1 training-transforming ministry with children cells

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Introduction

WouldyouliketoseeatransformationinyourSundaySchool/Children’sMinistry?Wouldyouliketoseechildrenmobilized,ministering,andwinningtheirfriendsforJesus?Wouldyouliketoseechildrendiscipledandmakingdisciplesthemselves?WouldyouliketoseeSundaySchool/Children’sMinistryteacherscommittedtoasmallgroupofchildrenandbecomespiritualfathersandmotherstothem?WouldyouliketoseeSundaySchool/Children’sMinistryteacherstrainedandabletomobilizechildrentoleadcellsintheirchurches,schoolsandhomes?WouldyoulikematerialsthatwillhelpyourchildrentounderstandKingdomvaluesoflovingGod,lovingoneanotherandlovingthosewhoarelosttoJesus?AllovertheworldsmallgroupsaretransformingChildren’sMinistryandtrainingchildrentobepartakersoftheKingdom.Fromtheinnercitytothevillages,childrenareleadinganddisciplingotherchildren,theyareministeringtoeachotherandhavingtheopportunityofreachingtheirfullpotentialinJesus.Jesususedinteractivelearning.Heencouragedquestionsandrespondedtorelevantissues.HesentHisdisciplesoutandtrainedthemtobeleaderswhilegivingthemsupportandfeedback.ItistimetolookatthewaywearedoingChurchforourchildrenand,usingJesusasourmodel,trainthemforsuchatimeasthis!Interested?Thenreadon!

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ThisTrainingisin2parts:Document1=Part#1‐TrainingfortransitioningChildren’sMinistry/SundaySchooltocells.Document2=Part#2‐Cellagendastoexperientiallytakeleadersandchildrenthroughcellvalues.BeginBy: • AskingSeniorLeadershipandSundaySchool/Children’sMinistryleaderstocompletePart1

bythemselves.(Thisdocumentistoprovokediscussion,nottobeseenasright/wrong.)• Arrangingtomeetanddiscusstheirwrittenresponsesinthedocument.• FromthepulpitthePastorshouldpreachontheBiblicalplaceofchildrenbeforeannouncing

anychangestothecongregation.

ThenUsingtheMaterialsinPart2• Castthevisiontothechildrenthemselves.• Selectasmallgroupofchildrenandpioneertheexperiencewiththem.• Formcells(8children)withcommittedadultleaders.ThenLivingWithJesusTogether:43weeksofChildren’sCellmaterialintemplateform,soChurchescanthenwritetheirownmaterialinlinewiththevisionoftheirChurch.DisciplingChildrentobeImplementedThroughtheAdultEquippingTrack:LivingWithJesus:DiscipleshipMaterial–onceaweekforachildonetoonewithaparent(oranotheradultifnotapplicable).AdditionalResourcesbyDaphneKirk• ReconnectingtheGenerations• BornforSuchaTimeasThis• HeirsTogether(PrinciplesandpracticeofIntergenerationalCells)• WhenaChildAskstobeBaptized• WhenachildasksaboutCommunion

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Part#1‐TransformingMinistrywithChildren(Cells)

TOBECOMPLETEDPRIVATELYTHENDISCUSSEDASALEADERSHIPGROUP

God’s“JobDescription”fortheChildrenoftheNationsAllovertheworldIheartheSpiritofGodsendingaclearpropheticmessage.ThisistheheartbeatofthemessagethatIhavecapturedfromsomanynations;itcouldbecalledGod’s“JobDescription”fortheyoungestgeneration.EverythingwedoistoreleasethemtobeGod’sEndTimeArmy.Keepthiswordasa“plumbline”asyoubegintheprocessoftransformingyourchildren’sministry.“ManyhavecalledthistheJoshuageneration;chosentoinherittheland.Theywillnotwaitfordeath,to come into their inheritance, butwill take theirwaiting inheritance. Theywill inheritwhat theyhavenotlookedoraskedforandwhichothershaveintercededfor.Theymustrememberthatothershavefoughtanddreamedforwhattheywillreceive.This isaconsecratedgenerationforahighandnobletasktoriseupand inherit the land,withananointingforbattle.Theywillseethingsspeedup,theywilllookandtheanswerwillbethere,theywillspeakand itwillhappen.Theywillseecometopasswhatmanyhavespentyears lookingfor.Thiswillbenormaltothem;thiswillbetheirexpectation.There isanawakeningsweepingacrosstheearth, thisgenerationwillseethegloryofGodpouredout,andstreamsinthedesert...Theywillnotlivebytherulesofpreviousgenerationsbutwillhavealifeandavisionthatcannotbecontained.Theywill lookdifferentandbedifferent,withapowerand zeal different fromothergenerations.Theywillseewhatothershavestruggledtoseeandunderstanddivinestrategyofthesedays,findingiteasytowalkin.Theywillmanifestasawild radical generationwhopracticeholiness,whoknowhow to loveandforgive. They are an advancing elite army, rising fromevery part of the earth, even from the dryplaces,andemergingfromthewilderness,takingJesuseverywhere,intoplacesofinfluence,tothepoorandrichalike.Theyareamassivearmybeingtrainedrightnow;therewillnotbetimetotrainthemlater.Nowisthetimetoequipandreleasethem.Theyarecalledtobeanarmyofprophetandprophetesses,tohearthebeatofHisheartandmarchtoitsmessage,tostandinthecitygatesandprophesy.Thisisthe time for the spirit of the Nasserites, for the Elijah revolution, a radically obedient, holygenerationfullofgrace,mercyandboldness.AstheystayclosetoanointedmenandservethemGodwillopendoors.TheywillshakethenationsandtakeHisglorytotheendsoftheearthwithavisionandpassionfortheharvest.Itwillbeseenwhytheenemyhastriedtodestroythem,Hesawtheendtimearmy,havingcountedthecostofdiscipleship,readyandwillingtolaydowntheirlives.

