Knowing WHO you are reaching

Do we know those who we are teaching? Sure, we may remember Sally's name when she comes through the door, or know that Billy loves to play soccer during the summer, but do we actually know them?

A couple of weeks ago at our last leader's meeting, we talked about excellence in planning. It isn't enough to have your curriculum in your house somewhere or in the back seat of your car. It isn't enough to open your book quickly Sunday morning and read over what you will be teaching in the next 5 minutes.

If we understand the importance of teaching young lives God's Word and who God is, why is it that we sometimes lack the importance of planning our lessons?

We are busy people! I wake up early to work two jobs, try to maintain friendships, cook, clean, and invest in my marriage. Even though I think I'm busy, people who have children tell me that I don't know what busyness is until I have a child to care for tacked on to that long list!

We know that children's ministry is important. That is why we are where we are today. That is why we come right after work to church on Tuesday nights and make cookies with our group.

We need to plan our lessons with excellence!!

This means know who you are reaching.

Each of us are made special. That is the beauty of God's handiwork. We are unique. With that uniqueness comes different learning styles.

Each child that is in your classroom or group does not learn the same. Some learn visually, some learn by touch, and some learn by listening.

When you get to know your children that you are reaching, you will learn how to tap into their learning styles to make the Gospel come alive and real to them.

Use the internet and do some research on learning styles. Then spend some time in prayer and then observe the children in your group. See how they learn and go after their learning styles!

You may see those children who never seem to listen, become enthralled in the story of God by drawing a picture as you read the Bible. Watch your kids become animated as they act out the story that you are teaching that day. These are the things that will make an impression on their lives as the Bible becomes alive to them.

Isn't that the point of what we are doing?

Maintaining a Heart for Parents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuKfBzydJYU
If you copy and paste this link into your browser, you will be able to watch a small clip of what we are going to be talking about at the Leader's Meeting.

"That precious memory triggers another:
your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is,
handed down from
your grandmother Lois to
your mother Eunice,
and now to you!"
2 Timothy 1:5 (The Message)

"40 hours a year (church) compared to 3,000 hours a year (family)"

“Two combined influences make a great impact than just two influences."

How do those two sentences make you feel?

When I first saw the comparison of how many hours we have with kids at church and then how many parents have with kids, it really blew me away. I know that obviously parents will have more time with their kids, but when you look at 40 hours for a child to be in the church, it doesn't seem like very much at all.

What we do here every Sunday morning and Tuesday night is very crucial. However, it’s amazing to think that we could have a very powerful children’s ministry here at Parkdale if we partnered with our parents and worked together to raise children to be godly men and women.

*********************

“We don’t really know how to partner with parents. Our programming and resources are built around the forty hours we have with kids.” (THINK ORANGE. Pg. 89)

I remember when I was younger, watching new parents at a baby dedication. First, the parents would agree before God and the church congregation that they will do all they can do to lead their child to a life following Jesus.
I then remember the church would stand together, and read together a declaration that they will stand with the parents and help them lead their children into a life filled with God.

Even as a young person, that was a powerful image for me, that not only does the church care about children, but they also care for parents.

I don’t think that we, as a church, have quite captured the potential of serving TOGETHER with parents.

It is a hard mindset to think about! We assume that if we are running a great KidzClub, with a high attendance, and kids are learning, than we are helping the parents.

That may not be so.

So how can we maintain a heart for parents?

If a child answered a question during Bible time, encourage the parents by telling them what their child said.

If you had a neat conversation with a child during crafts or games, let the parents know!

Send home take home papers. Let the parents know what is going on in your group.

Ask the parents if there is anything that you can pray for during the week.

Write a short note or email to parents encouraging them of their child’s spiritual growth.

.....This is a growing and learning experience.

By no means do I even know how to fully grasp this opportunity that we have to connect with parents in the spiritual upbringing of their children.

My prayer is that as a children's ministry, as a church, we will be able to connect with parents; that we will be able to work together to help bring children to Jesus.

Striving for Excellence

The world has just finished watching the 2010 Winter Olympics.

