RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

What does the next generation think about the Bible?  A recent survey of teens by Barna research pulled back the curtains and the findings might surprise you. 

How many own a Bible and read it regularly?  69% personally own a Bible.  44% read the Bible at least 3-4 times a year and 25% read it at least once a week.  3% read it daily.  53% say they wish they read the Bible more.


How much time do they spend reading the Bible?  36% spend 15 to 29 minutes, 22% spend 30 to 44 minutes and 10% spend 45 minutes or longer per sitting.  31% spend less than 15 minutes.


Why are they reading the Bible?  54% say they read the Bible because it brings them closer to God, 12% out of obligation, 8% for comfort, 6% when they are having a problem or need direction, 10% for school and 11% for other reasons.




Do they prefer to use a digital or hard copy of the Bible?  Lots of teens are reading the Bible digitally with 46% engaging with the Bible via their smartphone or cell phone.  But the biggest percentage still read from a hard copy.


Does they consider the Bible sacred literature?  86% choose the Bible as the book that comes to mind when they think of sacred literature or holy books.


Is the Bible a source of hope and guidance for the next generation?  47% strongly agree that the Bible is a source of hope.  35% believe the Bible contains everything a person needs to know to live a meaningful life.


Do they consider the Bible the literal or inspired Word of God?  30% say the Bible is the inspired Word of God with no errors, though some verses are meant to be symbolic.  20% believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and should be taken literally, word for word.  16% say the Bible is the inspired Word of God with some factual or historical errors.  19% say it is just another book of teachings written by men that contains stories and advice.  7% say the Bible is not inspired and simply tells how the writers understood the ways and principles of God.


Do they believe the Bible should have more influence on society?  40% believe the Bible has too little influence on American society.  25% believe the Bible has just the right amount of influence on society, and 17% believe the Bible has too much influence.


Does the Bible influence their political decisions?  33% say the Bible influences their opinion of the candidates running for president.  53% think politics would be positively impacted by increased Bible-reading among the candidates.
David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Broup and director of the study said, “In an increasingly secular culture, the Bible remains a highly regarded and well-read text among the vast majority of American teens - most of whom believe it to be sacred.  And the fact that so many still consider it a source of hope and guidance is reason for great optimism for church leaders and parents alike.  The research also tells us that teens care deeply about the relevance of the Bible to the world in which they inhabit.  The more youth pastors and leaders can make the Bible and its teachings relevant to challenges of today, the more they will simultaneously encourage engagement.”

Author Satterwhite, senior manager at American Bible Society says, "American teens sometimes get a bad rap as being uninterested or even anti-faith.  But the report shows that a majority of America’s teens have respect for and interest in the Bible.  Many teens are recognizing that the Bible speaks to the complete human experience - the struggles and trials and triumphs of life."

Yesterday I had the joy of teaching both elementary services at our new Port St. Lucie campus.  Teaching kids is one of my first loves in children's ministry and I cherish it every time the opportunity arises.

Kids are so open and receptive to God's Word. I truly believe the heart of a child is the most fertile soil you can invest in.  Given the choice between teaching kids and adults, I'd choose teaching kids every time.

After teaching kids for the past 32 years, I still have much room for improvement and growth.  Today's kids are not the kids of the 1980's or even the early 2000's.  I must constantly be evaluating how I am teaching and looking for ways to more effectively connect with kids. 

One way you can do this is to ask yourself some key questions after each lesson you teach. Here are 10 questions to ponder after teaching.

1. Was my lesson grounded in God's Word?  Scripture must be the original source and inspiration for our lesson...it should emanate from God's Word.  Cultural relevance is not the starting point.  Lessons should not be inspired by a movie, trend or the latest fad.  These things should simply be tools to illustrate the truth of God's Word and not visa versa. 

2. Are the kids able to clearly state one key truth they learned?  Can the kids walk out and repeat from memory one, simple key truth that has been embedded in their long term memory.  More about how to do this at this link.

3. Did I help the kids apply the truth to their everyday life?  Information without application = stagnation.  Did I take time to show the kids how they can live out the truth this week.  

4. How many stories did I tell?  Kids (actually, all of us) are captivated by stories.  Jesus knew this and much of His teaching was done through stories. 

5. How many times did the kids look away?  When kids disengage, they look away and it means you lost their attention.  How many times did this happen?  Why did it happen?  How can I tweak those parts of my teaching to keep it from happening?

6. Did I allow the kids to talk and interact?  How much did I lecture?  This is the least effective way to teach.  Did I give the kids spans of time to talk and interact during the lesson?  Here are some ways to improve this.

7. Did I communicate visually?  Today's kids hear with their eyes.  How many opportunities did I give them to hear the lesson by using visual images? 

8. Did I honor the kids' attention span?  I had about 1 minute to talk for every year of their age (maxing out at 5 minutes) before doing something different.  Did I talk longer than that?

9. Did I use simple words that were easy for them to understand?  Did I go over their heads with words like justification, redemption and other complicated Christianese terms?

10. Did I give the kids any next steps coming out of the lesson?  Did they walk out knowing what to do next with what I taught them?  Will I be able to track what they did with it?  Follow up with them? 

Your turn.  The floor is yours.  What are some other questions we should ask ourselves after teaching kids?  Share your comments with everyone in the comment section below.

Want to see kids' faith grow?  Here's 3 keys to creating lessons that will help kids grow spiritually.

My friends at Green Egg Media have released an amazing new children's Bible called "Power Bible."

