1. Scripture Union of Kenya

2. Our Vision
Children rooted in Christ transforming society
(Prov. 22:6; Psa. 78:1ff)

3. Our Mission
Nurturing children strengthening family life and helping people engage with God through the Bible.

4. Specialized Ministries
1.Children 2.Scripture Engagement and Material Development 3.Family Ministry 4.Bible and literature Ministry - Bookshops

5. Children Ministry Bible Clubs Sunday School teachers training
Holidays camps
VBSs
Rallies and Picnics
Teachers’ trainings & fellowships
Lifeskills Training

6. Present State
SU-Kenya initiated over 3,500 Bible Clubs across Kenya over the years.
Children membership of about 240,000 children.

7. Our Desire – 26,000 Bible Clubs
Strategy
Train 350 teachers per annum.
With an aim of opening 350 new and active Bible clubs per year.

8. Why Bible Reading? Key: Daily and Systematic
God & Me, Daily Power & Daily Guide
It promotes growth and maturity of believers
More church members grow to join volunteer workers in the church
More persons will be strengthened to answer call to Missions
It leads to healthy expansion of God’s Kingdom because a healthy believer will multiply and grow the church.

9. Points to Ponder
What is the status and the need for outreach to primary schools?
How can we develop an effective Primary School Ministry that entails both evangelism and discipleship in our Churches and Christian Union?
What platforms of partnership and engagement are available for primary school ministry?

10. CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
(PROVERBS 22:6)

11. Needs of our children Texts: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6
God’s word has high expectations on parents 38:19
Children need instruction on knowledge of God, Isaiah 28:9
Assumes parents know God and are disciplined Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”

12. If a child lives with criticism,he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,he learns to fight.

13. If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with tolerance,he learns to be patient.

14. If a child lives with encouragement,he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.

15. If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.

16. If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.

17. If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
he learns to find love in the world.

18. Why Children Min…
What are the things children value and think important today?
We have a mandate Matt.28:20;
A command Deut. 6:4-7
To teach is to change lives for ever Proverbs 22:6!
God loves people more than anything Are children people!Mark 10:14-16

19. WHERE TO BEGIN Beginning-Not an after thought!
Build vision &mission statements; Strategic plan
Ask for people and prayers
A clear ministry structure
Physical resources and teaching materials
A relevant curriculum

20. What’s the reality…
Early years a great Opportunity (formative age) First seven years values are formed; Second seven years values clarified
Influential role of parents as Socialization agents 1 Sam 1:27-28
Developmental needs and unique characteristics of Children
Children Temperaments strengths and weaknesses
Our generation is our responsibility

21. All Children have needs!
Acceptance Rom.15:7
They are imperfect & don’t know it
Relate with them unconditionally
Love in spite of their offenses
Appreciation Col.3:15
Thank them even for small deeds
Recognize every effort made
Praise and commend victories

22. Children needs Contd Attention 1 Cor.12:25
Convey interest, concern & care
Take thought of the child
Incarnate the children world
Approval Eph. 4:29
Affirm the child as being important
Affirm the fact & relationship

23. Children needs Contd. Comfort 11 Cor.1:3-4 Needed when one is hurting
Avoid facts, logic,advice, criticism
Give an emotional expression
Others to handle us when down

24. Encouragement 1 Thes.2:10-12;Heb.10:24
Children needs Contd.
Encouragement 1 Thes.2:10-12;Heb.10:24
Urge to persist and persevere
Stimulate to love and good deeds
Express confidence in children
Give special surprises etc
Respect Romans 12:10
Value and regard them highly
Treat them as being important
Honor children privately& publicly
Respect their feelings, opinions & Possessions

25. Children needs… Security/Peace Rom.12:16;18
Give harmony in relationships
They need freedom from fear
Eradicate the threat of harm
Verbalize commitment to love

26. What then can you do for Children?
Presence-Above all, give of yourself
Keep your emotional resources at optimum level
Authority-You are to instruct & guide
Allow yourself to Incarnate into the children world
Have hands on-help out in small but important ways
Consider every child different from any other
Teach children at their specific age
Above all know their needs and lovingly guide and direct them in how to scripturally resolve them

27. Remember! Children are born sinners!
Take opportunities and be quick to plant the word of God that sets sinners free in the life of every child you meet
Children are never very good at listening to their elders and leaders, but never fail to imitate them
You can make a difference in one child if you choose to.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU LEARNED?

28. Jesus and children

29. heart soul mind strength And love your neighbor as yourself
Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 12:30-31
Great Commandments
heart soul mind strength
And love your neighbor as yourself

30. Heart
What really motivates you to evangelize and disciple children and young people? What is your heart?
What stops you being wholehearted in this?
Soul

31. Mind
Heart
Soul

32. Heart
Mind
Soul
Strength

33. If you want to go fast....go alone.
If you want to go far...go together.

34. What does the Bible say about Children?
Why are children important?
What priority does God put on children?
What priority does your church give children?
Mark 10:13-16
Matthew 18:1-5
Mark 9:33-37
Psalm 127:3-5
Matthew 28:18-20
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

35. What is strategic about children?

36. Aim lower
Think Smaller
Give Up
Go have a cup of coffee

37. What is a disciple like?
What do children who have decided to follow Jesus need to know in order to grow as a Christian?
What does a young Christian who is being well-discipled look like?

38. How can we disciple children?
How might you connect with them?
What does the child specifically need in discipleship?
What leader in the group might be best equipped to work with that child?

39. HOW CAN WE DISCIPLE?
What strategies have you found successful in discipling children?
How do children see the discipling process?
What is the role of the leader in each of these discipleship methods?

40. IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER Pray regularly Discipling takes time
Encouragement rather than rebuke
It’s about following and loving Jesus

41. Pair and share Remember the people who discipled and shaped you.
Pray for the people who discipled you when you first followed Jesus and those who disciple you now.
Who are you discipling now and who have you discipled in the past?
Who is God calling you to disciple?

42. Way Forward On the PPI program
On the Minimum: 1 school will require 8 PPI facilitators at a go
30,000 primary schools will require 240,000 facilitators on the minimum – this is kind of personnel resource the Church needs to commit to this process/project
Way Forward

43. Critical Areas of Engagement Issues
Coordination: PPI Desk
Human Capital: Identification and Training of Volunteers from Churches
Sustainable Partnerships that guarantee a national reach of all schools
Availability of Bibles to schools – and to the pupils (these materials assume that pupils/learners have access to the Bible: this is a huge statement of faith because it is not the reality on the ground
PPI Goodwill Ambassadors and PPI Champions across the country

44. Our Desire – 26,000 Bible Clubs
Strategy
Train 350 teachers per annum.
With an aim of opening 350 new and active Bible clubs per year.
Recruit Volunteers.