Oasis Fall Training

1. Oasis Fall Training 2019 “Sharing Jesus With Kids”

2. We Know What We Are • Effective Childcare program • Training Ground • Important for church growth

3. Where Have we Been? 2019 Statistics (Since June) • 762 Unique Individuals Served (not including East or West) • 5739 check-ins (also not including East or West) • VBS/TNT Camp • 356 (not including nursery) • 77 attendees

4. Where Have we Been? • New Playground Installation at 4th and Warehouse • 68 kids per week across all playgrounds • 351 unique individuals since June 2nd • New Check in Stations! • Installing at East and West by mid-October

5. Where Are We Going? 4% increase ~1% increase

6. Sharing Jesus with Kids Sharing Christ is awesome! Fond memories of family or friends starting a relationship with God What are some of the reasons we want to share Christ with students?

7. Sharing Jesus with Kids • 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. • Lasting friendships • Cause for reliance on God • Source of joy even when other aspects of ministry struggling

8. Sharing Jesus with Kids Fruitful field! • But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Jesus, Luke 18:16 • A child of five, if properly instructed, can, as truly believe, and be regenerated, as an adult. Charles Spurgeon • If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God! D.L. Moody

9. Sharing Jesus with Kids • The current Barna study indicates that nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (43%), and that two out of three born again Christians (64%) made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday…… Barna noted that these figures are consistent with similar studies it has conducted during the past twenty years. https://www.barna.com/research/evangelism-is-most-effective-among-kids/

10. Sharing Jesus with Kids Dangers? • Kids desire for acceptance • Inadvertent pressure • False professions • Woefully uninformed decisions • Unprepared for a lifelong walk with Christ In addition to seeking out social contact, young children engage in behaviors that increase the likelihood that potential interaction partners will evaluate them positively (and thus the chance that they will form a bond with them). The origins of belonging: social motivation in infants and young children Harriet Over

11. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Don’ts • Don’t forget that you are human, and not the Holy Spirit! • No need to insist on instant response • No need to use fear tactics • Remember child’s desire to please adults and to fit in socially

12. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Don’ts • Don’t ask leading questions • Children often answer what they think teachers want to hear • Avoid rhetorical questions • Try to check for true understanding Bad Questions • You all know that you are sinners going to hell, don’t you? • You know that Christ died for your sins, don’t you? • You know that by trusting Christ you will be saved from hell and on your way to heaven, right? • Who wants to go to heaven when they die? How would you fix these questions or ask them in a better way?

13. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Don’ts • Don’t confusing them • Kids think literally • Discuss heaven as an eventual home • Be consistent throughout

14. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Don’ts • Don’t forget the foundation—God’s Word • No need to reinvent the gospel • No need to restate using different verses • No need to tell them what they did. Ask them if they understand their decision. Show them in the Bible what is true about them now

15. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Don’ts • Don’t think your job is finished! • Consider giving them a Bible • Encourage them to share with friends and family • Make a follow up plan where possible

16. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Do’s • Be available and approachable • Make time to build in with students and parents • Have fun, but also engage in spiritual content • Ask God to give you His heart and mind for the work

17. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Do’s • Check for comprehension of salvation • Not concerned with numbers • Draw out information. Ask how their friend could get to heaven? • Not a theologian, but should understand basic doctrine for their age level

18. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Do’s • Explain the urgency of salvation • God’s conviction is not the same as our personal pressure • 2 Corinthians 6:2 “Now is the day of salvation” • Having a relationship with God has lasting positive benefits. They can begin reaping those now!

19. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Do’s • Encourage the child to communicate with Jesus • This is a natural step if we are communicating the gospel well • We can facilitate this type of communication • James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

20. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Do’s • Pray for the children • If they are not ready, ask God to open their hearts • If they are saved, pray for their growth

21. Sharing Jesus with Kids The Do’s • Interact with the child’s parents where possible • Family plays vital role in spiritual development and spiritual convictions • Work with parents for child’s spiritual well-being

22. Goals and Expectations • Change based on age range and meeting type • Weekly meeting or class structure • Missions trip • Vacation Bible school

23. Goals and Expectations • Not leading a child to Christ does not mean you’ve failed • Be happy if you do lead a child to Christ • Be happy in whatever role God uses you in (1 Cor 3:6-7) • Choosing to praise God 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

24. Goals and Expectations • Top Priority? • Students knowing God and walking with Him • Must be wise in how we handle our responsibility • Present gospel without inadvertent pressure

25. Oasis Fall Training 2019 “Sharing Jesus With Kids” Questions, comments or experiences?