We love our children. There is no doubt about that. We pour into them in the best ways we know how to, as parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We try to teach them manners and kindness and, most importantly, about God’s love. But, have you ever stopped to consider that you are likely the very first to disciple your children? No pressure, right? Long before our children absorb their Bible school lessons, they watch us, learn from us, listen to our words, and see what matters to us most. Many life lessons and mannerisms are formed and learned during this time. We teach our children problem-solving skills, how to manage frustration, how to stick up for what they believe in, and how to share. We also teach them that Jesus loves them and that no matter how big the world may seem, our God is so much bigger.
In Children’s Ministries, our focus is to come alongside you to bring the Bible stories that you read to your little ones to life. We teach them that these stories are real and that even as children, they have a voice given to them by God to share His love and grace with others.
Did you know that children can disciple others, too? Long gone are the days of believing that our children should be seen but not heard. God uses our little ones to speak to their friends and family in ways that others may not be able to. Their pure, wholehearted love for the Lord can radiate from them, reminding us just how the Father wants us to come to Him.
We want to nurture our children and give them the information they need to develop a strong foundation in the Lord and tools to use as they travel down their spiritual path. Children’s Ministries created a Young Disciples series here at Northland that helps do just that. This three part series guides your children through what may be three of the most important parts of their discipleship journey. Each step is designed for you and your child to take together in the form of mentor and student. Once a week, you attend class together and then enter into discussions during the remaining weekdays so that you maintain the role of lead discipler of your child.
Young Disciples 1: Journey to Baptism guides children in navigating the foundational teachings of Jesus and the apostles in a child-friendly environment. It is designed to help children in grades two through five understand more about salvation, baptism, and other tenets of the faith. This five-week study concludes with a celebration of baptism.
Young Disciples Step 2: Journey to Communion centers on living as a disciple according to Jesus’ commandments in Matthew 22:37-39. At the conclusion of this six-week class, you and your young disciple will have the opportunity to participate in communion together.
Young Disciples Step 3: Journey through the Bible is a six-week class that will answer many questions your child has about the Bible: “What’s in the Old and New Testament?” “How do we use the Bible?” “Why did God give it to us?” and more! This class gets your child comfortable navigating their Bible in a way that encourages them to learn and study outside of church.
All three steps are fun and engaging and do not have to be taken in order. Each step is designed to be journeyed on independently and in any order that works for your family. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Amen! Let’s teach our children that they are so precious in the Lord’s sight that nothing can ever take that away from them. Let’s teach them that it is okay to have faith so strong that we know God will never leave us. Let us teach them that God forgives, and so can we. Let’s teach them, now, together!
For more information about our Young Disciples Classes, please contact me, your Grade School Administrator, Renee Cantu, at Renee.Cantu@NorthlandChurch.net. It is my honor and pleasure to walk alongside you and your family through Children’s Ministries!