I love the resolve found in Daniel 11:32. This verse assures us that:
"... the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." Daniel 11:32 (Amplified Translation)
There is no question about God's statement. Those who know Him SHALL ... So, the equation is quite simple. KNOW God produces BE strong and STAND firm and DO exploits.
This week, we will pick up the next another teaching segment of our "Children Who Know Their God" teaching series. Again, in this segment we are focusing upon the children knowing God.
Week #6 Get to Know Him Through Prayer
Children get all whacked out when the word "prayer" is used. In teaching this lesson, we stated that prayer may not be what you think it is. We have religified (I know that religified is not a word ... but it should be!) prayer into something that has to be done at a set place and/or on a set date and/or in a set posture position and/or using set religious words. In essence, we have hamsterized (again, I know that hamsterized is not a word .. but it should be!) prayer. We showed the kids a video clip from youtube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoYT-fo2ZNY&playnext=1&list=PLD7BDFD472F871040) showing the contained, restrained life of a hamster. Prayer is NOT hamsterized! In teaching this lesson, we showed the unconventional (unreligified) ways that God connected with man through Moses' interaction with God in the burning bush, David's connection with God as he tended sheep, and Gideon's interaction with God in the winepress. We need a "Praying for Dummies" book (great objection lesson prop) to show that we can know God by simply by talking to Him at any time (not just at 8 PM when being tucked into bed) on any day of the week (not just on Sundays) in any place (not just in a children's church room) while positioned in any position (not just in a kneeling, head's bowed, eyes closed, hands folded position) and using any words that come from our heart (not just the religified language of church). Prayer is honestly so simple that we've needed a lot of help to misunderstand it (and the church has done an excellent job of helping in that matter!). Our theme verse for this lesson is found in Psalms 34:4.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Teaching for Signs & Wonders #3
I'm so excited. I feel like a little boy at Christmas that is sitting in front of the Christmas tree with a big, beautifully wrapped present resting in my lap. I am poised with my fingers gripping the wrapping paper anxiously waiting to reveal what is hidden underneath the paper. The great unveiling is just minutes away.
This excitement comes from what is happening in our children's ministry. Each week, the "Children Who Know Their God" teaching is removing the "wrapping paper" so that our children can see what previously has been hidden. As each new lesson builds upon the previous week's teaching, the children are receiving greater and greater revelation of their God and His ability to enable them to be strong and do exploits. I am literally going into the services anticipating the excitement displayed when the "paper" is totally removed and the children can see what is sitting in their laps!
Let's pick up this week where we left off in last week's blog and look at an overview of the next two child-sized portions (McDonald's Happy Meal Principle) of our theme verse, Daniel 11:32, as we begin to focus on actually knowing God.
Week #4 He Not Only Made You, He Wants To Connect With You
Genesis' creation story shows that God's sole purpose in creating the earth and all of its contents was so that He could form (sculpt, mold, squeeze into a form) and have a relationship with Adam and Eve. Creation had nothing to do with the beauty of the birds and animals or the magnificant skies and landscapes. Before anything existed, God foresaw the joy found in His daily walks through the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. That is still His heart today.
Week #5 Just Don't Know About Him!
Imagine this. Pharaoh ws surrounded by some 2 million Israelites. He daily witnessed their prayers. He daily watched their unusual rituals. He had constant interaction with their leaders. And yet, according to Exodus 5:2, we can see that Pharaoh just knew about their God and admitted to not knowing Him. Our Sunday school classes and children's church rooms are filled with children who know about God. They've heard the Bible stories over and over again. Many have memorized the weekly Bible verses taught in the services. Sadly, most if not all of these children know about God rather than actually know Him.
And, for those who have responded to a salvation altar call, praying the sinner's prayer isn’t the end of the relationship, it is just the beginning! Praying the sinner's prayer can be compared to being introduced to the President of the United States. You might be even be one of the fortunate ones who has the privilege of shaking hands with and saying a few words to the President of the United States. But, does that mean that you actually know him? While it is true that you've met him and even spoken to him, action must be taken to move the introduction into a relationship. The same is true with our heavenly Father. We've met Him through the sinner's prayer. We've actually spoken to Him. But, that is not the end. It is just the beginning of a relationship that should last a lifetime.
I'll pick up the next segment of this teaching series next week and share another more child-sized portion showing how children can know their God.
This excitement comes from what is happening in our children's ministry. Each week, the "Children Who Know Their God" teaching is removing the "wrapping paper" so that our children can see what previously has been hidden. As each new lesson builds upon the previous week's teaching, the children are receiving greater and greater revelation of their God and His ability to enable them to be strong and do exploits. I am literally going into the services anticipating the excitement displayed when the "paper" is totally removed and the children can see what is sitting in their laps!
Let's pick up this week where we left off in last week's blog and look at an overview of the next two child-sized portions (McDonald's Happy Meal Principle) of our theme verse, Daniel 11:32, as we begin to focus on actually knowing God.
Week #4 He Not Only Made You, He Wants To Connect With You
Genesis' creation story shows that God's sole purpose in creating the earth and all of its contents was so that He could form (sculpt, mold, squeeze into a form) and have a relationship with Adam and Eve. Creation had nothing to do with the beauty of the birds and animals or the magnificant skies and landscapes. Before anything existed, God foresaw the joy found in His daily walks through the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. That is still His heart today.
Week #5 Just Don't Know About Him!
