Pastor Tim Depue provides some insights into the importance of children's ministry.
There are times that the value of children’s ministry is questioned. Some times this may be jokingly voiced during times when the number of people willing to be part of our ministry to children runs less than the opportunities we have committed to. Other times, and usually in a more serious tone, the question is asked because of desires to spend the time in other ways. After all, will one or two hours a week make that much of a difference in a child’s life? With school, home work, chores at home and saving some time for play, the week gets full real fast.
In response to that, I will agree that there are many different things that compete for the attention and influence upon our children. As parents, we have been given the responsibility to prepare our children for life. Yes this includes physicals and shots, social integration, academic and skill set training and maybe even sports, but as a Christian parent, we realize that all of these fall below the need for our children to grow in their understanding of God and how all things relate to Him.
One researcher noted, “In essence, what you believe by the time you are 13 is what you will die believing. Of course, there are many individuals who go through life-changing experiences in which their beliefs are altered, or instances in which a concentrated body of religious teaching changes one or more core beliefs. However, most people’s minds are made up and they believe they know what they need to know spiritually by age 13. Their focus in absorbing religious teaching after that age is to gain reassurance and confirmation of their existing beliefs rather than to glean new insights that will redefine their foundations.”
To put it in other words, the early years are the formative years and any opportunity to help our children grow in a right understanding of God, His word and how to live accordingly is an opportunity we should take seriously.
Children’s ministry helps parents by giving them a starting point for discussions based on the lessons taught in class and also provides a systematic approach to learning that makes sure the most important themes are covered at an appropriate age level. As parents, our lives are busy and having our children involved with regular instruction is an opportunity that will not only reinforce the teachings in the home but will show our children that faith in God is important to more than just Mom and Dad.
When children grow up and they start asking deeper questions, the answers they will hear, from you or someone else, will be measured by what they already know. Knowing their love and respect for you and your beliefs are reinforced with solid Biblical instruction from people they have grown up respecting, you will have given them a foundation that will help them sort out the tough questions. You might not agree on everything, but there is comfort in knowing they will have a knowledge base that God can use to influence and direct their lives.
Resources:
Faith Teaching, (esp. Chapter 2) by Steve Wamberg and John Conaway, Cook Communications Ministries, 1999.
Kingdom Education (chapters 8-10), by Glen Schultz, Lifeway Press, 1998.