Destiny Training 8

1. Destiny Training 8

2. Grouping Children for ministry • Children are to be organized into various classes according to their age groups as follows: • Babies (age 18 months – 3 years) • Pre-School Children (age 3 years – 6 years) • School going Children (age 7 years – 13 Years) • However we will further break the third group as follows: • Middle group (7-10 years) • Preteens (11-13 years)

3. Babies (age 18 months – 3 years) • Characteristics • Need warmth, safety and love. • Are self-centered. • Do not trust others. • Start to learn right from wrong. • Want to explore and discover their environment. • Imitate actions.

4. Babies • Ministry TaskWe strive to make the little ones welcome and secure. • We build up trust and loving relationships weekly by guiding them to trust other children and help them discern and enjoy the presence of God.

5. Hints for the leader • Patience is the key to successful interaction. • Use games to enforce Bible principles. • Create the opportunity for them to learn about their environment by exposing them to e.g. flowers, bugs, pets etc. • Be sensitive to basic needs. • Develop a routine; it helps to create trust stability and security. • Help them to recognize the values of right and wrong thinking and doing.

6. Main Activities: • Games, • Picture stories

7. 2. Pre-School Children (age 3 years – 6 years) • Characteristics • Cannot identify with other’s feelings because they are still self-centered and tend to focus on their own feelings. • Cannot reason logically because they are still literal thinkers. • Energetic and seem to be constantly on the go. • Ask “Why” and “How” questions. • Their attention span is about 10 minutes.

8. Have ability to memorize short verses. • They easily relate to God in a personal way and can therefore be taught to trust God, and ask for help in their needs. • Easily believe in and receive Christ as their Savior.

9. Ministry Task • Help the children to listen and respond to others. • Help them to sympathize with and help others. • The message of salvation must be clearly presented and always followed by an invitation to accept Jesus as their Lord as Savior. • Make them understand that God wants to be their Father and that He will never fail them or let them down, even though people will fail and let them down.

10. Hints for the leader • Give simple, and easily understandable answers to questions. • Use songs with actions. • Create the opportunity to touch and examine things. • Continuously change activities every 5-10 minutes. • Encourage group playing and activity. • Teach simple Bible verses. • Use visual aids.

11. Main Activities: • Games • Memory verses • Drawing and story pictures • Short drama and music

12. 3. School going Children (age 7 years – 13 Years) • A. Ages 7 years – 10 yearsCharacteristics • Are quick and easy learners. • Enjoy information and spiritual food. • Explore their growing skills as Christians. • Enjoy strenuous activity • Want to help and need to be taught “how”. • Enjoy simple reading exercises because they are learning to read.

13. Activities • Memorize words more easily. • Relate to children their own age. • Always seeking adult approval. • Can discern between right and wrong. • Can boldly learn to pray and live for the Lord. • Need spiritually mature examples. • Are quick to receive Jesus as Savior.

14. Ministry Task • Help them to become aware of how to care for other children. • Provide help in exploring faith. • Encourage them to reach out to others. Hints for the leader • Plan activities that include movement. • Try to vary the program every 10-15 minutes. • Encourage memory work.

15. Hints • Use related testimonies of other children to challenge them to witness. • Encourage them to give to the local church as well as missions, etc. • Present God’s Word as true and trustworthy. • Give a clear presentation of the message of salvation and invite them to receive Christ.

16. Use family relationships when explaining salvation. • Teach them how to find books, chapters, and verses in the Bible. • Prefer non-competitive activities.

17. Main Activities: • Bible stories (reading) • Drama, music and dance • Team (group) work • Drawing and writing • Indoor games • Witnessing • Memory verses

18. 4.Ages 11 years – 13 years Characteristics • Start gaining independence. Want to go places and do things. • Respond to adventure, camp and outdoor activities. • Inquisitive and eager to learn. • Have an excellent memory. This is the best time to memorize. • Have increased concentration.

19. Characteristics • Like to be recognized by their own peers. They compare themselves to others. • Want to belong. Gang-spirited. • Begin to practice effective Christian life. • Aware of fair and unfair situations. • Respond to teaching on spiritual growth. • Can understand doctrinal truths. • Ask questions about Christianity. • Have an interest in people and can be good witnesses.

20. Ministry Task • Encourage them to practice and develop a living relationship with God. • Teach them to witness effectively. • Equip them for future service in the kingdom.

21. Hints for the leader • Encourage them to look to the Bible for solutions to their problems. • Plan challenging projects and Bible games. • Create friendly competition. • Encourage high standards in every thing. • Leaders must always point them to Christ who can forgive them and save from sin. • Present Christ as King and Lord. • Challenge them to have personal devotions daily.

22. Main Activities: • Bible study/ discussions • Memorizing scripture • Bible games • Outdoor activities/games • Group projects • Witnessing