Connecting Our Faith to a New Generation

1
Connecting Our Faith to a New Generation

• Continuing Lay Training
• Denomination Wide Study 2005
• Lesson 3

2
The Lesson at a Glance

• To deal with how the local church should view
  children and teens
• To discuss what priority kids should have in
  church ministry programs
• To dialogue about how the church can specifically
  and purposely support the goal of passing on the
  Christian faith to the next generation

3
Quote

• Two out of three adults (66) contend religion
  is losing its influence in society.
• (Barna Research Group)

4
Reflect and Respond

• Have you witnessed this attitude or belief in the
  adults around you?
• What do you believe might be some causes for this
  change in our societys attitude?

5
Reflect and Respond

• What does this statement say about the mission
  and future of the Church and the Christian faith?
• If religion is truly losing influence in society,
  what will be the short-term and long-term effects
  of that mindset on children and teens?

6
Group Question

• What is the purpose of the Church?

7
Reasons Children and Youth Need the Churchs
Attention Today

• Children and youth are growing up in more and
  more unstable environments.
• Children and youth need good Christian examples
  in their lives.
• Children and youth need opportunities to practice
  and proclaim their faith.

8
Reasons Children and Youth Need the Churchs
Attention Today

• Children and youth are making life-changing
  decisions.
• Children and youth need their identities shaped
  by the reality of Christ.
• Children and youth are very open to the gospel.

9
Reflect and Respond

• What might attract a child or a teen to our
  church?

10
Respond to this Statement

• Based on what has been discussed in this
  session, there are sufficient reasons to support
  the theory a church should focus large portions
  of time, energy, and resources on children and
  youth.

11
Respond to this Statement

• Ministry to kids should not only be highlighted,
  but be the primary focus of a churchs ministry.