The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: The Children’s Team
Date: 01.06.2010
Category: Evangelism Among Children
Editors’ Note: This is an advance paper for Cape Town 2010, written as an early draft of content to be discussed at the multiplex session on “There are No Unreached Children.” Responses to this paper will be fed back to the authors and other planners of these sessions to help shape the final presentations at the Congress.
Children are being reached from every angle by political parties, other faiths, secularism, corporations and a myriad of other causes. Above all, the children of the world need to know Jesus. They need to know the truth of His claims, to experience a personal relationship with Him and to be equipped to follow and serve Him throughout their lives.
Imagine if, as the global body of Christ, we affirmed that one of our main goals was to introduce children to Jesus and to disciple them in such a way as to encourage deep, long-lasting and community-engaging Christian faith.
In order to consider such a step we need first to examine our convictions about why children are important in the context of God, the church and the world. Second, we need to explore the trends emerging within the body of Christ in relation to children and to commit to the principles and actions that arise from these. Now is the time to consolidate our biblical foundation for prioritising children and to join in with what God is doing amongst them!
WHY CHILDREN? OUR FOUNDATIONAL CONVICTIONS
God is…
God is God for every generation in human history. The God of our fathers never changes and he desires to enter into a life-changing relationship with our children. His unwavering intention is, and always has been, that the torch of faith would be passed to the succeeding generations through the family and the church.
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes and established the law, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” (Psalm 78:3–7)
The Church is…
The church is the primary instrument of God’s grace to save the world. Since the Lausanne movement was birthed in 1974, many church initiatives have flourished in this purpose at both local and global levels. Movements such as AD2000, the Unreached People Group movement, and the impetus for the 10/40 Window, have carried the vision to reach and disciple the nations and those who have never heard.
Other initiatives have sought to equip and empower families to raise God-fearing children. Yet the stark reality is that neither families nor the church have done all they could or should to pass the torch of faith to the next generation. The church has not always supported families, nor properly appreciated the place and role of children.
The church is not meeting the needs of our families and children. The inadequacy of our efforts has left not only our children, but our very societies naked and exposed. The strength and influence of families, particularly Christian families, has diminished. Many are no longer providing stability and guidance, security and hope. The world that exists today for children and young people amply demonstrates that our efforts have not been sufficient to the task.
The church is in a vulnerable position. Around the world, where the church has been long established it is now in decline. Even where the church is relatively new, energetic and growing, we see cracks and signs of decay— the growth of even these churches may be slowing. The church is seen as increasingly irrelevant with nothing to say to today’s issues. There is a constant struggle for us to remain a community carrying out Jesus’ Great Commission in an ever-changing world.
Yet, the very thing that could bring about radical and lasting change in society and vitality in our churches is already in our hands— the children of Christian families; the children in the communities in which the church has been planted; the children inside and outside the church. Our selfishness and indulgent lifestyles are causing us to let these precious mission partners slip through our fingers.
For discussion:
The World is...
The world is in turmoil. Every generation can honestly claim that theirs is without precedent in need and challenge. But without a doubt our generation, with its post–modern mindset, globalization, terrorism, the internet, and accelerated technological change, creates unparalleled complexity and opportunity in this dawn of the Third Millennium. Information floods our senses for good or evil, far beyond the wildest imaginings of our predecessors. Children and young people today have never known a life without virtual realities. Their world is one of social media, blogs, texting, and video swapping. Never have they taken a photograph that they couldn’t instantly see. Technology is their nurse and mentor. Our children have everything to live with, but nothing to live for. Their minds and lives are filled with an unimaginable overload of information, but no undeniable Truth; nothing to ground their existence, to provide meaning or purpose; nothing that suggests a reason for living more persuasive than instant gratification, or a search for escape.
The world is unfriendly to children. They bear the impact of the threats and perils of our times: natural and human disasters, armed conflict, rampant commercialism, environmental pollution, violence, abuse and neglect. Whether wealthy or poor, the secure walls and sure foundations of our children’s lives are crumbling and broken.
