There are a lot of things we can do in children's ministry. Classes. Small groups. Fall festivals. Events. Camps. VBS. Mid-week programming. Children's Choir.
All of these are good things. But at the end it all comes down to this...
Are we sharing the Gospel with kids and families? Are we telling them about the greatest thing that has ever happened here on earth?
If this is true...let me ask you a few questions.
Do you regularly share the Gospel with kids and parents?
What steps do you have in place for a child to take when they understand they need a Savior?
Is the Gospel woven into the curriculum you are using?
Do you see the baptism waters stirring on a regular basis for kids who have made a decision for Christ and are now being baptized?
Look what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:2.
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Paul goes on to say this in Romans 9:3.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kin according to the flesh.
Paul was basically saying that he would be willing to trade places in eternity with those who are lost. I don't know if I could truthfully say that. Now that is a passion for people who don't know Jesus.
In the end, it all comes down to this. Saved or lost? Condemned or forgiven? Redeemed or perished?
It's easy to get sidetracked.
We start using a curriculum that doesn't clearly share the Gospel.
We get so busy with our "lesson plans" that we neglect what is most important.
We are not intentional about sharing the Gospel with the kids. Weeks and even months go by where we don't share the Gospel with the next generation.
We start teaching character traits instead of teaching the kids about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
We teach the kids about Jesus, but don't help them understand it's about personally knowing Jesus not just knowing about Jesus.
When was the last time you shared the Gospel with the kids and parents God has called you to reach?
We know that 85% of people who come to Jesus do so by the age 18.
Children truly are the greatest mission field in the world.
We must reach them now...while their hearts are open and receptive the Gospel.
Do you have a plan in place to share the Gospel with kids and their parents?
Starting Point is a class that is designed to share the Gospel with kids and their parents. It gives a clear presentation of what it means to follow Jesus. Below are a couple of video examples from the class. This is the class I used to see over 430 kids come to Christ and get baptized in one year. And yes...every single child who was baptized had been through this class with their parents.
Hundreds of churches are using this class to reach kids and their parents. It is available as an instant download at this link.
It is very interactive. Here is an example. Kids draw this out.
You will notice that there are two other men that day being crucified with Jesus. The other two men deserved to be there. They were criminals. One of the men made fun of Jesus and said "no" to Him. The other man said "yes" to Jesus and Jesus told him he would be with him in heaven. These two men represent the entire world. These two men represent the children in your community. Every one has to make a decision about Jesus.
It all comes down to this.