DiscipleBlog.com

Suppose you attended an open house at your child’s school and the principal told everyone that the drop-out rate was running at 75%. Would you be alarmed? Would you try to get your child into another school? Would you home-school? What if you discovered that the drop-out rate in every school was 75-88%? You might decide that it was time to get involved and demand some major changes.

The drop-out rate for our kids attending church is 75-88% by the end of their first semester of college. That should scare us into getting involved and demanding major changes. Yet, at least twenty times a year I conduct a three hour parenting seminar and about 10% of the parents in the church attend. My most recent experience was with a children’s pastor who told me he sent out over 100 invitations and about fifteen parents showed up. He was disappointed, but didn’t know what to do.

Are we in the battle to win or surrender? I’ve searched the scriptures and I don’t find a single indication that we should surrender. But at the current drop-out rate we could have less than 50,000 true followers of Christ in the U.S. in just five generations. Unless we find a way to get the attention of the parents, the future is looking dim.

“Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world.” We don’t win battles sitting on the sidelines. We can win this most important battle, but we can’t do it alone. Somehow, someway we must get the whole church involved. Is it possible that 75% of the parents don’t care that their kids won’t consider God relevant to life in a few short years?

Share This

Image Source: BevReview.com

Pepsi is currently offering two “new” versions of it’s two most popular drinks, Pepsi-Cola and Mountain Dew, with the tag line of “throwback” alluding to the fact that each contains, for a limited time only, real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup; a “throwback” to when they used to be made with real sugar.

I wonder what Discipleship Throwback would look like?

What if individuals and churches decided to do a “throwback” to how discipleship was once done. How different would it look? How much more effective might it be? What if nothing electronic was used? What if an actual copy of the Bible were used? What if two people met one-on-one to talk about spiritual things?

What if Discipleship Throwback was actually better? What do you think?

Share This

Enjoy this image of Jesus and His disciples, courtesy of the ProvidenceCollection.com. Download as desktop wallpaper for your computer by selecting one of these four image sizes (for different monitor resolutions):

• 1024 x 768 pixels (often CRT monitors)
• 1280 x 800 pixels (often flat panel monitors)
• 1280 x 1024 pixels (often high-resolution CRT monitors)
• 1440 x 900 pixels (often flat panel monitors)

To download: right-click on a link above and then select “Save Target/Link As…”

Share This

The Situation: The adage, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is true! Similarly, “All play and no work makes Jill a lazy girl.” Some children receive an overdose of sports, TV, school, video games, or even church. Few kids experience the energizing vitality that takes place when their minds, hearts, and bodies are stretched to reach their full potential.

The Solution: Achieving balance is the key to a child’s overall development. Even as a child, Jesus kept things in balance. One simple Bible verse summarizes His childhood: He grew intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially (Luke 2:52). Balanced discipleship links three dimensions—growth in knowledge, in character, and in conduct. Children must embrace all three.

What You Can Do: These three pursuits will help you build balanced, lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ: 1) Know God intimately—help your child develop a reservoir of Bible knowledge. 2) Love God passionately—practice displaying Christlike character in every area of life. 3) Serve God selflessly—demonstrate faithful conduct that honors God and helps people.

(Luke 2:52; Mark 12:30-31)

Share This

Whatever we allow to fill our minds will strongly influence how we feel and what we do. The sobering reality is our behaviors, repeated often enough, actually shape our destinies. That’s the message the Holy Spirit communicates to us in these words, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23).

All of our “outside” actions originate from within. Inside we reason, develop attitudes and experience emotions which result in behavior. “For from within,” Jesus said, “out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean’ ” (Mark 7:21-23).

What’s happening in our hearts will eventually work its way out into our lives. No wonder the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

The renewal of the mind is key and it is done by stripping out the bad stuff by filling it up with the good stuff. Jesus put it this way, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Matthew 12:35).

So then, what’s the good stuff? The good stuff is tested, enduring, and certified true, it’s God’s Word. His Word has the greatest transformational effect when it is “fixed” within our hearts. That has been and is still God’s intention:

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children . . .” Deuteronomy 6:6,7

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds . . .” Deuteronomy 11:18

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly . . .” Colossians 3:16

The good stuff is the Bible. Fixing its truth deep in our hearts is God’s clearly revealed will and it is so potent for mind and life transformation.

For this reason, those of us who seek to disciple boys and girls to become life-long followers of Christ have to take a good look at how we approach Bible memory in our children’s ministries. In my evaluation, it is one of the weakest areas in children’s ministries. I’m very interested in hearing responses to this from those who are acquainted with children’s Bible curricula and Bible programs with a Bible memory component. I believe we must do better and I believe we can.

Share This

You have GOT to listen to this message!

Voddie Baucham is one of the most passionate advocates for children and families in America today. He is one of the preaching elders at Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, TX. His vision and commitment make him one of the most sought-after Bible teachers of his generation.

