Empowering Parents: The Vital Role in Children's Ministry
Summary
### Summary
Today's message focused on the critical role of children's ministry within the church and the home. We began by examining several scriptures, including Matthew 28:18-20, Proverbs 22:6, Matthew 18:10-14, and Deuteronomy 6:4-8, which emphasize the importance of teaching and discipling children. The central theme is that while the church plays a significant role in children's spiritual education, the primary responsibility lies with the parents. Historically, parents were the main spiritual guides for their children, teaching them daily about God's love and commandments. However, over time, many parents have shifted this responsibility to the church, often due to feeling inadequate or too busy.
The message highlighted the alarming statistics that show how early in life children form their foundational beliefs about God, morality, and the world. By the age of 13, most children have already established their core beliefs. This underscores the urgency for both parents and the church to work together in discipling children from a very young age. The church's role is to support and supplement the parents' efforts, not replace them.
We also discussed the challenges and excuses people often have for not participating in children's ministry, such as feeling too old or not relating well to kids. However, every member of the church has unique gifts that can contribute to this vital ministry. The message concluded with a call to action for everyone to get involved in children's ministry, emphasizing that the spiritual battle for our children's souls is real and ongoing. The church and parents must unite to ensure that children grow up with a strong, unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Parental Responsibility in Spiritual Education: Parents are the primary spiritual educators of their children. The Bible instructs parents to teach their children about God daily, integrating faith into every aspect of life. This responsibility cannot be outsourced entirely to the church. Parents must actively disciple their children, ensuring that their faith is nurtured at home. [07:16]
2. Early Formation of Beliefs: By the age of 13, children have already formed most of their core beliefs about God, morality, and the world. This highlights the urgency for early and consistent spiritual education. Parents and the church must work together to instill strong, biblical values in children from a young age, as these early years are crucial for their lifelong faith journey. [10:14]
3. The Church's Supportive Role: While parents are the primary disciplers, the church plays a crucial supportive role. Children's ministry should come alongside parents, providing additional teaching and reinforcement of biblical principles. The church community must work together to ensure that children receive comprehensive spiritual guidance. [11:58]
4. The Spiritual Battle for Children: There is a real and ongoing spiritual battle for the souls of our children. The world is actively trying to influence them with secular and often harmful ideologies. Parents and the church must be vigilant and proactive in teaching children the truth of God's Word, equipping them to stand firm in their faith. [20:43]
5. Everyone's Role in Children's Ministry: Every member of the church has unique gifts that can contribute to children's ministry. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or simply being a positive presence, everyone can play a part in discipling the next generation. The impact of investing in children's lives can be profound and long-lasting, shaping their faith and character for years to come. [35:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:21] - Introduction and Matthew 28:18-20
[03:15] - Proverbs 22:6
[04:05] - Matthew 18:10-14
[04:43] - Deuteronomy 6:4-8
[06:17] - The Role of Parents in Discipleship
[07:16] - Historical Context and Parental Responsibility
[09:30] - Statistics on Early Belief Formation
[11:10] - Importance of Children's Ministry in the Church
[12:47] - Church's Role in Supporting Parents
[14:18] - Overcoming Excuses for Not Participating
[16:21] - Unique Gifts for Ministry
[18:53] - Grandparents' Role in Discipleship
[20:43] - The Spiritual Battle for Children
[22:25] - Discipline and Teaching
[25:07] - Children's Ministry is Not Babysitting
[26:36] - The Problem of Sin and the Solution in Christ
[29:02] - Living Out the Gospel for Our Children
[31:08] - Learning from Parents and Grandparents
[33:18] - Impact of Church Members on Children's Lives
[35:44] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20: "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
2. Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
3. Deuteronomy 6:4-8: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what are the key components of making disciples? How does this relate to children's ministry? [02:21]
2. What does Proverbs 22:6 suggest about the long-term impact of early spiritual education? [03:15]
3. In Deuteronomy 6:4-8, what specific actions are parents instructed to take in teaching their children about God? [04:43]
4. What alarming statistics about children's belief formation were mentioned in the sermon? [10:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 apply to parents and the church in the context of children's ministry? [02:21]
2. Why is it significant that Proverbs 22:6 emphasizes training a child in the way he should go? How does this shape our approach to children's ministry? [03:15]
3. What does Deuteronomy 6:4-8 reveal about the daily integration of faith in family life? How can this be practically implemented in modern homes? [04:43]
4. The sermon mentioned a spiritual battle for children's souls. What are some ways the world is trying to influence children, and how can parents and the church counteract these influences? [20:43]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own upbringing. How did your parents or guardians integrate faith into your daily life? How can you apply these practices in your own family? [07:16]
2. Considering the statistic that most children form their core beliefs by age 13, what specific steps can you take to ensure early and consistent spiritual education for the children in your life? [10:14]
3. How can you, as a member of the church, support parents in their role as the primary spiritual educators of their children? What specific actions can you take this week? [11:58]
4. Identify one unique gift or talent you have that could be used in children's ministry. How can you start using this gift to contribute to the spiritual growth of children in your church? [14:18]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of grandparents in discipleship. If you are a grandparent, how can you actively participate in the spiritual education of your grandchildren? If not, how can you support the grandparents in your community? [18:53]
6. What are some practical ways you can protect your children from harmful secular ideologies while teaching them the truth of God's Word? [20:43]
7. Think of a child or a group of children in your church. What is one specific way you can invest in their spiritual growth this month? [35:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Parents as Primary Spiritual Educators
Parents are the primary spiritual educators of their children. The Bible instructs parents to teach their children about God daily, integrating faith into every aspect of life. This responsibility cannot be outsourced entirely to the church. Parents must actively disciple their children, ensuring that their faith is nurtured at home. [07:16]
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (ESV): "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you incorporate daily moments to teach your children about God’s love and commandments today?
