Just as seeds develop differently in various soil types, children respond differently to God’s Word. Some initially embrace the message, others eventually give up on God, some become captivated by the world, and still others produce a bountiful crop (see Mark 4:1-20). Six environments shape your child’s understanding of reality. Each one can cultivate health and growth, or disease and death. These environments have the …
Let me ask you a few questions related to children at your church and the Bible. After each, please pause and reflect on the answer. RE: Children and the Bible Do your children bring their Bibles to church? Do your children USE their Bibles at church? Are Bibles needed by your children during your programs? Do you have Bibles available for children who don’t bring …
Small Church, BIG Challenge God uses churches of all sizes to accomplish His purposes. There is a lot of information for and about larger churches, yet 90 percent of churches have less than 350 attendees and the median conservative Protestant church in the U.S. has 117 regular participants in worship on Sunday mornings. So what do you do when only two kids show up on …
“The naïve believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” – Proverbs 14:15 When writing came along to the ancient world, Plato lamented that people would no longer commit things to memory or engage with each other. Chinese philosophers warned against the danger of a new technology called “books.” With each new invention, there are growing pains while society learns to adjust and humanity …
Empowering volunteers is a critical, yet challenging process. Failure to empower others inevitably leads to the “do it yourself” mode. This culminates in volunteer under-utilization and leadership exhaustion! The solution is simple. To create a culture where volunteers are enabled to solve problems without requiring constant supervision, they need intentional, hands-on training. Volunteers who internalize the mission, heart, and policies of the church can make …
Remain in me, and I will remain in you.For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. (John 15:4, NLT) Discipleship Truth: Abiding in Christ is simply remaining in constant communion with Jesus. That concept is very basic, but it can also be quite challenging. Apart from staying connected to Jesus, all …
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14, NIV). How Kids ThinkSome people say, “Children need to grasp the Gospel’s deep significance before they should be given an opportunity to respond.” This thinking marginalizes the power of the Good News. As a result, those kids miss out …
