RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

We often talk about the influence parents have in the spiritual life of their child.  

It is true. Parents are the biggest spiritual influence in their child's life.

But there is a flip-side to this. Children are also a big influence in the decision making process of their parents.

Here's an example. 

According to a new report, parents are more likely to subscribe to a streaming service if the platform offers content that interests their kids as well.

When it comes to control of the remote control, kids have a lot of say in the matter.  

A study called Gen Alpha and Gen Z: In control of the family remote, set out to determine the main reasons why parents subscribe to family-friendly streaming services.  

The study ran from 2021-2022 and the firm conducted a survey encompassing 1,010 families.

The findings revealed that 56% of kids and teens in the US make their parents subscribe to or keep paying for streaming platforms that have content they like.

The report also found that half of Gen Z respondents (ages 16 to 24) are involved in family decisions about streaming subscriptions.

In the US, 66% of parents said they will subscribe to a platform if it offers suitable content for their kids, and only 34% said their subscription decisions depend on cost.

43% of Gen Alpha kids (ages four to 15) are twice as likely to unsubscribe from a platform as parents of Gen Z teens and young adults if it doesn’t meet their children’s content needs.

Kids often influence their family when decisions are being made about watching television programs. 

This is another example of how kids influence their parents when it comes to purchasing things.  

Kids often influence their family when a decision is being made about what movie to watch at the theater.

Kids often influence their parents when decisions are being made about what food to buy or where to eat.

Kids often influence their parents when clothes buying decisions are being made.

Even when it comes to spiritual matters, kids can influence their parents.  

Kids often influence their parents when decisions are being made about attending church.

Kids often influence their parents when decisions are being made about what bedtime Bible story to read.

Kids are going to do one of two things...drag their parents to church or be drug to church by their parents.

You have a tremendous opportunity to reach entire families when you reach kids. 

You have a tremendous opportunity to influence families by influencing their children.

Remember what it says in Isaiah 11?

 ...a child shall lead them.

Let's lead children to follow Jesus and watch as they in turn lead their parents to follow Jesus.

Merry Christmas to you.  I want to personally thank you for your heart for the next generation.  Thank you for giving of yourself week in and week out to help kids know Jesus and follow Him.

It is people like you that bring hope, love and compassion to the children in your ministry and community.  

My Christmas prayer for you is this:

May God fill your heart with encouragement.  Your labor is not in vain.  You are making a difference. 

I pray that God will bless you and your family.

I pray that God will send you more volunteers to help you fulfill the vision He has set before you.

I pray that God will anoint you with a fresh passion to reach the children and families in your community.

I pray that God will show you that the valley you may be passing through is not the end of your ministry. He will bring you out of it. 

I pray that this busy Christmas season will afford you time to slow down and enjoy family and friends.

I pray that Jesus will give you victory over any feelings of anger, bitterness or resentment that the enemy has tried to get you to dwell on and harbor.  May He give you the grace you need to let it go.

I pray that God will let you see some of the fruit from your ministry that you had no idea was coming to fruition.

I pray that God will surround you with people who believe in the mission you have been given from God and will cheer you on and serve with you as you fulfill it. 

I pray that God will open the door for your ministry to make a big difference in your community as you get outside the 4 walls and minister to people in 2022.

I pray that God would provide you with everything you need to fulfill the vision He has given you.  May "where He guides, He provides," not just be a nice saying, but a truth that you can count on.

Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you.  Believing with you that 2022 will be your best ministry year ever! 

Your Friend, 

Dale