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Previous generations have stood through hard times seeing little in return. They stood for thisgeneration;theypaidapricethatthisgenerationcouldinherit”

‐ ‐ExcerptfromReconnectingtheGenerations

• Re‐readthepropheticwordandunderlinestatementsthatimpactedyou.

• Statewhyyouwereimpacted:

• What differencewill thesewordsmake to your understanding of training this generationliterally“forsuchatimeasthis.”?

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ValuesThatWillTransformYourChildren’sMinistryThefollowingareclearlydefinedvaluesforChildren’sMinistry,givingeverychildtheopportunityoflivingthemout.

JesusattheCentre:• Jesusatthecentreofeverychild’slife.• Jesusatthecentreofeveryfamily.

EveryChildinMinistry

• Allchildrenareministers.• Allchildrenarecalledtoserve.• Allchildrenareempoweredforservice.

EveryChildGrowing

• Allchildrenarereceiversandgivers.• Allchildrenarehearersanddoers.• Allchildrenbeingdiscipled.

EveryChildWitnessing

• Allchildrenarecalledtowinothers.• Allchildrenareequippedtowinothers.• Allchildrenmakingdisciples.

EveryFamilyReached

• ThefamilyofeverychildreachedforJesus.• ParentswhoknowJesus,disciplingtheirownchildren.• ThefamilyofeverychildservingJesustogether.

EveryChildandEveryFamily

• LovingGod.• Lovingoneanother.• Lovingthelost.

• Evaluatehowimportantyouseethese.

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WhoisaChildren’sMinister?The Bible presents parents as being the primary ministers for their children (Psalm 78:1‐8,Deuteronomy 29:29, etc.) but also every member of every generation is commanded to beresponsibleforthenext(Psalm145:4).Whenweignorethisedictthecatastrophicresult isseeninJudges2:10“When thisgenerationhad returned to its fathersagenerationgrewupwhodidnotknowtheirGod.”TodaytheHolySpiritismobilizingourgenerationtotrainagenerationthatreallyknowstheirGod.SadlytodaymanyseeChildren’sMinistryasholdingtheprimary,andoftentheonly,responsibilityforchildren’sspiritualdevelopment.Children’sMinistryhaveaveryimportantrole,buttheyarestrugglingtodothetaskthateverybelieveriscalledtodo!Havingsaidthat,wewillnowrefertotheChildren’sMinisteraswehavecometothinkofittoday,butIhopethattheseBiblicalprincipleswillnotdisappear:

• Onegenerationbeingresponsibleforthediscipleshipofthenext.• Parentsbeingresponsibleforthediscipleshipoftheirchildren.

ThePersonLeadingtheChildren’sMinistryThispersoniskey,justasineveryotherleadershipposition.Thisisnotthetaskforjustanyone.Itisapositionthatnotonlydeserveshonorbutshouldbeheldwithrespectandbegivenonlyaftermuchprayerandundertheusualleadershipguidelines.ThePersonLeadingtheChildren’sMinistryMust:

• Besomeonewithvisionandpassionintrainingthechildren“forsuchatimeasthis”!• HavethesameleadershipcharacterandspiritualqualitiesasotherChurchleaders.• BeempoweredandrecognizedbytheseniorleadershipoftheChurch.• Besubmittedtothatleadership.• Beinmembersofacellthemselves.

QualitiestheywillNeed(recognizingthatweareallintheprocessofchange):

• Theabilitytoworkcloselywiththeseniorleadership.• Theabilitytoteachchildrenwithinspirationandconviction.• Theabilitytorelateandcommunicatetoparentsandleaders.• TheabilitytocommandrespectanddisciplineinaGodlymanner.• Apersonofprayer.• Theabilitytotrain,empowerandsupportotherswithwhomtheywork.

ItisVitalthattheSeniorChildren’s/YouthMinistersareontheSeniorLeadershipTeam,so:

• Theycatchtheheartofallthatishappening,takingitintotheChildren’sMinistry.• The“faceofthechildren”isrepresentedontheleadershipteam.• Theoutworkingofdecisionsincludesthechildren.• Theyaresupportedandgivenhonor.• BeingresponsibleforchildrenisasomethingJesusholdsinhighestesteem.

