Helping Children Understand What the Bible Has to Say About Missions

Written by Jill Goldner

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” – Matthew 28:19-20

God’s Word makes clear that all Christians have a responsibility to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ. Do you follow Jesus’ command on a regular basis? As a young adult I was panic-stricken when faced with the opportunity of sharing the gospel. Why? I had never had any practical missions experience.

As a child I often heard about missionaries serving God in foreign lands, but I had no idea that I could be a missionary in my own community. Perhaps if I had been given opportunities to participate in mission-based activities during my early years, I would have been more comfortable witnessing as I got older.

Mission Stories in Sunday School
Sunday School curriculum resources published by LifeWay Christian Resources are designed to give children a good missions foundation. As early as first grade, girls and boys can learn what the Bible says about sharing Jesus with others. Each week a Life Impact statement helps teachers guide children in learning and applying important Bible truths. Often the Life Impact statements focus on telling others about Jesus.

Family Bible Study resources for children are written in a way that helps kids understand how they can participate in missions, no matter what their level of spiritual growth. Many preteens, for example, are at a point in their spiritual lives that they feel comfortable witnessing to friends. It may be more appropriate, however, for a first grader to make and send someone a card that tells about the birth of Jesus.

Here is a comparative look at how the same lesson is taught in three different age groups within the Family Bible Study curriculum for children.

Bible Story: Jesus Served His Disciples
Biblical Setting: As the end of His ministry approached, Jesus and His disciples met to share an evening meal together. During the meal Jesus taught the disciples about serving.
Life Impact: I will serve Jesus by serving others.
First & Second Graders Younger children will make “Helping Others Banks.” This activity can encourage them to serve others by saving money for a missions offering. Girls and boys also will work in pairs to think of ways to help people in given situations.	Third & Fourth Graders Children in this age group will participate in “Serving Others Role Play.” Boys and girls will work in groups to discuss and act out situations in which they might serve others. The children will learn how to follow Jesus’ example of serving.	Preteens Older kids will complete a learner guide activity that will help them think of ways they can practically serve others. The preteens will then plan a group ministry project that will be carried out during the coming weeks.
Note that each age group is: • learning about serving others • applying what is learned • learning about missions by participating in age-appropriate discussion and activities
Visit the LifeWay Sunday School Curriculum Guide to view samples of the Family Bible Study curriculum resources for Children and Preschoolers. http://www.lifeway.com/CurriculumGuide/Samples.asp

Special Emphasis Mission Stories
As a Sunday School leader, encourage children’s teachers to look for additional opportunities to teach missions. Each Christmas season Southern Baptist churches around the world focus on international missions when the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is collected. Teachers can help the children in their classes to take an active part in this special missions offering.

Here are some specific ideas.

• Tell the girls and boys about the life of Lottie Moon and the impact she made as a missionary in China.
• Talk to the children about the importance of the special offering for international missionaries. If you have an opportunity, let the kids think of jobs they can do at home to save money for the offering.

Anytime Mission Activities
You don’t have to wait for special missions emphases in your church to lead girls and boys in missions learning. These ideas could help you with early arrivers or that extra time when there is a special meeting time after worship.

• Good News Goody Bags—Let kids put together goody bags for children in the hospital or homeless families. Place a letter or trace inside each bag telling the recipient about Jesus.
• “Ways to Witness” booklets—Let the girls and boys make books that will remind them of practical ways they can tell others about Jesus.
• Tray Cards—Lead children to make stand-up verse cards to place on trays in a local nursing home or hospital.
• Phone-a-Friend—Provide a cell phone and let kids take turns using the phone to invite friends to church.
• You’ve Got Mail—Guide children to share what they have learned in Sunday School by writing and sending e-mails to their friends.
• Bible Treasure Hunt—Lead the kids to find verses about missions in the Bible.
• Practice Makes Perfect—Use role play. Let boys and girls act out situations in which they might tell others about Jesus.
• Pray—Lead children in praying for their family and friends who do not know the good news of Jesus.

Web Sites for Children’s Missions
In addition to Sunday School, programs like GAs (Girls in Action), RAs (Royal Ambassadors) and CIAs (Children in Action) are invaluable in developing a child’s missions education. You can encourage the children in your class to participate in these weekly opportunities, which will teach them about missions and help them apply what they have learned.

Children

• Children in Action http://www.wmu.com/orgs/children/childreninaction/home.asp
• KidsPlace (North American Mission Board) http://www.kidzplace.org/
• GAs (Girls in Action)  http://www.gapassport.com/
• RAs (Royal Ambassadors) http://www.kidzplace.org/adult/royal-ambassadors/ra.asp

Preschool

• Mission Friends http://www.wmu.com/orgs/preschoolers/missionfriends/home.asp

A child’s well-rounded missions education can lay the proper foundation for him or her to become a missions-minded adult. You can help the children you teach become adults who follow Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19.

Jill Goldner teaches first- through third-graders at Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, Delaware. She has been working in children’s ministry for 25 years.

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