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Sir Isaac Newton (English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist. and theologian) was one of the most brilliant men who ever lived. He told a fellow scientist who wondered how Newton was able to accomplish so much, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Children, at every point in their development, stand on the shoulders of their former selves. Kids cannot write a meaningful essay until they are able to create a coherent paragraph; they cannot write a strong paragraph if they have not learned basic grammar and word meanings. Similarly, children cannot solve differential equations until they have mastered algebra; they do not understand algebra unless they first grasp arithmetic.

This principle is true in music, art, and other academic disciplines as well—but it is also valid in spiritual endeavors. If the foundation is weak, efforts to build will be fraught with problems. Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount with a graphic illustration of this same principle (Matthew 7:24-27).

Studies in cognitive psychology and language acquisition conclusively demonstrate that children are much more likely to retain new learning (transferring it from short-term to long-term memory) if a memory framework already exists. Sequential, cumulative, or incremental learning ensures that children will build a foundation that is essential to later growth. It also ensures that they will process new material in the way that their brains are set up to learn—thus adding to existing memory.

In a nutshell, that is why discipleship training must be sequential. Lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ are built incrementally. Effective discipleship interweaves three dimensions—knowledge + character + conduct. The Bible illumines a finite number of “must know” topics to understand, “must be” traits to exhibit, and “must do” activities to experience. When a child’s developmental process includes that knowledge, those traits, and those experiences, we can be reasonably assured that we have done our part to build a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.

Why do children need “sequenced” discipleship? Knowledge builds on knowledge. Character builds on character. Conduct builds on conduct. Kids who miss out on foundational aspects of their spiritual development spend much of their lives “wandering in the wilderness.” But children who receive a sequential Christian education enjoy the “land of milk and honey.” They withstand harsh winds and tossing waves (Ephesians 4:14-16). They remain firm, standing on the shoulders of spiritual giants who have gone before them (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Here is an outline that might be helpful for a class on discipleship

OVERRIDING PRINCIPLES OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

A True Disciple of Jesus is:

1. Humble – Matthew 18:1-5
2. Obedient – John 14:15,23-24
3. A Servant – Mark 9:33-37; 10:35-45

TERMS OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

A True Disciple has a:

1. Supreme Love for Jesus Christ – Luke 14:26
2. Denial of Self – Matthew 16:24
3. Deliberate Choosing of the Cross – Matthew 16:24
4. Life Spent in Following Jesus – Matthew 16:24
5. Fervent Love for all who Belong to Christ – John 13:35
6. Unswerving Continuance in God’s Word – John 8:31
7. Forsaking of All to Follow Jesus – Luke 14:33
8. Life Pattern of Prayer – Matthew 6:5-15
9. Life Pattern of Evangelism and Discipleship – Matthew 28:19-20

HINDRANCES TO TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

A True Disciple does NOT look to be:

1. Too Quick – The Love of Earthly Comforts – Luke 9:57-58
2. Too Slow – The Precedence of a Job or Occupation – Luke 9:59-60
3. Too Easy – The Priority of Tender Family Ties – Luke 9:61-62

These are notes from a workshop taught by David Brown, Lombard, IL

One of the features of DiscipleLand Bible Curriculum that we often get positive feedback on is the Bible Pictures that are an integral part of the material. In addition to the full color Bible pages DiscipleLand also offers coloring versions of much of the art.

Just this week we got the following e-mail from Karen in response to a download error she found on our site that we quickly fixed:

You guys are great. We really enjoy the material. I especially appreciate your use of pictures that look like real people to communicate the real message of the Bible rather than using cartoon characters.

I’m amazed at the speed with which you were able to get the correction online and your devotion to quality in your product. It reflects the character of Christ in how you handle your business.

May you know the Lord’s blessing as you minister to those of us who minister to these precious little ones.

Blessings,
Karen

The coloring sheets Karen referred to can be seen here. Or, you can download a full size PDF here: coloringpageexample

For more free downloads and sample you can visit the Free Downloads area of DiscipleLand.com

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This is part 3 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.

Scripture Memory is out of style these days. Perhaps it is because its hard and we are a culture that likes everything easy. Maybe we are just too busy to memorize. Some even try to discard it as rote repitition that is considered less effective than comprehension and perhaps even harmful. Many today contend that scripture memory is not effective because it doesn’t encourage thinking and therefore doesn’t impact the heart.

I agree! I agree that if ALL we did was rote memory, we’d be bad off! But to dismiss scripture memory on the basis that if ALL we did was rote memory is to push a beneficial spiritual discipline to its extreme and then reject it as though the extreme is all it offers.