This message, “Centrality of the Home,” is compelling, inspiring and challenging. Don’t pass up this opportunity to hear his message that will have you jumping out of your chair and shouting hallelujah.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Share This

Two weeks ago I conducted a DiscipleLand Academy in the Seattle area. The pastor was very gracious and invited me to preach in the morning services. When I went to the platform for the second service I noticed a family, probably from Pakistan, with three young, well behaved children sitting in the front row. I reminded everyone that the morning message was an introduction to the afternoon parent seminar titled “Equipping Parents to be the Spiritual Leaders in the Home.” My scripture passages that morning were verses from Deuteronomy: 4 & 6 and Ephesians 6:1-4. The main point of the message was that God’s plan for family gives dads the primary responsibility to be the spiritual leaders for their children.

The family joined us for lunch, took their children to child care and came into the  parenting seminar. As I talked about the various activities parents can use to help their children become disciples, I noticed the dad listening intently. At the end of the day the children’s pastor came to close the meeting and this dad raised his hand and asked if he could say something. He said “I’m a visitor today. We were part of a local church for eight years, but have not been in church since last June. This morning I told my family to get ready to go to church. Their response was ‘why?’ I told them we need to go.” He then said

I wasn’t sure where to go and I turned into the driveway of this church. It was God’s plan and I want you to know that my life and my family will never be the same. I can’t thank you enough for what you have given me today.

Yes, there are dads listening to God and He is communicating with them. Thank God for an obedient dad who listened and followed His leading.

Share This

This is part 8 in a 12 part Series on D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.S.H.I.P. - Twelve Tips to help you become a more effective discipler of children.

When you are discipling a young person - they will only rise as far as you expect them to. This doesn’t mean they won’t fall short of your hopes and dreams, they often will. But I’ve never seen a student exceed my expectations. In short, “Expect Little, Get Little; Expect Much, Get Much.”

Most young people have a low opinion of themselves, you can be their greatest encourager to exceed the expectations of everyone in their life, except you. If you think more of them than they think of themselves, you can have the power to help lift them to the next level on their Christian journey! You can challenge them to surprise those who don’t think they can excel. And for those who are achievers and confident in their abilities, you can challenge them to even greater levels of accomplishment.

As a young man, I was given a passion for Scripture memory by my junior department superintendent, Helen Reed, who is now with the Lord. She had a chart that seemed to wrap around the room, and with her “I think you can do it” whispered in my ear, my goal in life was to get a star in every square by memorizing all the verses. For those who criticize external motivations for children, all I can say is I’m glad my teachers believed in them! Or I would have never memorized the hundreds of verses I did nor would I have the grasp of Scripture I have today, even if I have lost most of the references and can’t “quote” them all word for word any longer. So when it came to Scripture memory, I knew that was an area of strength and that I had memorized more of the Bible than most people by the time I got into high school. As a result, I either already knew the verses my class was studying, or I could learn it quickly with little work. While my high school discipler, Ralph Hines, could have just complimented me on my knowledge of Scripture and focused on challenging me elsewhere, instead, he was barely impressed and said once, “I’ll be impressed when you memorize an entire book. That’s what the early believers and scholars did, and it will make a profound impact on you.” He started assigning me chapters to memorize and often hinted that the next level was memorizing an entire book of the Bible. It was all the challenge I needed. That thought stuck in my head for several years until finally in my freshman year of college I memorized the book of James. And a profound impact it indeed made leading me to memorize other books and chunks of Scripture.

My point is NOT about “me” - is about the need to expect more of our students and challenge them to the next level in their spiritual walk. Scripture memory is just one area, and it is a knowledge area - there are many other arena worth challenging, especially those that deal with “real life.” Witnessing to a friend, stepping up to a position of leadership, submitting to their controlling parents, reconciling with a friend or forgiving someone who hurt them, taking on a challenging project, or starting a ministry. There have been many times in my life when God has brought people into my life to challenge me. They expected more of me than I expected of myself, and with renewed confidence I took steps of faith and action that I otherwise probably wouldn’t have. YOU can be that person in the lives of those you disciple!

Prayerfully seek how you can challenge them. Do not accept poor performance or a mediocre walk with Christ. Learn their skills and passions and then expect them to step out in faith and trust God to do in and through them what they otherwise would never think of doing. You can share in the fruit that their life will produce! Do not merely seek to get through discipleship materials or to walk with them in their journey. God may have placed you in their life specifically to prod them toward His will for their life! What an awesome and humbling responsibility! Do it with gentleness, but firmness; with sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading, but with boldness.

Dare them to go where they have never gone before. That is what truly brings excitement to the Christian Life!

Share This

We always enjoy getting feedback from our customers. This note that just came in made our day:

I had a discovery today! You have put the Dee-Cy-Paul stories on DiscipleZone.com there as a printable resource.  Very cool!  Thank you! Would you believe that I had 5 guys not too long ago huddled around my laptop reading a few of these stories from the disciplezone site?  It was moving to behold.  I always envisioned this piece to be done at home via online.  It never occurred to me that it could be used in class… these stories beautifully apply the lesson to a kid’s world.

