Children

The Kingdom Misunderstood, Part 1

August 15, 2011 by Charles

Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two part article dealing with the misperceptions many Christians have of the kingdom of God. What is ther ole of believers in the kingdom, how are they to impact the broader kingdom? Are there really two kingdoms?

Introduction

I begin by introducing you to Bill and Mary Wright. Bill is a 34 year old husband and father of two children, Terry 10 and Susan 7. Mary is a stay at home mom and has home schooled her children for a couple years, though they are presently attending a Christian school that meets in their church. Bill and Mary are active church members and clearly demonstrate a love for the Lord that is obvious to others.

Bill is a member of a successful law firm. He teaches a young adult Sunday school class in his church and is very active in civic events. He is on the church’s board of officers. You might call the Wright’s the quintessential Christian family.

Bill majored in political science in college and later entered law school. Presently, he is an active member of the bar. For several years Bill has had a desire to become more involved in politics. His friends have suggested that on a number of occasions, so has his wife Mary. He represents the more conservative line of political thinking and is certainly an advocate for rule of law in our country.

Read entire Equip 3rd Quarter, 2011 (Acrobat Reader required).

But as Bill thinks about this, he wrestles with a dilemma. He is a Christian and believes in church and state separation; therefore he wonders how he can be a good Christian and involved in politics at the same time. He has been taught by the system to think of religion as belonging to the private area of his life, including family and church, but politics is more for the public arena. He does not want to compromise his Christian faith by involving himself in an area that would require him to keep his religious beliefs, his Christian faith, to himself.

Bill’s situation reminds me of another occasion when I was teaching a seminar to leaders from several churches. The topic for the day was making kingdom disciples. I spent some time developing the point that there is actually more involved in making disciples than is often reflected and practiced by many today. I was explaining how being a Christian involved more than merely having a personal relationship with the Lord, than reading the Bible, praying, and witnessing. My point was that Christianity is a way of life, a total way of life, which many Christians fail to understand, especially today.

Christianity is a way of life, a total way of life

In trying to be as clear as possible, I said there is a sense in which you are no more spiritual when teaching a teenage Sunday school class on John 3:16, than you are teaching an eleventh grade mathematics class. The Bible teaches God’s special truth in what we would call the spiritual realm and the mathematics class teaches God’s truth in that broader realm. I continued–the only way you can know what John 3:16 means is for God to teach it to you and the only way that you can know that 2 plus 2 is 4 is because God is the author of all truth. Both are true because they come from God, as the God of all truth. Jesus commanded us to “make disciples” and we do that according to him, by teaching to observe all things whatsoever he has commanded, and by necessary inference, he has taught us. (Matthew 28:19 & 20).

If we see God’s truth wholistically, we are to be spiritual in everything that we do, 24/7 both in an out of the church. I am aware in saying this, many Christians do not understand this discipleship process. Their paradigm has been based on a wrong view of the church and kingdom, as well as discipleship itself. We will show this later, but for now, some see the church and kingdom as two separate entities while others see them as one and the same. While we believe neither of those are representative of the Bible’s teaching on the church of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, it is so important to understand what the two are and how they are related, especially as they impact our worship and service of God.

On another occasion I was speaking at an annual convention of Christian school leaders. On the program was a young man who had also been influenced by the teachings of Francis Schaeffer. At that time he was serving in a staff position in Washington, D. C. He said in his address, that we would be pleased and amazed at how many of our members of Congress attend regular Bible studies. (This was several years ago). But then he said, you would be disappointed to see some of those same people move into the legislative hall and fail to incorporate those biblical truths into the issues with which they were dealing.

There is a false scenario that has penetrated our western world, including many of our churches, and it has caused people to see life from a dualistic, even fragmented perspective, thus creating Bill’s dilemma and keeping that 11th grade math teacher from seeing himself as a disciple maker in teaching math.

My purpose in this series of articles is to understand and evaluate the fallacy of Bill and Mary’s thinking about politics, and their misunderstanding of the church and Christianity, the false dichotomy reflected in the math class, and the failure of those politicians in Washington to know how to apply biblical truth to their civil responsibilities.

I want us to consider how the above examples have grown out of a wrong paradigm regarding education, especially Christian education and disciple-making but especially a wrong paradigm of the church and the kingdom of God (“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all” Psalm 103:19; “Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.” Psalm 145:13).

Presenting Christ to Children, Page 2

May 20, 2011 by admin

Repentance is the other side of faith:

The basic idea of repentance is to stop moving in one direction and begin moving in another.

