Teaching Children About Missions
I am a third generation Southern Baptist woman. When I was growing up, I recall wonderful teaching about missionaries, ministries, and opportunities in our community to serve through a curriculum written by the Women's Mission Union. I was taught by my mother and grandmother in Mission Friends and the Girls in Action programs. They were wonderful programs that teach about all kinds of mission opportunities; State Missions, World Missions, and Home Missions.
"Why is teaching missions so important?", you might ask. Simple answer is that Jesus asked us to.
If the disciples and the people of the early church did not follow the Great Commission, then most of us would not be saved. I am not Jewish. I am a mutt with some Irish, Dutch, and Native American, but I don't even know what else except to say that none of me is Jewish. I am so thankful that despite the danger they were in, all the struggles they had, and the persecution they endured, they did it in obedience to Christ our Lord. Because of that, I am here today, living in a free nation as a Christian woman able to worship freely in the denomination of my choice. Missions are important to me because they are important to Christ so I hope to instill a passion in my children also to understand the call of missions. You don't have to leave the country to live out the Great Commission. You can serve right in your own community.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"- Matthew 28:19
The Children in Action programs are definitely still around, but many have died down and have been replaced by programs like Awana Club, or parents are bring their children because of sports leagues, scouting clubs, etc. Don't get me wrong here. Awana Club is great also because it teaches our children how to study the scripture and memorize it. That is a very important thing. Awana Club is used for equipping and WMU programs inspire and feed the drive to put what we know of God to use in spreading the gospel. Furthermore, sports leagues, piano lessons, karate, etc are all good things too, but should we prioritize them over learning and teaching our children about God's word and having good character. If you are like me, and are in a church that no longer offers these ministries for teaching missions to children, then I have some suggestions for you.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up." 1 Corinthians 10:23
1. Perhaps you can start a WMU program in your church.
I am not suggesting that everyone is in a situation to do this, but if you are in a place where you can devote the time to this, then you might ask your pastor or associate pastor if you can see if there would be interest in starting a program in your church.
2. Learn about the different missionaries working for your church denomination and pray for them. Write them letters of encouragement. Send birthday cards. Teach your children their names, and tell them what they are doing in the communities they are serving. Right now, the February missionary of the month with the IMB is the Case family working in Chile with church planting. Follow the link below if you would like to know more.
http://wmu.com/?q=article%2Fpreschool-mission-friends%2Fpreschool-resource-team%2Fpreschool-missions-focus&fbclid=IwAR1mfpUP8a5uD5FLmdRSS4-47NC4-SqKvzEP58qhghrYlwOt7PEIpe7-PYs
3. Pick a theme for each month for your children to learn about, and pick a project to get involved in.
For example, we toured our local fire department and learned about the needs of our fireman and how long they work. We took home baked goodies for our firemen to snack on that week.
Another example, is learning about shut-ins from church. (People who are older or ill and cannot come to church or get out as much.) We went to our local nursing home with board games in hand and played games with some of the people there. Many of them don't get any visitors, and just having an opportunity to speak with someone will make their week considerably brighter.
There are so many other opportunities to get involved in your community.
4. Consider a missions trip.
I am a mother of four children so I realize not everyone can do this depending on what stage of life you are in. I am not trying to put pressure on you here, but our family is finally getting where this is a possibility. Last fall, there was a hurricane that devastated the Panama City area near the Gulf of Mexico. Many of the churches there are struggling. 4000 children are displaced right now, and many are homeless waiting for help to repair their homes or they have completely left the area. There is so much work to be done before that community will be fully recovered from the hurricane damage. Our family was asked to join a team from our church to go down and help clear trees and trash from properties, repair/clean up the churches for reopening, build a soccer area for community use, and many other things. We are a small group, but will be doing all that we can. Many hands make for light work. The more small groups get together and join forces, the quicker we can help this community get back on its feet.
These are just some suggestions of how to start teaching your children about ministry opportunities. If your children are very young, you might start with just reading them stories about missionaries, coloring pictures and birthday cards for them, etc. If your children are a little older, then you can start learning how to get involved in bigger ways. "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin"- Zechariah 4:10
This is my personal list for my family and our community needs. In case you need more inspiration for things you can do with your children.
"Why is teaching missions so important?", you might ask. Simple answer is that Jesus asked us to.