A Big Heartfelt Thank You for continuing to fulfill the vision that God has given you.  We’ve only used the curriculum since September 2007 but I truly appreciate your company and I thank God for you.  All of our teachers are growing in their teaching gift and I know God has used your material to inspire them in their ministry to the children. It is a great feeling to know that our kids are being fed such nutritous food thanks to the DiscipleLand curriculum.  Keep up the good work.  God is doing far more than you may know.  Stay faithful.

Be encouraged, Your co-laborer,
Pastor Brian

For more information on how DiscipleZone.com can enrich your teaching experience see: Using the Internet to Connect with Kids via DiscipleZone.com

Share This

Imagine getting a brochure in the mail: Salvation Conference - O’Hare Hyatt - Jesus, God’s Son, lecturing on God’s Eternal Plan for the Salvation of Mankind.  Admission Free.  Come ready to study the prophetic Old Testament Scriptures and the Types of Christ that point to the Soteriological Position and Role of Jesus.

Not many people would be drawn to a training seminar on Semitic salvation - and that is why Jesus didn’t come and undertake an educational ministry, but rather a relational ministry!  Jesus came to this earth, born as a child, grew up within the culture, ministered to felt needs, and made friends who He made into disciples to carry on the ministry after His redeeming work on the cross.

And yet, so often we try to minister to children through a primarily educational ministry instead of a relational ministry!  Yes, Jesus had a message to communicate and did a great deal of teaching - but He delivered His eternal message within the culture and within a relational context.  In Children’s Ministry we must do the same!

Jesus ministered within the culture.

Jesus could have made a ‘grand entrance’ as an adult – much in the same style as when He left for heaven.  From one perspective, some might say this may have helped his reception as the Messiah, but instead, He chose to come as a child.  Jesus chose to grow up within the culture.  No one could say of Jesus that He didn’t ‘understand’ or had never ‘walked in our shoes.’  The book of Hebrews teaches us that He suffered and was tempted in all ways as we are.  He knew whom He was ministering to, not only as their Creator, but as One who had experienced it first hand as well.  Perhaps this made His ministry more difficult, but it certainly made it more effective.  Ministry to children is not much different!  We need to be willing to get into the culture of children and minister to them from within that culture.  Yes, this will make ministry more difficult!  Some will even misunderstand and accuse you of untrue things (being immature, childish, a clown, etc.), BUT your ministry WILL be more effective!

Jesus ministered to felt needs.

The multitudes that Jesus was ministering to were in desperate need of spiritual salvation and freedom from the bondage of superficial religion and the eternal consequences of trying to work themselves into God’s favor.  However, their focus was more on their temporal aches and pains and political struggles.  Jesus could have rebuked them for worrying about the wrong things and tried to redirect them toward the things that truly mattered in the scope of eternity.  But instead, He graciously and patiently chose to attend to those temporal concerns, all the while drawing them to the things they should be thinking about.  The same is true in a children’s ministry!  Are kids thinking often about spiritual things?  Their eternal destiny?  How they can please God in day-to-day life?  The salvation of their friends?  Probably not.  It’s more likely they are thinking about toys, television, the next time they will get to play outside or some other activity that is fun and certainly eternally irrelevant!  That’s O.K.  (Adults are not much different!)  It is the children’s minister’s job to accept those ‘less than spiritual’ concerns and while addressing them, be continually drawing them up to the more important eternal concepts they should be thinking about.  That is why church needs to be fun – but a strategic fun with a purpose.  Not merely entertaining, but engaging the kids so as to lead them on to more essential concepts.

Jesus made disciples who would carry on the work after He left.

While Jesus certainly ministered to the multitudes, He focused the majority of His time on a few men we know as the disciples.  It was these twelve men and those they in turn trained, that turned the world up side down for the rest of history.  Without the development of the disciples, Jesus’ ministry would have only been a great show for three years.  Instead, His ministry was the stone that was dropped to start a tidal wave of ministry that has only grown larger over time!  Yet all too often in ministry, you see people who put on a great show for awhile – some fantastic kid’s program, for example – and then when they are gone, all that is left are great memories of a wonderful time, instead of a lasting memory.  This need not be!  In children’s ministry, it is essential that we continually build a team that will outlast us – not only in our particular church – but outlive us in life.  This means not only training fellow adults – but also enlisting and equipping children to serve as well!

This is why later, we will address in detail how to start a “Kids Church Crew” of children who can learn to plan, organize, lead and minister in the Kid’s Church program!

IN SUMMARY…

A PRINCIPLE-DRIVEN MINISTRY

1. Jesus ministered within the culture.
2. Jesus ministered to felt needs.
3. Jesus made disciples who would carry on the work after He left.

THEREFORE CHILDREN’S CHURCH MUST ….

1. Be kid-centered. Minister from within the “Kid Culture.”
2. Be aimed at kids’ interests and contemporary needs.
3. Be disciple – driven. Equip kids for ministry after you are gone.

ASK YOURSELF

1. Is your Kid’s Church service kid-centered?  Does it minister from within the “Kid Culture?”
2. Is it aimed at kids’ interests and contemporary needs?
3. Is it developing disciples?  Are there kids being equipped for ministry after you are gone?

- Karl Bastian
Founder Kidology.org
Blog: Kidologist.com

Share This