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This is part 5 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.

Investing in the spiritual development of children is the best investment possible on this earth. There is no greater way to see a return on your investment of time and resources. I used this theme in a recruiting brochure once (available on Kidology.org for your use!) that openned with the following:

The purpose of that recruiting campaign was to encourage adults to see volunteering in the same light as they view their financial investment.  It asked:

Our goal was to guide individuals toward thinking strategically about children’s ministry (aka “investment”), volunteering in several areas (aka “diversified”) and to consider the long range benefits of thier service (aka “portfolio”). Instead of the mind-set, “I already serve in nursery, I’m covered” we asked them to consider “in what other way can I invest in kids.” This doesn’t mean we over work our volunteers – it means there is more than one way to invest in kids, many aren’t in the classroom! One of the options on the response form, oops, excuse me, the “Investment Response Form” was to inquire about being a discipler of children.

Let me tell you – please hear me – the BEST investment you can make in children’s ministry is to become a discipler of children. Whether you are the children’s pastor/director or voluneer in the trenches of weekly ministry, there is nothing that will be as fulfilling or as effective as discipling individual kids. Nothing.

I’ve planned and pulled off countless Vacation Bible Schools, Kids Crusades, Backyard Bible Blasts, Fun Fairs, Water Wars, Overnighters and taught well over 1000 Kids Church services (conservative estimate!) not to mention special events I’ve been hired to do at other churches or on the mission field. I’ve been to many more meetings, outings, and done more than my fair share of “child care” situations I redeemed by making them more than mere child care. But where do I see the most fruit in over thirty years of ministry (only half of which was as a vocational minister)? In the children I discipled.

The kids I intentionally discipled are the ones in Bible college. The children I discipled are the ones I see getting baptised (one just this past Sunday, now a senior in high school). The boys I spent time with one on one are now camp counselors, dating Christian girls, serving the Lord on mission trips (I get their support raising letters every year) and by far more “on fire” for God than most young people.

Let me be clear – I am NOT taking credit for any of these kids spiritual passion, much is owed to the parents and others who invested in them, and they deserve a lot of credit too for their choices. But I do find it encouraging and telling that so many of the kids I discipled are the ones I see the most fruit in. It has been demostrated in several studies that the #1 common denominator in children who stay committed to their Christian faith as adults are those who had an adult, other than a parent, show an interest in their spiritual development as a young person. So it doesn’t surprise me that the kids I discipled are doing so well now that they are no longer kids.

But I also see the most fruit from those Jesus discipled. Perhaps He was on to something.

Like Jesus, we must minister to the masses – but don’t miss out on the power of focusing on individuals while you’re at it. If you aren’t focusing on any individual kids, you are robing yourself of some of the most fulfilling experiences in ministry, and you are robbing those kids of a great advantage in their spiritual journey.

HOW DO YOU INVEST IN KIDS?

1. The most important thing you can invest is your TIME! Talking to kids one on one is critical. They will remember those conversations for years – and especially when they are struggling as teenagers. Take kids out to eat and on outings and talk about spiritual things. The common thought that just hanging out is enough is wrong. You don’t need to preach at them, but talk about things that matter.
2. Write kids letters where you give advice, share what you see in them you admire. Complilment them, describe your hopes for their future with gentle encouragement to keep walking with the Lord.
3. Invest in resources for the kids you are discipling or focusing on. When you get a discipling book to go through, like Awesome Adventure, you are communicating their value to you. (My wife and I wrote Awesome Adventure for discipling kids and used it our ‘home made’ version for years before DiscipleLand published it and made it the attractive tool it is now.)
4. You can also buy kids a helpful Bible. “Kids Bibles” are great, but it may surprise you that the Bible I have bought for most of the kids I disciple is a Thomas Chain Reference Bible. When I recieved mine from my dad I was told it was “for adults” but that he could tell I was ready for a serious Bible. It inspirted me to get serious about studying the Bible, not just reading it. When you give a child a study Bible you honor them as well as equip them.
5. Invest in kids in little ways – treating them out to eat. Getting them little gifts to reward them along the way. (I am not talking about bribes, I’m referring to gifts when they do a good job, there is a difference!) Showing you care by investing in their life communicates more than you can imagine. I bought a kid a new basketball, a new jacket, or a toy they collected. Spending my money to say “I love you” and “I know your world” is money well spent.
6. You can also in vest in kids by helping them in other areas of struggle besides just the “spiritual” because all of life is spiritual! I have a study system I learned in college that can take any struggling student and turn them into a successful student in one quarter. I have helped so many student first with their school work and then with their walk with God.