Children are…
Children are no remote or obscure people group. The Church today may not be looking for children, but they wouldn’t have to look far to find them.
They are found…
Children are precious in God’s sight. Some Christian leaders think the Bible says very little about children. However, as we begin to read Scriptures with the child in the midst, we are seeing that children are not just present, but prominent in Scripture. Indeed, there are more than 1500 references to children and childhood (including orphans, parenting and training). Very often children and youth are found playing important, even crucial roles in the outworking of God’s plans.
To God, children are:
For discussion:
Children are a suffering people group. Almost one third of the world’s population, approximately 2 billion people, are under the age of 15. 3. Most of the world’s children, 88% of under-18s, live in the less developed world. 4. Experts estimate that 1 billion children will be born in the decade from 2003-2013 and over 90% of them to mothers and fathers earning less than $US1 a day. 5. Extrapolating from population statistics, approximately 1 billion children live in parts of the world where they may never have heard of Jesus. Children are among the most marginalized, exploited, and suffering people groups in the world. Jesus had a very disturbing suggestion in Matthew 18:6, for those who cause any of the little ones who believe in him to sin.
For discussion:
Children are open to the Good News. Many Christian leaders today can point to an awakening to faith in their childhood. Studies by the George Barna Research Group show that in the USA, the probability of someone coming to trust in Jesus is 32% for those between the ages of 5 and 12, but only 6% at age 19 or older. It seems that by age 13, one’s spiritual identity is largely set in place.6. This is the basic premise of an idea called the “4/14 Window”. 7. Unofficial studies in many contexts strongly suggest that the openness of children to the Good News is present in cultures and societies around the world, regardless of religious or cultural background. 8. Any serious mission strategy will include careful and appropriate efforts to reach children and young people.
For discussion:
Children are shapers of their world. They are the greatest potential agents for change and transformation in the world today. Children are influencers of other children and of the adults in their lives. Many groups are seeking to use them to advance their agendas. For example, most advertising to families targets children because they have the power to influence family decisions. We must protect them from harmful and manipulative influences and guide them to the Truth found in Christ.
Many people who came to Christ as children attest that it was friends or peers who most strongly influenced them in their faith decision. This means that not only are children a significant mission field, they are also an important mission force. The Bible is full of examples of children and young people who were used by God to do and to reveal significant things, including Miriam, Samuel, David, Josiah, Esther and Timothy, to name just a few.
Children are ready for any challenge. Indeed they thrive on tackling the seemingly impossible. We must respect their abilities, welcome their talents and nurture their gifts. They have a sensitivity to God’s voice and an eagerness to serve God’s purposes and are not restricted by preconceived ideas of what is possible or practical. God can and does use children and young people — their prayers, their insights, their hands, and their feet — in changing the hearts of humankind. They represent ‘clean energy’ to transform the world. 9.
WHAT NEXT? KEY PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION BASED ON EMERGING TRENDS
With the above convictions in mind and with a passionate desire to equip the body of Christ for the task of discipling children, we offer the following principles for action, based on emerging trends we have identified. We sense a global movement of God calling the body of Christ to disciple children more effectively.
1. Disciple for deep and long-lasting faith.
There is an increased realization that while the future of the church begins with child evangelism, it is accomplished by discipling and training children as ministry partners today, and developing them as the Christ-following leaders of tomorrow. Relationship development between children who are new in their faith and Christians who are further along the path is a key to this process.
For discussion:
2. Partner with others within a Kingdom agenda.
There is an increased realization that partnership is vital to fulfilling the Great Commission, including the task of discipling the world’s 2 billion children, as no single church, denomination or agency has all the answers or the capacity to do this. Families, churches, denominations, resourcing agencies, missions and care agencies are catching a global vision of Kingdom-minded partnerships for the care, evangelism and discipleship of children. In the manner of our partnerships we must return to the Kingdom values of servant leadership, humility, prayer, integrity, generosity and global equilibrium.