For the athletes, the dream of being in the Olympics has consumed thoughts, hours, diets, relationships, days, weeks, and months. Athletes have been training for years for these past two weeks, to show the world their skills in the different sports.

Last night was the much anticipated hockey game between Canada and the U.S.A. Most TV's were tuned to this game, as people sat on the edge of their couches, bowls of chips on their coffee tables, many nails were bitten in suspense as Canada and U.S.A. tied in the last few seconds of the third period. As the game went into overtime, to Canada's relief and excitement, a goal slipped past Team U.S.A.'s goalie, into the net and Canada won the gold medal.

Every Canadian who was watching the game, uttered some cry of excitement and cheered, as Team Canada brought another gold medal to the list of medals.

As I was thinking about the big game today, I couldn't help but see the parallel to the first three verses in Hebrews 12:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

The author of Hebrews is talking about Christians running the race of life and meanwhile the heavens are filled with witnesses who are watching, cheering, and encouraging them on towards Jesus.

Similarly as we watched the thousands of athletes who did each sport with excellence, with their eyes fixed on the gold medal, we as Christians are reminded and encouraged in Hebrews to fix our eyes on Jesus, and run with everything that is within us towards the cross.

Don't be discouraged when your kids aren't listening during Bible time, someone in your group is listening. Don't be discouraged when you think that no one understood what you were trying to teach, someone understands.

Remember that whenever it feels like you failed in either how you told the Bible story, or when the craft flopped, or if you forgot the "all important" snack, you have a cloud of witnesses surrounding you, cheering you on towards the goal. Dust yourself off and get back up again and start running.

Be encouraged as you go about your week. Remember Jesus, who endured such shame, He did so for us. Focus on Him. And run! Run towards Him with perseverance!

Maintaining a Heart for the Personal Touch

"Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us."
1 Thessalonians 2:8

Maintaining a heart for the personal touch. What does that mean in children's ministry?

Everyone loves to be shown that they are special to someone. We love to know that there is someone who not only knows that we exist, but they care that we exist. We love it when someone writes a little note, just because. We love it when people greet us by name. It gives us the feeling of belonging.

The same is true with children. Every child that walks through our doors needs to feel like they belong. This is an easy way of portraying the love of God.
God knows each of us by name. He not only knows us by name, He also knows how many hairs are on our head; He knew us before anyone else in the world had seen us.

In his book, Back to the Heart of Youth Work, Dewey M. Bertolini, writes: "Maintaining the personal touch does not constitute a part of ministry, nor is the personal touch a prerequisite to ministry. Maintaining the personal touch is ministry." (page 90)

The personal touch isn't just a part of ministry, it is the ministry.

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself as you think about your personal touch to those that you reach out to every week in Growing Together, TinyTown, Kidztown, or Kidz Club:

1. What are some unique needs of the children in your group?
2. How are those needs met right now?
3. What are some options that you and your team, can meet those unique needs in a personal way?

I would encourage you to brainstorm together and with your team, on how you can better the "personal touch" to the children in your ministry.

Here are some ideas to start...
1. Greet the child every Sunday morning or Tuesday night...even when you aren't in the classroom!
2. Send an occasional note. Children love to get mail - even a small postcard!
3. Be the first to acknowledge their birthday
4. Send a note of congratulations (if you see their name in the newspaper or hear a positive story about them from someone else)

Let's work together to show each child that walks through the doors every Sunday morning and Tuesday night that we care about them and even more so, Jesus cares and loves them.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me..."

Valentine's Day just passed and for the past few weeks, everywhere we looked there were signs reminding us to buy chocolate, flowers, and cards for those we love.

Jesus showed His love to small children on particular day, not with flowers or candy, but by drawing them to His side and showing them how important they were to Him.

He demonstrated to the parents and adults around that day, that those children were important and should be shown love and care.

This is an excellent picture for us today, especially with Valentine's Day just passed, of how we are to treat children. Love them.

Let us not hinder them from being with Jesus.

Remember that every child that steps into your class or small group is important to Jesus. Take the time to prepare your lessons, pray over them, and be prepared to love each child as we follow in our Master's footsteps.