Episode Overview
This episode explores the gospel issue of Children and Families.
Of the more than 2 billion children in the world, most are unreached. There is great need for intentional focus on long-term discipleship to help children understand the big picture of the Bible and their part in God’s big story. Children and young people are the Church of today, not merely of tomorrow. Young people have great potential as active agents in God’s mission. They represent an enormous under-used pool of influencers with sensitivity to the voice of God and a willingness to respond to him. We rejoice in the excellent ministries that serve among and with children, and long for such work to be multiplied since the need is so great.
As we see in the Bible, God can and does use children and young people – their prayers, their insights, their words, their initiatives – in changing hearts. They represent ‘new energy’ to transform the world. Let us listen and not stifle their childlike spirituality with our adult rationalistic approaches. (The Cape Town Commitment II-D-5). Local church pastors, church members, children’s workers, school teachers, grandparents, parents, youth, and children can help children become growing, active disciples of Jesus for a lifetime.
Episode Outline
- 1. Introduction to Children and Families
- 2. Why Children and Families Matter
- 3. Biblical and Theological Foundations
- 4. The State of the Family Today
- 5. Children as Witnesses and Co-Laborers
- 6. Missional Families (Families on Mission)
- 7. Methodologies for Church to Engage and Disciple Children and Families
- 8. Challenges and Roadblocks
- 9. Historical and Statistical Insights and Trends
- 10. Raising the Next Generation of Disciples
- 11. Vision, Hopes, and Prayers (Calls to Action)
- 12. Inspiration and Guidance for Younger Leaders
- 13. Conclusion
Resources
Resources are available to use this Global Classroom episode in a variety of contexts including classrooms, small groups, and individual study.
