Childhood is when the foundation for a lifetime of discipleship is laid. Therefore, children must be a high priority in our churches. Children’s Week is a great time to begin a new emphasis and a new passion for evangelizing and discipling children and their families. Children’s Week for 2009 is June 7-14.
Kidz First—Where Discipleship Begins! is the 2009 Children’s Week theme. The primary goal is to MAKE EVERY CHILD A DISCIPLE.
Use the following resources to help you disciple children. When children accept Jesus as Savior, they need instruction and guidance to live the Christian life. These resources will help you with your discipleship plan, starting with salvation and moving the children into the processing of becoming life-long disciples who can disciple others.
The D-Code ChallengeChildren can participate in the annual Children’s Ministries Mission Offering Project. The 2009 project it the “D-Code Challenge: Bible Quizzing—Unlocked, Unlimited, and Understood.” It is inspired by the words of Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
When kids participate in “The D-Code Challenge,” they can make an eternal difference in the lives of children by helping to provide quizzing and Bible study resources in other languages: French, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese.
There are places in our world where printed materials, especially those carrying a biblical message, are extremely limited. When kids give money to “The D-Code Challenge,” they can change the lives of children who want to have the same opportunity to hear God speak to them through His Word.
This year’s Mission Offering Project will make a difference in the lives of children around the world. They can learn about the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Encourage the children to accept the challenge to help other kids around the world have access to Bible Quizzing resources. Use the Kids Reaching Kids promotional packet found in the Children’s Week Packet.
To request a packet, email
childmin@nazarene.org.
For more information, visit
www.kidsreachingkids.com.
Young Believers Discipleship Series
The following resources from the Young Believer’s Discipleship Series are easy to use and affordable. They will help you carry out your goal of Kidz First—Where Discipleship Begins!
 |
Hand in Hand
“Hand in Hand: Embracing Families with Young Children” is an all-new packet of “Cradle Roll” materials (cards, parenting information mailers, program helps, a parent covenant, and dedication certificate) to help you connect with parents of children birth to three years. You can walk hand-in-hand with families as they lead their children into lives of faith.
CD-4000 $14.99 |
 |
My Best Friend, Jesus
This vibrant, full-color booklet uses the powerful imagery of the The Story of Jesus for Children film to help you lead children to the Savior! It includes the ABCs of Salvation, a prayer of commitment, and steps for follow-up. Visit www.wordaction.com/MBFJ for a free downloadable leader's guide.
JFSB-3000 $4.99 (pkg. of 10) |
 |
So . . . You Want to Follow Jesus?
This colorful, new, five-week Bible study is the tool you need to disciple new believers in the faith. Order a packet for each child who makes a commitment to follow Jesus. Visit www.wordaction.com/KidsBBS for a free downloadable leader's guide.
CD-3206 $4.99 |
 |
So . . . You Want to Talk with God?
Prayer can seem mysterious to kids. However, this booklet will help children realize the wonderful privilege of talking with God. They will learn different types of prayer and effective ways to pray. Visit www.wordaction.com/go/PRAY for a downloadable leader’s guide.
CD-3211 $6.99 (pkg of 10)
|
 |
So . . . You Want to Take Communion?
Teach kids the importance and meaning of Communion with this colorful new booklet from WordAction's Young Believer's Discipleship Series! This booklet helps kids understand what it means to participate in Communion. Visit www.wordaction.com/go/COMMUNION for a free downloadable leader's guide.
CD-3205 $6.99 (pkg. of 10) |
 |
So . . . You Want to Be Baptized?
Teach kids the importance and meaning of baptism with this colorful new booklet from WordAction's Young Believer's Discipleship Series! Visit www.wordaction.com/go/BAPTISM for a free downloadable leader's guide.
CD-3204 $6.99 (pkg. of 10) |
 |
Discovering My Faith, Catechism
This series of 12 lessons helps preteens discuss questions and answers about Christian beliefs. Children's Ministries highly recommends that all children experience Discovering My Faith before promotion to the Youth Department.
CD-978 $59.99 Leader's Packet CD-977 $5.99 Student Book |
 |
So . . . You Want to Give to God?
Help
children understand the concept of stewardship. This includes time,
talent, money, and lordship. These booklets are available through
WordAction. Visit www.WordAction.com/go/GIVE for a free downloadable
leader’s guide. Available after May 15, 2008.
CD-3209 $6.99 (pkg. of 10)
|
 |
So . . . You Want to Share Jesus?
Teach children how to share the gospel with other kids. This colorful booklet is available from WordAction. Visit www.wordaction.com/go/SHAREJESUS for a free downloadable leader’s guide. Available after May 15, 2008.
CD-3208 $6.99 (pkg. of 10)
|
 |
So . . . Who Is a Disciple-maker?
Teach children how to practice discipleship wherever they are. This booklet is available from WordAction. Visit www.WordAction.com/go/DISCIPLE for a free downloadable leader’s guide. Available after May 15, 2008.
CD-3207 $6.99 (pkg. of 10)
|
 |
So . . . What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?
Children feel a part of the church when they are permitted to sue their talents and abilities. This booklet will help children understand what spiritual gifts are, discover their spiritual gifts, and plan ways to use their spiritual gifts. Visit www.wordaction.com/go/SPIRITUALGIFTS for a downloadable leader’s guide.
CD-3210 $6.99 (pkg. of 10)
|
|
The Case of Stuart’s Ship—A Lesson in Stewardship by Stan Toler and Debra White Smith.
Through a Sunday School poster contest, Stuart learns what it means to be a good steward of time, talents, money, God’s resources, and our bodies. This is an excellent book to read to children, or it can be read by early elementary and middle elementary children. It is a great way to teach stewardship concepts. Go to tfelder@nazarene.org to order a free CD that has four coordinating stewardship lessons and a free DVD that features a video clip for each of those four lessons.
|
 | connect!
Transform family devotional time with connect! the quarterly family
devotional from WordAction. Give your families the tool they need to
establish the daily habit of Bible reading, discussion, and prayer.
This quarterly devotional book contains a full-color, easy–to-use
format, attractive design, and relevant devotions for today's family.
ACRPZZCON $2.99
|
 | Raising Kids to Extraordinary Faith is a book written by Debbie
Salter Goodwin for parents, teachers, grandparents, pastors—anyone who
ministers to children and everyone who influences children and youth.
This book is a valuable resource to give parents and teachers a
practical guide for developing Christian virtues in children. Filled
with spiritual growth ideas and suggestions for developing a
faith-enriched home and church environment, it provides everyone who
influences children purposeful advice, spiritual insight, and essential
awareness to help them make discipleship the key component of their
parenting, teaching, or mentoring.
From prayer and Bible study to spiritual gifts and global awareness,
Raising Kids to Extraordinary Faith shows parents and ministry workers
how to partner together to help children love Jesus and learn to grow
in their faith.
Children’s Ministries International recommends this book to parents,
grandparents, teachers, all Children’s Ministries workers, pastors to
children and families, and all pastoral staff members. Anyone who
influences the life of a child needs to know how to disciple children.
It is published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. To order this book click here.
Log onto www.discipleship.nazarene.org to view many discipleship
resources. There are videos and handouts in English and Spanish. Also,
there are suggestions for resources to purchase. Click on Children
under Session Three for a video session on Children’s Discipleship
presented by Lynda T. Boardman, Children’s Ministries International
Director. |