"The Big Three" are three things that are the very beginning of an effective children's ministry, after the goal. They are "Competition," "Training verses Teaching," and "Dependence on the Holy Spirit." Let's look briefly at each one.
First is competition. If you're teaching the Good News of a life with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, then you're teaching the best kind of life that there is! But that also but's you opposed to the kind of life taught by the TV, Radio (music), movies, printed media, Pokemon, (or any of the lastest crazes as far as toys are concerned) etc. Now I know that there are Christian almost all of these, but I'm talking about the 98% that is from the world! The world has developed a "fine science" of how to get a kid's attention. We need to take the principles developed by the world in this regard, "sanctify" them, and then use them for Christ's sake!
Second comes "Teaching verses Training." Teaching is merely imparting facts to learners. (In this case Christian facts.) However training, (called descipling in the New Testament) is not only teaching learners facts, but then taking those facts and applying them to the learners world. An example is teaching kids about sharing is one thing, and that's teaching. But teaching about the facts of sharing, and then showing then how they apply to their own circumstances is training! And it's easy to see which is more useful!So be a trainer, not just a teacher!
Third is "Dependence on the Holy Spirit." And I don't mean just saying a brief prayer before you start the session. I mean realizing that the Holy Spirit is the real teacher/trainer of the church, and you're just His helper. And He can see in the future, where you can only guess. So when you're planning the session for the week, who knows who's going to be there, and just exactly what they're going to need? You, somebody else, or the Holy Spirit? Then it doesn't take a rocket scietist to see why it is only smart to depend on the Holy Spirit in preparation, as well as in presentation!
All of these things, and many many others are dealt with in the course from Emmanuel Training Institute. Whether you're a minister just wishing to upgrade your knowledge in this area of ministry, or a volunteer wanting to "get a clue" as to what to do with kids, the course is well worth the time! I know I'm prejudiced, but I highly recommend it!
Print out this report, and then use it! You'll be on your way to having an effective children's ministry! To go to the homepage of the institute, click here!
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