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• ReadMatthew18:1‐18,listandmakeanoteofwhatimpactedyou:

• Howwillyourlifebechangedasaresultoftakingafreshlookatthischapter?

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TeachertoFacilitatorSundayschoolteacherswillneedachangeofparadigmtounderstandthefacilitatingroleofacellleader.Itisadifferentdynamicandonethatneedstobeclearlyunderstood.Children’sCellFacilitatorOneoftheprimaryadjustmentsforthosewhohavepreviouslytaughtinChildren’sMinistry/Sundayschoolistobeabletofacilitatechildrenratherthanteach.FacilitationwillhelptoreleasetheworkofHisSpiritinandthroughthem.Movingfromteachertofacilitatorcanbehard,especiallywhenleadingasmallgroupofchildren.Theadultcanautomaticallyfeelthattheyhavemoretogivethanachild.Italsotakestimeforchildrentorealizethatwhattheyhavetoofferotherchildrenandadultsisjustasvaluable.ItisoneHolySpiritlivinginallofus,whateverage.TheBibletellsusthatwehavemuchtolearnfromthemandthattheyarerolemodelsforus(Matthew18).Firstconsiderthedifferencesbetweenateacherandafacilitator:Teacher FacilitatorIamthefocus IenableotherstobethefocusYouexpecttolearnfromme WeexpecttolearnfromeachotherIbringmybesttoyou WebringoutthebestineachotherIamimportanttoyou WeareimportanttoeachotherIministertoyou Weministertoeachother

• Addtothelistotherexamplesofthedifferencebetween“teacher”andfacilitator.• WhataresomeoftheimplicationsofthesechangesinaChildren’sMinistry:

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TeachertoTrainerChildrenNeedDiscipleshipJesusmodeleddiscipleship,whichwasnot limited tomeetingsbuta lifestyle thatwas relevant tothem.So it iswithchildren.Ouraim is tomakedisciplesof Jesus,andthensendthemouttrainedand supported, to do the same. Jesus commissioned us tomake disciples of “all nations” ‐ everyadult,youngpersonandchild(Matthew28).Healsocommissionedthechildrentomakedisciples.Childrenneedrelationshipbothinsideandoutsidethesmallgroupmeeting,notonlytobuildtrustbutalsoforencouragementandfollowup.Thecellleadershipmustextendbeyondthemeetingandbeinvolvedinthefamilyandlifeofthechildthroughvisits,phonecalls,etc.TrainupaChildProverbssays,“Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgoandwhenheisoldhewillnotdepartfromit.”Thereisadistinctdifferencebetween“teaching”and“training”.Ateachermaytellallaboutit,butatrainerwillgiveopportunitytopracticeandcoach.Imaygivechildreninformationsotheyhavegoodunderstandingofagame,butunlesstheyhaveopportunityofbeingcoachedandpracticetheywillnevermakeaplayer.Thisistraining.Atrainerordiscipler,willbetheobserver,participator,coachandencourager,justasJesuswaswithHisdisciples.HesentthemoutandgavethemtheopportunityoflearningandcomingbacktoHimfor“coaching”ortraining.Childrenmayknowaboutprayer...butcantheypray?TheymayknowaboutarelationshipwithJesus…buthavetheygotarelationshipwithHim?TheymayknowaboutwinningtheirfriendstoJesus…butaretheyactuallydoingit?TheymayknowabouthearingthevoiceofGo…butcantheyactuallyhearHim?Whataredifferencesbetweenateacherandatrainer?Teacher Trainer/DisciplerItell IgiveyoutheopportunitytoexperiencetooIdoitsoyoucansee Imodelthenyoudoittoo.IgiveyoufeedbackYoulearnfromwhatIsay Iencourageandhelpyouuntilyou“getit”Atsettimesandoccasions IfollowupsoyoumakethepracticealifestyleIteachfrommyexperience Iwantyoutohaveexperiencetoo

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• Continuetoaddsomedifferencesbetweenateacherandadiscipler/trainer.

• Listsomeimplicationsofmovingfromateachertoatrainerinchildren’sministry:

• Whatwouldbeyourpersonalbiggestchallengeasyoumovefromteachertotraining/facilitator?

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WhatistheVisionoftheChildren’sMinistry?TheprimaryaimofChildren’sMinistryistoworkwiththeseniorleaderstobringtopassthevisionthatGodhasgivenforthatlocalbodyofbelievers.For too long the Children’s Ministry has been disconnected from the vision, and therefore thedirection of the Church.Now is the time for the Church to be united andwork towards a clearlycommunicated vision. This unity will bring families together, cells together and every generationtogetherworkingfortheKingdomofGod.Ithasbeensaid,“twovisionsaredivision”,yetoftenaChurchhasthreevisions:onefortheadults,oneforthechildrenandonefortheyoungpeople.WhenthechildrenofIsraeltraveledfromEgypttothePromisedLandeverygenerationwenttogether.Theywentthroughthegoodtimesandtheywentthroughthebad.WhenPharaohtoldMosesthathecouldtakethemenbutleavethewomenandchildrenbehind,Mosesreplied“Oneout!Allout!”Hehadavision,totakethemall,everyman,woman, young person, and child to the Promised Land. That is still God’s dream: that we all gotogether.Takeamomentrightnowandwriteoutthevisionstatementforyourchurch:Vision statement for your Church: (if you are unclear about the vision for your Church, invite amemberoftheseniorleadershiptocomeandshareitwithallthoseinvolvedinChildren’sMinistry(perhapsincludingtheparents). What impactwould ithave if everygenerationweremoving together to fulfill thevisionthatGodhasgivenforyourChurch?Bespecificaboutwhatyouthinkthatwouldlooklike!

