For growing faith and lifelong friendships with Jesus, what can you do for children now? And what can you do when obstacles arise? Learn 10 ways to help grown-up kids remember Jesus’ love for them—no matter what.
Growing Faith: The Goal of Children’s Ministry
“Begin with the end in mind.” That’s what expert goal-setters say.
“To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination,” wrote Stephen Covey. “It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”
How do we “keep the end in mind” in children’s ministry? What end goal do we envision as we share Bible stories, explain Bible verses, sing songs, play games, and make crafts each and every week?
Countless conversations with kidmin leaders have helped clarify our shared goal. We want friendship with Jesus to transform kids’ hearts so faith moves from the church walls into everyday life for years to come.
For years to come. Our end goal is lifelong faith.
REAL Impact
At Group, we use the acronym R.E.A.L. to sum up our ministry philosophy. Each letter identifies a practical expression of spiritual transformation used in all our resources.
R (relational), E (experiential) and A (applicable), all work together to accomplish the end we have in mind: L—a lifelong relationship with Jesus. We hope and pray that experiencing a Group resource helps leaders like you grow lifelong relationships with Jesus. (And that includes your friendship with Jesus, too!)
When we keep the end in mind, every moment with children is significant. As their leaders or teachers, we realize we may not be a lifelong part of kids’ lives. And that’s OK!
But that’s also a little scary. Because we aren’t in control of kids’ stories. God is. As Paul writes, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
This Bible verse encourages our hearts when we can clearly see seeds of growing faith in kids, or our former kids’ lives. When the child we once led joins our volunteer teaching team. When the preschooler we taught “Jesus Loves Me” eventually starts a nonprofit that shares Jesus’ love in a tangible way. Or when the former star of the Christmas program eventually attends seminary to become a pastor.
Wow, God! That end goal is right before our eyes.
But what if it’s not? What happens when kids we love grow up and away from faith? When they leave church. When their choices get them into trouble. Or when they reject the Friend you’ve given your all to introduce them to.
Words can’t describe the hurt. The disappointment. The feelings of failure.
What We Can Control
We might have a goal, but we don’t control children’s lifelong journey of faith. God does. God invites us to faithfully see kids as people, not projects. To walk with kids right now. To honor kids right now. And to love kids right now. And to trust that even when we don’t understand the results, God is always at work.
You can’t control the future. But you can trust God with it. You can control the now.