Day 2: Early Formation of Beliefs
By the age of 13, children have already formed most of their core beliefs about God, morality, and the world. This highlights the urgency for early and consistent spiritual education. Parents and the church must work together to instill strong, biblical values in children from a young age, as these early years are crucial for their lifelong faith journey. [10:14]
Psalm 78:5-7 (ESV): "He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can start instilling biblical values in your children from a young age?
Day 3: The Church's Supportive Role
While parents are the primary disciplers, the church plays a crucial supportive role. Children's ministry should come alongside parents, providing additional teaching and reinforcement of biblical principles. The church community must work together to ensure that children receive comprehensive spiritual guidance. [11:58]
Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: How can you support the children's ministry in your church to help reinforce biblical teachings for the children?
Day 4: The Spiritual Battle for Children
There is a real and ongoing spiritual battle for the souls of our children. The world is actively trying to influence them with secular and often harmful ideologies. Parents and the church must be vigilant and proactive in teaching children the truth of God's Word, equipping them to stand firm in their faith. [20:43]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: What are some ways you can be more vigilant in protecting your children from harmful ideologies and teaching them the truth of God's Word?
Day 5: Everyone's Role in Children's Ministry
Every member of the church has unique gifts that can contribute to children's ministry. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or simply being a positive presence, everyone can play a part in discipling the next generation. The impact of investing in children's lives can be profound and long-lasting, shaping their faith and character for years to come. [35:10]
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Reflection: What unique gifts do you have that you can use to contribute to the children's ministry in your church? How can you start using them today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "More than half of the people who will ever accept Jesus as their Savior will do so by the age of 12. By the time a child is 9 years old, their basic moral foundation has already been formed. By the time a child is 13, they have irrevocably formed the majority of their beliefs about the nature of God, the existence of Satan, the reliability of the Bible, what life really is, the holiness of Jesus Christ, whether one can be saved from sin, and the importance of the Holy Spirit." [10:14] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we don't disciple our kids, the world will. And if you don't think that there is an effort right now for your kids, you are blind. The enemy has pulled out the stops. He has gone full bore for your children. He has. You know, the Bible says we're in a war, right? We're battling against, not flesh and blood, but principalities, right?" [19:47] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know, Jesus, how many of you believe that Jesus did something amazing for I want you to raise your hand. Because if you're afraid to raise your hand, you're going to be afraid to tell somebody that Jesus died for you. I want you to understand this morning that Jesus did more for you than just die on a cross. You got to understand why he died on that cross." [26:36] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus took your place. He paid your price. He, the one that did not owe, the only person in history that never sinned, that never owed the price of death, paid the price of death for all of you in here so that you could live forever with Him. Does that affect you? Does that make the hair stand up on your arm a little bit? It should." [28:10] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have a problem. Our problem isn't a Republican problem. It isn't a Democratic problem. It isn't a school problem. It isn't a government problem. We have a sin problem. And there's only one cure. There's only one payment for sin. The Bible says it very clearly. And I don't care how many studies you do. I don't care how many languages you translated into. I don't care what you do to try to get something different. It's always going to say the same thing. The wages of sin is death." [27:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What has happened is we, as parents, have given, we have given the responsibility of training our children to the church. Yes. We have given that responsibility over to the church. And we've said, you know what, I'm still working on me. I'm still working on myself. I can't teach my kids. I'm going to let those folks at the church do it." [07:59] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "While, yes, parents are supposed to disciple their kids, right? We're all called to make disciples, and it starts in our homes. However, as a church, we're supposed to come alongside each other and help each other, right? So basically what's supposed to happen is children's ministry is supposed to come alongside parents, and we work together to train these kids, right?" [11:58] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Children's ministry at the church is not a babysitting service. Our folks don't study and prepare and try to figure out how to disciple your children just so that they can be a babysitting service so they don't have to sit in the service give you a moment's peace. I'm sorry. That's just the facts. We don't mind your kids. But if your child is undisciplined, I will ask you to come get them. Because the point is not to watch your kid. The point is to disciple your kid." [25:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We all have gifts that God has given us. And those gifts are meant to be used in communion. In conjunction with other gifts. What does that mean? That means what God gave me is supposed to go in conjunction with what God gave Cole, or what God gave Pam, or what God gave Liz, or what God gave Dale. We all work together for the whole of God's family." [16:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You know, Myra works with the kids back there. Kim Jordan's back there with them today. They're going to be back there until I stop talking. Working with those kids. And for that little brief period of time, one thing that Kim Jordan may say to them today, 20 years from now, they may think about. When life has got them by the throat. And they can't see another way out. And they're at the bottom. And they're crying out to God. They'll remember that one thing that Myra said to them." [35:10] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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