Foundations of Children's Evangelism

Dick Gruber

Description

Are you eager to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with boys and girls? This book provides unique ideas, sound biblical theology, and resources for anyone who wants to reach children for Jesus. Based on hundreds of hours of research and many years of personal experience, Dick Gruber shares from his vast reservoir of knowledge and expertise to enable kids ministry leaders to reach children today. Dr. Gruber shares practical ideas, programs, and ways to promote kids ministry, develop outreach events, and lead a child to Christ. While the material is not all inclusive, it is Bible-based and practical. As anyone who is involved in ministering to children knows, methods constantly evolve to meet the current cultural needs, yet the commission to reach boys and girls remains constant because God loves children. Children still make up the largest, most reachable people group on planet earth. They need a lifelong relationship with loving adults who will continuously model Christian living for them. Let the practical yet deeply spiritual tools in this book motivate you to learn from children, who approach God with simple, genuine faith. Let these resources motivate you to teach and disciple boys and girls to become full-fledged members of the faith community.

Sujets

• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Logion Press
• Date de parution: 18 avril 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781607314806
• Langue: English

Extrait

What people are saying about Foundations of Children’s Evangelism …
“Dick is a legendary figure in kids ministry. His pioneering spirit and passionate heart have made an indelible imprint on the church in America and around the world. Dick’s ministry will leave a lasting legacy because he is determined to equip those around him with better tools and resources than he had when he began in ministry. And that is why you need this book! Dick has packed decades of kids ministry wisdom into one resource! It will change your ministry—big time!”
— Brian Dollar , creator of High Voltage Kids Ministry Resources, author of I Blew It! and Talk Now and Later , associate and kids pastor at First Assembly of God, North Little Rock, AR
“I have seen a lot of trends come and go in children’s ministry over the past four decades, yet for over four decades I have seen my friend Dick Gruber focus on the main thing, which is evangelizing kids and giving them the gospel. One of the first people I ever called with a question about children’s ministry was Dick Gruber. Dick has always been free to share whatever he knows to whoever wants to learn. This book will help you get focused, stay focused, and be focused on what really matters in children’s ministry—reaching and discipling kids!”
— Jim Wideman , children’s ministry pioneer, author, and leadership coach, Jimwideman.com
“Where did kids ministry originate? I’m not sure, but I’m confident that Dick Gruber must have been there. He has more than forty years of ministry experience in many contexts: children’s pastor in small and large churches, university children’s ministries specialist, speaker, and writer. Dick has spoken at our camps and training events all across our network for the fifteen years that I have served as Christian education director. His material is practical and Bible based. You can read any of his material and be confident that it will be well worth the read and investment of your time.”
— Wayne Rimmer , Christian education/children’s ministry director, Potomac Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God
“Dick Gruber is constantly my greatest source of inspiration and foundation in ministering to kids. His methods are grounded in the Bible, tested in the real world, and flowing with creativity. His mission field for over forty years has been the hearts of children, and he has the stories and the wisdom to show for it! Besides being an encourager and mentor, he’s a great dad and an awesome grandfather to my kids—it doesn’t get any better than that!”
— Aaron Gruber , lead kids pastor, Emmanuel Christian Center, Spring Lake Park, MN
“Dick Gruber’s forty-plus years of loving Jesus and loving children combine in this benchmark work. Be informed and be inspired by his reflections, gleaned from a lifetime of service to God’s kids.”
— Rob Evans , www.donutman.streamlinenettrial.co.uk
“Dick Gruber’s many years of experience will provide helpful insights for anyone desiring to expand their understanding of children’s ministry.”
— Steve Adams , children’s pastor, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
“Dr. Dick Gruber’s take on evangelizing kids has to be the most promising work on the subject in years because, if for no other reason, his experience in this realm is vast. Since Bible college, I have seen him lead children to the Savior through local church ministries, Christian summer camps, and evangelistic rallies of all descriptions. In addition, Dick has been an in-demand speaker on children’s ministry around the world for decades. As a communicator he is captivating because he is just as focused on his listeners as he is on his message, and that is just one of the secrets to his success. Only eternity will tell of the impact his ministry has had on the countless boys and girls he has led to Christ and, beyond that, his influence through all those he has trained. One last word that must be said about Professor Gruber is the fact that, in spite of his talents and achievements, he is a humble servant of God with whom anyone can relate, if not count as a friend.”
— Bob Hahn , lead pastor, Peace Chapel, Morris, IL
“I have had the pleasure of working with Dick Gruber in countless children’s summer camps and kids ministry trainings, and have observed him teaching children’s ministry students in the university setting. Dick has a unique gift of communicating the good news to children in a way that is not only easily understood, but also prompts a positive response. Dick teaches more than methods; he teaches us how to partner with the power of the Holy Spirit to reach children.”
— George Krebs , Christian education director, Pen/Del Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God
FOUNDATIONS OF CHILDREN’S EVANGELISM
How to Lead Kids to Christ
FOUNDATIONS OF CHILDREN’S EVANGELISM
How to Lead Kids to Christ

