How to Take Kids On a Discipleship Journey

I have a few questions I'd like to talk with you about.  Here they are.

What guides the content you teach on Sunday morning?

Do you have a specific plan for where you are leading the kids?

Are you randomly teaching lessons without a specific strategy in mind?

These can be some challenging things to think about.

Keep in mind...

We only have 52 weeks each year to disciple kids.  The truth is...it's more like 20-26 weeks a year for the average family because they only attend church 1-2 times a month.  This is reality we must deal with as children's ministry leaders.

Here's what that means for us. 

We must be very, very, very, very focused on what we teach.  Think about this with me. 

Our curriculum should be a discipleship pathway that leads kids toward spiritual maturity. 

Our curriculum should be based on key truths that kids need to know as they progress through their elementary years. 

Our curriculum should be engaging and relevant. 

Our curriculum should move kids forward spiritually.

Our curriculum should be based on straightforward Biblical truth instead of "character traits."

Here is what I would encourage you to do if you haven't already:

Sit down with they key leaders of your ministry (staff and volunteers) and ask these questions.

What do we want the kids to know from the Bible when they leave our ministry?

What kind of a person do we want the kids to be when they leave our ministry?

What should spiritual maturity look like for the kids when they leave our ministry?

What key Bible verses do we want kids to know when they leave our ministry?

Take your answers to these questions and design or choose your curriculum based on those answers.

While the Bible is equally inspired - every part of it - not all of it is geared or applicable for kids.  We're not going to teach preschoolers about the beast of Revelation.  That can obviously come later in their life.

I went through this process with our team and here are the key truths we decided to focus on.  We spend a month on each key truth.

• The Bible is clear to say...Jesus is the only way. (salvation)

• God made me and loves me totally. (identity in Christ)

• This is my story...worshiping God and declaring His glory. (worship)

• Jesus is my best friend...on Him I can depend. (growing relationship with Jesus)

• I will obey and follow God's way. (obedience)
  

• The Bible is true...I can trust it through and through. (Biblical apologetics)
  

• My relationships will grow...when love and respect I show. (relationships)

• I will live to give. (stewardship)

• Listening to God's voice helps me make the right choice. (wisdom)
  

• I know and can see...God has a special plan for me. (purpose)

• I will go and share my faith everywhere. (outreach)

• God can use me to impact the world for eternity. (spiritual leadership)

So...where are you leading the kids?  

Do you have a discipleship journey laid out for them? 

Are you intentional with what you teach?

What you teach matters....a whole lot.  It is critical if you are going to see kids grow up to love and follow Jesus.

If you'd like to see the pathway and samples of the discipleship curriculum, then you can go to this link.  You'll see lesson plans, strategic discipleship videos, key Bible verses, and more. 

Hundreds of churches are using this discipleship curriculum.  Check it out and let me know if you have more questions.  It can be used for Sunday morning worship for kids, mid-week discipleship, classes, etc. 

May God bless your ministry as you lead kids to follow and serve Jesus!