Why do we - - - Have Events for Children?

1 "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess,  2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Deuteronomy 6:1-2

Focus on Children Children are the future of the church. They are a blessing from God. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.  (Psalm 127:3) Egg Hunt, Hall of Treats Bible class, Vacation Bible School Focus on Children

6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Teach Children the Principles of God 1 In the home – Drip method – walking, sitting, bedtime, breakfast Teach a CONSISTENT set of values Teach – Morals – lying, stealing, cheating Marriage / Home / Family Doctrine – Forgiveness, salvation, sin Faith – Jesus, God Teach Children the Principles of God

Teach Children the Principles of God 2 Lead by example Telling children is not enough Show them your faith Do they see you pray, read the Bible, attend worship, give, involved? They will follow your example – if it is good or bad Teach Children the Principles of God

Teach Children the Principles of God 3 Message AND Example Show and Tell – good motto Use every opportunity – Bible class, VBS, Bible Bowl Encourage them to ENJOY living the Christian life Teach Children the Principles of God

Teach Children the Principles of God 4 Develop Relationships Be an example to all children Know them, speak to them You can be a father or mother to them in addition to their parents Teach Children the Principles of God

Teach Children the Principles of God 5 Diminishing Returns We can only pass on what we know If we do not pass on ALL that we know, less will be known by each generation Children will ignore or forget some of the things we teach them Teach Children the Principles of God

Teach Children the Principles of God 6 The Future of the Church Where will this church be in 30 or 40 years? Hard for us to imagine – Janna is married to a preacher Brady is an elder Dallas is teaching the teen class Jacob is a deacon Teach Children the Principles of God

Practical Applicaitons Get down on their eye level (if possible) You are 6’ tall; they are 2’ tall You are 3 times as tall as they are Talk TO them – not to others about them Show that you care about them as a person Practical Applicaitons

SO - - - Why do we have an Egg Hunt? Children need to know that you care about them. Their parents need to know that you care about them. The first step in reaching the lost is to show that we care about them. “They will not care how much you KNOW - - Until they know how much you CARE.” SO - - - Why do we have an Egg Hunt?