For discussion:
nd partnership within the body of Christ?
3. Reflect on children from a biblical perspective – in churches, seminaries and Bible schools.
There is a sense that equipping Christian workers to care for children and youth is a significant challenge and opportunity for Churches, Seminaries and Bible schools in the coming years. Many seminaries are approaching this not as a new fad or diversion from other worthwhile training, but as the best way to achieve what they have already set out to do – equip the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world. The intent is not only to produce leaders who are better equipped to care for, evangelise and disciple children, but also to produce leaders who understand the significance of the Church’s holistic ministry to children, and who can influence others at all levels and in all contexts on behalf of those children.
For discussion:
4. Recognise and encourage the potential of children.
The potential of children is clearly understood by political groups, marketing companies, environmentalists and people of other faiths and there is an emerging concern that this understanding be reclaimed by the body of Christ because it is our heritage. If children can be encouraged to develop their God-given gifts and abilities in the context of relationships with more mature believers then their faith will be grounded in everyday life and our discipleship efforts will be longer lasting. On another level, children are being understood within mission circles as important partners with us in mission. On yet another level, many of the world’s current challenges are so dire that realistically they will take several generations to solve and the real hope for change lies with our children and theirs.
For discussion:
5. Share and contextualise resources.
In the light of the enormity of the task of discipling 2 billion children, and the reality of the lack of resources in many quarters of the church for this task, there is an increasing spirit of generosity and sharing with regard to resources for the care, evangelism and discipleship of children. It is also increasingly being recognised that resources have tended to be developed in certain parts of the world and distributed in others, and that moving forward together we must facilitate the development and sharing of appropriate, contextual material in and from all parts of the world.
For discussion:
6. Adapt to the technological context of children.
While stark contrasts still exist between urban and rural situations, there is an increasing awareness that the technological context of children is a significant forum in which to reach children. While adults may migrate to this context, children are becoming citizens of this context from the youngest ages. Children from all over the world are becoming more alike as a result of globalization and the internet. Technology greatly magnifies the impact of globalization, individualism and secularism on children, but it also opens up incredible opportunities for mission as well as opportunities for grounding the faith of children in everyday life.
For discussion:
CONCLUSION
God, in Christ, is reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). “Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it… we don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing!” 10. It is also true that “he creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” 11. As we try to discern the will of Christ for 21st century evangelization, it appears that now is the time to join in with the remarkable things God is doing through the body of Christ in relation to children. There are no ‘unreached’ children. The issue is, “Who is reaching them?” They are being reached from every angle by political parties, other faiths, secularism, corporations and a myriad of other causes. Above all, the children of the world need to know and follow Jesus. He is their hope, their truth, their peace and their future. The body of Christ needs children with a deep, long-lasting faith as partners in mission today and leaders of the church and the world tomorrow.
God, in Christ, we pray that you would reconcile the children of the world to Yourself.
© The Lausanne Movement 2010
Keywords: Children, affirmation, discipleship, prioritise, care, partnership, change agents, protection, mission, action, Biblical, need, worth, societal influences, empowerment, inadequacies, family unit, evangelism, relationship, training
Views: 38345
Comments: 55
Recommendations: 9
Conversation Post Comment
United Kingdom
Thank you for your paper on this important issue.
I would like to suggest that there is a significant group of unreached children. This group is hidden away behind closed doors in many countries. They are surrounded by negative percpetions in their communities whilst their families are embarrassed due to the stigma.
This group is disabled children, of whom "only 2% receive an education or access basic services" (World Health Organization).
The NGO I work for has a project to inspire a spirit of inclusion within communities, and reveal the potential of these children who are all unique and equally made in God’s image. (www.youth.throughtheroof.org)
How will we reach disabled children for Christ? God Bless you in your conversations.
13.10.2010
United States
@ Tim_Wood:
This phenomenon is not limited to children. Disabled adults are also neglected. In our community we have a "Church of the Exceptional". It is a church for those who are mentally and physically challenged. It is a wonderful organization that is supported financially and otherwise by several local churches. Although this ministry creates a place to meet the needs of this unique group, I can’t help but wonder if they would be better served if we could include them in our "normal" churches. Why must we separate? Why can’t we be more accomidating to those are a little different from us?
