Connecting Kids to God
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Intro of self
Intro to topic: “Connecting Kids to God”
How can I Connect Kids to God?
By yourself it’s hard, but if we use the resources that God has provided us with it can be done.
So, lets start by naming some the common resources that God has given us.
1. The Bible
2. Books
3. Web sites/blogs
4. TV shows
5. Games
6. Parents
7. Email
8. Text messaging
9. CD’s
10. DVD’s
11. Take-home sheets
Out of all of these, one of the biggest resources we have is parents.
Time leverage with parents.
Average of 40 hours of ministry to kids a year
Parents have 3000 hours
(Wind bags. Illustration)
So, if we can equip parents, we can have bigger impact on a kid’s life. Not to mention the impact you may have on the parent and the rest of the family.
How do we help parents and kids love spending time with God?
How about devotions or God moments with parents?
Sometimes these times with parents can look like this:
We provide them with tools they need to be successful.
Parent page/take home page
Websites
All the things we would use to teach a lesson, provide for the parents.
Offer classes to teach parents how to have a devotion with their families.
This may not seem like a big deal to us as pastors, directors and teachers, but it’s huge for parents. They need to:
1. Understand the value of spending time with God and their children.
Deut 6:4-9
2. Have permission to not be perfect.
3. Understand how to use the tools you have provided.
(Rocket Balloon illustration)
1 Corinthians 9:24- 27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Encourage the kids and parents.
Use incentives for both parents and kids
Write notes to families that you know that are using your devotional tools.
Help parents and kids overcome obstacles that hinder them from connecting with God.
Use the holidays as a time to help families start a God time.
Advent book
Schedule/reading plan
Okay now… how about you, what else can you do to help make kids love connecting with God?
Teach them the importance of having an appointment with God.
What is devotion?
My definition: A time set for growing closer to God. (God’s appointment)
Give them tools to use on their own.
Help them see God moving in their lives.
Practical applications / Resources:
Assign a book to read with questions to answer.
Too much like school?
What’s more important the education of this world or the success in our spiritual lives for the next life to come?
Prayer pals (take home prayer request pet).
On your take home sheet provide suggestions for parents to get scripture into the kids hands in creative fun ways.
Write a freaky fact that can tie to memory verse for the week. Suggest parents stick it in their kids’ lunches.
Send home illustrations for parents to get ideas for getting kids to focus on a Bible verse. ie: Fun size Milky Way with God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:1 The milky way is a part of the heavens above the earth that God created!
Send an extra sock in their backpack with: Romans 10:15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” the good news is Jesus took all our sins away. Or stick it in their shoes.
Think beyond your students. Try to think about what will help your student make what I call the “unexpected bonus”. This is when the kids connect others to God without doing it on purpose. Take the two examples I just gave. If others see one or other of the two examples I just gave, it can start a life changing conversation. This not only encourages the student but they can experience God using them first hand.
Have parents or you e-mail or text a fun message or perhaps a clue to a secret message with a Bible address.
Mail a puzzle that needs solved with Bible verses to the kids and have them bring it in for a prize.
Send a You Tube link to have the kids go to and watch with their parents. Give a few questions to be answered and some verses to look up and have them e-mail the answers back to you.
Text or email Bible trivia questions to them.
When kids are looking to becoming a Christian help them establish a devotion time with a reading plan and journal customized for them.
Hopefully with all this info you will be able to leverage you time and talents and help kids and parent love devotions. Watch this last clip of what a parent with right tools and coaching can do.
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