True Story
After Easter Sunday, Jerome flipped through a booklet he received about how to receive new life in Christ. The step-by-step process resonated with his analytical personality.
He read aloud the excerpts about prayer, obeying Jesus, worshiping with the local church, explaining faith, and reading God’s Word to his younger brother Bo. Bo listened intently and asked questions. “This is what it means to live for Jesus!” Jerome explained in a matter-of-fact tone. The process outlined for growth in Christ made sense to him.
Not long after that, Jerome’s mom Lisa noticed he would ask about reading the Bible after school. They started incorporating some the basic steps outlined in the growth process. Lisa was encouraged by Jerome’s elementary understanding of discipleship…to grow, it was important to follow God’s blueprint for life!
It’s a Process
Experienced gardeners know what to plant, how to plant, when to plant, and where to plant. They keep an eye on the weather, soil conditions, and changing seasons. The gardener’s diligent labor—preparing the soil, planting the seeds, and cultivating the plants—is finally rewarded when family and friends sink their teeth into the fresh produce.
Spiritual growth is very dear to God’s heart. Just as human parents swell with pride in their child’s achievements, the heavenly Father receives great glory, renown, and satisfaction when His children reflect the image and attributes of God.
Every child deserves an opportunity to reach his or her peak potential—yet most kids attain only a fraction of their true capacity. Instead of seeking the summit of their abilities, they linger in the valley of complacency. Your son or daughter needs help to reach the spiritual heights that God intends! He or she has untapped potential to build practical skills for using God’s Word, relating to people, and living out the faith.
To become Jesus’ lifelong disciples, children progress through six essential learning levels:
1—God’s Greatness: Help kids discover the Lord’s character and qualities. They are introduced to who God is, what He is like, and what He can do. (See 1 Chronicles 29:11.)
2—God’s Word: Empower each child to explore the purpose and power of the Bible. They learn how to use God’s inspired, authoritative Book. (See Hebrews 4:12.)
3—God’s Son: Children study Jesus Christ’s life and ministry. They walk in His footsteps and decide to follow Him. (See Mark 10:45.)
4—God’s Church: Kids need to encounter the Lord’s mission for every believer. They see the Church as God’s instrument to change the world. (See Acts 1:8.)
5—God’s Kingdom: Students view God’s eternal plan for all nations. They survey Biblical history and learn ways to influence their culture. (See Hebrews 12:1-2.)
6—God’s Champions: All kids can embrace Christ’s call to personal discipleship. Help them explore opportunities to become world-class Christians. (See Ephesians 4:14-15.)
Action Step: 2000 years ago, Jesus introduced a very innovative (and successful) training program for His twelve closest followers—personal discipleship. They directed others to practice the same principles that the Lord had taught them. Build your child into a disciple for life. Invest time training him or her to progress from discovering God’s greatness to becoming God’s champion. Help your child become all that God wants him or her to be!
