Calvary Chapel North Phoenix
2011 Children's Ministry Vision
Teaching our children the meaning of honor will be one of our goals this year. This task begins with us, as teachers and helpers, honoring God in our personal lives by walking in "the fear of the Lord".
Our young disciples need to know that God deserves and requires honor and obedience. They also need to have the Fifth Commandment committed to memory and understand that honoring our father and mother is a command from God. Honor and respect also apply to the manner in which children treat their peers. They need to know Jesus' instructions to respect their friends and their enemies.
Honor will be a difficult lesson for many, due to poor exampling in the media: TV, movies, radio, internet, and games. The producers know what engages adults and they have found what fascinates children, namely rebelliousness. This spirit has been pervasive for at least a decade and is an insidious stronghold. Many children have been so misled that they openly mock any authority that begins a discussion on respect. But "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1st John 4:4). The Lord is able to convict and to deliver.
God's Word is powerful! So we need to share with our students what He says about honor, respect, obedience, and submission. And He says a lot about honoring Him, honoring authorities, honoring peers, and even honoring those who are weaker. Our kids know they can be a light to their world by being nice when others are mean, by talking cleanly when others are using filthy language, and by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now it's time to teach them that honor and respect of others can set them apart from their peers. They can be godly citizens who shine their light through humble submission and respect of the authorities that God has placed over them.
Pastor Chris and the Children's Education Coordinators
