RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

In fact, I believe ministry to the new kids on the block is one of the most important ministries in the entire church. It's not babysitting. It's not childcare. It's ministry at one of the most important times in a person's life. Research backs this up.

Teaching babies and toddlers is crucial because the first years are a period of rapid brain development. 80% of the brain develops by the age of three. This early learning lays the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.

Here are some ways you can minister to the new kids on the block.

Teach them.

Yesterday during services, I went into our nursery and ministered to a baby boy. It was his third visit to our church. I held him and read a Bible story to him. Did he say, "that was an awesome Bible story?" Of course not. But I believe that I planted a seed in his mind. It made a difference.

Yesterday, I also went into our toddler room. I taught a short lesson to our 2-3 year olds. It consisted of short stories about Jesus with pictures. I had the children point to Jesus in each picture and I told them that Jesus loves them. Again, I believe I planted a seed in their mind. It made a difference.

Pray for them and their parents.

Pray over the new kids on the block while you are rocking them. Pray over the new kids on the block while you are playing with them. Put a prayer verse in each room on the wall. Pray that prayer verse over the kids sometime during the class time.

Dedicate them.

Parent and Child Dedication is an awesome way to welcome the new kids on the block and their parents. I have an awesome parent and child dedication class and ceremony that you can get for your ministry. Hundreds of churches across the country use it.

It includes everything you need to host a parent and child dedication class and ceremony. It is available at this link.

Welcome them with a gift.

We have a wonderful group of ladies in our church that make blankets for the new kids on the block. Think of something you can give the new kids on the block. Welcome them. It will mean the world to their parents.

Invest in the parents of the new kids on the block.

What a great opportunity you have to come alongside these new parents and help them grow and flourish.

MomCo is a great program for young mothers. We use this at our church and it is a blessing to those who attend. You can get more info. about MomCo at this link.

Offer parenting seminars.

Twice a year, I teach a parenting seminar here at our church. This is a way I can invest in young parents and encourage them in their parenting journey. I also do parenting seminars at other churches. If you are interested in booking me you can get more info. at this link.

The new kids on the block are the future of your church. I often say, "If there is no crying (from the nursery), your church is dying."

In the next few years, billions of new children will be born. We have an incredible opportunity to reach them for Jesus. Let's go all out for the sake of the new kids on the block. Jesus loves each of them. Let's tell them about that.

Parents.  We know they are the biggest influence in their children's lives.  

They have the most time with their child. 

They are called to be the primary spiritual leader of their child.

They have the strongest relationship with their child.

If you want to influence children for Christ, then you must start by influencing their parents.  

Your goal should be to influence the greatest influencers in a child's life...their parents.  

Let's look at 10 key times when you can impact the lives of parents who will in return influence their children.

Key Time #1 - A child enters the world.   

In the race to a child's heart, the first one there wins.  George Barna

Be there for young couples during the 9 months they are preparing to be parents. Get them connected to a small group for new parents.  Encourage them.  Pray for them.  Offer preparation for parenting resources that will help equip them for this most important task. 

Key #2 - Parent and Child Dedication.  Notice that it is called PARENT and child dedication.  I would encourage you to include parents in the preparation for their child being dedicated.  Parents should play a major role in this event. 

Include a parent and child dedication class that parents must attend before they can dedicate their child. In this class, emphasize what the dedication means, why children should be dedicated and the crucial role that parents play in raising kids that follow Jesus for a lifetime.  Here are a couple of resources you can use for this. 

Give each parent a copy of the book "Fertile Soil...See Kids' Faith Grow and Flourish for a Lifetime."

Have each parent go through the Parent and Child Dedication Class.  At this link, there are great resources for the class and dedication.   

If you want to influence children, then you should first seek to influence their greatest influencer...their parents.

Key #3 - Bible presentation.  When a child is entering their kindergarten and lower elementary years, you can influence parents to make the Bible a key part of their life and their child's life.  

Host a class / workshop about the Bible.  Parents and children will learn how we got the Bible and how to make it an important part of their life.  They will also be able to see and understand God's Big Story found in the Bible and how they are part of it. 

This class / workshop will make a big impact in the lives of children and their parents. I have a curriculum for this class at this link.  It can be a life-changing class for parents. You can get the Bible presentation at this link.

Key #4 - Salvation class.  When their child begins to ask questions about following Jesus, parents will normally come looking for help.  You can impact parents during this time as they prepare to lead their child to Jesus.  If you really want to impact parents during this time, you will offer a salvation class.  In this class, you can clearly share what it means to follow Jesus.  

Often you will impact parents during this time and see them make a decision to follow Jesus as well. You can get more information about this class at this link.  It is one of the most important times you can impact parents.

Key #5 - Baptism.  Parents will also come to you when their child starts talking about being baptized.  This is another time when you can impact their life and the life of their child.  Once again, you can provide a class for parents and their children about what baptism means, who should be baptized, when you should be baptized, etc.  The class is available at this link.

If you really want to impact parents during this time, offer parents the opportunity to help with their child's baptism.  When you do this, you will also have the opportunity to see parents come to Christ and get baptized with their child. I have seen this happen time and time again.

Key Time #6 - Graduation Celebration. One of the key times when you can impact parents, is when their child is transitioning from elementary to middle school ministry.  This can be a nervous and challenging time for parents.  

You can host a powerful, life-changing, shared experience for parents and their children during this time.  Guaranteed to impact them. Be prepared to see lots of tears as you guide parents through a time of blessing and praying over their children.  Parents will be equipped for the middle school years.  You can get the class and celebration times at this link.

Key Time #7 - Parenting Classes.  For too long we have pushed parenting classes over to adult ministries.  I believe that children's ministry should lead the way in providing parenting classes. 

Key Time #8 - Follow Up Discussions.  Create "take home papers" that parents can use to disciple their children at home.  Instead of giving it to the child during dismissal, hand it to the parents and say, "Here is what we learned about today.  Here's a great tool you can use at home to talk about it with (your child)." If you want to use technology to do this, you can send a text message to parents with the discussion questions listed.

Key #9 - Social Media.  Approximately 95% of young mothers are on social media.  They go there for parenting advice, connections and posting pictures for grandparents and friends to see.  Get connected online with parents.  Create a Facebook page for your ministry and invite parents to join you.  Post updates about the ministry on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc.

Key #10 - Times of crisis. Tragedies happen.  Death happens.  Crisis happens.  Simply be there for parents when they are going through the storms of life.  They won't remember everything you said to them. They won't remember all of the prayers you prayed for them.  And it's understandable.  Often when you go through a storm, everything is blurry as you try to just survive. But one thing they will remember is this - you were there.  You showed up and supported them, you prayed for them and you helped hold them up when they felt like they would never smile again. 

Remember this...

When you impact a child, you impact a person for Christ.  But when you impact parents, you will impact the entire family. for Christ.

Stay focused on parents and watch what God does.