Study 4 of 13 on Discipleship

Our producer collected media from his childhood for his daughter when she was old enough to comprehend. However, he was appalled at the images and how fear and foreboding was injected into the telling of some of Scripture. When he talked with others, their response was “Well it worked for us, didn’t it?” But did it? From his generation, many have left the church and have come back only for the sake of the children. Many don’t really know what they believe, but tell Bible stories with pretty much the same fear and foreboding. With this in mind, our producer began to produce the GraceLink videos on vimeo.com/sabbathschool and youtube.com/sabbathschool …and the response is amazing. The consistent response “these are safe stories to help my child understand God” What are we telling our children? How are we telling them about God? And should we continue because that’s how we were raised?

Scriptural Basis:
Ps. 127:3–5; Deut. 6:6, 7; Luke 2:40–52; Matt. 18:1–6, 10–14; Mark 10:13–16.
Key Text:
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” (Matthew 21:16 NIV).

(*Yannis Samaras from the Greek Mission contribute to the questions this lesson.)

1. How important are children to the Christian church?
• Do our seminaries provide adequate training in Children’s ministries? Should they?

2. Based on Matthew 18:6-14, what lessons can we learn about developing ministries or planning programs in the church today?

3. How can we disciple our children so that they too may grow up in spirit, filled with wisdom and in favour with God and those around them?

4. From Mark 10:13-16, what must we take away from this account for ourselves…as adults…and how we relate to children?

5. How is security essential to the discipleship of children?

6. In teaching children about truth, why is the phrase “it worked when we were kids” dangerous to their growth?
• (Father Abraham, Deep and Wide, 3 wisemen…cultural elements that are not Biblical)

7. How can today’s church organize to become more Christlike in its appeal to children?

8. What can each member personally do to be friendlier toward youth who may experiment with bizarre fashions, unusual entertainment tastes, and sometimes outlandish behaviour?

9. In a world that has so many stimuli –movies, games, music, devices- for children….how can churches be relevant to the young and the youth?