1. Children who are raised in nurturing Christian families and churches, and who respond to Christ at an early age, may as adults look back and wonder, from what, if anything, they have repented. A couple of thoughts:

A. Values are as important as behavior, and those who have made a commitment to Christ can see at least some of the ways their desires have been shaped by God.

B. Every human being has a bent toward evil. Turning from that evil and to Christ is an integral part of Christian faith.

There must be a call to repent as well as to believe.

2. It is not easy to break behavior patterns. Repentance embodies a desire to change as the Lord enables us.

Within the church children can hopefully find those who will help them to change by praying for them, encouraging them and at times rebuking them. Someone who works with children, like a Sunday school teacher, can be at least one person who assumes that role.

The ingredients that make up Christian faith are:

1. Acknowledging what the Bible says about the person of Jesus: He is true, He is God, Man, perfect, and the only Savior of sinners.

What does a person have to know? The claims the Bible makes about Jesus are so incredible that they create a chasm between those who would affirm them and those who reject them. Some people stumble over significant details. Acceptance of these biblical claims is easy for children. But belief in Santa Claus is also easy. We are not going to readily separate fact from fantasy in the mind of a child. (“Virtual reality” will increasingly give us all difficulty.) Christian doctrine can be taught in more detail as the child matures, demonstrating our conviction that the biblical claims are true.

We have had far too many children unquestioningly accept the doctrines of the faith and when that teaching is opposed, their belief turns to doubt and often unbelief.

With the boom of the Christian and home school movements, we have witnessed children who have been taught the Bible in depth. Instead of producing faith, however, in some cases it has planted the seeds of rebellion. In many cases the Bible has been treated simply as an academic subject, and consequently, the message has been distorted.

So, while affirming the Bible’s representation of Jesus as a necessary component of faith, that alone does not constitute Christian faith.

2. We acknowledge what the Bible says about Jesus’ mission is true.

The Bible tells us that Jesus died and then came back to life. As amazing as that is, Christian faith demands more. We must accept the Bible’s interpretation of those events. His death was punishment for our disobedience; His resurrection is the confirmation that God found what He did acceptable. Consequently, because He lives those who belong to Him will live as well.

Yet it is not enough to affirm that Jesus died for my sin. Something more is required.

3. A commitment to Jesus.

In essence that means linking our lives with his. I have used sitting in a chair to illustrate the point. When I sit, I commit myself to the chair. If it holds, I am fine. If it does not, I am on the floor. With Jesus it means that, if He is alive we will live. If He is not we are doomed. If there is some other way to find God then we will not find Him because a commitment to Jesus closes off all other options.

The only way commitment can be expressed is in what we do – or do not do. It is possible to try to live by biblical commands without a commitment to Jesus. But it is not possible to make a commitment to Him, without it finding expression in a sincere desire to follow Him.

Thus commitment entails turning from that which takes us away from Christ (repentance) and turning to Christ (faith). With children, we are urging a life style that we trust the Holy Spirit will internalize and consequently, become the way faith in Jesus is expressed. It is not enough to urge faith without suggesting ways that faith can be demonstrated. At the same time, to encourage children to live in certain ways without clear presentation of the good news is a distortion of the Christian message.

Prayer is part of the process

It is the Holy Spirit who gives and nurtures life but his work is linked to our activity and one of the things we must do is to pray for our children – our biological children, children in the church, children we can identify in our communities. Prayer is essential in discipling covenant children.

Ministry Considerations

The opportunity

It has long been true that most who make a profession of faith do so either as a child or a teenager. The earlier faith is nurtured, the better.

However, we do not deal with children in isolation. (Actually we do not deal with anyone in isolation.) The primary link with children is their caregivers, which in most instances is one or both parents. So significant ministry to children, in the majority of cases, cannot be separated from ministry to families.

The family and the church

The Great Commission gives the church the responsibility for making disciples. Deuteronomy 6 gives that same responsibility to the parents. Both will pay a price if the other is ignored. And our children will suffer. Both will pay a price if it is done. But the rewards are eternal.

Some churches attract large numbers of children to their summer ministry programs. But it is hard to make meaningful contact with parents who are not part of the church family, so often the attempt is not made. However, if the parents are not brought to faith and become part of the life of the church it will be much more difficult to have a long term influence on their children.

The church must initiate a cooperative effort between the church and the home. Here are some suggestions which could be part of your Celebrate the Child program.

