Teaching
Children
Children
in the Church Service
(or other
situations where time is limited)
1.
Keep the child in church.
In the
Bible, children were among the congregation, (Deut. 31:11,12. Joshua
8:34,35.) even to hear the blessings and cursings. Parts of Paul's epistles
were directed specifically to children. (Eph. 6:1. Col. 3:20) about
the only service at which families can worship together in the Sunday
morning service. It seems a shame if we have to be divided there.
A crèche
may be useful for the very young but we should control the age
group attending. I suggest that only those who have not started Primary
one should be in creche. Ensure that the creche leaders do not lose
out on the ministry of the Word. If there is no crèche, provide
a heated room to which parents can go with a noisy or distracting child.
This room could have a loudspeaker relaying the service but make sure
it has a volume control to turn up, down or off!
Children's
church or Sunday School during the service affects the teachers. For
alternate weeks or months they have to miss the preaching of God's Word.
It also effects the children. This alternating of teachers is not ideal
for teacher / child relationships. But most of all, children who should
be listening to preaching are deprived of that discipline and that blessing.
(Later I will talk of making preaching relevant to children and the
need in each sermon to apply your message to all age groups)
see
appendix 1 - 4
2. Keep
the child in mind.
Explanations:
Do we try to explain the truth in such a way that children can grasp
at least some of what we are saying? Do we as preachers explain the
Truth so that our whole congregation can understand? Isn't it sad that
some adults get more out of the children's talk than the sermon? That
may be a reflection on the adult's spiritual maturity. We say, the are
"carnal and will not endure sound doctrine" but a simpler
explanation could be that our preaching is boring or above what they
are able to understand. Try to imagine what it is like for a tired mother,
an exhausted labourer or a young child to actually listen to YOU for
30 or even 40 minutes!
Spurgeon:
" There are preachers who care very little whether they are
attended to or not; so long as they can hold on through the allotted
time it is of very little importance to them whether the people hear
for eternity, or hear in vain: the sooner such ministers sleep in the
churchyard and preach by the verse on their gravestones the better."
Spurgeon:
"You don't thoroughly know any truth until you can put it before
a child so that he can see it".
Luther:
"A preacher should have the skill to teach the unlearned simply,
soundly and plainly ... When I preach, I regard neither doctors nor
magistrates, of whom I have above forty in the congregation. I have
all my eyes on the servant maids and the children. And if the learned
men are not well pleased with what they hear, well the door is open".
Applications:
Most sermon applications are directed to adults. What about young people
and children? Some years ago, I heard a visiting preacher in my own
church preach about the attitudes and actions of young people as though
there were none of them present. " The younger generation are
not this and don't do that." Apply the truth to all age groups
in the congregation. We give the impression that the sermon is only
for adults. We rarely address the child in our applications. It is no
wonder that they do not listen.
We sometimes
reinforce it by introducing the children's talk in this fashion. "
Right now boys and girls, this is your part of the meeting. Mums and
Dads can go to sleep for the next few minutes." No they cannot.
Illustrations:
Illustration is an essential part of teaching and preaching. Look for
some illustrations that will attract the attention of children. Allow
your illustrations to be contemporary, dealing with things with which
the childrenin your congregation can identify.
Presentation:
If you shout at the top of your voice, you are less likely to have
children paying attention. They may be intimidated by your presentation.
Does your eye contact include children? Spurgeon used to catch the eye
of the fidgeting child and "smile them into order. I often talk
with my eyes to the orphan boys at the foot of my pulpit"
But I believe
there is still a need for a special time for children in the service.
It presents some difficulties. Maybe few children attend. A children's
talk may break into the theme of the service and interrupt the flow
of worship. But does it have to? It is extremely helpful if the children's
talk and the sermon have the same theme. The children's talk may help
the child to grasp what is later said in the sermon - it might even
help the adults!
The Pastor might not feel gifted to speak to children. Finding suitable
messages every week is demanding. But all of these difficulties can
be overcome.
Difficulties
to overcome
(a)
Is it really necessary?
Many children
today do not receive the teaching that children of a bygone generation
received. There are few homes where the Word preached in the service
is discussed and explained at home. More and more church children are
not regularly attending Sunday School.
Children
are no longer disciplined to sit still and listen for long periods and
there is less reading done today.
The children's
talk on Sunday morning is the only opportunity some children will have
to hear the Word of God taught specifically to them.
Pause for
thouht: It is a sad fact of life that very few children are being brought
to evening services. if they have been to church once, or to church
and Sunday school, many parents feel they have done well. While this
may be understandable in the little ones, I fear that those who could
come and should be encouraged to come, are not. We are raising a generation
of "oncers".
But maybe
part of the answer lies with us. I don't know of one church with a message
for children in the evening service. Maybe we ought to think more about
the children on Sunday evenings. What about producing work pages for
them to use during the sermon?
