A few years ago, I would never have thought I would be posting something like this. My sympathies toward the Family Integrated Movement resulted in somewhat of a suspicion toward children’s ministries and youth groups. After taking over the children’s ministry last year, I started to research the issue. The following post is a result. This is our church’s new Philosophy of Children’s Ministry with Scripture citations. I’m interested to hear your thoughts.

Our Philosophy of Children’s Ministry –

Sovereign Joy Community Church has a high view of the family, and our families have a high view of the local church. The primary place God has ordained for the spiritual teaching and training of children is the family,¹ and the primary goal of that spiritual teaching and training is to make of them disciples of Christ equipped for service in His local church.² Further, the church has an obligation to teach and instruct not only parents but children as well.³ Therefore, the substance⁴ and methods⁵ of our Children’s Ministry are designed to support the families of Sovereign Joy as they seek to raise their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4b; NASB).

¹Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 1:8-9; 3:1-12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20

²Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2Timothy 1:5; 3:14

³Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20

⁴By substance, we mean the doctrines and practices we teach.

⁵By methods, we mean the way in which we teach our doctrines and practices.

How do we do this?

• Over the centuries, catechisms have proven to be a useful means of passing biblical truths along from generation to generation. Therefore, we use A Catechism for Boys and Girls (Carey Publications) as our primary means of instruction in our children’s Sunday school.
• By using the catechism in Sunday school and providing free copies of it to all our covenanted parents, we encourage catechesis in the home.
• Our teachers are expected to develop and present a rough exposition of the questions and answers provided in the catechism.
• Once a month, the children will also be taught a church history lesson that is meant to help them to understand the historical context of the biblical truths they are learning in the catechism.
• The children are also encouraged to memorize large portions of Scripture (the Lord’s Prayer, Psalm 23, the Beatitudes, etc.) and parents to work with their children in this endeavor.