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Children in these ages need to know that Jesus, and God, really exist. So we ask our volunteers and teachers apply deliberate efforts to share the names Jesus and God with kids. The intent at this age is to introduce little ones to the reality that God and Jesus really exist. They're at an age where they need to hear that repeated over and over again.

One of my favorite songs from North Point Church's (Atlanta, GA) children's program contains the lyrics: "Just the sound of Your name is a beautiful thing…" And what a great thing to share.

Kids in this age range become fascinated to hear, see, and learn about all God and Jesus have done that makes them great—with "love" as most important. Lessons emphasize the exciting Bible stories that show God or Jesus in action. While kids earlier learned that Jesus exists, now they learn what He's done that makes Him so wonderful—which sets the foundation for what happens next.

This is a great age to tell kids that this Jesus that they've heard so much about wants to have a personal relationship with them. Their little hearts leap at the chance to be a forever friend with Jesus—because the world has yet to taint their views of Him.

If you're a kindergartener or first-grader, this will blow your mind! "This God and Jesus I've been hearing about for the past couple of years wants to be in a relationship with me? He wants to be my best friend. He also wants to take all the punishment for all the wrong things that I do. He'll even help me make right decisions for the rest of my life. Wow, that's a great friend!

As cognitive abilities increase, we continue to offer kids the opportunity to begin a relationship with Jesus. And in this age span, kids learn more about what that relationship involves, and that the Bible is a reliable place they can turn to with full confidence when they want to know more about Jesus, a relationship with Him, and life as a Christian. Critical to this step in the journey is kids' growing abilities to read.

While the opportunity continues for children to begin a relationship with Jesus, in these ages we prepare kids to have boldness in their faith and beliefs; strength that will carry them through the challenges and temptations that await them in years to come. Because those situations will certainly come, we want truth ringing in their ears: "I can say, no to wrong stuff because Yes, Jesus loves me; When I feel peer pressure from all my friends, I can say no to them because Yes, Jesus loves me; When I'm being threatened, pushed around, or lonely, I remember Yes, Jesus loves me!"

Isn't that how we want all kids to leave our ministries?

Our ability to help kids along their journeys requires significant diligence and deliberateness, but yields great satisfaction for all involved in helping kids become Christ followers and then follow Christ. All along the way, each group cheers the other on.

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