Since this is a thread about children, I suppose I should say that the above principle could be applied to children as well. Wouldn’t the church be healthier if we worshiped together more often instead of age-appropriate classes?
10.12.2012
United States
One thing that I think is being overlooked in these comments is the fact that the global church has done so much damage to the reputation of any church. Child molestation and exploitation by church leaders has pushed children and families away from Jesus. What are we doing and what else can we do to earn the trust of the world? What can we do to re-gain our influence after such awful acts?
10.12.2012
United States
I came to know the Lord Jesus in a personal way when I was 13 through the help of a missionary. I have never truned away from the Lord since then.
Yes, reaching a child for the Lord and then nurturing him to grow in the Lord is so important. His whole life will then be for the Lord. Most parents recognize that, and therefore, invest in their child’s education.
We, the church of God, must reach the children of the world, and invest in their development as a whole person. Then we’ll have a whole person lving for the wholly for the Lord for a long time to come. Unfortunately, many of the children in the developing countries don’t have a chance. Let’s discuss in practical terms how we can strategically reach out to these. Our small mission organization is supporting 3 schools and a children’s hostel to give these children a chance.
10.09.2010
South Africa
@ Freda_C:
Hello Freda,
thanks for sharing your personal story!
We at TWR are passionate about wanting to use radio to reach children in helpful ways, particularly here in Africa.
Would love to hear how you are involved with children.
Regards, Rudolf
10.09.2010
United States
@ Freda_C:
Thanks for sharing your story and how God is working through you now. Your approach to reaching a community is going to have a tremendous impact on that community in the future. The children in your school are going to grow up knowing the love of Jesus and their nation will be transformed by the impact you are making in their life.
This is the essence of this article and children evangelism.
10.12.2012
New Zealand
I appreciate your comments on reaching and discipling children. I don’t see any reference to the part that Christian Camping plays in this ministry. One week at Summer Camp is equal to over a year of Sunday School or youth club. That week of summer camp is a powerful tool in reaching and discipling children, yet it seldom features in any discussion on childrens missions. Christian Camping is reaching 12 million children in 100 countries (identified) each year, and plays a major role in reaching those that traditional ministries don’t touch. I look forward to discussion on the place of Christian Camping at this congress
18.09.2010
United States
@ Ross-Bay:
As a youth pastor for the past 10+ years, I have been a first-hand witness to many summer camps. I agree with a couple of your statements. The teaching and the exposure to Biblical truths during a week at camp can be greater than many kids will experience in a year of a weekly church program. And I also agree that there is not much talk about it on sites such as this. But I also think I have a challenge to the first and an answer to the second.
Summer camps are great, but one week does not a disciple make. Discipleship is a length process. On rare occasions, an adult leader at a camp will take on the task of discipling one student who he/she really connected with at camp, but most of the time, these relationships are short-lived as "life" takes over for both the adult and young person after camp.
I know camps tout thousands "making decisions" at camp, but what are we doing to "make disciples"? Don’t get me wrong, camp is GREAT starting point! But we must do more in the area of long-term discipleship if we want camps to have a real impact on the world of missions.
10.12.2012
Canada
I enjoyed reading this -- I was pleased to see you included the need of protection. I am of the belief that we have to understand the pain of the abuse children encounter to minister effectively to them. To share the Gospel and not to share in the context of their hurt is missing the mark. My hope is to continue to wrestle with the spiritual impact of abuse. As a child evangelist I believe I and my colleagues have missed the mark in sharing a compact gospel without sharing it within context. Luke 4 is key to this.
The article at times seemed disconnected and I would like to see a different title for this article. I am unsure how the title reflects the thesis. The title may have been chosen to capture attention but that is all that it seems to have accomplished.
I am pleased to see an article on children.
