Faith That Lasts: Fostering Lifelong Faith in Kids

What can you do now to help children grow a lifelong friendship with Jesus? And what can you do when they don’t? Read on to discover 10 things you can do to help grown-up kids always remember Jesus’ love for them—no matter what.

The Goal of Children’s Ministry

“Begin with the end in mind.”

That’s what expert goal setters say.

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey says, “To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”

How do we “keep the end in mind” in children’s ministry? What end goal do we envision as we share Bible stories, explain Bible verses, sing songs, play games, and make crafts each and every week?

Countless conversations with children’s ministry leaders over the years have helped to clarify our shared goal. Here’s the end goal we see: We want friendship with Jesus to transform kids’ hearts so faith moves from the walls of church and into everyday life for years to come.

For years to come. Our end goal is lifelong faith.

REAL Impact

Here at Group, we use the acronym R.E.A.L. to sum up our ministry philosophy. Each letter identifies a practical expression of spiritual transformation used in all our resources.

R (relational), E (experiential) and A (applicable), all work together to accomplish the end we have in mind: L—a lifelong relationship with Jesus. We hope and pray that experiencing a Group resource helps leaders like you grow lifelong relationships with Jesus. (And that includes your friendship with Jesus, too!)

When we keep the end in mind, every moment with children is significant. As their leaders or teachers, we realize we may not be a lifelong part of kids’ lives. And that’s OK!

But that’s also a little scary. Because we aren’t in control kids’ stories. God is. As Paul writes, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

This verse encourages our hearts when we can clearly see seeds of faith growing in kids, or our former kids’ lives. When the child we once led joins our volunteer teaching team. When the preschooler we taught “Jesus Loves Me” eventually starts a non-profit that shares Jesus’ love in a tangible way. Or when the former star of the Christmas program eventually goes to seminary to become a pastor.

Wow God! That end goal is right before our eyes.

But what if it’s not? What happens when kids we love grow up and away from faith? When they leave church. When their choices get them into trouble. When they reject the Friend you’ve given your all to introduce them to.

Words can’t describe the hurt. The disappointment. The feelings of failure.

**What We Can Control**

We might have a goal, but we don’t control children’s lifelong journey of faith. God does. God invites us to faithfully see kids as people, not projects. To walk with kids right now. To honor kids right now. To love kids right now. And to trust that even when we don’t understand the results, God is always at work.

You can’t control the future. But you can trust God with it.

You can control the now.

Regardless of where their life-long journey leads them, when kids look back at their time in children’s ministry, what will they remember most? Will they remember being scolded? told to be quiet? shamed for forgetting a Bible verse?

Oh, I surely hope not.

Instead, here are 10 things kids will remember and love about their time in children’s ministry.

10 Things Kids Will Always Love About You

You noticed them. You looked them in the eye.
You called them by name. (Sometimes a name tag helped!)
Your face smiled more than it scowled.
You noticed and commented on things they were good at.
You invited them to talk, too, rather than say saying “shhhh!” all the time.
You welcomed questions…even really hard ones.
Your classroom was a safe place to mess up.
You planned fun and memorable things for them to do.
You helped them make new friends.
You loved and trusted God a lot.

You see, the first three letters of R.E.A.L. are within our control. We can intentionally choose to be relational. We can create experiences that help kids learn. We can share God’s story and help kids see why it matters in their everyday lives. But we can’t control the L. When it comes to life-long faith, we trust God…even when it’s hard.

A Lifelong Blessing for You

Friends, may you always be encouraged, no matter what. May your actions today always support your end goal—lifelong friendship with Jesus. And may you trust that God is always at work. Amen.

Need Bible lessons that help you simply share God’s love with children? Check out Simply Loved!