RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Kids can ask some tough questions and that's a good thing.  

If kids are going to make it spiritually in today's secular culture, they have to know "why" they believe what they believe. 

This video gives us a comical look at some of the tough questions kids can ask their spiritual leaders. 

According to a study, kids average asking 73 questions a day.  The biggest percentage is asked to a parent.

As a parent or children's ministry leader, it can be intimidating when you are faced with kids' hard questions.  So what should you do?  Here are some steps that can help you.

Welcome kids' tough questions.  Our prayer should be that our children will come to us when facing life's tough questions.  In fact, I encourage parents to be proactive and bring the hard questions to their kids. 

See it as an opportunity to help children cultivate a deep faith in God.  Working through the tough questions can be a pivotal moment in kids' lives.  It can help them grow spiritually and get a solid foundation for their future.  We don't want to wait until kids are in high school or college before they hear these type of questions.  Let's help them get the right answers now.

Don't be hesitant about saying "That's a great question.  Let me think about it and I will get back to you." You won't always have an answer in the moment.  But you can do some research and get back to them with the answer.

Dig in and find the answers.  This presents a great opportunity to grow and learn as a leader or parent.  Do the research and be prepared to come back with solid, Biblical answers.

The primary people kids will bring the hard questions to will be their parents.  We must help parents see that parenting is more about relationship than rules.  If their children know their parents love them deeply and want the best for them, they will continue to come to them with questions.

Help parents prepare for those hard questions.

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."  1 Peter 3:15

Help parents see that this will not be a one-time conversation.  Rather it will be an ongoing conversation and will help build trust and deepen your relationship.

Teach apologetics to kids.  The battle for the heart and soul of the next generation has moved down all the way into preschool.  I recently shared an article about Paw Patrol (popular show for preschoolers) introducing a "non-binary, transgender character."

I have created two apologetics teaching series for kids.  The series examine the hard questions and helps kids and parents find the right answers.  We can't wait until kids are in high school to teach them apologetics.  At a minimum we must start in the early elementary years. 

The series are called Myth Busting and Pranksters.  You can get more information and see lesson and video samples by clicking on this link.  These 4-week series can be used for small groups, Sunday school,  mid-week, retreats and more. 

We must always let our children know that our job is to teach and help them through life. And one of the best ways we can do this is by being open and honest when it comes to tough questions. 

Here are some of the tough questions that kids may ask.  Be prepared to answer these.

Who made God?

Why does God let bad things happen on earth?

Why do people die?  What happens when we die?

How come I can't see God? Is He invisible?

Where do babies come from? (parent only question)

Why does God let people do bad things?

How do we know the Bible is true?

I leave you with this verse:

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."  1 Peter 3:15

Did you know that 13% of Gen Z kids say they are atheists?  This is double the number of adults who say they are atheists.  

What is causing this slide from the truth?  What is causing kids to abandon the faith and walk away?  

One of the biggest reasons is this - they simply don't believe anymore. 

And that falls back on us as parents and leaders in the church.

It's time we go beyond the fluff and start teaching kids apologetics.  

With this in mind, I created a teaching series called Mythbusting.  It's an apologetics series that teaches kids why we believe what we believe about key doctrines.

Lessons include...

• Is God real or not?
• Did we come from a big bang or did God create us?
  
• Is Jesus God's Son?
• Is the Bible God's Word or not?
  

If we are going to see kids stick with their faith and serve Jesus for a lifetime, then we must teach them why we believe what we believe.

This series is great for Sunday morning small groups / Sunday School, mid-week Bible study and children's worship services. 

You can get more information and see video samples, lesson samples, etc. at this link. 

A new survey has revealed that only 60% of "born again Christians" believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven.

The survey shows that many "Christ-Followers" believe that Muhammad, Buddha and Jesus all taught valid ways to God. 

Somewhere along the way we have neglected to teach people what scripture makes very clear.  

"There is salvation in no one else!  God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”        Acts 4:12

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."  1 Timothy 2:5

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."  John 3:36

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

This is such a critical time in the life of believers.  We must help the next generation understand and embrace the exclusivity of Christ.  If we neglect to do this, the next generation will surely fall into the trap of pluralism as well. 

Listen children's ministry leader...please...please...please teach this doctrine to the children and students that God has placed in your life.  Parents....please...please...please teach your children the truth about Jesus.

Are you teaching kids doctrine?  Are you teaching kids apologetics?  Are you teaching kids that the Bible is true?  Are you teaching them the claims made by Jesus? 

The next generation is being bombarded by the evil one who so desperately wants to turn them from the truth.  We must step into the gap for them.  Every Sunday service matters.  Every Bible study matters.  Every small group matters.  Every Wednesday night discipleship session matters.  Every Gospel related event matters.  

And you matter.  God has placed you in the life of children.  Children who are being raised in a society that is pulling them away from God and the truth of His Word. 

Unless things change dramatically, the next generation will fall into the trap of pluralism like so many other believers have done.  

Parents and children's ministry leaders will pass down what they believe. And if the stats line up, a large percentage of the next generation will accept pluralism.  

What can we do to stem the tide?

Teach children doctrine.  

Teach children that Jesus is not a way, but the way to eternal life. 

Teach parents that Jesus is the only way and then equip them to pass this down to their children.

Please take this seriously.  So much is at stake. 

If you need resources for this check out these 2 teaching series:

Pranksters. Equips children to not be fooled by false doctrine and shows that Jesus is the only way.

Road Trip. Helps kids see that Jesus is the only road to eternal life. 

Will the next generation believe the truth about Jesus and His claims?  They can if you and I will teach them in the power of the Spirit and the power of God's Word.