The Challenge of Discipling Children and Youth by Brett Belleque, Lolo
The questions and concerns about the discipleship of children and youth can be overwhelming at times. Age of accountability questions or how to communicate difficult concepts such as the Trinity or eschatology can befuddle us. We can be frustrated trying to take into account all of the education guidelines for making materials age appropriate and developing learning outcomes. Fortunately, there are few age-old concepts of discipleship that we can always rely on. Lack of knowledge or experience do not limit them nor do they demand any specific level of sophistication. To Know God, to Love God, and to Serve God are three concepts that provide a great framework for discipling children and youth. They give us a natural progression as we bring individuals each step further in their relationship to their Creator. Many organizations specializing in ministering to children use these three concepts in forming material often used in our ministries today. These concepts give a framework to develop programs, curriculum, and activities as well as a way to evaluate our methods and measure our effectiveness. 1. Knowing God. Luke 2:52 gives us a few bits of information about Christ’s childhood and youth. Jesus grew "...in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." Wisdom is our ability to take what we know of God’s character and make it the foundation upon which we form our own actions and attitudes. Before we can act with wisdom we must have a foundation for our actions. That foundation is our knowledge of God—Who He is and what He does. We must take every advantage to teach God’s Word. About four years ago I was with a group of 37 junior highers discussing the Easter story. When I asked them the biblical meaning of Easter, none of them could tell me. I was shocked! But the more society moves away from biblical values the more biblically illiterate people become. Discipleship starts with helping our students learn to know God. 2. Loving God. Things begin to happen in the lives of our students and children when we teach God’s Word. The impact comes in formal and informal settings using both the Scriptures and the example of our own lives. God begins to work on their hearts. Some receive Christ, and the Holy Spirit comes into their lives. They develop a greater understanding of what God has done for them through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. One of the results is that kids can be challenged to not only know about God but to develop a love for Him. As we remind them what God has done for them and teach them to worship Him, their hearts are drawn to Him. 3. Serving God. Once a child has fallen in love with God he/she is now open to the greatest challenge in the life of a Christian. They see God’s commands in a new light. They want to serve God! When they read "...be witnesses...to the uttermost part of the earth" that is what they want to do. It is my personal opinion and experience that the reason we lose so many of our high school students when they go to college is because we never helped them find a way to minister using the talents and abilities God has given them through the Holy Spirit. We must provide opportunities to serve and also teach them to keep their eyes open for ways to minister to those around them. For the last 15 years my wife and I have been working with student ministry teams. We have taught children and teens to share their testimony, do puppets, present Gospel illusion object lessons, capture children’s attention with balloon animals, and lead people to Christ. Most of these kids have continued in their walk with Christ and have found it very easy to fit into their local church bodies. My challenge for you today as you prepare lessons, plan activities, and plan messages: remain aware of the need for children and youth to know God, love God, and serve God. Take advantage of opportunities that will help you teach scripture in an exciting, relevant manner. Challenge yourself to be an example as you love God in front of your students. The greatest love of the Father is seen most often in our love for each other. Many teachers face battles in discipline they would never have to face if their students felt their teachers truly loved them. Finally, provide opportunities for your kids to serve—as a family, as a class, as a body of believers. Let them see the example of adult leaders serving Christ. Discipling youth and children is not only a process, it is a miracle. Watch and be involved. Be an encouragement, be a motivator, and grow with them. It is a process that truly changes lives—theirs and yours! | 