• InyourChurch:

• InyourChildren’sMinistry:

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WhatHappensinaChildren’sCellMeeting?InaCell,throughastrategyofWelcome,Worship,WordandWitness(oftencalledthe4W’s!),thechildrenandCellleaderwillworshipJesus,applythewordofGodtotheirlives,andbeequippedtowintheirfriendsforJesus.Model1‐IftheChildren’sCellsmeetinoneroomthenthefollowingpatterncouldbeusedwiththeChildren’sPastor facilitating from“the front.” Thismodelallows the seniorChildren’sMinister togivesupporttoallCells.Itwillalsobeasupportiveenvironmentforchildrenastheyarediscipledtoleadtheirowngroup.Model2‐IfCellsmeetinindividualroomstheneachsmallgroupleaderwillberesponsibleforthewholemeetinghavingthematerialthatisgivenouttoalltheCells.WelcomingEachOtherChairsforcellscanbesetoutina“U”shapeopentothefront.AschildrenarrivetheygostraighttotheirCellwheretheir leaderwaitstowelcomethem. Intheirindividualgroupsthechildrenwelcomeeachotherduringrefreshments(adrinkandasnack),sharingtogetherabouttheirweek.

• Encourageallchildrentoshare, listenandrespond.Pray,mobilize,support,encourage,andempathize.

AllCellscanthenanswertheicebreakerquestion(givenontheCellagenda)ensuringthateverychildandleaderhasthechancetorespond.

• Startbyansweringyourselftomodelthetypeandlengthofanswer.Thengoroundthecircle.WorshippingJesusWorship can be led byagiftedworship leader “from the front,”while children remaining in theirCells. People oftenwonderwhy children aren’t entering into praise andworship– too often it isbecauseofthequalityofworshipleader…theyneedtheverybest!ThefacilitationofthatworshipcantakeplaceintheCell,ledbytheleaderwiththegiftsoftheHolySpiritbeingencouragedtoflowandministryasappropriate.

• Donotbeginuntilall thechildrenarestanding readytowelcomeJesus.Holdinghands isagoodwaytobringuniform.

• UseCD’soraqualityguitarist,etc.• Whenmusicisbeingusedasbackground,alwaysuseinstrumentalmusic.• Encouragegiftstoflow.• Worshipcreatively:e.g.writealettertoJesus,listentowhatHeissaying,listentomusic,etc.• Usesongsthatencourageworship(notbecausetheyare“children’ssongs”).

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Jesus’WordandOurLivesAshort“Word”canbegivenfromtheseniorChildren’sMinistertoalltheCells.The Cells can then close their circle and theWord applied to their lives (questionswill be on theagendagiventoeachCell leader).Ministrycantakeplacechildtochild,childtoadult,andadulttochild.

• ThisisaboutapplyingtheWordtothelivesofthechildrenandleader.• Encourageministrywheneverappropriate…child‐to‐child,adulttochild,childtoadult.• Encourageinteractionbetweenthechildren:e.g.answeringquestionsanothermighthave.• Bereadytomakeyourinput,guiding,trainingalwaysfacilitatingthemoveoftheHolySpirit.

WitnessingForJesusThis section is to bring awareness to a lost and hurtingworld, equipping andmobilizing tomakedifference.

• Everyonecanthenclosewithprayerandthechildrencollected,bytheirparents,fromtheirCells.

TipsfortheChildren’sSmallGroupMeeting:• Thematerialsare the skeletons.Keeping theessenceof thematerial, allow theHolySpirit to

flow,sensingHisdirectionandcreativity.• Have the children seated in a circle… alwayswatch the seating arrangement as this can be a

decidingfactorintheatmosphereofwholeCellmeeting!• Encourageeverymembertofullyparticipate:ifthereisaproblemthenaddressit.E.g.inprayer.

Withthechild,withtheparents,withthoseyouareaccountableto.• It is important the leader shares and takes a full part with the children, using language

appropriatetochildren.UseachildfriendlyversionoftheBible.• Bewellprepared.E.g.refreshments,music,materials,etc.beforethechildrenarrive.• Beverycarefulabouttheuseofdrawing/handicraft,etc.Childrenassimilateverylittlethrough

thesemethods(generallytheyarejustlearningtodraw!)

• HowcouldyouapplythismodeltoyourChildren’sMinistry?

• Whatvaluedoyouseeinusingall4W’swiththechildren’sCell?