DICK GRUBER, DMin
Copyright © 2017 by Dick Gruber
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Published by Logion Press
1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, Missouri 65802
www.myhealthychurch.com
No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Cover and interior design and formatting by Livingstone Corporation ( www.livingstonecorp.com )
All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version,® NIV.® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com . The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
ISBN: 978-1-60731-478-3
Printed in the United States of America
21 20 19 18 17 • 1 2 3 4 5
CONTENTS
Preface
SECTION 1—RESEARCH AND WRITINGS

1. INTRODUCTION
2. A BIBLICAL MANDATE
3. PERSPECTIVES ON EVANGELISM OF CHILDREN
4. A PRACTICAL RESPONSE
5. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN GIVING ALTAR CALLS TO CHILDREN
SECTION 2—PRACTICAL IDEAS, PROGRAMS, AND APPLICATIONS

6. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN EVANGELISM
7. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER WHEN EVANGELIZING CHILDREN
8. PROMOTING YOUR MINISTRY
9. DEVELOPING EVANGELISTIC EVENTS
10. LEADING A CHILD TO CHRIST
11. LEADING CHILDREN INTO THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
APPENDIX A: WHY BRING THE GOSPEL TO CHILDREN
APPENDIX B: HALLO-WHAT?
APPENDIX C: JESUS BLESSES THE CHILDREN
APPENDIX D: FIVE THINGS JESUS WANTS YOU TO SEE IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
APPENDIX E: LEADING A CHILD TO CHRIST
APPENDIX F: PRAYING WITH CHILDREN TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
SOURCES CONSULTED
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PREFACE
The term “soul winning” was commonly used when I came to Christ and began helping in children’s ministries in the mid-1970s. It wasn’t unusual back then for a children’s leader to exclaim, “We won five kids to Christ,” or, “We just won three children in an evangelist outreach.” I even attended a conference entitled, “Win a Child.” Being literally minded, I wondered how many children would be given away as door prizes that week.
Terminology has morphed as much as methodology since the 7’0s. Now instead of “win,” we say reach. Instead of “Kid’s Crusade,” we say, “Family Fun Fest,” or “Super Saturday.” In years past, it was a common practice of churches to host annual Kid’s Crusades and vacation Bible school each summer. Children’s leaders were taught in workshops and at conventions to allow time for children to respond to the Gospel in every class and club meeting.
I witnessed this firsthand as I sat in the back of children’s church my first Sunday in a local evangelical church. After a variety-packed presentation of a singular theme, the woman leading the children’s church time encouraged boys and girls to respond to Christ and trust Him for their salvation. I was amazed and blessed by this experience. I knew in my heart that I must be allowed to participate in reaching children.
I’ve watched methods constantly evolve to meet the current cultural needs, while the commission to reach boys and girls remains constant. God loves children. Jim Wideman writes, “Loving people, creating memories for families, and tying those memories to the person of Jesus and His example are what the church should be about.” 1
This is a book about loving and creating memories for children. It’s about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boys and girls. It has been my privilege as a children’s leader to present the gospel and pray with children to come to Christ. My greatest joy has been to pray with my own children as they put their faith and trust in Jesus. My oldest, Sarah, was just four years old when she questioned, “Dad, can I have Jesus in my heart?” I knew that at four, she didn’t understand the full implications of what she was asking. That didn’t stop us from praying together. That night, I explained salvation in terms she would understand, then Sarah and I prayed. She made her first step towards a life of discipleship with Christ.
My desire is that you will experience similar joy. In those days I hadn’t yet considered a Biblical theology of evangelizing children. I knew nothing of questions surrounding an age of accountability, or why a church should engage in reaching kids. I did know that I loved Jesus and wanted to share His life with children and their families. My heart for the evangelism of children is, I believe, a reflection of God’s heart for His little ones. Jesus loves the little children. It’s more than a song; it’s a fact. It is with this heart that I began research and writing in the early 2000s.
This book begins with a presentation of research and grows into practical application of that study. The following pages contain a collection of writings based in study of God’s Word, research in a Christian college library, and practical experience gained reaching children through a variety of outreach venues.
I trust that