1) Children’s Sunday school teachers need to be taught how to involve parents in the process. For instance, if there are difficulties reaching a child, the parents’ help should be solicited. A teacher can learn much from the way the school is attempting to work with a child and about the way parents are trying.

2) Parents can be asked to read to their children using the biblical accounts from lessons, or the stories found in take-home papers. They can help their children learn Bible verses or catechism questions.

3) Parents can be encouraged to pray with their child. For instance, teachers could keep a chart of prayer requests that come from the class. Each week the group could pray over the list seeing how God has responded. Teachers could make parents aware of the requests made in class and suggest that they pray over them at home.

4) Parents who are in the church will usually respond positively to ways that they can teach their children about the Lord. Parents outside the church can be approached with an expression of appreciation. They are concerned about the spiritual development of their children. The teacher could review with the parents what he/she is attempting to accomplish with the child. That would include a presentation of the gospel and quite possibly an invitation to believe in Jesus.

5) Intergenerational learning is one way to bring children and adults together, and more specifically, children and their parents.

Whatever might be said about the things that shape children, the influence of the primary caregivers is enormous. Regular attention to parental involvement in ministry to their children will challenge both them and their children.

Any of these suggestions could be part of a master plan for ministry to families. Such a plan will require specific steps for implementation.

Children and the Church

1. Children of believers need to be grafted into the church and its worship. It is not enough for a child to be in Sunday school or Pioneer Clubs. If I had my preference, children of every age would be in the worship service with their parents. Our BOCO encourages the parents and children to worship together; however, that is not always practiced. In most congregations, children are in the worship service for part of the time. It is a wholesome thing to see a family sitting together in a worship service.

It is a picture of the way the covenant God has made with us works. It brings together the nuclear family and the family of God. It also models for children a part of what our faith entails.

Having children sing in worship, or to use music they are singing in Sunday school, is one way to include them. Many churches have a children’s sermon. Some have a bulletin to help children follow the Scripture and its exposition. On occasion older children can help take up an offering or do a special reading. I am aware of one church where children sometimes pray aloud in the worship service.

Older members can become surrogate grandparents informally helping to nurture children and causing them to feel like they belong in the church.

2. Children in the community need to hear the good news. To accomplish this will require a fresh look at what we are doing and what we could do. For instance, there are large numbers of special-needs children. Can we become intentional in trying to reach them -and their families? After school programs are common place. A few PCA churches are offering tutoring programs. What about a daily after-school program sponsored by a suburban church? Most congregations offer a summer program. What about a day camp that would span the entire summer?

3. Children have been gifted by God. In the church, opportunities should be made to recognize, develop, and celebrate those gifts. It might be as simple as helping to clean and straighten a room, or as profound as praying for someone in need. Children can encourage a shut-in with a card or even a visit.

What may be needed is an attitude shift – not seeing children as passive recipients, but as active contributors to the life of the church.

Presenting Christ to Children

May 20, 2011 by Bob

Editor’s Note: The following article was written by Bob Edmiston who has served CEP as Coordinator of Training and is presently a consultant. A major part of CEP’s ministry is oriented to the “rising generations.” With that word, we commend the following article to you.

MINISTRY TO CHILDREN

Making disciples and assisting parents to disciple their children is the long term task of the church’s ministry. Discipleship is more than eliciting a profession of faith and teaching Bible stories; it is helping children understand what it means to love God, and to love others with the prayer that God will make Himself known to them and bring them to Himself. Also, it is attempting to model, by word and deed, that Christianity is a way of life built on the Word of God and a personal relationship with Christ.

PRESENTING CHRIST TO CHILDREN

Theological Considerations

When we present our children publicly to the church, we do so on the basis of God’s covenant promise-to be our God and the God of our children. But we also acknowledge our children’s need of the cleansing blood of Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Parents and the church agree they will be actively involved in teaching and modeling the Gospel of the Kingdom before them. This reminds us of two things:

1. Our children are covenant children of God and 2. The need to be taught and urged to see their need to believe in Jesus and repent of their sins, in order for our beliefs to become their beliefs, growing out of our faith and trust in God. Our hope is they will follow in the faith which they own for themselves.

Along with those covenant promises upon which kingdom discipleship operates:

The Bible indicates that we are sinners for at least two reasons:

1. We sin. Though the word “sin” is seldom used outside the church, and our society finds it increasingly difficult to objectively identify certain behavior as wrong, the concept permeates the Bible. Today the issue is “what is right for you?” But there is a standard of right and wrong. It is defined and described in the Scriptures. The human race, individually and collectively, has not measured up. The good news is God has dealt with our failure. It is not necessary to hopelessly travel the road leading to destruction.