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MaterialfortheChildren'sCellMeetingAnEncounterwithJesusManypeopleaskhowtokeepchildreninterested,howtoentertainthem,andhavefun.HoweverIamrarelyasked:“Howdowebringchildren intothepresenceofJesus,tohaveanencounterwithHim?”ThisistheprimaryaimoftheCell.Soanymaterialsusedmusthavethisastheobjective.WhatistheHolySpiritSayingtothe“Church”?There aremany good resources for Children’s Ministry, but how they are used is important. TheChildren’sMinistryneedstolineupwiththevisionforthewholeChurchIhaveheardleadershipssaythattheChurchisenteringaseasonofprayer,orateachingseriesonwhat they believe is aword for the “Church”, yet the children are doing (e.g.) the cross and theyoungpeoplestudyingrelationships.Childrenarepartof“theChurch”soifthemessageisfortheChurchitisforthemalso.WiththisinminditisimportantthatresourceswillfacilitatethevisionanddirectionoftheChurch.Thiswill:

• EnablefamiliestohearthesameWordandmoveinthesamedirection.• Empowerparents.• BringaboutaunityinthedirectionoftheChurch.• BeobediencetotheHolySpiritwhenHehasaWordfor“theChurch”.

ThismayseemlikeanimpossiblechallengebutiftheseniorPastorgaveonememberoftheChurchthefollowing,thenthechildren’sagendacouldbewritten,withsomeaddedcreativity,andsentouttoallchildren’sCellseachweek(applicationoftheWordisageless!):

• ThemainScripture‐E.g.John3:16• Thethemeofthemessage–E.g.GodLovestheWorld• Thechallengeofthemessage–E.g.DoWeLoveThoseAroundUsAsGodDoes?

Thiswaythereisonemessagegoingintothehomes,andonemessagetothewholeofthebodyofChrist.MaterialsUsed

• MaterialsinPart2enableyoutostarttheCellsbytakingyouthroughbasicCellvalues.• LivingWith Jesus Together byDaphne Kirk has one year’smaterial. These give amodel to

thenwriteyourownmaterials,andwillhelpthechildrenexperiencethebasicvaluesofCells.Based on the 4 W’s (Welcome, Worship, Word, and Witness) the above materials provide theframeworkfortheHolySpirit,throughprayer,togiveeveryoneanencounterwithJesus.Nomatterhowgoodthematerials, theywillbe likewoodwithoutfireunlessthere isprayerandpreparationandtheHolySpiritflowing.

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Preparationwillensurethatownershipistakenofagendas.PrayerwillpreparethewaybutmostofallpreparetheheartoftheleadersotheyaresensitivetotheHolySpirit.

• Whatbenefitscanyouseeifthechildrenhearthesametopic/messageastheadults?

• Whatwouldthechallengesbetoyouasaministryandhowcouldyouovercomethem?

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TrainingPeerLeadershipIhaveadream:“thatparentsdiscipletheirchildrenandbringthemtothebodyofChristwhoformsthemintoanarmy(Cell)towinthelost.”GraduallyitispossibletoseechildrenformtheirownCellsanddisciple their friends,whilst trained, supportedand resourcedby theChildren’sMinistry, sentoutintheircommunitiesandschoolstoreachthosewecannotreach,withthegospelofJesus.Thiswillnothappenbychancebutasthechildrenareintentionallytrained,justaswithadultleaders.ChildrenwhohavebecomefamiliarwithcommunitylifeintheirCellandarecapableofleadingtheCellthemselvescanberaisedintoleadershipexperientiallyandverygraduallyreleased.Thisisbothexcitingandchallenging.

• Whataretheimplicationsoftrainingchildrentoleadsmallgroups?

• Whatimplicationswouldthishaveonyourministry?WhatAbouttheParents?SadlyinmostChildren’sMinistriestheparentsareisolatedfromtheirchildren.Parentstakeanactiveinterest in their children’seducation, in their sportingachievementsand inmanyotheraspectsoftheir lives.Whatmessage does it give to a child that this does not happenwithin the lifestyle ofChurch?EffectivechangeintheheartsofparentswillcomefromrevelationoftheWordunderthepowerandanointing of the Holy Spirit. Generally this requires teaching andministry from the Pastor at thepulpit,bringingabouta changeof culturewhereparentsare involved in the“Church life”of theirchildren,andarerestoredtobeingtheprimarydisciplersintheirchildren’slives.Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to God the things revealed belong to us and ourchildren.”Thisstatementbringsto lifethevisionofeveryparentbeingacustodianofall thatGodgivesthemandbeingresponsibleforpassingthatontotheirchildren.Whenwe try and reach childrenwithout being involved in their family the task is somuchmoredifficult.Sooftenthesecretofchildren’sfuturecanbeseenintheirhomecircumstances.

