Guiding Families Through a Child’s Conversion Experience and More Dr. Karen Kennemur 2017

“When a baby is born, people immediately spring into action to clean, check, bathe, and warm the infant. All this is done in order to ensure that this new creation is well on his or her way to a life of growth, health, and maturity. But when someone is born into Christ, we usually just congratulate them and send them into the world. As a result, churches are full of baby Christians who never fully developed spiritually, even if they were born decades earlier.” (Writers from LifeWay—unnamed)

The Great Commission “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

The Typical Church --a child’s conversion experience Decision Counseling with CM and/or Pastor Baptismal Class Baptism New Christians Class

What is missing? THE NEXT STEP

What is the next step? Teaching a child how to follow Jesus in his/her daily life.

Becoming a Disciple or a Follower of Christ

Is Discipleship a Program? No But the foundations or components of Discipleship must be taught.

The Next Step The decision to become a Christian Teach Knowledge Give the Tools of Discipleship Model/Discuss Relationships—Relating to God and others The Life of a Disciple Begins

The Decision To Become a Christian Parent/Child counseling with Children’s Minister Baptism New Christians Class with the involvement of the parents Discipleship Class/Weekend/intentional teaching with involvement of the parents (Suggested to wait 3 to 6 months following Baptism)

Teach Knowledge Who God Is Who Jesus Is God’s Word—Truth?

Give the Tools of Discipleship The Bible Spiritual Disciplines Worship Prayer Scripture Memory Stewardship Tithing Bible Study/Quiet Time/Family devotionals Evangelism

Model and Discuss Relationships with God and Others Intentionally Teach and Model how to relate to God and how to relate to Christ through prayer and meditation. Intentionally Teach and Model how to relate to others.

The Life of a Disciple Begins

Three Effective Ways of Teaching Children Are: Intentional Teaching Modeling Through building/maintaining relationships

Intentional Teaching (The Intentional Teacher, by Dr. Ann Epstein) Intentional teaching does not happen by chance. It is: Planful Thoughtful Purposeful

It is important children are always watching. Modeling Adults model behavior and actions whether intentional or unintentional. It is important children are always watching.

Relationships How? How do children learn through relationships? Without a strong, nurturing relationship intentional teaching and modeling will not be as effective and can possibly have adverse effects.

Teaching Children to become a follower of Christ What does this look like in your church? What should happen in your church?

Resources for Children I am a Christian, Now I am a Christian, Now What Foundations for Kids Team Kid—Catching Air