Consider the kids in your life who need some focused attention, and ask yourself, “How can I invest in this child?” God will give you the answer. Your job, then, is to put your money, your time, or your effort where His heart is.

The results will become the highlight of your ministry.

Kids are on the Internet. Whether we like it or not, the Internet today is not something kids are fascinated with, it is simply a part of their life. It’s not “new” to them, it is just their world. Being online is normal for them. In fact, if you aren’t online, they may almost wonder what’s wrong with you. While we can decry the dangers of the Internet (as we should!) and provide advice on use and filters (and we should!) one of the best ways to address the problem is not to only fight it, but redeem it.

The Internet provides incredible opportunity to connect with kids during the week and in the home. And DiscipleLand has jumped on this opportunity and added a FREE service for DiscipleLand teachers to connect with their students and for parents to invest computer time into more spiritual beneficial activities.

It’s called DISCIPLEZONE.com

It’s a place for kids to continue learning after church, for parents to connect with their child’s teacher and for teacher’s to have a way to greet their kids during the week an extend the learning process.

And it’s all free!

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY IT?

Go to DiscipleZone.com (link opens in a separate window) and click on the KIDS button. Next you will see a fun control panel. This is where kids enter the key code found on the student take-home paper (highlighted by their teacher). It’s a simple code–the first dial is the curriculum level, 1-6. (enter 2 for example) Next is the quarter letter, A = Fall; B = Winter; C = Spring; D = Summer. (go ahead, enter B) The last dial is the lesson number. (for an example, choose any number.)

You will then be asked if you have a Class Code. Here is a trial code you can use: Enter TRTRT

You’ll be greeted by a screen with a Bible passage or story and a collection of buttons the kids can choose from.

Here is an overview of the elements offered to kids in DiscipleZone.

Every element of DiscipleZone contributes to the discipleship process:

The printed Disciple Guides offer 24 “how-to” skills for victorious Christian living . To see an overview of the DiscipleSkill development plan, click here

Children memorize Bible verses that capture the heart of each lesson. Find the KeyVerse on the printed Disciple Guides for each lesson.

For each Bible lesson, kids and parents enjoy additional pictures, background information discussion questions, and family activities. Encourage parents to read the text together, discuss the questions, and commit to doing the suggested activities as a family.

Children meet a new people group each quarter, expanding their focus to regions around the globe! WorldWatch also offers missionary biographies and missions education segments to be taught by teachers or parents. To see an overview of WorldWatch missions education, click here.

DiscipleLand’s Bible Reading Plan. Kids and parents read through a specific part of the Bible each week, based on their grade level. To see the complete reading plan, click here.

Children encounter classic hymns that have inspired Christians for centuries. For a complete list of hymns studied, click here.

These engaging stories, starring Dee, Cy, Paul, and Chip, reinforce each Bible lesson and will help your kids apply God’s Word to their lives. To learn more about Dee, Cy, and Paul, click here.

LEAVE A NOTE FOR YOUR STUDENTS!

One of the cool features is the ability to leave a note for the kids. Be sure to click on the Yellow Note for a note from ME to YOU! (You’ll never know the message until you check!)

There are so many creative applications to this note feature beyond just a nice greeting to the kids. Use it to:

• Ask a review question that if they bring the answer on a slip of paper, you’ll have a treat for them!
• Provide a “code word” of the week that if they know it, they get to volunteer in class for games etc.
• Let them know about class events and activities.
• Announce who has a birthday this week!
• Tell them to wear a certain color shirt to church on Sunday!
• Ask them to bring props that will go with your lesson.
• BE CREATIVE!

