Passing the Baton The Priority of Children in the Local Church

Passing the BatonPassing the Baton

The Priority of Children The Priority of Children in the Local Churchin the Local Church

Timothy R. NicholsTimothy R. NicholsAssistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

Rocky Mountain Bible College & SeminaryRocky Mountain Bible College & Seminary

Fertile Soil: Receptivity of Children and YouthFertile Soil: Receptivity of Children and Youth  

Where then should we begin to focus our energies? Where then should we begin to focus our energies? Historically, children followed by youth are the most Historically, children followed by youth are the most receptive constituencies to the gospelreceptive constituencies to the gospel. According to . According to polling data collected by George Barna polling data collected by George Barna 43% of all 43% of all Americans believe in Jesus Christ before the age of Americans believe in Jesus Christ before the age of 1313; 64% before the age of 18; and 77% before the ; 64% before the age of 18; and 77% before the age of 21. We recently conducted a survey of a age of 21. We recently conducted a survey of a church and discovered that it ranked consistently church and discovered that it ranked consistently with the rest of the nation. The average age for a with the rest of the nation. The average age for a

person to believe in Jesus Christ in that congregation person to believe in Jesus Christ in that congregation is 12.31 years. 76.03% believed before the age of is 12.31 years. 76.03% believed before the age of

18; 84% before the age of 23. 18; 84% before the age of 23.

Therefore, children and youth are the most Therefore, children and youth are the most receptive people to the gospel. Children and youth receptive people to the gospel. Children and youth seem to accept God’s grace most easily for what it seem to accept God’s grace most easily for what it is – a free gift. Our evangelistic efforts within that is – a free gift. Our evangelistic efforts within that

church and within that community must take church and within that community must take advantage of this strategic opportunity.advantage of this strategic opportunity.

7.74% did not report the age at which they believed. 7.74% did not report the age at which they believed. This includes a significant number of non- This includes a significant number of non-Christians who were visiting the day they Christians who were visiting the day they

conducted that survey.conducted that survey.

Children Are By Far More Open To The Gospel Children Are By Far More Open To The Gospel Than Teenagers And AdultsThan Teenagers And Adults

  We discovered that the probability of someone We discovered that the probability of someone

embracing Jesus as his or her Savior was 32% for embracing Jesus as his or her Savior was 32% for those between the ages of 5 and 12; 4% for those in the those between the ages of 5 and 12; 4% for those in the 13- to 18-age range; and 6% for people 19 or older. 13- to 18-age range; and 6% for people 19 or older.

--George Barna, --George Barna, Transforming Children Into Spiritual ChampionsTransforming Children Into Spiritual Champions

  In other words, if people do not embrace Jesus Christ In other words, if people do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior before they reach their teenage years, as their Savior before they reach their teenage years,

the chance of their doing so at all is slim. the chance of their doing so at all is slim. -- George Barna-- George Barna

More than two out of every three 13-year-olds argue that More than two out of every three 13-year-olds argue that they will not alter any of their core beliefs in the future. In they will not alter any of their core beliefs in the future. In

other words, they are closed to learning new biblical other words, they are closed to learning new biblical insights or correction regarding erroneous perspectives. insights or correction regarding erroneous perspectives. -- --

George BarnaGeorge Barna  

We find an astounding level of consistency between the We find an astounding level of consistency between the religious beliefs of adults and children. This suggests that religious beliefs of adults and children. This suggests that

whatever beliefs a person embraces when he or she is whatever beliefs a person embraces when he or she is young are not likely to change as the individual ages. young are not likely to change as the individual ages. -- --

George BarnaGeorge Barna  

Mark 10:14 “Let the little children come to Me, and do not Mark 10:14 “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15

Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Children are Effective EvangelistsChildren are Effective Evangelists  

We have discovered that peer evangelism among young We have discovered that peer evangelism among young children – one kid leading another kid to…a life-children – one kid leading another kid to…a life-

changing encounter with Jesus – is one of the most changing encounter with Jesus – is one of the most prolific and effective means of evangelism in the nation.prolific and effective means of evangelism in the nation.––

George Barna George Barna

  Every year, tens of thousands of parents are brought to Every year, tens of thousands of parents are brought to

faith in Christ because one of their children was so faith in Christ because one of their children was so changed by his or her own relationship with the Lord that changed by his or her own relationship with the Lord that

the parent could not ignore the power of Christ any the parent could not ignore the power of Christ any longer…among those who have children…the largest longer…among those who have children…the largest

share…select their church because of the quality of the share…select their church because of the quality of the children’s ministry. children’s ministry. -- George Barna-- George Barna

Matthew 18:4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself Matthew 18:4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of

heaven.” heaven.”   

The research reinforces one simple but profound The research reinforces one simple but profound truth over and over again: If you want to have a truth over and over again: If you want to have a

lasting influence upon the world, you must invest in lasting influence upon the world, you must invest in people's lives; and if you want to maximize that people's lives; and if you want to maximize that investment, then you must invest in those people investment, then you must invest in those people

while they are young. while they are young. -- George Barna-- George Barna

In TheirIn Their Children’s Ministry, Most Churches are Children’s Ministry, Most Churches are Simply Going Through the MotionsSimply Going Through the Motions

  Like most adults, I have been aware of children, fond of Like most adults, I have been aware of children, fond of them and willing to invest some resources in them… them and willing to invest some resources in them…

Yet the wisdom and necessity of seeing children as the Yet the wisdom and necessity of seeing children as the primary focus of ministry never occurred to me. primary focus of ministry never occurred to me.