2. We come into this world with the need for a new nature. In Romans 5, Paul indicates sin entered the world through one man – Adam (v. 12). Death reigned because of his disobedience (v. 17). As a result of that one trespass our entire race is condemned (v. 18).

While original sin is part of Christian theology, this doctrine has been at odds with contemporary understandings of human nature for some time. The idea that children are born with an innate goodness or innocence persists.

How does God look at a child? Christians have responded in several ways:

1. Some suggest that God will withhold judgment until an “age of accountability” – that is, the point at which a person knows the difference between right and wrong. The difficulty is that this view has no biblical support.

2. Others believe that baptism washes away the stain of “original sin.” That posits a view of baptism which has been, and continues to be, held by large constituencies in the church.

For theo Roman Catholoc view of baptism, timing was a consideration and baptism was to be done as quickly as possible for the protection of the child.

The PCA’s Book of Church Order (BOCO)says, “Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed.” It does not support the idea that baptism cleanses from original sin. Rather it is a sign that the child is part of the Christian family.

3. A third group goes back to the covenant God has made with his people. This is the PCA’s position.

The words of Paul are comforting to Christians. If a believer is married to an unbeliever, the unbeliever is sanctified by the believer (1 Cor. 7:14). Strong language; yet the covering given by the believer is short of salvation. To become part of God’s family the unbeliever must turn in faith to Jesus. Paul continues, “Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy” (v. 14). This is particularly hopeful to those who have lost young children.

The children who are part of the Christian family are:

1. Those who have at least one believing parent. They are “non-communicant” members of the church. They are members on the basis of the promise of God, and parents who claim that promise by faith.

Some have suggested the regeneration of such children is a given. Consequently, they are assumed to be believers and are seldom, if ever, challenged to believe in Jesus. Congregations, even entire denominations, have suffered as a result. The most acute pain, however, has been felt by those parents whose children grew into adulthood without ever making a commitment to Christ.

Even when children are faithfully challenged to follow, there are those who refuse to believe. Some within the church say, or imply, that if parents and others do certain things there is a virtual guarantee that children will turn out “right.” But the Bible does not support that. The classic example: “Jacob I loved; Esau I hated” (Mal.1:2, 3; Rom.9: 11-13).

God has given the church promises. It is much more likely that a child of believing parents will follow Christ. But it is also clear that many of our covenant children have forsaken their heritage. The promise is not void; in fact many children will come back. Still, it is sobering to consider how many we are losing.

In baptism, children of believing parents formally become part of the church. When adults transfer membership, their baptized children are listed with them as “non-communicant” members (BOCO 12:5). However, those children must be continually challenged to claim the faith of their parents as their own, as expressed in the baptismal vows.

2. Those who have believed. Children are able to believe with whatever capabilities they have at any given age. Consequently, age characteristics should be considered when children are challenged to believe, not whether they should be challenged.

Some children express faith as preschoolers; however, it is imperative that their parents and the church continue to press the claims of Christ as they mature.

Believing children, whose parents have not come to faith, are also part of the church, even though there is no formal way to recognize that until such time as they are able to make a credible profession of faith. Most every church has children like this who are in Sunday school, Pioneer Clubs or VBS. They have responded in an age-appropriate way to the claims of Christ.

They are vivid illustrations of the way God constantly stretches the boundaries of his church. His grace is experienced not just in Christian homes but in the families of many who do not know him.

A high priority for the church should be incorporating such unbelieving parents into the Christian family.

Coming to faith in Christ can be:

1. A gradual experience. Faith is a process. The prevailing notion is that faith is an event. Many who point to an event however, do so because they are culturally conditioned, but in reality their faith grew over time and the event may or may not have had the significance they have attached to it. Some children seem to respond to Christ naturally from their earliest years. Such was the case with Samuel (I Samuel 1 & 2 especially, 1:23 – 28; 2:11). There are instances where regeneration occurred in the womb: John the Baptist (Luke l:15) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah l:5). Children raised in Christian homes hopefully will experience the nurture of parents and give evidence of saving faith.

2. An event – often a dramatic event. Many have professed faith in this way. But if the norm is the formulas present-day evangelicals use, there were centuries in the history of the church where almost no one came to faith.

