You already know that... • Child's character are formed before age 6. • Major interests in life take shape by age 12. • According to the George Barna Research Group: 5 -13 years - 32 % accept Jesus as personal Savior 14-18 years – only 4% accept Jesus • Children are most likely to hear God's call between the ages of 4-14. (4/14 window) Did You Know? • The basic traits of a child's character are formed before age 6. • Major interests in life are taking permanent shape by age 12. • According to the George Barna Research Group: 5 -13 years -- 32 % accept Jesus as personal Savior 14-18 years – only 4% accept Jesus • Children are most likely to hear God's call to full-time Christian ministry (missionaries, ministers, etc.) between the ages of 4-14. (Christianity Today) • Missiologists refer to this period of time as the "4/14 Window".

Biblical Counsels on Compassion “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress . . .” James 1:27 “Carry each other’s burdens, and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1 We have some ideas to share and as we do we want you to think of a mission project you have done with children or perhaps would like to do but have not yet.

Ellen White on Compassion “The principles of heaven are to be brought into the government of the home. Every child is to be taught to be polite, compassionate, loving, pitiful, courteous, and tenderhearted.” Child Guidance, p. 143.

Why is mission important? Why involve children in missions?

Why involve children in mission? » The Bible tells us to do it. » Help kids identify needs of others and see how they can make a difference in the world. » Children easily understand the concept of compassion. » Responding to needs of their world help children develop into caring adults. » By helping others, they can spread the love of Jesus. • The Bible tells us to do it. • Help kids identify needs of others and see how they can make a difference in the world. • We must sow seeds of mission interest at an early age if we expect to reap missionary recruits and strong mission supporters in the years ahead. • Children are sensitive to God. They can begin to learn about God’s heart for missions at an early age. • Children easily understand the concept of compassion. • Responding to needs of their world help children develop into caring adults.

Understanding the meaning of mission... Children need to understand what mission means and to know that they too have a mission. Children love to play spy or watch spy movies. Spy agents have a mission, they are ready and they are prepared. Agents have assignments all over the world. It is the same with the Church. We have an assignment, a mission that involves every country, in every language. We have a Global Mission, to go, to reach and to love. When children realize that they have a mission, they will carry that to adulthood. They will live a life of reaching others. Yes, even as children they have a role in mission and can serve in ways adults can’t, and when we all work together great things happen. Even though it was difficult you all worked together to move forward. Spreading God’s Good News is our task. The Good News is that God loves us, and He wants us to pass on that love. When we help others, we move them forward towards God. We all have struggles but when you have someone helping it makes it easier. Let’s explore some of the many mission activities we can do with our children either at home or at church.

Bucket - DOn’t take things for granted

Lessons learned from mission involvement • Compassion, empathy, and willingness to share. • Praying for others. • Generosity in giving. • Appreciation of other cultures. • Trust in God.

Ideas for involving children in missions Mission Camp Mission Festival/Fair Mission Newsletter Mission Projects Mission Clubs Mission Prayer Calendar Children’s Missions Books Mission Trips Missionary Speaker Compassion Ministries

Do you have other ideas for involving children in God’s mission? Write your ideas on the hands

With God all things are Possible. God is calling us to serve With God all things are Possible...God is calling us to serve...What can you do today??

ACTIVITY Balloons Write name on the balloons...try to find your balloon, nobody helps.