Almost every congregation asserts that ministry to Almost every congregation asserts that ministry to young people is an important aspect of its mission. young people is an important aspect of its mission.

However…we found that most churches simply go However…we found that most churches simply go through the motions. through the motions. -- George Barna-- George Barna

Deuteronomy 6:4-6Deuteronomy 6:4-6

““Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with

all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 " And these words which I

command you today shall be in your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your

children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when

you lie down, and when you rise up.””

Mark 10:13 Then they brought little children to Him, Mark 10:13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked

those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little

children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”such is the kingdom of God.”

  Matthew 18:6 Whoever causes one of these little ones Matthew 18:6 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin [stumble], it would be better who believe in Me to sin [stumble], it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and

he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Matthew 18:10 “Take heed that you do not despise Matthew 18:10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 What do you think? If a man that which was lost. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray,

does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that

did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones

should perish.”should perish.”

The ProblemThe Problem  

Parents allowing children to decide Parents allowing children to decide for themselves whether or not they for themselves whether or not they

will attend church.will attend church.

The magistrates of Bern in 1548 (general The magistrates of Bern in 1548 (general mandates of reform):mandates of reform):

““We are well aware of not only the We are well aware of not only the transgression but also the transgression but also the

contempt almost everywhere in contempt almost everywhere in our lands for preaching, our lands for preaching,

catechisms, and instruction of the catechisms, and instruction of the youth…”youth…”

[Michael W. Bruning, Calvinism’s First Battleground: Conflict and Reform in the Pays de Vaud, 1528-1559 (Springer), p.234]

We should view the church as a We should view the church as a culture, not as some kind of culture, not as some kind of

religious social club where you religious social club where you can get free coffee and can get free coffee and doughnuts on Sundays.doughnuts on Sundays.

We should view worship as a We should view worship as a gathering of a called out people gathering of a called out people coming together to praise God coming together to praise God

in the Holy of Holies, in the Holy of Holies, not as a gathering of not as a gathering of

disconnected individualsdisconnected individuals..

In worship, children hear, learn, and areIn worship, children hear, learn, and arehelped to obey in the midst of the helped to obey in the midst of the

whole people of God.whole people of God.

The worship habits that parentsThe worship habits that parentsinstill in their children will instill in their children will usually be the habits their usually be the habits their

children carry into adulthood.children carry into adulthood.

The ProblemThe Problem  

Parents wanting the church to be Parents wanting the church to be primarily a place of entertainment primarily a place of entertainment where their children’s consumer where their children’s consumer

appetites can be fulfilled.appetites can be fulfilled.

The church should bring children The church should bring children into an encounter with Jesus into an encounter with Jesus

Christ.Christ.

The question to ask our children is The question to ask our children is not “Did you have fun at church not “Did you have fun at church

today?”, but “What did you learn today?”, but “What did you learn about Jesus today?”about Jesus today?”

The church must never, under any The church must never, under any circumstance, be a hindrance to circumstance, be a hindrance to

children coming to know Christ and children coming to know Christ and His gospel.His gospel.

Matthew 18:5-6 Matthew 18:5-6 (ESV)(ESV)

5. "And whoever welcomes a little child like 5. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. this in my name welcomes me.

6. But if anyone causes one of these little 6. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.depths of the sea.

How do we cause our children to stumble?How do we cause our children to stumble?

1.1. When we fail to take them to church.When we fail to take them to church.2.2. When we constantly let them see When we constantly let them see

everything take precedence over church.everything take precedence over church.3. When we teach them to think of the church 3. When we teach them to think of the church

as consumers instead of as worshipers of as consumers instead of as worshipers of God.God.

4. When we let them hear us tear down the 4. When we let them hear us tear down the church.church.

How is Culture Passed How is Culture Passed Down?Down?

  Mostly through PARENTS.Mostly through PARENTS.

S. Michael Craven (The Center for Christ and S. Michael Craven (The Center for Christ and Culture) citing a study conducted by the Swiss Culture) citing a study conducted by the Swiss

government:government:

Mother and Father attend church regularlyMother and Father attend church regularly74% of their children will end up attending 74% of their children will end up attending

church church regularly or irregularlyregularly or irregularly

25% of their children will end up not attending 25% of their children will end up not attending at allat all

http://www.battlefortruth.org/ArticlesDetail.asp?id=174

S. Michael Craven (The Center for Christ S. Michael Craven (The Center for Christ and Culture) citing a study conducted by the and Culture) citing a study conducted by the

Swiss government:Swiss government:

Mother attends church regularly. Father Mother attends church regularly. Father does not attend church at all.does not attend church at all.

39% of their children will end up attending 39% of their children will end up attending church regularly or irregularlychurch regularly or irregularly

60% of their children will end up not 60% of their children will end up not attending at allattending at all

http://www.battlefortruth.org/ArticlesDetail.asp?id=174

S. Michael Craven (The Center for Christ and S. Michael Craven (The Center for Christ and Culture) citing a study conducted by the Swiss Culture) citing a study conducted by the Swiss

government:government:

Father attends church regularly. Mother Father attends church regularly. Mother does not attend church at all.does not attend church at all.

66% of their children will end up attending 66% of their children will end up attending church regularly or irregularlychurch regularly or irregularly

34% of their children will end up not attending 34% of their children will end up not attending at allat all

http://www.battlefortruth.org/ArticesDetail.asp?id=174

How is Culture Passed Down?How is Culture Passed Down?

•Songs •Stories•Games•Indoctrination