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Vox childrens ministry
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- 2. The Greatest CommandmentMatthew 22: 34-40 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.‘ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
- 3. Deuteronomy 6 –Don’t Forget! 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
- 4. Deuteronomy 6 –Don’t Forget! 13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said.
- 5. Deuteronomy 6 –Tell Him! 20 In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?" 21 TELL HIM : "We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and wonders—great and terrible—upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household.
- 6. Deuteronomy 6 –Tell Him! 23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. 24 The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. 25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness."
- 7. “Tell him” Multi-generationalIssue 1930’s-1945 – The Silent Generation 1946-1959 – The Boomers 1960-1974 – The Busters/Gen X 1974- late 90s – Gen Y/The Millennial Generation Late 90s/2000 – Gen Z/The New Silent Generation - It’s been 4 or 5 generations since we have had a communal knowledge of God and the Bible. * From: Faith at Home Seminar, Mark Holmen, May 1, 2010.
- 8. The Question ofInfluence Order of Spiritual Influence Mom Dad Pastor Grandparents Church “ Significant Religious Influences Survey”. Early Childhood Education study, Search Institute, Minneapolis, MN.
- 9. Deuteronomy 6 –Talk about them 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
- 10. Daily Reminders “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
- 11. “Talk about themat home” Churched Youth: Who have experienced either family devotions, prayer, or Bible reading in the home? 27% Who have talked with Mom about faith? 28% Who have talked with Dad about faith? 13% “ Significant Religious Influences Survey”. Early Childhood Education study, Search Institute, Minneapolis, MN.
- 12. Dropping the Torch61% of today's young adults had been churched at one point during their teen years but they are now spiritually disengaged (i.e., not actively attending church, reading the Bible, or praying). In a report to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, 70% of teenagers involved in church youth groups stop attending church within two years of their high school graduation. The Southern Baptist Council on Family Life reported an even more staggering statistic — that 88% of the children in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18. Age range % who experience salvation within that age range 5 to 13 years 32% 14 to 18 years 4% over 19 years 6% " Teens and adults have little chance of accepting Christ as their savior, " Barna Research press release, 15 Nov 1999.
- 13. Deuteronomy 6 1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
- 14. Why us? TheResponsibility The Blessing - enjoy long life - eternal life
- 15. The Role ofthe Church To reach the lost generations now To partner with parents, grandparents, families, to teach the children To role model God’s love and support to these children as they grow spiritually To develop church programs that reach, impact, and support the spiritual training at home
- 16. Mission of VOXChildren’s Ministry Gather To create a safe, fun environment for children of all ages To demonstrate God’s love through our volunteers Grow To offer Bible-based programs that help children grow spiritually To partner with parents, equipping them to disciple their children Go To serve and reach the children in the community around VOX Church
- 17. Process for VolunteersBecause safety of the children is our first priority, volunteers will go through this process: Application Reference check Background check (covered by VOX Church) Observation Training session Orientation Serving
- 18. Safety Principles Safeand secure environment Nurturing spaces Our reputation in Chesterfield We must limit liability * Safe Place: Guidelines for Creating an Abuse-Free Environment, edited by Marv Parker, Christian Publications, Inc. 2002. Prevention Two adults Open door policy Unrelated volunteers Safe ratios Minimum volunteer age Supervision of rooms No diaper changing or potty time
- 19. Volunteer Expectations Vibrant,growing personal relationship with Jesus Love for children Desire to reach children with the Good News Passion to disciple children as they grow in their relationship with Jesus Commitment to intentionally develop trustworthy, long-term relationships with the children you teach
- 20. Children’s Ministry DirectorProvide vision Review and choose curriculum Develop systems Provide programs and resources Plan outreach events and service projects Schedule volunteers Oversee gathering times or delegate this to the Point Person
- 21. Point Person Whenthe Director of the Children’s Ministry is not present during programs, there will be a Point Person to oversee the rooms. The Point Person will: Oversee volunteers in the rooms Notify parents when they are needed for diaper changes, potty time, or crying. Bring questions and concerns to the director as needed.
- 22. Programs and FamilyEvents The age specific programs will: Be developmentally appropriate Be Bible based Focus on a growing relationship Equip parents Family Events will Give children an opportunity Provide an opportunity Equip parents
- 23. Theme by AgeGroup From birth through graduation, we want to guide the children of VOX Church from being amazed by God to discovering who God says they are to developing a passion for playing their part in God’s Kingdom Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers God made me (wonder) God loves me (wonder) Jesus wants to be my friend forever (wonder) Gradeschoolers I can trust God no matter what (wonder) I need to make the wise choice (discovery) I should treat others the way I want to be treated (passion) Jr. and Sr. High Students I am created to pursue an authentic relationship with God (wonder) I belong to Jesus Christ and define who I am by what He says (discovery) I exist every day to demonstrate God’s love to a broken world (passion) Joiner, R. Think Orange . David C. Cook, 2009, 154.
- 24. Community Service andOutreach Community Service - Developing a compassionate spirit - Incorporate children and teenagers into family service projects - Partner with parents Outreach - Children planning outreach events
- 25. Classroom Expectations Todecrease disciplinary issues, prevention will be emphasized… The discipline process is Reward positive behavior Remind child of the rules Redirect the child’s behavior Remove the child from the group Return the child to the parent Safe Place: Guidelines for Creating an Abuse-Free Environment, edited by Marv Parker, Christian Publications, Inc. 2002.
- 26. “ Christianity isalways one generation from extinction.” - H. Richard Niebuhr
- 27. John 15:5-8 Iam the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
- 28. Passing on theTorch of Faith Starts in our personal lives Builds in the home Fills our church Expands to reach the world * From: Faith at Home Seminar, Mark Holmen, May 1, 2010.