(b) I'm
not gifted with children
(i) Do
not confuse entertainment with teaching. A gifted children's speaker
is one who can make deep things simple and can communicate them in an
interesting and arresting way. If you can talk to children with obvious
love for them; with obvious concern for their souls and for their spiritual
health; with a message and application pitched at their level, then
you do not have to look at others who are apparently better gifted and
feel, "I can't do this."
(ii) What
if you feel you just cannot do it well enough? Should you leave out
an address to children? Surely there are those in the church with gift.
But choose your speakers wisely. Your children are your Church's greatest
asset for the future; ensure they are carefully handled and instructed.
(c) There
are very few children present.
It is difficult
to speak to a congregation in which there are very few children but
it is important, even if there are only two present. How often have
you preached the gospel to a congregation, knowing that there was only
one unsaved person in the back seat? He needed to hear the message and
so do the children in your service.
Also, by
addressing them, you are indicating to them that they are important;
that the Word of God is addressed to them too and that they must take
heed to it. If you have only a few children but ensure that they are
included in the services, you will probably find other families coming
too and the numbers will grow. I have witnessed that in action, with
children wanting to come to church and being the means of their parents
coming regularly.
Rules
to Observe
1. Be sure
your message is right.
Have you
ever heard two different gospels from the same Baptist pulpit on the
same Sunday and by the same preacher? Sadly, it happens occasionally.
The truth to the child is exactly the same as the truth to the adult.
Presentation may change, application may change, even explanation may
change by being more simplified but the Truth never changes. Children
are perishing; children must repent and believe; children must count
the cost; children must seek to live Godly lives.
Beware
of giving the impression that children are not too bad; that they must
be good and try to please Jesus.
Beware
of using only terms such as "Ask Jesus into your heart"
and avoiding the more Scriptural terminology such as "turn to
God" or "call upon Him" or "seek the Lord"
or "trust in the Lord."
Beware
of teaching one thing in your message and singing another in your children's
hymn. Some of our well known hymns are at best misleading and at worst
"heretical". Most begin with the assumption that children
already belong to God.
"Jesus
loves me ...little ones to Him belong" but do they before
they are saved?
"O
what can little hands do to please the King of heaven?" Can they
please God unless they are saved?
Very few
children's hymns can be used without explanation. Either the words are
archaic or the teaching contained in them is "woolly". Few
hymns come out clearly and say children are sinners. Few teach that
God is holy and righteous; that He will punish sinners. Few stress the
need for repentance and faith.
"Yield
not to temptation" .... "Ask the Saviour to help you"
- why not ask the Saviour to save you?
"Jesus
wants me for a sunbeam" ... "I will ask Jesus to help me to
keep my heart from sin"
... "I'll
be a sunbeam for Jesus; I can if I but try"
Maybe we
could benefit from a specially produced children's supplement or use
visualised hymns and the overhead projector more. But beware. Many contemporary
children's hymns are no better than the ones of old. Make sure your
message is right.
2. Be sure
you speak to the child.
It is absolutely
essential that you ignore the parents and speak to the children only.
Stand up and begin talking to children. If you have a well prepared
beginning, they will listen without you saying this message is for them.
Do not begin with something like "Our gospel word for today
is Regeneration so sit up and listen." Start with what they
know.
Do not
try to entertain the adults with jokes and comments which the child
will not understand. Keep humour under tight reign.
Never use
the children's talk as a tool to preach to adults. I was a visitor in
a service where the Pastor used the children's talk to "get at"
some adults; it was a strange message that only became clear when later
I learned about the conflict that was brewing in the church. On another
occasion I listened to a children's talk that tore to shreds the sermon
preached by another man the previous Sunday.
3. Be sure
to involve the children.
This applies
particularly in your own church. If you are going to speak in another
church, check before you go whether the children are shy or outgoing.
This is less of a problem today but ingoring this can lead to much embassessment
but red-faced children will remember you and what you say for all the
wrong reasons.
(i) Some
children will come up to help you hold or demonstrate something.
(ii) A
child might read a verse out for you. Better if this is arranged before
the service.
(iii) In
some churches children are happy to answer questions.
I have
found thay by far the most effective method with very young children
iis to invite them all up to the front for the children's talk. Maybe
they can sit in the front pews and you can come down from the pulpit
and stand before them. It is even better, if you can sit on the floor
with them. Get down close to their eye level. In my church, up to 30
children came up to sit on the floor (we have under floor heating) and
I sat among them. Some even get close enough to sit on your knee! I
have been hit on the head by toddlers, had hugs and kisses as little
ones crowded round but together we sat like a mum or a dad and talked
about the Word of God.