The “sinner’s prayer” is often offered as the way to come to faith and has been the means by which large numbers of people have expressed belief in Christ. At the same time it can be an obstacle:

A. There are many who have prayed the prayer and believed that they have fulfilled all that is required to be “saved.” Sometimes it is necessary to explain why a person is not a Christian before it is possible to talk about how to come to faith. Large numbers of people have been lulled into a false sense of security, believing that they are right with God when, in fact, they are not. Children are particularly vulnerable to this distortion. They tend to be easily manipulated. It is possible to get them to raise their hands and repeat prayers asking Jesus to forgive them when they have no concept of what faith entails.

B. There are those who have prayed the prayer but nothing seemed to happen. There were no dramatic changes. The struggles remained. Consequently, doubts not only appeared, but were overwhelming. Some people have prayed the prayer again and again, each time hoping for light to dawn, feelings to change, and destructive behavior to suddenly become a thing of the past. After awhile they may wonder if it is possible for them to attain salvation.

Faith is not works, yet faith grows as it is expressed in the disciplines of faith. Through those disciplines commitment to Jesus is internalized.

Continue to Page 2

How We Teach and How They Learn, Part 9 – Learning Styles, Culture, and Denominations

May 20, 2011 by Dennis

We have looked at all four learning styles. Did you find where you fit? Even more, have you learned to appreciate that not everyone learns in the same way you learn? This time I want to go a step further and explain how learning styles fit in different cultural settings, and next time how it even affects different denominations.

In every culture, all four learning styles exist. However, not all cultures fit the same learning style(s). Let me explain. We live in a Western culture. The characteristics of Western thinking are that we like things to be done in a logical, sequential, and time-honoring way. When we teach something like Church History, we make sure we start from the very beginning and work straight through to today.

Well, not every culture works like this. Two-thirds of the world fits what is called a non-Western culture. Time is not measured the way we measure it in importance. In a non-Western setting, time is not as important as the event is. Let me give an example.

A colleague of mine in South Africa asked if he could teach Church History. He was educated in Western schools, colleges, and also two seminaries. But he was from a very non-Western culture, and his learning style was imaginative, stretching over into the dynamic. After teaching for a couple of weeks the students started coming to me complaining about the class. They could not figure out what he was doing. The first week he started with Martin Luther, then went back to Augustine, then to Constantine. As the students talked I began to realize what the prof was doing. I asked the students if they enjoyed the lessons on Luther, etc. They loved what he had to say, but they could not put together what he was doing. Nor were they happy that Church History was all over the place.

These students previously had my course on Teaching and Learning, so I went over with them what we studied regarding learning styles and their effects on culture. It was the events of history that were important to this prof more than where they fit in history. He was a global learner, more interested in people and events than in details like who came first. Once the students put all this together, they were able to go back to class, and together we worked with this prof to help him understand what was going to help these students the most.

Another way to understand this cultural divide is to see how it affects our observance regarding time. Westerners keep time, while non-Westerners make time. Which one is right? If you say one or the other you would be wrong. It is not a right/wrong issue. Both have their place, and both need to learn to play well with each other.

If you can grasp this difference, then there is one more thing that will help in your Bible study. The culture of the Bible is not Western! When you read the Gospels do you ever wonder why the events of Jesus’ life are not written chronologically? The Gospel writers were not Western. What was important to them was each event of Jesus’ life more than the sequence. Therefore, learn from what God has given us, and don’t try to read more into it than is there.

If you have questions about this, or anything regarding learning styles or Christian education, we are here to help. Feel free to email me, and I will do what I can. dbennett@pcanet.org

Growing the Church Through Ministry to Youth and Children

May 20, 2011 by Sue

2020bannerforarticle

Christian Education and Publications’ 2020Vision is a series of conferences, local church training events, and resources designed to assist the church in ministry to youth and children. We are challenging the local church to consider these questions:

Does my church have a vision to see disciples grow up from our children and youth by the year 2020?
How well prepared are the parents to disciple their children?
Are the lives of our church leadership being transformed by the gospel so that we may be models for the next generation to follow?
What steps must I (we) begin to take to develop a 2020 Vision?

Answering these questions together encourages us to become very intentional about the kind of ministry we will pursue in the next decade to realize our vision for the year 2020 – His church filled with strong Jesus men and Jesus women! Consider having a 2020Vision training event in your church or presbytery. The focus is on uniting the church and home so that we may together pass the faith on to the next generation.

2020Vision RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

The newest children’s books at www.cepbookstore.com

GOD’S NAMES
by Sally Michael

This new book from P&R is a great tool for parents and teachers who want to have interactive dialogue with children as you discover God’s character together. I say “together” because the parent and teacher will probably learn more than the child in these short, yet rich, messages focused on the names of God and their meanings. The learning is interactive because each chapter is filled with questions. The questions are answered as you study and discuss the nature of God.

Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord My Shepherd

Do lions need people to take care of them? How about monkeys, whales, snake, or eagles? They don’t, do they? God has made these animals so that they can take care of themselves. But sheep are different. Most sheep need someone – a shepherd – to take care of them.

This is just part of one lesson as the parent/teacher leads children through this mini-primer on the character of God as revealed by his names.

THE TEN GIRLS/BOYS WHO USED THEIR TALENTS

THE TEN GIRLS/BOYS WHO DIDN’T GIVE IN

THE TEN GIRLS/BOYS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

THE TEN GIRLS/BOYS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD

If you want to interest your children in Christian biographies, these books published by Christian Focus are the place to start. Each book has ten short stories with an added “Fact File”, “Keynote”, “Think”, and “Prayer” addendum to encourage children to ponder on what they have learned through this person’s life. Have you ever read about Betty Stam, Bethan Lloyd-Jones, Isobel Kuhn? These more obscure biographies are included along with Ruth Bell Graham, Amy Carmichael and Corrie Ten Boom. Children will want to learn more after reading these short stories, thus beginning a journey into following the lives of the saints who have gone before us. Reading these books gives you a wonderful introduction into the lives of those who have not made the history books but should have.

THE FAITHFUL PARENT: A BIBLICAL GUIDE TO RAISING A FAMILY
by Martha Peace and Stuart W. Scott

After clarifying the goal for parenting and the basic biblical responsibilities of the parent and child, Peace and Scott dissect the lives of our children and give practical instruction as it applies to the infant, toddler, preschooler, school-age and teenage child in the home. For a parent crying out, “Just tell me what to do!” this book is a wonderful answer to the cry for help.

My favorite chapter, however, is entitled Parents Who Provoke. I’ve heard sermons preached from the Col. 3:21 passage. “Father, do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged.” But these authors bring understanding to all of the ways that we might provoke our children by defining sinful attitudes that teach our children more than we would like to think. Take a look at this list: The Despairing Parent, The Controlling/Angry Parent, The “Guess What the Rules are Today” Parent, The Exaggerating Parent, The “Must be Perfect” Parent, The “Fear of What Others Might Think” Parent. The list goes on and on. This section of the book helps to identify sinful behaviors in parenting that so easily entangle us all.

These authors do an exceptional job, responding to all of the most-asked questions of parents with sound biblical answers. The book closes with a wonderful instructional prayer and a directive on presenting the gospel with detailed scripture references.

If you are parenting or giving counsel to parents, this is a valuable tool for your ongoing study. Its eleven chapters full of questions to ponder and discuss would also be effective as a small group study on parenting.

The following 2020Vision resources were reviewed in Issue 4/2010 Equip:

GOSPEL-POWERED PARENTING
by William P. Farley

This book is being used in many of our churches as a tool for training parents in a small group setting.

COVENANT DISCIPLESHIP PARENTS’ HANDBOOK
By Richard L. Burguet and J. Ed Eubanks, Jr

A parent/student handbook which is an alternative to the traditional age-based Communicant’s Class, offering Reformed and Presbyterian churches of any size a way to bring students into the church as communing members when they are ready.

THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
by Sally Lloyd-Jones

If you do not yet own this children’s Bible, you have missed out on the top-seller in children’s books in the last two years.

(Sue Jakes is an educational specialist for CEP focusing on Children’s Ministry).

Press Release: So What? New Youth Bible Studies from Great Commission Publications

April 12, 2011 by Editor

So What? New Youth Bible Studies from Great Commission Publications

Engaging teens in Bible study doesn’t mean watering it down. GCP’s new youth Bible studies equip teens to take ownership of their faith in Jesus Christ.

So What does the Bible say?

Teenagers have questions. God’s Word has answers. That’s why Scripture is the heart of each session. Students will examine what the Bible says, learn what it means, and see how it relates to their lives.

So What questions does the Bible answer?

A good question has remarkable power to stimulate and engage critical thinking skills. Each session zeros in on one question and one answer, allowing students to focus on the truth in Scripture.

So What difference does it make?

Students are asking, ‘How does the Bible apply to my life? How can I live out what I believe? So what difference does faith in Christ make?’

The question “So What?” captures in a nutshell this series’ primary purpose: that God the Holy Spirit will work through the study of his Word to bring about students’ ownership of their faith in Jesus Christ.

So What? Features