07.07.2010
India
@ Melodie:
It is wonderful to see so much written about children and how to bring them into the christian fold, nurture them, love them enough to be able to teach them the principles we need to. In India, we have a billion people and the latest figures state that about 50% are children and young adults. Imagine the responsibility we have to steer these children and youth the right way, remembering that only 3% of our population are christians. Jesus, as our guide and saviour, is always there to assist us along our difficult and challenging path. The school we have started has a thousand children from underprivileged backgrounds, orphans, one parent, or one parent in jail, etc. We have a double responsibility to these children, but with our Guide, Jesus, the bible as our great Book, we CAN help these children become stab le and loving adults, capable to handling themselves in this difficult world, and to be able to teach their friends, all about Jesus, and to live a true christian life in a world full of misery, dangers, and wrong doings.
19.08.2010
United States
@ u1634589:
Thank you! I have posted several comments on this thread about how parents should be the primary disciplers of their children (not a church program). But you have reminded me that there are young people who do not have the people in their life to fill this role. This is where the church needs to step up. James told us that "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans..."
We must never neglect those who have no voice to speak for them...or to them.
10.12.2012
United States
Thank you for examining the need for reaching children with the Gospel and for raising insightful questions about this topic. I am particularly interested in how we can disciple children in a "more lasting and effective" manner. In my context, many children are brought to or placed in church programs (often by unchurched parents who want their children in a safe environment where they will be taught good behavior), but then they disappear at the beginning of their teen years. How can we help them grow in their relationship with God during this transition?
Regarding whose responsibility it is for passing on faith, family or community, as the Church evangelizes children from non-Christian backgrounds we will have to be responsible for their growth and discipleship as well as take on the task of reaching out to their families.
21.09.2010
United States
@ Angela_De_Lange:
I appreciate your comments, but wanted to challenge one of you thoughts. Instead of discipling children and teens "as we reach out to their families" what if our outreach to the families was the primary way we discipled the young people. Or better yet, what if our outreach to the family was our primary goal so that the family could disciple their children. This is the mandate in Deut 6.
In other words, our greatest service to young people, is to disciple their parents.
(By the way, I’m a youth pastor. If the above was fulfilled, I would probably be out of a job. But parental discipleship is the most Biblical discipleship for young people.)
10.12.2012
United States
The author noted that to God children are a sign; they are God’s blessings to us. Have we dropped the ball when it comes to our children? Are we raising a generation of children who will not know God? What are we doing to fill in the gap between traditional Christendom and this new generation of children? Are we missing the greatest opportunity to complete the great commission? Will we allow this piece of the puzzle to fit into God’s plans? Are we being good stewards to our children? Children are an important part of the mission field. I had question after question and not many answers.
25.02.2011
United States
@ ForHisGlory2:
"The author noted that to God children are a sign; they are God’s blessings to us. Have we dropped the ball when it comes to our children? Are we raising a generation of children who will not know God? What are we doing to fill in the gap between traditional Christendom and this new generation of children? Are we missing the greatest opportunity to complete the great commission? Will we allow this piece of the puzzle to fit into God’s plans? Are we being good stewards to our children? Children are an important part of the mission field. I had question after question and not many answers?"
Here are you answers: Yes, we are dropping the ball! We are raising a generation of children who may never understand what a relationship with Jesus is about. They don’t have the examples to follow (which is really what discipleship is), they don’t have accountability in behavior, and they don’t have discipline. We have watered down the gospel in both direections to make it what WE want it to be and are allowing the next generation to miss it completely! We MUST change how we parent. (I realize I’m speaking in generalities here. There are some parents who are doing a great job raising disciples of Jesus, but very few are following the Deut 6 mandate.)
10.12.2012
United States
If we don’t...who will? As I read this paper, I realize the challenge we have of reaching the next generation. With all the electronics and technology, they are being influenced by many people, groups and ideas. We must get creative and use every available resource to make sure we are getting our message to the people. Very thought provoking!
