Children's Ministry

Should churches have a children’s ministry? Is it biblical? What should it look like if so?

Let’s talk about it.



Key Takeaways

Children's ministry is important for the growth of a local church, but it should not replace the responsibility of parents to teach their children about God.

  • Sunday morning worship should not be divided and segmented into separate children's church services.

  • Extracurricular activities and youth groups can be beneficial in certain situations, but they should not be the primary source of spiritual teaching for children.

  • Parents should actively engage in teaching their children about God and prioritize family worship.

  • Churches should be cautious about relying solely on children's ministries and should encourage parental involvement in the spiritual development of their children. Parents play a crucial role in teaching their children about God, and youth ministry should supplement parental discipleship rather than replace it.

  • Youth ministry should not water down the message of Christ or focus solely on self-esteem but should elevate Jesus and teach substantive biblical truths.

  • The biblical command for parents to teach their children diligently should guide the approach to youth ministry.

  • Discernment is necessary in youth ministry to ensure that the message aligns with biblical principles and does not conflict with the responsibility of parents.

  • The church should support families in raising godly children and provide opportunities for families to serve and minister together. Question the need for age-specific programs and consider the benefits of intergenerational fellowship in the church.

  • Recognize the capacity of children to absorb and understand more than we give them credit for.

  • Evaluate the role of pragmatism in the development of children's and youth ministries and prioritize biblical instruction.

  • Focus on spiritual growth and worshiping God as the primary goals of the church, rather than solely focusing on church growth.


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