Teaching Beyond the Facts

"Jesus had 12 disciples."

"It rained 40 days and nights during the flood."

"There are 66 books in the Bible."

"David killed Goliath."

"Saul's name was changed to Paul."

"Jonah was swallowed by a big fish."

These are all important facts...but these facts alone won't instill in children a passion to know Jesus and follow Him.

If we are going to see children love Jesus with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind...we must teach beyond the facts.

How do you teach beyond the facts?

Teach beyond the facts to reveal who God is.  His nature.  His character.  His heart.

Teach beyond the facts to reveal the big picture.  The facts are all part of the big story of a God who loves them and wants to have a relationship with them. 

Teach beyond the facts to show kids how to live out the truth of God's Word.  Information without life application leads to head knowledge without heart transformation.

Teach beyond the facts to show kids how to serve others.  The end goal of the facts is not for kids to become a Biblical encyclopedia sitting in an ivory tower of knowledge.  It's for equipping them to share salvation and hope in the streets of everyday life.

Check your curriculum.
Check the message you have planned for this weekend.
Check the Bible study you are preparing.

Are you teaching beyond the facts?