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SuggestionsforInvolvingParents:• Haveparentsascellleaderswiththeirownchildrenorwithintheagegroupoftheirchildren.• Askeveryparent(fathersandmothers)togoonarostertobepartoftheirchild’sCellonaregularbasis,nottohelpbutbeparticipantswiththeirchildren.Thisnotonlyallowsthemtoseethepotentialoftheirchild,butalsoencouragesparticipationthatcanbecontinuedathome.• Holdquarterlyprayernightsforparents,wheretheyprayforthemselves,theirfamilies,theirchildrenandtheirchildren’sCells.• Encourageparentstoplayapartinoutreacheventswiththeirchildren.• Whentheirchildbringsafriendtothechildren’ssmallgroupencouragetheparentsto“adopt”thatchild,careforthemandrelatetothatchild’sparents.• Aspartoftheadultequippingtrack,whenaddressingdiscipleship,implementachildren’sdiscipleshiptrackforparentstodowiththeirchildren(seeLivingWithJesusbyDaphneKirk).ThiscanbeusedasaninitialpushinpartnershipwiththeLivingwithJesusTogetherchildren’sCellmaterialandthensolelythroughtheadultequippingtrack.Neverinitiatethisthroughthechildren’sministry–parentslooktothePastor,theirCellleader,etc.)

• Listwaysthatyou,asa church, couldmoreeffectivelyempowerand includeyour parents.RememberthattheimpetusmustcomefromtheseniorleadershipoftheChurch.

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“TwoWings”fortheChildrenChildrenneedtoexperienceChurchboththrough:

1. TheBigWing/Children’sCelebrationwherethegreatnessofGodisexperiencedandCellscometogethertopraiseandworshiptheAlmightyGodandheartheanointedWordofGod.Thismustleadbysomeonewhoisexperiencedandgiftedforthis.

• This could bewhen children are encouraged to bring their friends. They can pray for the

celebrationintheirCells,prayfortheirfriendsandgivethemsomeownershipofthistime.• TestimoniescouldbegivenandtheycanhearwhatJesushasbeendoinginotherCells.• Itisatimeof“celebration”.Thedécoroftheroomshouldgivethatfeeltoo!• At this time childrenwhose gifts are being discipled can appropriatelyminister. Always be

carefulnottoexposechildrentoosoon.Praywiththemandhelpthemprepare,encouragetheirfamiliestoprayintotheirinputintheproceedingweeks.

2. TheSmallWingwhenCellsexperienceintimacywitheachotherandwithJesus

Withtwowingsthechildrencanfly!Thefollowingareideasthatyoumaybeabletoadapttoyoursituation:

• Onceamonthhaveachildren’scelebrationandthentherestofthemonthmeetinCells.• Havean intergenerationalcelebrationonceamonthandthenmeet intheircellgroupsthe

restofthemonth.• Haveachildren’s/intergenerationalcelebrationontheSundayandCellsmeetintheweek.• ThecellsapplydifferentaspectsoftheWordtheyheardinthecelebration.

Howeveryoudecidetogoforward,theaimmustbetogivethemtheexperienceofboth“wings”.

• Whatwillthechildrengainbybeingina“BigWing”experience?

• Whatwillthechildrengainbybeingina“SmallWing”experience?

• Howcouldyoufacilitatebothoftheseforyourchildren?

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WhatistheRoleoftheChildren’sMinistry?Thefollowingprovidessomeguidelinesforyoutoadapttoyoursituation:

• ToworkcloselywiththeseniorleadershiptofulfillthevisionandgoalsfortheChurch.• BeingaGodlyrolemodel.• Beingspiritualparentsthroughrelationaldiscipleshipthatextendsoutsidethemeetingtime.• Prayingforandrelatingtochildrenandtheirfamilies.• Always honoring the office of parenthood and empowering parents to be the primary

disciplersoftheirchildren.• Beingaresourcetocellsastheyrelatetoandministertochildren.• Reaching out to unsaved children, building relationshipwith their parents and assimilating

themintotheCells.• OrganizingoutreacheventsforchildreninconjunctionwiththeCells.• Runningequipping/encounterweekendsforchildren.• Trainingnewchildren’ssmallgroupleaders,bothadultsandchildren.

WhatiftheSameAdultCannotLeadtheCellEveryWeek?Sometimesadults rotate in thechildren’sministrybecauseof circumstances. Ideally childrenneedthecontinuityofthesamepeople/personbutifthisisnotpossiblethen,thinking“relationship,”thefollowingcouldbeananswer:3adults (A.B. andC.) commit toonecell; this is their groupof children.Between themtheyareresponsibleforbuildingrelationshipwiththechildrenandtheirfamilies,butinacoordinatedway.Fortheactualmeeting:

• Weeks1‐4personAisresponsible• Weeks4‐7personBisresponsible• Weeks7‐9personCisresponsible• Weeks9‐12personAisresponsible• Weeks12‐15personBisresponsible• Weeks15‐18personCisresponsible,etc.

Inthiswaythereisoverlapandco‐ordinationsothechildrenhaveasmoothrelationalchangefromonepersontoanother.Alsotheleadercantakethegroupforwardsmoothly.Thisleadershipmay:

• Make changes to that roster for holidays, personal circumstances, etc. so long as there isalwaystheweekoverlap.

• Make decisions on who will lead the group dependant on factors, e.g. a topic may beintroducedthatoneleaderhasaheartforandtheymaydecidethathe/shetakesthegroupthroughoutthattopic.

