How To Develop Christian Character in Children English Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so Little ones to Him belong; they are weak.

How To Develop Christian Character in Children

Ｊｅｓｕｓ　Ｌｏｖｅｓ　Ｍｅ（ English ）

Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves meYes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so.

Ｊｅｓｕｓ　Ｌｏｖｅｓ　Ｍｅ（Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ）

Shu wa-re wo a-i-su Shu wa tsu-yo-ke-re-ba

Wa-re yo-wa-ku-tomo O-so-re wa ara-ji

Waga Shu Iesu, Waga Shu Iesu, Waga Shu IesuWa-re wo a-i-su

Waga tsu-mi no ta-me Sa-ka-e wo su-te-teAme yo-ri ku-da-ri Ju-ji-ka ni tsu-ke-ri(Refrain)

Iesu-sama Ga Ichiban (Jesus is No.1!)

Don-na-ni sa-bi-shi-i to-ki-ni-moDon-na-ni ka-na-shi-I I to-ki-ni-moIesu-sama ga Ichiban, Iesu-sama ga IchibanTa-to-e so-re-ga don-na-ba-ai-de-moIesu-sama ga Ichiban, Iesu-sama ga

Ichiban

(Na-a-ze?)Dat-te Iesu-sama wa Kami-sama da-mo-noDat-te Iesu-sama wa Kami-sama da-mo-no

Jesus is No.1!(meaning)

Whenever you are sad and lonely, (Remember that ) Jesus is your

No.1.No matter what your problem is, (Remember that ) Jesus is your No.1 all the

time.

(Why?) Because Jesus is God; Because Jesus is

God!

Exploring the world…

Active & Fun-Loving…

Growing strong…

Together with friends…

Yes! Jesus Loves Children!

“Let the little children Come to Me.”

(Mark 10:13)

Class One 9:30-12:00

The Theme of the Class One:

What are some of the Christian Character

this age group should manifest?

Class One 9:30-12:00(modified schedule)

9:30-10:30 Introduction to the Course Bible Reading &

Presentation

10:30-10:45 Learn a children’s song in Japanese10:45-11:45 On Development (Piaget &

Erikson)

11:45-12:00 Q & A with sharings (LUNCH TIME)

Biblical References

Mark 10:13 (let children come to me)

Psalm 8:1~2 (praises on the lips of children & infants)

Matthew 18:3 (unless you become like little children)

Luke 2:11~12 (Savior born as a baby in the manger)

Christian Character 　 Formation as the result of Spiritual Growth 　

How a child grows: Dependence on Mother

An infant: Start having his/her own world

Separating to be independent (younger child~older child)

Becoming independent (adult)

♪ Umi To Sora Tsukurareta Shu (Sing to the tune of It’s A Small World)

U-mi to so-ra tsu-ku-ra-re-ta Shu waWa-ta-shi-no Shu a-na-ta-no KamiTsumi wo yu-ru-shi su-ku-i-ta-mo-oh Min-na-no ShuIesu wa Shu Ha-re-ru-ya (Hallelujah)Iesu wa Shu Ha-re-ru-ya (Hallelujah)Iesu wa Shu Ha-re-ru-ya (Hallelujah) Min-na no Shu

Piaget’s Cognitive Development

Stage Age During this stage…

Sensorinmotor Stage 0-2 years old Learn thru movements & sensations

Preoperational Stage 2-7 yrs Aquire language & use symbols (words or pix) torepresent objects

Concrete Operational Stage

7-11 yrs Able to see things from different pots of view, to imagine events occuringoutside their own lives

Formal Operational Stage

11 yrs + (Children age 10-12)

Able to reason in abstractways; greater focus onpossibilities & ideological issues

Stages of Development By Erik Erikson

Stage

Age Crisis Virtues to be attained

1 0-1 years Trust VS Mistrust HOPE

2 2-3 yrs Autonomy VS Shame & Doubt

WILL

3 4-6 yrs Initiation VS Guilt PURPOSE

4 7-12 yrs(11~12 yrs Preadolescents)

Industry VS Inferiority COMPETENCE

5 13-19 yrs Identity VS Role Confusion

FIDELITY

6 20-34 yrs Intimacy VS Isolation LOVE

7 35-65 yrs Generativity VS Stagnation

CARE

8 65 + Integrity VS Despair WISDOM

Class Two 13:00-14:30

The Theme of the Class Two:

How To Build such Christian Character in their Lives?

Children in the Bible

310Samuel (I Kings : )YYYYY YYYYY YYYYYYYY YYYY YYYYYYY 1745(I Kings : ) Young servant girl of Naaman’s wife 53(II Kings : ) - - 12 year old girl who was restored to l

YYY YY YYYYY -( 4:35 43)

Class Two 13:00-14:30

13:00-14:00 Bible Reading & Presentation 14:00-14:15 Q & A

14:15-14:30 Assignments- Act the Bible Stories

(in 4-5 groups) (SNACK BREAK)

God As the Master Builder

God As the Master Builder

“I planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the growth.So neither the one who plants nor the one who

watersis anything, but only God who gives the growth.The one who plants and the one waters have acommon purpose, and will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; You are God’s field, God’s building.” (NRSV, 1 Corinthians

3:6-9)

Ages 10-12: Preadolescents

Period of rapid physical growthBody changes with sexuality developingBecoming rational, logical, reasonable”Peer Group” becomes powerful influenceEnjoy group activities to create their own projectsBecoming critical of adultsHaving heros/heroines from sports & entertainment

fieldsSense of responsibility grows (church membership &

stewardship)Able to seek God’s guidance in their lives

Content Areas for Teaching Older Children

Objective 1 :Christian Conversion Objective 2 :Christian Membership Objective 3 :Christian Worship Objective 4 :Christian Knowledge &

Understanding Objective 5 : Christian Attitudes & Convictions Objective 6 : Christian Living Objective 7 :Christian Service

Objective 1: Christian Conversion

Christian Conversion1) To understand that all people do wrong and that wrongdoing displeases God.2) To face the fact that the wrong things they do are sins against God.3) To realize that Christ’s death for our sins makes possible forgiveness and new life for every

person who repents of sin and trust Jesus Christ.