Editor's Notes
- #2 Hi everyone! Like Matt said, I am the director of the children’s ministry here at VOX and I wanted to give you guys an overview of what we intend that ministry to look like. We’re going to dive into the Scriptures and get our bearings because what God says directs our paths, right? So let’s put a finger in Deuteronomy. It’s the 5 th book from the very beginning, right after Numbers, before Judges. Then we’re going to scoot over to Matthew 22 and start in verse 34.
- #3 So when Jesus says something’s important, we’d better pay attention right? He’s quoting Moses, so we’re going to flip over to Deuteronomy chapter 6 and get the full context.
- #4 Let me set this up a little. God creates the whole world. Man sins, our relationship with Him is broken. From then on, the rest of the story is about God’s plan for redeeming us back to relationship with Him. He promises to bless Abraham’s family, which is the beginning of the Israelite people. God taps Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and they take the long way through the desert learning how to be God’s people. Here they are in Deut. 6 looking across the Jordan River into the land God has promised to give them. Moses takes this time to remind them of who they are and warn them against losing their focus on God. v. 10 – sound familiar? “houses we didn’t build, stuff in it we didn’t make, food we didn’t grow”? Land of Plenty, Land of Blessing God will bless them with their needs and wants, but it won’t be enough to satisfy the longings of their hearts if they don’t put Him first. v. 12 “Do not forget” – distractions, self sufficiency
- #5 Let me set this up a little. God creates the whole world. Man sins, our relationship with Him is broken. From then on, the rest of the story is about God’s plan for redeeming us back to relationship with Him. He promises to bless Abraham’s family, which is the beginning of the Israelite people. God taps Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and they take the long way through the desert learning how to be God’s people. Here they are in Deut. 6 looking across the Jordan River into the land God has promised to give them. Moses takes this time to remind them of who they are and warn them against losing their focus on God. v. 10 – sound familiar? “houses we didn’t build, stuff in it we didn’t make, food we didn’t grow”? Land of Plenty, Land of Blessing God will bless them with their needs and wants, but it won’t be enough to satisfy the longings of their hearts if they don’t put Him first. v. 12 “Do not forget” – distractions, self sufficiency
- #8 Silent Generation – Bible read in the home, family prayer Boomers – women entering the workforce, start outsourcing spiritual education to Sunday School programs Gen X – more kids programs Gen Y – better kids programs 4 generations since there was a communal knowledge of God and the Bible
- #9 Where’s Sunday School on this list? Number 5! Moms and Dads are 2-3 x more influential than the church.
- #10 Let’s keep going in verse 4. Remember, Moses isn’t just talking to parents here. He’s addressing the entire nation of Israel. v. 8 the Israelites really did this – intentionally set up reminders in their daily lives easy to compartmentalize our lives – worship, work, home, family, hobbies God wants to be overall, in all, in whom we live and move and have our being Practicing the Presence of God Next slide - Aristotle quote
- #12 Kids don’t just need to hear the rules – we need to pass on the love we have for God. Look back at v. 4 again – the love comes first, then the commands. These questions were asked of youth who are growing up in the church. #1 – 27%, #2 – 28%, #3 – 13%. What is more important about dragging them to music lessons and team sports and tutoring than teaching them about the nature of God and His passion for them?
- #13 We’re losing these kids with our own hypocrisy. We can say we love Jesus and they should, too, but what they’re really looking for is the difference Jesus makes in our lives. Why should they waste their Sunday mornings in church if we look just like the world? Why would they listen to rules upon rules that we don’t follow when we haven’t shown them the heart that beats for them and longs for relationship with them? Look at this – we all but lose the chance to impact these kids once they leave grade school. We’ve dropped the torch of faith and we need to pick it up and get it handed off to these kids. Here comes the why – next slide.
- #15 Responsibility – Israelites have been travelling, no temple. It’s their responsibility to teach each other and remind each other. God’s plan is for the home and the family to be the primary place for spiritual teaching and nourishment, surrounded by the community of believers. Enjoy life – enjoying the blessings of the Land – good food, covenant relationships, peace in the land Remove God – the blessings become curses – broken relationships and heartache, eating disorders on each end of the spectrum, no contentment Eternal life – what if we not only helped our kids enjoy the blessings of this brief life the way God intended them to but showed them the way to enjoy the very presence of God for all of eternity?
- #16 This is a long-term commitment to get back on track. We don’t need to turn the whole ship around – this is just a slight course correction, a refocusing. It’s like the space shuttle – if they are just a little bit off course, they’ll crash into the Earth or skip by us completely. We’re headed in the right direction, but even being a little off course can have disastrous consequences. Here’s where the church can refocus.
- #27 God has given us the responsibility of passing on the torch of faith. Now here’s the problem with this quote. God won’t let His message be lost – He loves us way too much for that. He will raise up people who will pick up the torch of faith and keep carrying it. The question is – are we going to choose the privilege of spreading God’s love and message of hope?
- #28 Jesus is preparing His followers here for His death and leaving for Heaven. Moses says, “Don’t forget the Lord.” Jesus says “Remain in me.” Let’s not get distracted. See here – we exist for His glory. VOX Church exists for His glory.
- #29 Everyone has a part to play in His Kingdom, and it all starts with our relationship with Him. In order to pass on the torch of faith, the children in this community needs every follower of Christ to remain in Him, live out your faith in your home whether there are kids there or not, then spread His love through the church and out the doors into the community. What if our goal wasn’t to have a single church light up a community, but instead to light up this community through our homes? The building isn’t where it’s at, folks - the light of Christ shines through us. Let’s let it shine brightly.