I am really excited about the impact this resource will have in kids' lives.  

• It's a great way to help kids know more about God and His Word.
• It's faithful to Biblical truth.
• It's in a format that captures kids' attention. 
• The artwork is outstanding. 
• It utilizes visual communication which is key to connecting with today's kids.
• Kids can read it on their own and it can also be a great devotional tool for parents.
• With 10 Bibles in the series, it covers the Old and New Testament.

Here's an excerpt from the Power Bible.

Here's also a video that gives you an inside look.

We're giving away a free copy of the Power Bible to one of our readers.  You can enter by emailing me at dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com.  The winner will be announced right here next Monday.

You can also purchase this awesome new resource at this link.

The enemy is known for whispering lies.  He started in the Garden of Eden and continues to this day.

Here are 10 lies he whispers to children's ministry leaders.  How do I know?  I've personally heard all of these.

1. You're not really making a difference.
2. What you do is not as important as adult ministry.
3. You don't have the ability to do this.
4. You're too busy to pray.
5. You're teaching kids.  If you were a really good teacher, you would be teaching adults.
6. No one wants to volunteer.
7. No one appreciates you and your ministry.
8. That kid or family can't be reached.
9. You're not successful because your children's ministry is not growing.  Give up and quit.
10. God doesn't care.  If He did, He wouldn't have let that child die.

When the enemy whispers these and other lies to you, what should you do?

Do what Jesus did in the wilderness.  Speak the Word of God back to him and stand on God's promises.

1. You're not really making a difference.  
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.  -Isaiah 55:11

2. What you do is not as important as adult ministry. 
But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."  -Matthew 19:11

3. You don't have the ability to do this.
It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
-Zechariah 4:6

4. You're too busy to pray. 
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.  Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.  -Matthew 6:6

5. You're teaching kids.  If you were a really good teacher, you would be teaching adults.
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.  -2 Timothy 3:15

6. No one wants to volunteer.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.  -Matthew 9:38

7. No one appreciates you and your ministry.
For God is not unjust.  He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.  -Hebrews 6:10

8. That kid or family can't be reached.
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them all.  
-I Timothy 1:15

9. You're not successful because your children's ministry is not growing.  Give up and quit.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.  So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.  -1 Corinthians 3:6-9

10. God doesn't care.  If He did, He wouldn't have let that child die.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  -Isaiah 55:8-9

What are some other lies the enemy has whispered to you?  How did you stand against it?

The floor is yours. Share with us in the comment section below.  God will use your words to encourage and help us.

In our volunteer orientation class, we share 6 benefits of serving in Children's Ministry.

First of all, you’re joining a FAMILY.  You’re going to find you develop friendships with the people you serve with.  You’ll laugh together, share prayer requests, support each other, pray for each other and encourage each other.

You see, we weren’t meant to do the Christian life alone…and serving in Children's Ministry means you will be surrounded by friends who will walk with you on your journey.  You’re gaining a family.

You’re also getting ready to be a part of FUN.  Yep…that’s right.  Fun.  And lots of it.  No matter your age…there’s still a little kid inside you who wants to have fun.  And now that you’re a part of the Children's Ministry team…you can let that little kid out and have fun.  Laugh…smile…enjoy yourself.  Have a good time!

Another benefit of serving in Children's Ministry is FAITH.  You’re going to find your faith growing.  You see, serving is a key component of growing your faith.  So get ready to see your spiritual growth accelerate as you begin serving.

There’s something else you’re going to be part of by joining the team…and that’s a FOCUS.  We are focused on one thing – impacting our world with the love and message of Jesus Christ…everyone...everyday...everywhere.

This is WHY you will be serving.  This is why you will be holding babies in the nursery, this is why you will be helping preschoolers color a Bible story picture, this is why you will be greeting new kids and families, this is why you will be leading group of kids, this is why you will be running a computer presentation or sound board, this is why you will be passing out take home papers, this is why you will be helping families check in, this is why you will be leading kids in worship, this is why you will be sharing a Bible story, this is why you will be helping keep the kids safe.

It’s so they can be impacted by the love and message of Jesus Christ…so they can discover the hope that's found in Him.  This is the focus of the team you are joining.  It’s a focus that’s worth giving your best to.

You’re also going to experience FULLNESS of joy.  There is a joy that comes from serving others.  It’s a deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing God is using your life to help other people.  You’re going to discover it truly is more joyful to give than to receive.  As you give yourself away...your joy will be full.

And finally…you are going to be a part of FRUIT.  The Bible tells us as Christians we are to bear fruit.  By fruit, it means helping other people come to Christ.  And boy did you pick a great place to bear fruit.

Did you know that 85% of people who come to Christ do so before the age of 18.  I believe the heart of a child is the most fertile soil in which to plant the Word of God.  Studies show children learn more in their early years than at any other time in life.

You’re going to see spiritual fruit. You’re going to see kids step across the line of faith and become lifelong followers of Christ.  You’re going to see kids immediately grab hold of what you share and begin to live it out.

And not only will you see the fruit now…but later as well as your ministry continues to bear fruit in their lives as they grow up.

So get ready to experience family…fun...your faith growing…a focus that matters…fullness of joy…and lots of fruit.

(Below is the video we show at orientation that shares the benefits of serving.)

Have you heard the statement, "kids are wet cement?"  It’s so true.  Childhood is the most impressionable time of a person's life.  

Here are 4 key things we must write on the hearts of children during the short time frame they are wet cement.