Older Children Need…

4) To understand that a person becomes a Christian by trusting Jesus as Savior- not by being baptized

and joining the church or simply trying to be good.5) To realize that they need God’s forgiveness for

their own sins.6) To turn from sin to simply trust in Christ as their personal Savior and Lord when the Holy Spirit has made them ready for such response and commiment.

Objective 2: Church Membership

Church Membership1)To form the habit of regular church attendance

and of participating with understanding and joy in church services and activities.2) To understand that a New Testament church is composed of people who have already become Christians and who have been baptized in

obedience to Christ.

Older Children Need…

3) To understand that a person joins the church only after trusting Jesus as Savior, with a

conviction that he/she is a Christian and should be baptized in obedience to Christ.

Objective 3: Christian Worship

Christian Worship1)To understand that worship is an experience of reverent communion with God and that people may engage in worship alone, with their families, with friends, and with groups at church.2)To cultivate the practice of regular private

worship, including daily Bible reading and prayer . (private daily worship= “devotions”)

Older Children Need…

3) To do their part to maintain and to participate in

family worship.

4) To attend regularly the worship service of their own

church and to participate meaningfully and reverently in praying, singing, Bible reading,

and listening.

Objecitive 4:Christian Knowledge & Understanding

To help each child gain such knowledge of the Bible and Christian faith

as can be related to his/her daily experiences.

Objective 5: Christian Attitudes & Convictions

To guide each child in the continuing development of attitudes and appreciations that will encourage

persoanl growth.

Objective 6: Christian Living

To guide each child to develop and use in every day life, habits, and skills

that will help him/her grow spiritually.

To guide each child to use his/her talent and skills in ways that will help others and serve God’s purpose.

Objective 7: Christian Service

The Greatest Commandment

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

He (Jesus) said to him (a Phariee lawyer),“You shall love the Lord your God with all your

heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

This is the greatest and first commandment.And a second is like itself; You shall love your

neighbor as you love yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law

and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Love God, Love your neighbors as you love yourself (Matthew 22:36-

40)

Class Three 15:00-16:30

The Theme of the Class Three:

What should we, as the church, do to minister to them?

Class Three 15:00-16:30

15:00-15:45 “Act It Out!”

15:45- 16:15 Presentation

16:15 -16:30 Q & A

Act It Out!

-* 5Let each group give a miYYYY YYYYYYYYYYYY YY YYY YYYYY YY YYYYY YY YYYYY.

*Do not speak! Just act it out. *The remaining class will see

theact and have a guess of what thest ory i s about .

“FORMATION & BUILDING”Galatians 4:19 (Christ being formed

in the believer)

Colossians 3:16~17 (let the word of Christ dwell in you richly)

Ephesians 4:11~17 (growing in love

as unity in the Body of Christ)

For Christian Character Development…

Older Children Need…

1) To recognize that the Bilbe is an inspired message

from God and that its teachings are to be accepted

and followed in all that we believe and do.2) To develop an increasing understanding of the

origin, structure, and transmission of the Bible.3) To learn about the customs and geography of

the Bible lands in order to understand better many of

the teachings of the Bible.

Older Children Need…

4) To develop a growing knowledge of basic stories

& truths increasing guidance and motivation for daily living.

5) To grow in skill in using the Bible.

6) To memorize appropriate Bible passages.

Teaching Children the Bible (outcomes)

1) Become aware of and remember Bible stories & facts.

2) Gain insights into Bible truths.3) Be able to repeat selected Bible verses &

passages.4) Develop & express attitudes and feelings about Bible material.5) Make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as his/her own personal Savior.6) Make application of Bible truths in daily living.7) Grow as a witness and servant of Jesus Christ.

Methods for Teaching Older Children

*Storytelling ~ Bible stories, stories of God-motivated

heroes/heroines*Dramatics~ story playing, drama, skits, role play,

etc.*Questions~ to stimulate interest, test knowledge, help them express their thoughts, etc.*Discussions or guided conversations*Projects~ to “do” something related to their

learning*Creative Activities~ writing, music activities, arts & crafts, mosaics, etc.

“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of

God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40)

“ And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.”

(Luke 2:52)

Growing to be a witness of the Lord

Ｂｉｂｌｉｏｇｒａｐｈｙ

Charles A. Tidwell, The Educational Ministry of A Church: A Comprehensive Model for Students and Ministers, Revised & Expanded, 1996.Bruce P. Powers, ed., Christian Education Handbook: A Revised & Completely Updated Edition, 1996.Daryl Eldridge, ed., The Teaching Ministry of the

Church:Integrating Biblical Truth with Contemporary Application, 1995.

*Above 3 books are all from Broadman & Holman Publishers, USA.