This article is the second in a series that answers the question “What are we doing?” You can read Yes, Jesus Loves Me to understand the big picture.
This weekend, look into the wide-eyes of an infant, toddler, or two-year-old. Kids in this age range remain constantly curious and keep themselves busy taking in all of their surroundings. Colors, words, music, and even people are just some of the things they experience for the first time. Think about that for a moment: for the first time.
So during this genesis of a child’s spiritual journey, children’s ministries have the opportunity to deliberately teach each infant, toddler, and two-year-old that Jesus and God really exist. Our ministry believes that during these young years we set the stage for the rest of the child’s personal growth and point him or her to a relationship with Christ. Without knowing who Jesus is, or trusting in His existence, the child’s personal relationship would remain void of any substantial foundation to grow upon.
While we intentionally introduce all of them to God and Jesus, we know it must happen in a variety of ways during these early years. Because of the enormous developmental growth that takes place in a child’s life from infant to age two, their learning looks different at each age. So let’s look at each step along the way.
INFANTS
Children begin to learn the names of Jesus and God through love. We know that infants can associate the love they are feeling from us with Him, so we repeatedly tell the infants that Jesus loves them. Adult helpers share Jesus’ name during play time, music, while riding in a stroller (the infant, not the adult!)—or whispered as crying becomes napping in a volunteer’s arms.
Not only do does our ministry share the name of Jesus with them, but we make sure that their first impressions of Jesus’ love are positive during their Promiseland experience. Hugs, smiles, laughter, and loving voices demonstrate God’s love to them. Additionally, the love taught and shared with the infants serves as the first step in building a foundation of trust. In time, when they grow older and learn more about God, these children will remain more open to trusting Him. Yes, the first spiritual step can take place before a baby crawls.
So the question each of us must ask becomes: “Is your infant ministry aware of their purpose in a child’s spiritual journey and are they actively sharing the name of Jesus?”
TODDLERS
Continuing to build on the foundation developed in the infants’ area, we expand the learning experience about Jesus and God for toddlers with teaching techniques that match their developmental growth.
Our ministry continues to talk about Jesus and God, but now we also introduce a key concept or Bible truth for the first time in a short teaching time. To reinforce that Jesus and God exist, toddlers hear Bible truths such as “God made me,” “Jesus helps me,” and “Jesus loves everyone.” Each truth is taught through simple music, large body movements, and pictures that we repeatedly use for a month at a time. Repetition during this brief teaching time results in feelings of safety and security—making a toddler more successful and receptive to learning. These short lessons end with the teacher saying, “Let’s pray and talk to God.” The children are invited to fold their hands and listen to the teacher model a prayer, again acknowledging that God exists and people can talk to Him.
At Easter, I listened to a volunteer share about an experience she had while teaching toddlers. She was so excited that one of the toddlers ran up to her for a hug, looked up to her with a smile said, “Jesus!”
Sometimes because toddlers may not be able to articulate many words, people underestimate how much their little mind can actually comprehend. Is your ministry being intentional about teaching toddlers about Jesus?
AGE 2
At age 2, learning about God and Jesus continues as our ministry introduces a formal large group/small group program for the first time.
The large group involves worship music and a Bible story. Throughout this time, a key concept, or truth, is taught—and repeats every weekend for a month. Key concepts still introduce children to very basic concepts and the existence of God, such as “Jesus loves everyone,” “God made me,” “God made everything,” and “Jesus is alive!” Each week the children use motions to learn the key concept to make repeating the concept feel like a game, which goes a long way to help reinforce the truth learned that day. At the end of each program, the teacher models prayer by inviting the kids to fold their hands and repeat the prayer after him or her, again acknowledging that God exists and they can talk to Him.
Recently, little Brandon walked into our office area, waved his arms and proclaimed, “Jesus is Alive! Jesus is Alive!” People asked him other questions, but he wouldn’t respond—because he just wanted everyone to know that “Jesus is Alive!” He was so excited, and it didn’t matter that it was two months after Easter. I want that same excitement, don’t you? Seems like someone once said something about “faith like a child.”
Our two-year-olds also experience small groups for the first time. A consistent leader (who commits to showing up each week) continues to reinforce the key concept through age-appropriate activities and games, but in a smaller setting. Kids in this age love to learn through play time and discovery.
In our ministry, we believe that introducing our children to the existence of God and Jesus during the youngest years is crucial to their spiritual walk to becoming a follower of Christ. We’ve seen the children in our ministry grow to know about God and Jesus, and become ever-excited to learn more. It’s during these early years that children have complete acceptance of what is being taught to them. So why would we want to miss the opportunity to introduce them to God, and build a foundation for the most important relationship they will ever have? Think about it. Are you being intentional with the teaching you provide for your infant, toddlers, and two year olds so that a foundation is being built? After all, you have the unique opportunity to share God and Jesus with them—for the first time.
Kerri Mahla serves as the director of early childhood in Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church.
Copyright © 2007 Promiseland.
