Our job in Kidmin is to help our kids take their next right step in their walk with God. I have long believed that everyone’s discipleship pathway is different; yet I also believe that each child’s journey should consist of some similar steps. These experiences can help us gauge our children’s growth, but more importantly, they form the foundations of their faith.
In many ways our role is to help kids take these steps as we challenge them to grow in their faith. We must be careful that we don’t get so consumed in helping kids have fun that we get distracted from helping them move along this pathway.
There are many discipleship steps. Below are the top 10 I think every child should take:
1. Follow Christ
Every journey has a starting place. Are you regularly sharing the gospel with your kids? Do you make space for kids to decide to follow Jesus? Remind kids this is the first step on the journey, it doesn’t end here!
2. Read the Bible
Are we encouraging kids to read the Word? Do you offer a reading plan for your kids? Have you taught kids how to find books/chapters/verses in the Bible? Are we requiring our kids to use their Bibles during the kids service?
3. Consistent Prayer Life
Are we placing an importance on prayer? How many times do you pray during your service? Do you show them how to pray? Do you give them opportunities to pray? A strong relationship with God requires a consistent prayer life. We must model this to kids and challenge them to embrace a prayer life!
4. Water Baptism
This public declaration of faith and decision to deal with sin in their lives is not a step kids should rush. I like the idea of baptizing kids when they graduate the elementary program if they are ready. It needs to be their decision, and we shouldn’t give them incentives to do it.
5. Holy Spirit Baptism
Receiving the boldness and empowerment of the Holy Spirit is the only way for kids to live by the Spirit (Romans 8). We must regularly offer kids the opportunity to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in a heavenly language. This shouldn’t just happen at camp.
6. Hear God’s voice
I remember the first time I heard God’s voice and recognized Him speaking to me. It was through Scripture, not an audible voice. These are experiences that we never let go of. Are we teaching kids to wait for the leading of the Holy Spirit? Are we teaching them to wait on what God has to speak to them?
7. Experience God’s presence
Are we creating environments and an atmosphere where kids can experience God’s presence? Is our worship centered on kids singing and dancing or on kids experiencing God?
8. Share their faith
A HUGE step for kids is overcoming the fear that they will be rejected and humiliated for their faith. We must equip and teach kids how to share their faith with friends, and we must give them opportunities to do so in safe spaces on Sunday morning.
9. Pray over others
When was the last time your kids prayed for one another? As kids grow in their confidence to pray, they need to be encouraged to pray for others and in front of others. This is a simple way kids can be used by God to minister to others.
10. Give to missions
It’s a powerful step when kids realize that their lives shouldn’t be all about themselves. This is best seen through a life of giving. Do you encourage kids to give to missions? Do you teach kids ways to raise money for others? Do you make the needs of others plain for kids to see and experience?