22.11.2011
United States
@ brucec:
Those children living in less developed countries have no idea what it means to even take a picture, let alone a digital one. They may not know what electricity is, let alone understand how to use a computer. Whether a child is in the wealthiest nation in the world or the middle of an isolated jungle, he or she has one universal need. He or she needs to be loved by someone with the love of Jesus. Once that love is known, they are not only recipients, but conduits of that love. They will share it with others around them in a pure and wonderful way that no adult ever could.
10.12.2012
United States
The article is embrancing and profound. Children are an important task group to be reached. My heart bleeds for them. There are so many intelligent children that we don’t pay attention because we are trying to reach things many times. I immagine how our Lord Jesus still suffers for the children in this world despised for us.
05.12.2012
United States
@ brother_edward:
There is no doubt in my mind that young people have a vital role in the fulfillment of God’s mission in this world. As we try to teach them obedience, we are reminded of our own disobedience to God. If our hearts are in the right place, this reminder will draw us closer to God, and isn’t that (causing others to be drawn into a more obedient relationship with God) what authentic missionaries do? So, children, directly or indirectly, are some of the most effective missionaries ever!
10.12.2012
United States
I believe the next wave of ministry to and with young people will be one in which the family is ministered to and through as a unit. The church will understand the biblical mandate that parents be the primary disciplers of children (Deut 6) and will come alongside parents to support, encourage, equip, and empower them to fulfill this God-given responsibility. This will also need to take place (and perhaps even start) with church plants and missionary outposts.
10.12.2012
United States
Let me again thank you, th Children’s Team for your article. I wish I could see more responses about a most worthy subject. Can we begin to imagine the impact we could if we could lead 1/3. Of the 2 billion children to become disciples for Jesus Christ. They are disciple ready and are looking for something real in an unreal world. I am interest in other comments.
26.11.2011
United States
@ Billy_Houze:
I have a friend who has a favorite illustration he uses with children. He talks about a pebble being thrown in the river. Not only is there the ripple effect we see, but the rock at the bottom, forever changes the flow of the river. Every child we reach can have a great effect on the Kingdom’s work. Like you, I would like to think of the impact if we could reach a percentage. As leaders, may we keep working to reach all we can.
26.11.2011
United States
@ brucec: Brucec,I totally agree that each of us can make a major difference if we commit ourselves to the task of each one reach one. Even if we are at the bottom of the river, we can affect what resonates from the top as we go down. Simple put I want to join you and others to see if we can make a difference in the life of some child.
26.11.2011
United States
@ Billy_Houze:
Billy, I was thinking about what you said about reaching one child. If we change the thoughts about global missions of one youth here in the US, or get one youth involved in missions through their technology, we can begin to see a change in our world. Either way we seek to reach children and youth, it all comes down to one at a time
28.11.2011
United States
I do agree with you that the article is very provocative and presents a challenge for all, family and church. I also agree that with the interest of youth in technology,we have great opportunity to reach this generation. I was wondering as to how this would play out in our attempts to reach those youth of poverty or third world cultures as we go alone. I am interested in your thoughts about that
25.11.2011
United States
@ Billy_Houze:
In thinking about how this could play out in poverty areas and third world areas, I wonder how much access people in these areas have to the technology we often take for granted. I have worked with people in poverty-stricken areas in the southeast US and have found they have a lot of access to cell phones and computers. I was recently in the Dominican Republic, which I wouldn’t necessarily consider poverty, but it was not like home, and they had cell phones and Facebook going a lot. I would be interested as you, about other places around the world.
Even if the people we are trying to reach don’t have technology, we can use what’s available to help motivate others to help the cause.
26.11.2011
United States
In There Are No Unreached Children by The Children’s Team was a very
intriguing article to read. At my church
we are trying to re-develop our Youth and Young Adult Ministry. The article stated: “The Church is not meeting the needs of our
families and children.” This certainly
is the sad predicament at my church. Our
youth and young adults are not in large numbers anymore and the few that we
have don’t seem to be enthusiastic about the work of the church. We are in a vulnerable position.
