1

Scripture Union of Kenya

2

Our Vision

Children rooted in Christ transforming society

(Prov. 22:6; Psa. 78:1ff)

3

Our Mission

Nurturing children strengthening family life and helping people engage with God through the Bible.

4

Specialized Ministries

1.Children

2.Scripture Engagement and Material

Development

3.Family Ministry

4.Bible and literature Ministry -Bookshops

5

Children Ministry

Bible Clubs Sunday School teachers

training Holidays camps VBSs Rallies and Picnics Teachers’ trainings &

fellowships Lifeskills Training

6

Present State

SU-Kenya initiated over 3,500 Bible Clubs across Kenya over the years.

Children membership of about 240,000 children.

7

Our Desire – 26,000 Bible Clubs Strategy Train 350 teachers per annum. With an aim of opening 350 new and

active Bible clubs per year.

8

Why Bible Reading?

Key: Daily and Systematic God & Me, Daily Power & Daily Guide It promotes growth and maturity of believers More church members grow to join volunteer

workers in the church More persons will be strengthened to answer

call to Missions It leads to healthy expansion of God’s

Kingdom because a healthy believer will multiply and grow the church.

9

Points to Ponder

What is the status and the need for outreach to primary schools?

How can we develop an effective Primary School Ministry that entails both evangelism and discipleship in our Churches and Christian Union?

What platforms of partnership and engagement are available for primary school ministry?

10

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

(PROVERBS 22:6)

11

Needs of our children

Texts: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6

God’s word has high expectations on parents 38:19

Children need instruction on knowledge of God, Isaiah 28:9

Assumes parents know God and are disciplined Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”

11

12

If a child lives with criticism,he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,he learns to fight.

13

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.If a child lives with tolerance,he learns to be patient.

14

If a child lives with encouragement,he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

15

If a child lives with fairness,

he learns justice.If a child lives with security,

he learns to have faith.

16

If a child lives with approval,

he learns to like himself.

17

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

he learns to find love in the world.

18

Why Children Min… What are the things children value

and think important today? We have a mandate Matt.28:20; A command Deut. 6:4-7 To teach is to change lives for ever

Proverbs 22:6! God loves people more than

anything Are children people!Mark 10:14-16

18

19

WHERE TO BEGIN

Beginning-Not an after thought! Build vision &mission statements;

Strategic plan Ask for people and prayers A clear ministry structure Physical resources and teaching

materials A relevant curriculum

19

20

What’s the reality…

Early years a great Opportunity (formative age) First seven years values are formed; Second seven years values clarified

Influential role of parents as Socialization agents 1 Sam 1:27-28

Developmental needs and unique characteristics of Children

Children Temperaments strengths and weaknesses

Our generation is our responsibility

20

21

All Children have needs!

Acceptance Rom.15:7 They are imperfect & don’t know it Relate with them unconditionally Love in spite of their offensesAppreciation Col.3:15 Thank them even for small deeds Recognize every effort made Praise and commend victories

21

22

Children needs Contd

Attention 1 Cor.12:25 Convey interest, concern & care Take thought of the child Incarnate the children world

Approval Eph. 4:29 Affirm the child as being important Affirm the fact & relationship

22

23

Children needs Contd.

Comfort 11 Cor.1:3-4 Needed when one is hurting Avoid facts, logic,advice, criticism Give an emotional expression Others to handle us when down

23

24

Children needs Contd.

Encouragement 1 Thes.2:10-12;Heb.10:24

Urge to persist and persevere Stimulate to love and good deeds Express confidence in children Give special surprises etc

Respect Romans 12:10 Value and regard them highly Treat them as being important Honor children privately& publicly Respect their feelings, opinions &

Possessions

24

25

Children needs…

Security/Peace Rom.12:16;18 Give harmony in relationships They need freedom from fear Eradicate the threat of harm Verbalize commitment to love

25

26

What then can you do for Children?

Presence-Above all, give of yourself Keep your emotional resources at optimum level Authority-You are to instruct & guide Allow yourself to Incarnate into the children

world Have hands on-help out in small but important

ways Consider every child different from any other Teach children at their specific age Above all know their needs and lovingly guide

and direct them in how to scripturally resolve them

26

27

Remember!

Children are born sinners! Take opportunities and be quick to

plant the word of God that sets sinners free in the life of every child you meet

Children are never very good at listening to their elders and leaders, but never fail to imitate them

You can make a difference in one child if you choose to.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU LEARNED?

27

28

Jesus and children

29

Great Commandments Great Commandments

Great CommissionGreat Commission

heart soul mind strengthheart soul mind strengthAnd love your neighbor as yourselfAnd love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 28:18-20

Mark 12:30-31

30

SoulHeart

What really motivates you to evangelize and disciple children and young people? What

is your heart?

What stops you being wholehearted in this?

31

SoulHeart Mind

32

MindSoul

Heart

Strength

33

If you want to go fast....go alone.

If you want to go far...go together.

If you want to go fast....go alone.

If you want to go far...go together.

34

Why are children important?

What priority does God put on

children?

What priority does your church give

children?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY

ABOUT CHILDREN?

Mark 10:13-16

Matthew 18:1-5

Mark 9:33-37

Psalm 127:3-5

Matthew 28:18-20

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

35

WHAT IS STRATEGIC ABOUT CHILDREN?

36

Aim lower

Think Smaller

Give Up

Go have a cup of coffee

37

WHAT IS A DISCIPLE LIKE?

What do children who have decided to follow Jesus need to know in order to grow as a Christian?

What does a young Christian who is being well-discipled look like?

38

HOW CAN WE DISCIPLE CHILDREN?

38

How might you connect with them?

What does the child specifically need in discipleship?

What leader in the group might be best equipped to work with that child?

39

HOW CAN WE DISCIPLE?

39

What strategies have you found successful in discipling children?

How do children see the discipling process?

What is the role of the leader in each of these discipleship methods?

40

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER

Pray regularly

Discipling takes time

Encouragement rather than rebuke

It’s about following and loving Jesus

41

PAIR AND SHARE

Pray for the people who discipled you when you first followed Jesus and those who disciple you now.

Who are you discipling now and who have you discipled in the past?

Who is God calling you to disciple?

Remember the people who discipled and shaped you.

42

• On the PPI program On the Minimum: 1

school will require 8 PPI facilitators at a go

30,000 primary schools will require 240,000 facilitators on the minimum – this is kind of personnel resource the Church needs to commit to this process/project

Way Forward

43

Critical Areas of Engagement Issues Coordination: PPI Desk Human Capital: Identification and

Training of Volunteers from Churches Sustainable Partnerships that guarantee

a national reach of all schools Availability of Bibles to schools – and to

the pupils (these materials assume that pupils/learners have access to the Bible: this is a huge statement of faith because it is not the reality on the ground

PPI Goodwill Ambassadors and PPI Champions across the country

44

Our Desire – 26,000 Bible ClubsStrategy Train 350 teachers per annum. With an aim of opening 350 new and

active Bible clubs per year. Recruit Volunteers.

45