I appreciate that not everyone can do this and it is not appropriate
in every situation, but look for ways to enure the children see you
care deeply for them and that this part of the service is for them.
One of
the advantages of being close to the children is that you will be forced
to focus on them and ignore the adults.
Principles
to Follow
1. Definite
Intention
Aim to
teach one thing. You have only 5 to 8 minutes to say everything so you
cannot possibly preach the whole gospel message every week. You might
concentrate on an aspect of it each week. Week by week build on what
you have taught.
2. Good
Communication
Remember
the age and ability of the children to whom you speak. Use language
they can understand. Avoid evangelical clichés.
3. Wise
Variation
(i) in
content. Do not always preach your favourite themes to children. There
is the whole counsel of God to be taught. Look again at books such as
"Leading little ones to God" for ideas.
(ii) Between
the saved and unsaved. Do not neglect either. Some messages apply to
both; some to only one.
(iii) Between
age groups. Do not always address the toddlers and leave out the primaries
or those almost in their teens. But be sure to adapt your methods, visuals
and presentation for particular age groups.
(iv) Between
the boys and the girls. Some of us relate more to boys than girls or
vice versa. Be sure to have balancel.
(v) Within
the order of service. It may be necessary to have the children's talk
at a certain point because of Children's church etc. but if you can
have some variety, it may be helpful.
4. Specific
Application
Do not
just tell stories or teach truth. Apply the message to the child's life.
Be relevant, personal and challenging.
5. Clear
Presentation
It is not
just what we teach but how we teach it that is important. If it seems
like entertainment, the children will not take it seriously. If it is
dull and lifeless, the children will not be attracted to pay attention
to it. If you have not prepared for it or prayed over it, you will be
unlikely to see much accomplished through it.
The children's
talk is not an optional extra but a vital part of you ministry. Take
as much care over it as you would for the sermon.
see
appendix 1 - 4
Children's
Talks
Lessons to demonstrate to students
ost
of these lessons are meant to be taught as a series. In some cases they
can be put together into one longer lesson.
The Bible is a book but different ....
· A history book but different..
goes farther back.......... Creation
Is always right ...............Inerrant
Tells about the future ....Prophecy
About another world .......Eternal
· Photo Album ..........Shows what we look like inside
· Highway Code ...........Tells us how to go
· Story book .............. All kinds of amazing true stories
and the greatest ever story
Candles
Don't light themselves
Need another light
Work best together
Can't shine without sacrifice
on a Birthday cake - Born again
Trick candles you can't blow out - eternal life
Vitamins to keep you healthy
A Abide in Me
B Bless the Lord - Praise
C Confess your sin
D Your law is my delight
E Endure hardness
Easter
Egg (A special Easter lesson)
open it carefully without breaking. Remove the sweets and put smallStones
in it and repackage.
Stones did not tempt Jesus - Power to avoid sin
Stones could not kill Him - Power to lay down
Stone could not keep Him - Power to take it again
Stony hearts - Power to save the hardest heart
"X" means (best as a series but also makes
a good longer lesson)
Wrong - Sin - hearts, thoughts, actions are wrong
Multiply - Witnessing and prayer
I love you - God's love
Buried treasure - X marks the spot - Lay up in heaven
Present on the roll (or absent as the case may be) Are your names
in heaven?
Return to school lessons
Dictionary / calculator -our Helper
Rubber - Forgiveness
Ruler to Keep straight - the Bible
Tie or Blazer - Obvious to whom you belong
Heaven is like a ..
City
Bank lay up treasure
Registry Office - name in the book
Father Land -
Flags
1. Red flags - warnings on long loads - Gods warnings of judgment to
Noahs day, Nineveh etc also at road works or race track - stop danger
of perishing.
2. Black flags at race track disqualified. No sin in heaven
In USA flying over prison when execution laws demands met
Jesus has taken my place and God is satisfied.
3. Red cross flag place of refuge and safety - in Christ
4. White flag I surrender I give up trying to save myself and I will
bow to Jesus Christ in everything.
5. Green Flag at the race track - the danger is over no condemnation
old
trains signals we are ready
at
road works go go now.
Special presents
· Microscope............ God sees everything I do
· Computer .............God knows everything about me
Mobile phone ..........God hears everything I say
Christmas
lesson
Do you
take time to read the gift labels or do you just rip the paper off?
1. Check who it is for. To
. The gift I am talking about is for
YOU
2. Check
who it is from.
·
Adam has given us something. Given to everyone of us. SINFUL hearts.
·
God has given us something. We do not deserve it. We are not
good enough to receive it. We could never afford to buy it for ourselves.
HIS SON baby cross- risen
But not all of us accept this gift. It is only for those who repent
and trust Christ.
A play lesson
Luke 14:7
Jesus was at a party. People pushed to get the best seats. Ever do
that?
Lets play
party.