• Havespecialtimesoreventswhenalltheleadersarepresent.• Haveclearagreedwaystheywillallwork.I.e.Approachthechildren,discipline,routines,etc.• Allmeet at least once during each rotation to pray and talk through issues thatmay have

arisen.

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• Keep clear reports to send to each other and to the senior children’sminister after eachmeetingsoallcanprayandcommunicate.

These give ownership to the leadership teamand the senior children’sministerdoes not have tomakeendlesscomplicatedrosters!PoliciesClearwrittenpoliciesareessentialinaChurchnotonlyforthebenefitofcurrentmembers,butalsoforthosewhowillbecomingin.Policiescanalwaysbechangedbut,unlesstheyarewritten,thereisopportunityformisinterpretationbothofthefactsandoftheheartbehindthepolicy.AllpoliciesrelatingtodoctrineneedScripturereferencessothateveryonecanseetheBiblicalbasisonwhichtheyhavebeenmade.Keypoliciesrelatingtochildren;

• TheplaceofchildreninrelationtoBaptism.• TheplaceofchildreninrelationtoCommunion/theLord’sSupper.• TheroleandexpectationofparentsandtheChurch.

Theseniorleadership,ofteninconsultationwiththeseniorchildren’sminister,mustdefinepolicies.Itisessentialtocommunicatetoparents,children,Cell leaders,etc.theheartbehinddecisionsandgivingScripturalreferencessoBiblicalfoundationsareclearlyunderstood.AclearlydefinedCellbasedChildProtectionPolicy.AChildProtectionPolicyforthecellsthatmeetinhomesortheChurchbuildingmustaddressissuessuchas:meetinginhomes,discipleship,etc.ThewholeChurchneedstobeawareofthepolicy.Thispolicywillneedtobeimplementedthrough:

• Specifictrainingdays.• Professionalguidance.• Clearlywrittenandavailableguidelines.• Regularreviewstokeepitalwaysatthefrontofpeople’sawareness.

SpendsometimereviewingyourChurch’spositioninrelationtoaChildProtectionPolicy,e.g.:

• Doyouhaveone/howwillyougoaboutinitiatingtheprocess?

• Ifyouhaveone,isitappropriatefortheCells?

• Howcanyouraisetheprofileofthisissue?

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TransformingtheChildren’sMinistryfromSchooltoKingdomValues TransitioningintoCellsgivesopportunitytotransformintoaministrythat isagreaterreflectionofrelational Kingdom values, that reflect the heart of the Father and cause spiritual fathers andmothers to emerge. Universally Sunday School/Children’s Ministry is organized with a schoolmentality.Thelanguagetooconveysthis:e.g.teacher,class,lesson,grades,graduation,curriculum,etc.No adult changes groups or Pastors because they have reached a certain age, or attends another“department”of theChurchbecause theyhadpromotionatwork!Yet childrenhave relationshipsbrokenthroughgoing“up”whenageorschoolchangesoccur.Changingclassesatschool isaverychallengingtimeformostchildren,yetsooftentheChurchaddstothattimeofstressbyaskingthemtochangeatthesametime.Thosewhoministertochildrenveryoftensay“Iwasjustgettingtoknowthechildandtheywentuptoanotherclass”.Thosewhoarecommitted,as“spiritual fathersandmothers,”arenotgiventheopportunityofon‐goingrelationship.Nocaringparenthasachilduntilacertainageandthenpassesthem on to amore “suitable” family! Yet this is howwe operatewith childrenwhowewant tounderstandthecharacteroftheirHeavenlyFatherfromthosewhoministertothem.ItismyhopethatCellleaderswillstaywiththeirCellthroughchildhood,andeventeenageyears.Byteens there is every possibility theywill be peer led, but still with ongoing relationshipwith thepersonwhopouredintotheirlifeduringchildhood.It isunderstandablethatpeoplemaynot readilycommittoseeagroupthroughtoteenageyears.Leadersmay leave because ofmoving out of the locality or because of other life circumstances.Childrencanunderstandthis farbetterthanbeingtoldtheyhaveanewleaderbecausetheyhavereachedacertainage!Thechangeofleadershiptoocantakeplacewithoverlapandagainhavingrelationshipasakeyfactorinthechange.Whateveryoudecide,think:Kingdomvalues,notaneducationsystem!Someoftheresultsofimplementingchildren’sCells:• EverychildwillbegiventheopportunityofexperiencingCelllife.• Therewillbetheopportunityforpeerleadershipamongthechildren.• ChildrenwillhaveamodeltotakeintotheirschoolsandhomestomakedisciplesofJesus.• Children’sCellscanbebirthedfromalargechildren’soutreach,tofacilitatediscipleship.• Itprepareschildrentotaketheirplaceininter‐generationalcellswiththeirparents.

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• Inwhatwaysdoyourstructures,valuesandlanguagereflect“school”?• WhatbenefitscanyouseeinreformingyourstructurestoreflectKingdomvaluesratherthananeducationsystem?• WhatchangescanyoumaketoreflectandliveoutrelationalKingdomvaluesinyourChildren’sMinistry?

