RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

How well do you know today's kids?

Take this quiz to find out.  Choose the answer that today's kids would choose.  You can see the answers below.

Quiz
1. What is a tablet?

• pill you take in the morning
• electronic handheld device

2. Wiki?

• cooperative web app
• shuttle bus in Hawaii

3. What is a phone?

• device that has a long, coiled wire that you wrap around your arm while talking
• device you carry in your pocket

4. History?

• subject in school
• TV channel

5. GaGa?

• singer
• baby talk

6. Amazon?

• river in South America
• online store

7. Who is the green giant?

• big guy who picks vegetables
• Shrek

8. Madden?

• video game
• super bowl winning coach

9. What is mail?

• something that comes to your inbox
• something that comes to your mailbox

10. Cut and paste?

• something you do with scissors and glue
• something you do on your computer

11. Wire-rimmed glasses?

• Harry Potter
• John Lennon

12. When can you see cartoons?

• Saturday morning
• 24/7

13. Who is the star of Twilight?

• Rod Sterling
• vampires

14. Who is Barney?

• Andy's assistant
• purple dinosaur

15. Basketball star?

• Michael
• Lebron

16. Music?

• CD
• download

17. How do you get directions?

• Google maps
• map book

18. School blackboard?

• smart
• chalk

19. Taking pictures?

• camera
• cell phone

20. What is plasma?

• type of TV
• bodily fluid

Answers
1. A tablet is a handheld electronic device.
2. Wiki is a cooperative web app.
3. Phone is a device you carry in your pocket.
4. History is a TV channel.
5. GaGa is a singer.
6. Amazon is an online store.
7. Shrek is a green giant.
8. Madden is a video game.
9. Mail is something that comes to your inbox.
10. Cut and paste is something you do on your computer.
11. Harry Potter wears wire-rimmed glasses.
12. Cartoons are available 24/7.
13. Vampires are the stars of Twilight.
14. Barney is a purple dinosaur.
15. Lebron is a basketball star.
16. Music is downloaded.
17. You can use Google maps to get directions.
18. A blackboard at school is smart.
19. You take pictures with your cell phone.
20 Plasma is a type of TV.

How'd you do?  It's vital that we stay connected to the world of the kids God has called us to reach.  Just as a missionary to another country studies and learns the culture of the people group he is trying to reach, so we should be doing the same with the kids God has called us to reach.

How much time should kids spend with technology?  This has been the subject of many debates.

In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that screen time be limited to two hours a day for children over age two, and that no screen time be allowed for children younger than that.

But that was 1999, when TV was the primary means by which kids consumed technology and it was normally done sitting still in a sedentary mode.  Proponents of technology say that times have changed and other factors should now be considered.

Some of the factors are...

• Is it being used to support learning?
• Is the use solitary or taking place with others?
• Is the activity sedentary or active?
• What are the content and features of the media?                                                      
• Are the device's features age-appropriate? 

Based on these questions, how much screen time do you think is appropriate for kids?  The average child now has 5 to 7 hours of screen time each day.  This is including all forms of technology. 

Taking into account that technology is and will be such a big part of their education and future careers as they grow up, is 5 to 7 hours too much, about right, or too little?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

"Don't give up.  No!  Rather take courage.  Do not let your hands be weak.  For your work shall be rewarded."  2 Chronicles 15:7

There are goals you want to accomplish in 2014.  There are dreams you want to see come true in 2014.  There are steps you want to take in 2014.  There are projects you want to see completed in 2014.  There are new heights you want to reach in 2014.

My question.  How bad do you want it?

I know you want it, but do you want it bad enough to do whatever it takes to make it happen?

Do you want it bad enough to set the alarm for an hour earlier every day?

Do you want it bad enough to give up some sleep for it?

Do you want it bad enough to sacrifice for it?

Do you want it bad enough to stay up late at night?

Do you want it bad enough to turn off the TV?

Do you want it bad enough to change your lifestyle?

Do you want it bad enough to make your new year's resolutions last past February?

Do you want it bad enough to give up personal habits to make it a reality?

If you need some inspiration to jump start you into the new year, then read this story about Rocky.

If you want it bad encough, then you will hit your goal.

2 years ago I tipped the scales at 230 pounds.  I had lost weight before but always gained it back...because I wanted it...but not bad enough.

Finally, I reached the point where I said, "This is it.  I'm going to do whatever it takes to get in shape and stay in shape." 

For me, this means drinking nothing but water.

For me, this means working out for an hour 6 days a week.

For me, this means not eating any breads or desserts.

For me, this means eating fruit instead of candy.

For me, this means not eating anything after dinner.

For me, this means a lifestyle change instead of a diet.

The result...50 pounds lighter and 8 pants sizes smaller.                                                                                           
I know you want it.  But how bad?  Bad enough to do whatever it takes?

2014 is your year...if you want it....really bad.

Do you want to make a lasting impact on the children God has called you to minister to?

For this to happen, you've got to make a heart connection with them.  Once the heart connection is made, it opens the door for life impact. 

Here's 10 simple, but high-impact ways, you can connect with the kids you minister to.

• Get to know them personally.  Go out of your way to talk with them.

• Listen to them. 

• Find out what music, TV shows, movies, and video games they like.

• Entrust them with a specific responsibility in class.  

•  Let them know who you are.  Tell them stories from your childhood.

• Talk to their parents.  Ask questions.  What are their struggles?  What areas would they like to see their child grow in?  What are their needs?

• Ask them what they are passionate about.

• Affirm them with your words.

• Be kind and loving.

• Let them know you care. Tell them with your words and show them with your actions.

Your turn.  What are some other simple ways you connect with the kids you minister to?  Share your ideas with us in the comment section below.

Did you know everything we own is headed for the junkyard.  Eventually that's where it all ends up.

My youngest son wants to be a master mechanic.  He likes to go to the car junkyard and look at the old motors, bodystyles, etc.  I go with him since it's a way to spend time with him.  As we look at old, rusting BMW's, Porsches, Benzs, and other junk cars that used to be brand new "luxury" vehicles sitting in someone's garage, I am reminded of how temporary our possessions are. 

The new TV will soon be outdated and be moved from the living room to a bedroom to the garage to the yard sale.  The washer and dryer will go out.  Even the house we live in will one day be leveled.

Why are we consumed with things that will soon be "junk?"  Why do we give so much time, effort, and affection to things that are temporary?

But there is something that is eternal.

John 3:36 says "The person who believes in the Son has ETERNAL life.  The person who does not believe in the Son will not have eternal life."

People are eternal.  The boys, girls, moms, and dads in your community will live forever in one of two places.  Now that's something worth being committed to.  That's something worth investing your life in.  That's something that really matters.

Don't live for the junkyard...live for the eternal.