How’s Your Heart to Reach Kids?

True kid-influencers always notice kids. It’s nearly impossible for them not to see them. They spot them at the mall, on playgrounds, in grocery stores, at family gatherings, and in church. There’s something about children that speaks to their soul. As disciple makers, they care about the lives of boys and girls today and forever. The presence of kids inspires them to know, love and serve Christ more fully and with greater focus. Children’s ministry is at the core of who they are. Their heart beats fast for kids, the gospel, and lifelong discipleship. Their passion to reach kids is consistently high, and they can’t imagine it ever waning.

So what do you do when a kid-influencer’s heart for children weakens? What are the children’s ministry passion areas that need rekindling in order to revive a desire for disciple making?

Jesus’ heart for kids sets the stage.

To set the stage for strengthening the hearts of kid-influencers, it’s important to revisit Jesus’ posture and practice toward children. He valued them highly and loved on them surprisingly.

And they were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them. Mark 10:13-16 ESV

Nothing should get in the way of boys and girls coming to Christ, especially hard-hearted adults. We can’t miss the importance of passionate children’s ministry and having hearts that are fully fueled to reach kids with the gospel.

If you build into these five dimensions of children’s ministry, your heart to reach kids with the gospel will strengthen.

There are at least five dimensions of children’s ministry that can strengthen you and your leaders as disciple making kid-influencers: God-honoring environments, authentic relationships, life-giving experiences, meaningful challenges, and eternity-minded interactions. Build up these passion areas and your heart to reach kids with the gospel will be that more vibrant.

1. God-honoring environments

When kids and families show up in your church, do they recognize that God is present and respected? Is it clear that knowing, loving, and serving Christ is at the center of your ministry? How is the importance of worshipping the Lord in everything you think, say, and do emphasized?

If you are committed to celebrating God for who He is and what He’s done in your life, that will spill over into your children’s ministry. Kids and families will come face to face with the awe and wonder that results from encounters with Jesus. Has your heart for Christ and the power of the gospel grown cold, confess this to Him and ask Him to lead you so you can be a positive influence on others.

2. Authentic relationships

The family of God is the only community on earth where imperfect people are perfectly loved. God’s Spirit brings together children of all ages so that humility, grace, and truth can do their extraordinary work. We may not be loved flawlessly by one another this side of heaven, but the training ground of church fellowship is right where we need to be today.

Kids and families deserve a safe place to be cared for and encouraged. The world is hard to navigate apart from walking with God and His people. Your children’s ministry will reflect your heart toward transparent, genuine, family-like relationships. When you are authentic about who you are today and who Jesus is changing you to be, that will go a long way in strengthen your ministry’s heart of fellowship.

3. Life-giving experiences

Do kids and families come to your children’s ministry as a weekly option or an oasis? Do they show up once in awhile or as part of their rhythm of life? You will know the difference by listening to how parents, caregivers, and kids start talking about church.

• “We love our church family.”
• “I can’t wait to see my leader and friends every week.”
• “Thank you for serving us in our time of need.”
• “God is using the teaching and worship to change our home.”
• “I didn’t know where to turn; the Holy Spirit led us here.”

You can strengthen the heart of ministry in your church as it gets strengthened in you. Your children’s ministry needs to offer experiences that bring life to people. This happens as you focus on serving people’s real needs, not just running great programs.

4. Meaningful challenges

Salvation is free; discipleship will cost you everything. Jesus didn’t mince words with His followers. He let them know what it would take to be His disciple: drop everything and follow. There’s a time and place to call people out, to challenge them to take a higher road. This is true for adults and kids alike.

Inviting kids and families, and leaders who serve them, to engage in discipleship is a great way to strengthen your heart. It’s unlikely you will tell them to read their Bible more, pray for people, or give sacrificially without doing so yourself. You don’t need to be perfect to set the pace. Be bold. Challenge yourself and the children’s ministry community around you to walk closely with Christ in meaningful ways.

5. Eternity-minded interactions

This final children’s ministry passion area is fundamental to having a heart to reach kids with the gospel. When you engage in conversations, are you thinking about the other person’s eternal destiny? It’s possible that you’ve grown a bit lazy in this aspect of faith in Christ. If so, it’s time to dust off your feet and press onward. There are probably family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers that could benefit from your loving nudge toward salvation.

As a children’s ministry leader, raising awareness and equipping your team to be eternity-minded in its interactions with kids and families is of utmost importance. The heart of evangelism in your ministry can’t afford to go into cardiac arrest. God longs to use you and your church so that all children throughout the world will come to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.

• Which dimension of children’s ministry passion will you and your team of kid-influencers work on this month?
• How will focusing on this area strengthen your heart – and the heart of your children’s ministry – to reach kids?