· I want you to all line up for a special treat. Maybe the
children will push to be first in line. Give them all something.
· Another one. Throw sweets into the group. Then see how
many they got. Some will get none; others a few. (give everyone some.)
Now isnt
that a bit like the people who knew Jesus?
Pride and
selfishness is sinful. It is ok to be competitive in a game but wrong
to always want to be before others, no matter what it costs.
Speak about
humility.
Hats
Which one
is a sinner?
put on a Stocking mask -what am I? someone who is very bad.
Put on a Top hat. someone who is very famous / important
Put on a mitre - someone who is very religious
Put on a crown someone who is very wealthy
Put on a cowboy hat or other foreign headdress someone from very far
away
Put on a mortar board someone who is very clever
Put on a police cap or judges wig someone who is very strict
Put on a babys hat someone who is very young
Now which
one is a sinner ??? All of them.
Then show
crown of thorns Jesus came to save sinners
Balls
(can also be a longer lesson)
Golf Ball.
Thousands are lost every day. Speak about being lost in sin. Can a golf
ball find its way back? Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
Bowl
Demonstrate a bowl down the aisle or get a child to do it (if you dare!)
A bowl will always go its own way.
Table Tennis
ball.
Demonstrate playing if possible. Show how it bounces. Then accidentally
step on it. Demonstrates perishing.
Beach ball.
Very unstable. The wind blows it. Easily influenced . Easily taken away
from where it should be.
Snooker
cue ball.
It has to knock others down to be successful. It is worth nothing but
hits all the other balls to get a good score. Selfishness is sin.
Living
on a ball!!!
Biggest ball in the world? The world. It was to live on this ball that
Jesus came . God so loved the world that He gave
..
Powerful
people (use appropriate visuals)
Builder
(hard hat) Jesus made everything
Chief - (Indian head dress) Jesus rules everything
Teacher (mortar board?) Jesus knows everything
Judge - (wig) Jesus judges everyone
Fireman (helmet) Jesus saves everyone who believes on Him
Series
on the body
1. Tongue
what is the strongest muscle could it be the tongue? We cant control
it who can control it? How?
2. Ears
-We have 2 of them . Should we not listen twice as much as we
speak? Who listen to ?
3. Eyes
what do we watch? Etc.
4. Hairs
-How many. God knows all about us. Cares for us etc.
1. Soul.
-No x-ray, scan can see it. But we all have a soul. Live forever
etc. where?
Easter lesson
A teach gave each child a carton and suggested that next week they bring
something in the carton that reminded them of Easter.
Child 1
brought an egg
child 2 brought remains of an Easter egg
no 3 brought a butterfly
no 4 brought wool from a lamb
no 5 Naomi brought nails - Jesus on the cross very good object
no 6. Evan brought an empty carton he said he could think of
nothing. Teacher said, in a way it was the best, because it was empty.
And it reminded her of an empty tomb.
Boots
Baby /
toddler boots -
a child learning to walk arms wide come Jesus says to us Come
to Me
Walking
boots -
story of Enoch - Keep close to God
Running
shoe
Paul and athletes keep going to the end
Army boot
-
Soldier keep watching / be ready for anything
Muddy boots
Wellies - Farmer - Keeping working in the harvest
Dressing up object lesson
Jeremy
wants to know the way to heaven. Who will tell him the way.?
Enter Policeman
- be good! How good? ever good enough?
Enter Religious man be holy? What is holy? How can we be holy?
Enter rich man be kind
Enter cool dude be cool there is no rush enjoy life
Enter clever clogs be real theres no such place as heaven
What a
useless bunch! Does nobody know the true way?
John 14:6
Jesus says I am the way - Not be good, holy, kind, cool, real - BE
SAVED
DEVIL
Make cards with one of these letters L I V E D on each one
Someone
who has lived for a long time longer than anyone we know longer
than King David, longer than Moses. Longer than Abraham, longer than
Methuselah! He was there before Adam and he is still around today. And
I am not talking about Jesus!
Rearrange
the letters. DEVIL explain he is real, powerful and dangerous.
Then follow through arranging the letters as follows:
EVIL talk about how he is the evil one, how he came to be etc.
LIE Father of lies, his lie to Eve and Adam
VILE the heart of man out of the heart comes evil of all kinds
DIE the wages of sin
VEIL talk about the Lord on the cross and how the temple veil was
torn and its significance
LIVE How Jesus lives and conquered Satan and offers life to all who
believe on Him.
Gates
Two gates
we have all gone through.
· Garden of Eden gate - all in Adam
· Wide Gate - by birth we are on the broad road
Two gates
but we can enter only one
· The gate of hell
· The gate of heaven
ONE gate
we must go through the narrow gate Jesus said I am the Door
.
Back
to Teaching index
[Top
of Page]
