EPISODE 020: THE CHRISTMAS INTRUDER

The Christmas hymn, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” concludes with these words, “O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” Our job as children’s ministry leaders is to help kids focus on the Biblical Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), not on Santa Claus. That seems obvious, but sadly, it is not. Santa Claus is nothing more than a fairy tale; he intrudes into our lives, and into some churches, too. Every Christmas, Santa dominates the scene wherever he goes. Many younger children have never been told by their parents that Santa is make-believe, so they think he is real. To them,

EPISODE 019: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

In Ephesians 1:13 (ESV), we read, “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” When you teach the boys and girls in your children’s ministry about the Holy Spirit, it is vital that you teach them from the Scripture alone. This is not the time or place for you to share your own stories or personal experiences. The Triune God has said everything He wants us to know about the Holy Spirit in the Bible. We must faithfully teach children what the Bible says

EPISODE 017: TEACHING CHILDREN THE GOSPEL

In John 3:16 (ESV) we read, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” There is a lot of confusion in the church today about what the gospel is and is not. As a result, there is a global crisis within children’s ministry concerning our understanding of the gospel. As we begin, let me clearly state what the gospel is not. The gospel is not a Christian’s testimony. The Gospel is not reaching out to feed the hungry or help the poor. These are

EPISODE 015: TEACHING CHILDREN BIBLICAL DISCERNMENT

In 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NASB), we read, … “but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, abstain from every form of evil.” As children’s ministry leaders, it is our job to teach boys and girls how to be discerning. Discernment is simply the ability to determine truth from error and holy behavior from unholy (Hebrews 5:14; Ephesians 5:8-17; 1 John 4:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Truth is important for kids to know because: Truth allows them to be wise, knowing good from evil and right from wrong (Romans 16:19). Truth helps them understand reality and what really matters in life (2

EPISODE 013: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT JESUS

As children’s ministry leaders, our primary focus should always be to teach boys and girls about the true Jesus from the “Word of Truth,” the Bible. Clear Bible teaching is what children need to hear every time they come to church, and this must become your number one priority if it isn’t already. I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of teaching kids about Jesus from God’s Word. Almost every religion on earth claims some manner of belief in Jesus. But when those claims are held to the light of Scripture, it becomes very clear that they are teaching about

EPISODE 011: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

In 1 Corinthians 15: 3b-8 (ESV), it says, “…Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” The bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event in history, and it is essential to the Christian faith.

EPISODE 010: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT SIN

The Bible says in Romans 6:23 (ESV), “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Sin is an unhappy subject to teach to children, but it is necessary for us to do so because boys and girls must understand the seriousness of sin and why Jesus died on the cross to save sinners. Our worldly culture does not want anything defined as sin. Instead, the culture sees everything as a lifestyle choice or a personal preference, and they have declared war on sin and the guilt associated

EPISODE 007: DISNEY WAY UNDERMINES AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

In Evangelicalism, there is a movement in children’s ministry that promotes the wisdom and business practices of entertainment mogul Walt Disney (1901-1966). These influencers encourage children’s pastors and children’s ministry leaders to use Disney’s ideas to build the children’s ministry in their congregations. This methodology is known as the“Disney Way.” As with every innovative approach to ministry, this one must also be examined in the light of Scripture. First, the Disney Way of children’s ministry robs God of His glory. The Bible says all glory belongs to God (I Peter 4:11), and He doesn’t share His glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11;

EPISODE 006: TEACHING CHILDREN THE TRUTH

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV), we read, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The most loving thing we can do for children is to teach them the Truth (1 Corinthians 13:6). To do that, Christian parents and children’s ministry leaders must know the Truth for themselves (John 17:17), speak the Truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and faithfully live out the Truth every day (1 John 5:1-5). In other words, our wisdom, words, and

Children's Ministries International, Inc.

Scripture Reference: 1 John

EPISODE 020: THE CHRISTMAS INTRUDER

EPISODE 019: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

EPISODE 017: TEACHING CHILDREN THE GOSPEL

EPISODE 015: TEACHING CHILDREN BIBLICAL DISCERNMENT

EPISODE 013: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT JESUS

EPISODE 011: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

EPISODE 010: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT SIN

EPISODE 007: DISNEY WAY UNDERMINES AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

EPISODE 006: TEACHING CHILDREN THE TRUTH

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