Let me suggest three reasons I believe Scripture Memory is essential to discipleship:

1) Let’s start with the biblical basis of scripture memory. (source)

• Jesus knew the word of God and was able to drive away Satan when tempted. MT 4:1-11
• King David clearly saw that knowing the word of God was the key to purity. PS 119:9-11
• Paul says that the word is a sword in your amour against the devil’s schemes. EP 6:13-18
• God’s word in your heart keeps your feet from slipping. Ps 37:28-31

Scripture is FILLED with the benefits of God’s Word and value of knowing it deeply. Did you know that in the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, every single one of the 176 verses is about God’s Word? That ought to tell us something!

2) I can also offer personal experience. As a child, I memorized a LOT of scripture. Did I understand it all? Of course not. But it gave to such a broad and rich understanding of scripture that deepened as I got older. I have memorized hundreds of verses, many chapters and two books of the Bible and can personally attest to the way God uses that knowledge to help me walk with Him, understand His Word, prepare to teach, witness and just know how to think and reflect on God. It impacts my prayers constantly. I can’t tell you how many times when praying the Word of God just flows and helps me express my love for God and awe at who He is.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

I Chronicles 29:11

3) Lastly, I’d like to offer an explanation that I often use when people are critical of scripture memory or try to explain it away as a waste of time, or as something only for children, or even pointless for kids. I call it “The Alphabet Argument.”

I have a two year old son who is learning the alphabet. He is learning to recognize and say the letters of the alphabet. Do they have much meaning to him? No. Does he truly understand what they are and how they are to be used? Of course not. Should I not have him memorize the letters until he can truly appreciate them, understand them, and use them properly? Absolutely not! I would actually stunt his mental growth and handicap his future use of the English language and hinder his ability to creatively express himself in our language. So he learned meaningless LETTERS for now. But soon that knowledge will help him recognize and use WORDS. Those words, before I know it, will enable him to read SENTENCES and then (and I can’t wait!) he will be able to CREATE HIS OWN stories.

QUESTION: If I asked you to close your eyes and tell me the LETTERS I have been using, could you? No. You are not reading “letters.” You aren’t even reading “words” or “sentences.” You are reading THOUGHTS and the sentences, words and letters are just the vehicle to communicate them to you.

The SAME is true of God’s Word!

God’s Word is alive and active! (recognize the verse?) God’s word is not the sum of sentences, words or letters – it is the Power of God! But it is communicated via words.

You see? When kids (or adults!) memorize scripture – they are getting the “spiritual alphabet” by which they will form broader spiritual thoughts and ideas. If I only taught my little boy half of the alphabet – imagine the impact it would have on him? He needs all the letters! Imagine the impact when you only know a little of the Bible from memory? You are limited and will be spiritually frustrated just as my little boy would be if he didn’t first learn the alphabet.

All this to say – you do your disciples a disservice if you don’t lead them and encourage them to memorize scripture. Should it all be rote memory? Of course not. Try to explain and help them understand, but ultimately the Holy Spirit will do that, and a lot better than you ever could.

Scripture memory ought to be a regular part of your spiritual journey and a vital part of your discipling process. Years later these kids will be thankful to you, just as I am to Helen Reed, Margret Bramble, Charlie Hann and the other adults in my childhood who challenged and encouraged me to memorize God’s Word!

I’ve been training Sunday school teachers and children’s pastors for more than twenty years. This has allowed me to speak to over 50,000 teachers in local churches and area conferences. It is always a blessing to see people awaken to the impact they can have on young lives. I am blessed to have the opportunity to encourage and challenge the people who hold the future of the church in their hands.

I’m frequently asked, “how do we get more lay people to catch the vision for children’s ministry?” My response is normally “it begins at the top.” If Sr. Pastors would make children’s ministry the top priority in our churches we could rescue this generation of kids. I also tell children’s pastors to invite their Sr Pastor to the training meetings, even if it is only to pray and encourage the teachers for a few minutes. On a few rare occasions I have had the Sr Pastor attend the entire training meeting.

This past weekend I had a great time in Crossville, Tennessee where I did a Friday night parent seminar and five hours of teacher training on Saturday. We had several parents return for the Saturday meeting who were not Sunday school teachers. But the most encouraging part of the weekend for me was having the Sr Pastor of the host church attend all the sessions. I asked him why he was there and he said, “Because I need to learn from what you have to say.” Wow! What an impact that had on the parents and teachers. He welcomed the teachers Saturday morning, listened closely, took a lot of notes, asked several good questions and asked me to send him more information on the topics we were discussing.

Following the weekend I emailed the Sr Pastor and encouraged him to consider making a positive comment about children’s ministry each week from the pulpit. He said he had done this in the past and would make it a priority in the future. There is no question in my mind that Pastor Roland Smith understands the importance of children’s ministry and his role in the future of the church.

Dick Crider
DiscipleLand Consultant & Trainer