Also the article stated: “the very thing that could bring about
radical and lasting change is society and vitality in our churches is already
in our hands, the children of Christian families.” It is my deepest desire to impress upon the
hearts and minds of my church this great truth.
I want to be an agent of change by helping our church to see the great
need of giving spiritual knowledge to this present generation of children, so
they may be able to pass it down to the generation that is coming up behind
them.
On page 2, the article stated: “the world is unfriendly to children.” This is very true because we see children
being manipulated and abused by adults and in some instances by other children. We as Christian adults must strive at all
times to create an atmosphere by the aid of the Holy Spirit of love, peace and
harmony for children.
On page 3, the article stated: “children are no remote or obscure people
group.” The church, if not any other
organization in the world must always keep this in mind. Children are important to God and to the work
of the kingdom of God. They are precious
in his sight.
On page 4, the article stated: “children are a suffering people group.” I believe all over the world, that many
children don’t have enough to eat, live in substandard housing and receive a
substandard education. I believe that
children are the world’s most precious commodity. We must teach our children and let them lead
the way for generations to come.
I often say, “children are not the
church of tomorrow but the church of today.”
As the article continues to say on page 4: “Children are shapers of their world.” And I am so glad it said “their” world
because our children in their own unique way help in changing and transforming
God’s kingdom while they are here on earth.
Jesus said, “Suffer the little children and forbid them not, for such is
the kingdom of heaven.” And what would
our world become if our children are not involved in it? What about our schools? And most importantly, our churches? It is to imagine children not participating
in Christmas and Easter services, and other workings in the local church!
Lastly, on page 6, the article
states: “If children can be encouraged
to develop their God-given gifts and abilities in the context of relationships
with mature believers then their faith will be grounded in everyday life and
our discipleship efforts will be longer lasting.”
I do agree with that statement
because as a young believer and preacher of the gospel, it was the older
believers who gave me the encouragement to be all that I could be in Christ
Jesus. And since I have gotten older, I
have tried to do the same with my own children and other children of this
generation to be all they can be as well in Christ Jesus. Jesus said, “Freely as you have received…freely
give.”
20.09.2011
United States
I was stunned to read in this paper that there are approximately 1 billion children who live in parts of the world where they may never have heard of Jesus. As a children’s pastor, I know I cannot reach all these children. This paper does a good job of describing the partnerships that will need to be forged for these children to reached. Parents, churches, seminaries who educate pastors, and the children themselves must all work together to leave no child unreached for Christ. If we don’t reach them, someone else will.
06.02.2011
United States
@ alearner:
I agree the key is the partnerships. If there will be more education and more pulling together than pulling apart we will have more resources, more workers, and possibly more encouragement to reach the children reached by the world.
04.04.2011
United States
I completely agree about what you say about children. They are both the easiest to reach and the most neglected in many cases. I think the missionary world has been doing well reaching children lately. Most missions trips I have looked into have had a focus on reaching children. I know many people see it as "if you reach the children, they can reach their parents." I think that is true. Children are also a valued treasure and like you mentioned Jesus talks a lot about how much God loves the children. I think we should focus on the whole family but there are some things that children will help us connect with. Good paper!
03.10.2010
United States
@ hamlinl:
this is so true! children do reach the parents. One of my young people prayed for her brother for a year after she was saved, and in that year he came to church, quit drugs, and accepted christ himself. Tell me that children cant reach family and friends. Now the girl is on her father and there has already been some change that i have heard from his situation as well.
04.04.2011
United States
ForHisGlory, You have raised a lot of questions. But they are questions that must be asked. And yes, our children should be part of our Biblical mandate to reach people for Christ. We must need to make sure we do so in a way that does not "pressure" them to make a decision before they are ready to do so.
26.02.2011
United States
@ alearner:
I agree that we must do so as not to presure them. I beleive if we use the things that this generation is intune to then we can capture their hearts in a non-presured way. Technology is a tool we can use with them. Other teens witnessing to them in a non-traditional way and following the biblical principles of God long established in His word.
