refer them to others who can better help them.

They also commit to discipling their children intentionally, not only for Bible knowledge, but to grow in relationship to God; to know God and be known by him.

I have one family signed up for the first session beginning Sept 13. More have indicated they plan to do so. I really recommend Karl’s resource. Also, check out Brian Haynes material over at http://www.legacyblog.org.