If the disciples and the people of the early church did not follow the Great Commission, then most of us would not be saved. I am not Jewish. I am a mutt with some Irish, Dutch, and Native American, but I don't even know what else except to say that none of me is Jewish. I am so thankful that despite the danger they were in, all the struggles they had, and the persecution they endured, they did it in obedience to Christ our Lord. Because of that, I am here today, living in a free nation as a Christian woman able to worship freely in the denomination of my choice. Missions are important to me because they are important to Christ so I hope to instill a passion in my children also to understand the call of missions. You don't have to leave the country to live out the Great Commission. You can serve right in your own community.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"- Matthew 28:19
The Children in Action programs are definitely still around, but many have died down and have been replaced by programs like Awana Club, or parents are bring their children because of sports leagues, scouting clubs, etc. Don't get me wrong here. Awana Club is great also because it teaches our children how to study the scripture and memorize it. That is a very important thing. Awana Club is used for equipping and WMU programs inspire and feed the drive to put what we know of God to use in spreading the gospel. Furthermore, sports leagues, piano lessons, karate, etc are all good things too, but should we prioritize them over learning and teaching our children about God's word and having good character. If you are like me, and are in a church that no longer offers these ministries for teaching missions to children, then I have some suggestions for you.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up." 1 Corinthians 10:23
1. Perhaps you can start a WMU program in your church.
I am not suggesting that everyone is in a situation to do this, but if you are in a place where you can devote the time to this, then you might ask your pastor or associate pastor if you can see if there would be interest in starting a program in your church.
2. Learn about the different missionaries working for your church denomination and pray for them. Write them letters of encouragement. Send birthday cards. Teach your children their names, and tell them what they are doing in the communities they are serving. Right now, the February missionary of the month with the IMB is the Case family working in Chile with church planting. Follow the link below if you would like to know more.
http://wmu.com/?q=article%2Fpreschool-mission-friends%2Fpreschool-resource-team%2Fpreschool-missions-focus&fbclid=IwAR1mfpUP8a5uD5FLmdRSS4-47NC4-SqKvzEP58qhghrYlwOt7PEIpe7-PYs
3. Pick a theme for each month for your children to learn about, and pick a project to get involved in.
For example, we toured our local fire department and learned about the needs of our fireman and how long they work. We took home baked goodies for our firemen to snack on that week.
Another example, is learning about shut-ins from church. (People who are older or ill and cannot come to church or get out as much.) We went to our local nursing home with board games in hand and played games with some of the people there. Many of them don't get any visitors, and just having an opportunity to speak with someone will make their week considerably brighter.
There are so many other opportunities to get involved in your community.
4. Consider a missions trip.
I am a mother of four children so I realize not everyone can do this depending on what stage of life you are in. I am not trying to put pressure on you here, but our family is finally getting where this is a possibility. Last fall, there was a hurricane that devastated the Panama City area near the Gulf of Mexico. Many of the churches there are struggling. 4000 children are displaced right now, and many are homeless waiting for help to repair their homes or they have completely left the area. There is so much work to be done before that community will be fully recovered from the hurricane damage. Our family was asked to join a team from our church to go down and help clear trees and trash from properties, repair/clean up the churches for reopening, build a soccer area for community use, and many other things. We are a small group, but will be doing all that we can. Many hands make for light work. The more small groups get together and join forces, the quicker we can help this community get back on its feet.
These are just some suggestions of how to start teaching your children about ministry opportunities. If your children are very young, you might start with just reading them stories about missionaries, coloring pictures and birthday cards for them, etc. If your children are a little older, then you can start learning how to get involved in bigger ways. "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin"- Zechariah 4:10
This is my personal list for my family and our community needs. In case you need more inspiration for things you can do with your children.
Clothing bank for those in need
Food bank for families in need
Children in Action/ Women on Missions
Backpack ministry for Panama City
Shut in ministry- a weekly meal and visit
Grocery trips for shut-ins
Cookies for firefighters
Praying for missionaries
Home cleaning and meals for new mothers or those just getting out of the hospital
Missions Banquet- prepare meals representing the places where SBC has missionaries, meet missionaries, pray for missionaries and learn about mission projects within our church
Weekend of prayer- dedicate a time to come to the church sanctuary as a family to pray for our church, our members, reaching others with the gospel, and our missionaries
Christmas in August- Annie Armstrong offering
Lottie Moon Offering
Sending care packages to our missionaries
Bi-annual car maintenance (oil change, fluids topped) for single mothers
Door knocking for outreach events like fall festival to invite members of the community to the free event and hopefully get involved in the church programs
World Crafts event to learn about how it helps women and families in other countries stay out of a life of sex trafficking, poverty, and hunger
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