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IdeasandThoughtsfortheFutureFourweekendsatregularintervalsthroughtheyearwherethechildren:

1. Affirmtheirsalvation;understandaboutrepentanceandthepricethatJesuspaid.2. UnderstandaboutfreedominChristandhowtoliveinthatfreedom.3. UnderstandtheirresponsibilityfortheGreatCommissionandareequippedtowin

theirfriends.4. UnderstandandexperiencemoreoftheirlocalChurch.

HoldaThree‐DayBibleschoolforchildrenwhowanttoknowmore.Forexample:• Beingtaughtaboutthetabernaclemakingamodelofitindetail.• Understandingtherobesofthepriestandmakingtheirown.• FindingoutabouthistoricalevidenceforBiblicalTimesandmakingtheirownartifacts.

Holdregularfuntrainingdaysforchildrenwantingto leadtheirowncells.Wherepossibleasktheparents tobepresent for this so theycan support theirown children.Mostof thisday should beexperiential.Haveregularsessionsforchildrenwhoarenewbelieverssotheycangothroughbasicprinciples.Alwaysbeattentivetothefactthatchildren, likeadults,havedifferentneedsandareatdifferentstagesintheirspiritualgrowth(noteducationalgrowth!).Somearenotsaved,someareonfireforJesus,somehavealotofBiblicalknowledgeandsomehavenone.Theycannotbeputtogetherandhopeeveryneedismet.Cellswillhelpbuttheremayneedtobetimestomeetspecificneeds.Today’schildrenareagenerationformission.

• HowcanyougettheCellsinvolvedinmission?• Howcanyougivethemaheartfortheunreachedandpersecuted?• Howcanyouhelpthemtohaveaheartforthelost?

Today’schildrenareagenerationforprayer.

• Howcanyoubirthalifestyleofprayer?Today’schildrenaretheBrideofChrist.

• HowcanyouencouragethemtoliveuncompromisinglivesinthemiddleofagenerationthathasstrayedfarfromGod?

Today’sgenerationcouldbeanendtimegeneration

• HowcanyouequipthemtobeasJohntheBaptistandpreparethewayforJesus?

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AndFinally:AsyoumobilizetheseCellsyouwillnolongerhaveaministrywhereafewchildrentakepart,whileadultslead.Youwillnolongerhaveaministrywhereeverychildisnotpersonallyknown.Youhavethepotentialof:

• Allchildrenministering.• Allchildrenwinninganddisciplingothers.• Allchildrenserving.• Allchildrenempoweredforservice.• Allchildrenparticipatingfully.• Allchildrenreceiversandgivers.• Allchildrenhearersanddoers.• Allchildrenknownanddiscipled.• Allfamiliesrelatedto.• Allchildrenhavingspiritualparentscommittedtothem7daysaweek!

“There isno furtherexcuse for delaying themilitantequipping ofevery saint (every child) for theworkoftheministry” ‐Dr.RalphNeighborNOWisthetimetotrainthisgenerationtobeallGodhascalledthemtobe.Hehasgreatplansforthem–butthegreatestnewstomeisthatwegettobethegenerationthatGodhastrustedtotrainthem“forsuchatimeasthis”!“IwilldeclareyournametoALLgenerations;THEREFOREthenationswillpraiseyou!”‐Psalm45:17ReconnectingthegenerationsandequippingthemtohaveanuncompromisingpassionforJesus

withaheartformissionandevangelismDaphneKirkisavailableat:daphne@Gnation2gnation.comMoreresources,mediaandarticlescanbefoundat:www.Gnation2gnation.com.

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AWORDTOYOURCHILDRENYouaretheJoshuageneration.YouwillgoandtakeeverythingthatJesushasforyoujustlikeJoshuadidwhenhetookGod’speopleintothePromisedLand.OtherpeoplehaveprayedsothatyoucouldhavethingsfromJesusthatyouhavenotexpectedoraskedfor.Otherpeoplehavedreamedofthingsthatwillbegiventoyou.Othershavewaitedforyearsforthingsthatyouwillseehappen.Youareagenerationthatiscalledtogreatthings.YouwillseethegloryofGod.Youwillbeagenerationthatisdifferent,thewayyoulivewillbedifferent…thewayyouspeakwill bedifferent.YouwillunderstandwhatGodwantsyoutodoandyouwillfinditeasytodo.Youwillknowhowtoloveandforgive.Youwillbeobedientandbold.Youarepartofanarmyrisingfromeverypartoftheearth,fromthenorth,thesouth,theeastandthewest.Youarebeingtrainedrightnow.Youareanarmyofprophetsandprophetesses.YouwilltakeJesuseverywhere.Totherichandtothepoor.Therewillbehundredsofyoumeetingtopraytogether.AsyoustayclosetomenandwomenofGod,youwillfindJesususingyouinamazingways.YouaregoingtoshakethenationsandtakethegloryofJesustotheendsoftheearth.Youwillhaveanoverwhelmingloveforthosewhodon’tknowJesus.Youareanendtimearmywillingto liveandtodieforJesus.Othergenerations livedanddiedsoyoucouldhaveallthatyouhavetoday.