22.03.2011
United States
@ ForHisGlory2:
I think that both of your comments are correct, we must not pressure children or youth into a decision but must make the descision avalible to them. Some churches go too far the opposite way and lean to the side of a non offensive gospel to the point that no one truly knows what the gospel is because it has been hushed and comprimised along the way. We must speak to the children and youth, but allow them to make the decision.
Sometimes I think we are so worried about them saying a prayer that we dont follow and make sure to educate them after salvation as well.
04.04.2011
United States
I work as a youth minister in a small church, and I have realized we are training our children to take our place, not reach others for the kingdom, or to be viewed as important themseleves. We dont teach truth we teach tradition and expect them to follow in.
16.03.2011
United States
@ eae0925:
As a youth minister, your job is especially valuabe to the kingdom. If we are training children to take your place, that place is making disciples of others; what other place is there? I don’t know what traditions you are teaching but, Jesus spoke about traditions. Do you not know your purpose for being on earth? You are here to make disciples of mankind and the earlier we start to train our children about their purpose, therefore giving God the glory.
22.03.2011
United States
@ ForHisGlory2:
I agree. tradition is not what is to be taught but discipleship. That way when they are out of our care they can contine to grow and learn on their own rather than depending on "how its always been done." One of the greatest neglect of the great commission is the commision to go and "make disciples." We so often leave this out as a body of Christ. We are concerned with salvation but not disicpling after the beginning point of that salvation.
24.03.2011
United States
Florida, Estados Unidos, estamos muy interesados en todos los temas en pro de un mundo nuevo. Sabemos for convincion que Dios y la fe a El, es el regalo mas grande que podemos tener. Nuestros niños deben ser educados en la palabra de Dios, para que puedan aplicarla a su vida. Pero lo mas importante sobre todo es que puedan aplicar todo el amor de Dios en todas sus relaciones, e inclusive con nuestro medio ambiente y con todos los seres vivientes. Que Dios nos gui para lograr un mundo mas sano y mas saludable para las futuras generaciones.
18.10.2010
Ghana
This is so true! There are no ‘unreached’ children. The issue is, “Who is reaching them?”
One of the discussion questions asked whether too much(or too little) focus has been placed on the family unit as opposed to the community of faith"
I would lean towards YES however, parents make up the community of faith (which raises other questions). Secondly, i think it depends on which part of the world you live in.
In general, there is still a deep need for knowlege on raising godly children in the church.
In Academia there is a lot of reseach on families, parenting etc but then very few focus on the impact of the faith of parents, sunday school teachers and other care givers on children, particulary, the christian faith.
My expereince with teaching sunday school and knowledge in youth and family research show a strong need for parents and the church to be trained, equipped and encouraged to see the value of children in the church and as world changers. You cannot give what you do not have or know!
As an example "Focus on the Family" a christian radio network in the US does a great job providing resources in print & audio for families. If this concept could spread all around the world (especially in this IT era), individuals, families (a.k.a the church) would be better eqquiped to guide children in the knowledge and love of Christ.
14.10.2010
South Africa
Children are very much focus on our radio ministry in Africa.
In this second episode of the radio series "Down to Earth" we focus on "children at risk".
Using the radio networks in Africa, we as a number of partner ministries engage leaders into the Global Conversation through radio.
Please listen to the attached radio programme on an issue which is so critical in Africa, and for the Church in Africa:
“Children at risk” are facing many harsh challenges, particularly here in Africa. However, children are very much on the heart of God. What role should the church play in transforming the lives of children? Unfortunately there are many obstacles that hinder the church in really serving children.
We will be addressing how the church can respond in a relevant way for children at risk and hearing of a community that was transformed when children were helped.
We want to hear your recommendation:
‘What is the greatest need amongst church leaders to enable them to address the children at risk?’
See the conversation at:
http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/11195
Please let us know what you think.
Greetings, Rudolf
Downloadable Attachments
14.10.2010
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