Mission:
The goal of our children’s ministry is to assist parents in teaching their children the truth – about who God is, who they are, and what God expects of them. This truth can only be found in the Scriptures. Our desire is to enable children to know the truth, to be set free by the truth, and to walk in the truth.
3 John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Objectives:
1) To teach children who God is. We want them to get an accurate picture of God.
The following are essential aspects in developing for a child the right view of God:
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God is their Creator – We want to teach children where the world and mankind came from. The theory of evolution that pervades secular philosophy and public education is not only wrong, but detrimental – to society in general, and to individuals in particular. We want to firmly establish in the minds of children that God is the Creator of all that is, including themselves (Gen 1:1 / Isa 40:28 / Eccl 12:1)
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God is their Sovereign – We want to teach children that God is in control, no matter what happens to them. We want them to know that He is all knowing, all powerful, always present, and holy in all that He does and allows. We want them to realize that God is working behind the scenes and is in control (2 Chron 20:6 / Deut 32:4 / Ps 139:7-12 / 1 Jn 1:5)
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God is their Judge – We want to teach children that their life is not just about doing what they want to do with it. There is a God who knows, and will reward everything that they do. We believe that a firm grasp on this knowledge will go a long way in determining what they become through the choices they make (Eccl 12:14 / 2 Cor 5:10 / Rom 14:12 / Heb 4:13).
2) To teach children who they are. We want them to get an accurate picture of themselves.
The following are essential aspects in developing for a child the right view of Himself:
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Before Coming To Christ – We must inform children, in a way they can understand, who they are when they are born into this world. They are not “blank slates”. Nor are they innocent. They are children of darkness – they can do no good in the sight of God if they have not been born-again. They are sinners because of the fact that they are descendents of Adam and Eve. They were born into the human race in this condition, and if they remain in this condition, when they die they, will be subject to eternal torment. Obviously, we must be tactful in how we present these truths (so as not to merely secure “decisions”). But we dare not neglect telling these truths to them. (Isa 64:6 / Rom 3:23 / Rom 5:12 / Eph 2:1-2)
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After Coming to Christ – After a child is born again, he is a brand new creature (2 Cor 5:17). He is not the same person that was born into this world. He is now has a new spiritual Father, and has been made a joint-heir with Christ. He is now special, not because of something he himself has accomplished, but because of what God has accomplished in him, by giving to him a new nature. Children need to know just exactly who they are “in Christ”. (Rom 8:17 / Col 1:13 / 1 Thess 5:5 / 1 Pt 2:9 / 1 Thess 5:4-5)
3) To teach children what God expects of them. We want them to get an accurate picture of God’s will.
The following are essential aspects in developing for a child the right view of God’s will for his life:
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To Be a Witness for Him – To teach children to live so that their life speaks of being a believer in God. God is not just “a Sunday thing.” Rather, they are to be living epistles, actively showing and telling others of the reality of Jesus Christ in their lives (2 Cor 3:2-3 / Acts 1:8 / 1 Pt 2:9).
Methodology:
1) Formal – To touch the lives of children in a formal (i.e., methodical) setting, intentionally designed to transmit Bible facts and principles via age-appropriate methods.
These include:
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Sunday School Classes – Learning happens differently at different stages of physical development. It is not only difficult for teachers, but also for students, when the teaching doesn’t “connect.” For this reason, we have separate Sunday School classes for children, teens, and adults.
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Truth Trackers – Who has not been exposed to the rigorous, yet largely un-productive children’s program that seeks to cram verses into youngsters’ heads, with little-to-no comprehension, and even less retention?! Truth Trackers is the program we moved to in the fall of 2008. The program features weekly Scripture memory (one new verse per week), daily devotions, and an annual rotation of biblical doctrines, with an emphasis upon review (two verses per week – for a total of three).
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Ministry Opportunities – Not only is the church responsible to minister to its young people, it is responsible to see that its young people minister. One goal of our children's ministry is to make arrangements to facilitate outlets for children to minister, both within the body, and outside of it.
2) Informal – To touch the lives of children in an informal (i.e., relational) setting, facilitating, but not intentionally designed to transmit Bible facts and principles.
These include:
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Work Days – Servants aren’t born, they’re built! And children learn to serve best from adults who themselves are actively engaged in service. Work days (either at the church, or at the home of a shut-in) are wonderful opportunities to help children take ownership of their church and build genuine relationships with God's people.
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