Discipleship Archive
Practical idea: Share this helpful article with your children’s ministry volunteers and parents. Kids Need God A child’s basic outlook and attitude toward life is shaped by the way he or she pictures God. The Situation: Children ask, “What is God really like?” Schools, friends, television, and other sources expose children to a variety of ideas. Much of what kids hear about “god” does not …
Helping Children Develop Self Discipline by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN Practical idea: Share this timely article with your children’s ministry volunteers and parents. One of the primary tasks of early childhood is to develop self discipline. Parents often find themselves correcting their children for interrupting, being wild, not following instructions or for not controlling their hands or mouths. These all require self …
Never forget that your efforts in children’s ministry have long-term implications. George Barna concluded, “By the age of nine, most of the moral and spiritual foundations of a child are in place.” Though head knowledge is important, Bible truths are only part of the discipleship process. Information must lead to transformation—new attitudes and actions. To form genuine disciples, churches must make an intentional, integrated, and …
Great things come from small beginnings. Yep—I’m “seasoned” enough to be an eye-witness to much of what has taken place during the last 30 years of children’s ministry. Nope—this article is not about the history or “roots” of ministry to kids. That’s a topic for another day. Instead, I’d like to take a whack at the “roots” of “who we are”—our very identity. Have you …
Fresh baked pumpkin pie. Corn on the cob. Sweet potatoes. Green beans. Golden brown turkey. What a feast! How did this wonderful tradition begin? The Biblical Basis of Thanksgiving President Abraham Lincoln officially declared the last Thursday in November to be a national holiday for the purpose of giving thanks to God. Thanksgiving remains one of the most popular family traditions in the United States. …
Though a vast number of children’s ministry resources are available today, many of those products may not receive “passing” marks. Listen to the insights of John H. Walton, PhD, professor at Wheaton College and former professor at Moody Bible Institute for 20 years: “It has been my practice over the years to work with the Children’s education program in my church to evaluate curriculum and …
I remember thinking, “I’ve accepted Christ as Savior and Lord. I know that the Holy Spirit came into my life. Why does my daily experience reflect so little power – no true transformation?” God directed me to His Word where I discovered a powerful promise: “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we …