There is enough content for each week for parents and kids to spend 10-15 minutes exploring the topic they learned about in church a little further, as well as learning about missions and some historical hymns, complete with music playing.

DiscipleZone.com equips parents and teachers to use the Internet to build upon the learning that took place at church.

If you follow this blog, you may have caught the post What Happened To The Bible. It fueled a healthy discussion over on Kidology.org. Then, Christine Yount, editor-in-chief at Children’s Ministry Magazine featured it on her blog.

Then, I was honored when Christine asked if she could interview me for her podcast on the subject. You can listen to the podcast here.

Christine Yount is a leading voice in children’s ministry and someone you need to keep in your virtual circle of advisors. I’m excited to see her blogging and podcasting now. I’ve been listening to her for as long as I can remember and her longevity in children’s ministry leadership is a true mark of someone who is dedicated to a mission, not to a business or just trying to being heard. When Christine Yount speaks, I listen. (That doesn’t mean I always agree – but it does mean she forces me to think and constantly be evaluating. And I love that!)

This is part 4 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.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The purpose of discipleship is not to merely pass on spiritual or biblical information. It is to guide and stimulate spiritual GROWTH in those you disciple. What you know is not as important as what you do, and what you do is not as important as who you are. As a discipler, one of the most critical aspects of your job is to challenge your disciplee to the next level in their walk with Christ.

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. – 1 Thessalonians 5:14

You are not asking them to be a Super Christian, or to be perfect – but you are challenging them to move ahead, to progress from where they currently are. How do you do that?

The first key is knowing where they are currently and then challenge them to move to the next realistic level. How often do they read their Bible, honestly? If it is once or twice a week – encouraging daily devotions may be the worst thing you can do. It may lead to a sense of failure or discouragement. But if you can encourage them to one extra day a week than they are currently doing, you have progress. Offer to use a phone call, email or text message to remind them. And let them hold you accountable too!

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. – 2 Timothy 4:2

If they have not memorized much scripture, some I’ve already stated is critical, then work on something together. A psalm perhaps. If they have memorized a lot, then challenge them to memorize a book! I would have never memorized the book of James if my discipler hadn’t said, “I think you are ready to discover the power of memorizing an entire book.” So I did, and have led many others in memorizing books since then.

What about witnessing? We all know we should be witnessing to the lost – it’s tough! So we need to be challenged. Ask who their unsaved friends are. Help them think of ways to witness, starting with little ways. Encourage some cold turkey witnessing to strangers. I know that had a profound impact on me early in my Christian walk.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17

There are many aspects to the Christian faith. Whatever your lesson is on – make it personal. Get out of the theory and into real life. Ask them to tell you how they are REALLY doing in that area. If it is sensitive, then ask them to write it privately and seal it in an envelop. Then challge them to think of somethin they need to do or change to see improvement. Have them open the envelope in a month or year and see how things have improved.

One of the things I like to do with the guys I am in a discipling relationship with, or more often, a mutual accountability relationship with, is to ask the guys how they are doing with the Three W’s:

• Walk – their walk with God
• Wife – their marriage and family
• Work – their job and/or ministry

We give each other a number from 1 to 10, one being terrible and ten being perfect. As you might guess, no one ever gives a ten! This enables us to be honest without giving any personal or private info, though as we explain our “3″ or “6.5″ often we find ourselves willing and able to share what is going on in our walk, with our wife, or in our work and how it is impacting our life.

With kids, you can ask the same 1-10 question at a child’s level. How is your relationship with your parents? Your friends? How’s it going at school?

BUT HERE IS THE KEY: You have to ask, “What would it take to see that number go up?” Press for specific action steps they could take to see improvement. Things they can do, not things they hope will change. Then follow up to encourage them to succeed and to celebrate improvements and success.

It is a fact of our nature that we don’t improve unless we are challenged and then held accountable. The good news you can provide that critical help to those you disciple and even those you just care about.

So don’t just teach, become an encouager, in fact, a challenger. God will use you to help others in your life go to the Next Level in their spiritual journey.

…But let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:25