1. Our vision for the next generation
Children Desiring God
Our vision for the next generation

2. Our Passion for UBC Children’s Ministry
Glorifying God by treasuring Christ above all things and reaching the next generations that they may find
lasting joy in Him!

3. Four spheres of influence (responsibility)
Our own children
Children of the local church (corporate responsibility)
Children of the world/nations
Children of future generations

4. Too often the extent of vision of Children’s Ministry is summed up in one word:
SOMETHING!

5. SOMETHING Activity oriented Emphasizes “doing”/works Lack of direction
Not intentional about where we are going

6. Arrows are to be aimed at VISION,
“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” Psalm 127:4
Arrows are to be aimed at VISION,
not just “something”.

7. Psalm 78:1-11
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

8. Psalm 78:5-7
5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

9. Psalm 78:8-11
8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God. 9 The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle. 10 They did not keep God's covenant, but refused to walk according to his law. 11 They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.

10. Why are we to teach His glorious deeds?
“so that they should set their hope in God…”
“do not forget the works of God”
“keep His commandments”
That they should not be like their fathers (stubborn, rebellious, not steadfast, not faithful to God)
That they would be armed for battle, but NOT turn back
so that the next generations will worship Him
Our hearts should respond in praise to His “glorious deeds”

11. The center of our target (vision) for these arrows (children) is the Glory of God!

12. The calling on the lives of God’s people is to make His praiseworthy deeds known to the next generation.

13. We are not just transferring knowledge… we are to transfer a passion!
We will not spread a passion or love for God’s glory and supremacy until we are personally captivated by His glory and supremacy.
Our aim is to teach more than right or wrong, but a delight in doing right.
We are to provide an ever expanding knowledge of God that shapes their mind AND heart.
We are to teach them to delight in Him in this life and eternally.

14. Deuteronomy 6:5-9
5. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 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.

15. I Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

16. New Curriculum God is the hero…not His servants.
Parent Partnering – Providing tools to reinforce Biblical truths from Sunday throughout the days, weeks, months ahead.
For children…but not “childish”. Not afraid of tough issues.

17. God is the Hero Show them a God worthy of admiring.
Answer question “Why is God….”
Trustworthy
Faithful
Satisfying

18. God Vision = Global Vision

19. If God is not glorious in our eyes, we can not impart a glorious vision of God to our children.

20. Questions for all of us to reflect on…
How am I living my life before children that helps them glorify God, instilling passion and vision for Him?
How am I helping children become people who not only “know” Him, but “love” Him, finding their lasting satisfaction in Him alone?