Children’s Ministry 911

Prepared by Teachable Heart Ministries

“Raising kids today is hard.”

• When was it ever easy- even Adam and Eve had struggles

• What does the church have to offer in terms of parenting help that is different from “Nanny 911”?

• We have a wonderful opportunity and a God-given responsibility to reach out to the family as we do “children’s ministry.”

• What are the trends affecting the family today?

Current Trends

• too many choices and opportunities • “very busy” families • an instant generation- fast food, high speed

internet • parents have jobs and activities• kids have their own activities, and rarely do

the two coincide. • Even in the car, cell phones, headphones,

video games, portable dvds. • To have consistent communication on any

level within a family requires great effort

Children’s Ministry is Family Ministry

• Have you ever seen an episode of “Nanny 911”• the nanny is necessary, not so much for the kids, but for

Mom and Dad. • Parents are crying out for help, love their kids, want

what is best for them, but they need skills • At the end of the show the nanny goes home• Each activity, each program and every curriculum,

should be viewed through the lens of “family ministry.” • How can we use our opportunities with kids to help their

parents be the spiritual leaders God intended them to be?

A Few Suggestions…

• “In the Car” question. This is ONE question you send home with kids to discuss on the way home include a brief summary of your lesson and a reference for parents

• Make LOTS of devotional materials available to your families

• Give families ideas about how to help their kids participate in the worship services.

• “Sunday night family meetings” prepare for the week ahead and then spend a few quiet moments in prayer as they dedicate the week ahead to God.

• Prayer partners within the family. Make journals for prayer requests and praise reports.

• Provide opportunities for families to serve together • brainstorm ministry expansion from the child alone to

the child within the family.

Don’t Move in and Stay…

• At the end of the show the nanny goes home!

• Equip the parent to continue in the training of their children

• It is always a foolish thing to assume all of the responsibility when you not there all of the time

The Long and Short of it

• A child who attends every children’s program every week, spends approximately 1055 hours in the church over 5 years

• They are 42,720 hours old• They have spent 3% of their life in

the church being instructed• We have to equip the parents!