Imagine this. Pharaoh ws surrounded by some 2 million Israelites. He daily witnessed their prayers. He daily watched their unusual rituals. He had constant interaction with their leaders. And yet, according to Exodus 5:2, we can see that Pharaoh just knew about their God and admitted to not knowing Him. Our Sunday school classes and children's church rooms are filled with children who know about God. They've heard the Bible stories over and over again. Many have memorized the weekly Bible verses taught in the services. Sadly, most if not all of these children know about God rather than actually know Him.
And, for those who have responded to a salvation altar call, praying the sinner's prayer isn’t the end of the relationship, it is just the beginning! Praying the sinner's prayer can be compared to being introduced to the President of the United States. You might be even be one of the fortunate ones who has the privilege of shaking hands with and saying a few words to the President of the United States. But, does that mean that you actually know him? While it is true that you've met him and even spoken to him, action must be taken to move the introduction into a relationship. The same is true with our heavenly Father. We've met Him through the sinner's prayer. We've actually spoken to Him. But, that is not the end. It is just the beginning of a relationship that should last a lifetime.
I'll pick up the next segment of this teaching series next week and share another more child-sized portion showing how children can know their God.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Teaching for Signs & Wonders #2
Just in case you are new to the blog, let me share a revelation that is so important and timely. Here it is ... TODAY is the day of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost wants to reveal Himself to each and every one of us TODAY. The Holy Ghost wants to reveal Himself through each and every one of us TODAY. And, this includes our children!
I shared in last week's blog about the importance of laying a foundation for the manifest presence and power of God by teaching. Using the McDonald's Happy Meal Principle shared in the last blog, each week, we are imparting age-appropriate servings (segments) of our key verse, Daniel 11:32. Week by week, the foundation is getting deeper and stronger as supernatural revelation is shared.
Before I share this week's thought, take a minute or two and meditate on our key verse:
"... the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." Daniel 11:32 (Amplified Translation)
In this week's blog, let me give a very brief overview of our first three lessons which establishes the reason for this teaching series. In these lessons, we want the children to know that God wants to use children for Kingdom business!
Week #1 Who Have You Been Listening To? (It's Time To End The Lies!)
Since the Garden of Eden, Satan has specialized in lying and deceiving. (Genesis 3:4). One of his biggest lies is to convince boys and girls that they are too young to do great things for God. Jeremiah 1:6 shows how children have listened to Satan and bought into his lie. What was God's answer to Jeremiah's misunderstanding? Jeremiah 1:7, "Do not say, I am only a child." (NIV)
Week #2 Can't You See God's Fingerprints? (Form-Fitted, Specially Crafted By God)
One of the greatest revelations that a child can have is that before they were ever born, God was forming (Greek word yatsar - molding, sculpting, squeezing into shape) them in their mother's womb so that they could do great things for Him. It is interesting that in the creation story, the word formed is only applied to Adam and Eve. Everything else is created. Man was formed. Referring again to Jeremiah, God said, "Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV). Using Play Dough to illustrate this revelation, the children could see their importance as we taught that even before their birth, God placed His hands into their mother's womb so that He could form-fit and specially craft them to give them everything needed to do exploits and great things for the Kingdom.
Week #3 How's Your Eyesight? (Even Satan Can See God’s Reason for You Being on this Earth!)
Psalms 139:14 shows us that God took great care in the sculpting and molding of each and every child. Even Satan can see this. This is seen in Satan's continual attempts to keep babies from being born. He can see that within every child lies the potential to do great harm to his kingdom. A great illustration is found in the birth of a little boy, Moses, who in his mother's womb had been shaped and specially crafted by God to become a great leader of God's people. What did Satan do? He had Pharaoh to attempt to kill every newborn male child so that there would be no deliverer named Moses. Children need to begin to see what God and even Satan can see. Each and every child has the God-given potential to " ... prove themselves strong and stand firm and do exploits [for God]."
I'll pick up with the next segment of this series in next week's blog.
I shared in last week's blog about the importance of laying a foundation for the manifest presence and power of God by teaching. Using the McDonald's Happy Meal Principle shared in the last blog, each week, we are imparting age-appropriate servings (segments) of our key verse, Daniel 11:32. Week by week, the foundation is getting deeper and stronger as supernatural revelation is shared.
Before I share this week's thought, take a minute or two and meditate on our key verse:
"... the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." Daniel 11:32 (Amplified Translation)
In this week's blog, let me give a very brief overview of our first three lessons which establishes the reason for this teaching series. In these lessons, we want the children to know that God wants to use children for Kingdom business!
Week #1 Who Have You Been Listening To? (It's Time To End The Lies!)
Since the Garden of Eden, Satan has specialized in lying and deceiving. (Genesis 3:4). One of his biggest lies is to convince boys and girls that they are too young to do great things for God. Jeremiah 1:6 shows how children have listened to Satan and bought into his lie. What was God's answer to Jeremiah's misunderstanding? Jeremiah 1:7, "Do not say, I am only a child." (NIV)
Week #2 Can't You See God's Fingerprints? (Form-Fitted, Specially Crafted By God)
One of the greatest revelations that a child can have is that before they were ever born, God was forming (Greek word yatsar - molding, sculpting, squeezing into shape) them in their mother's womb so that they could do great things for Him. It is interesting that in the creation story, the word formed is only applied to Adam and Eve. Everything else is created. Man was formed. Referring again to Jeremiah, God said, "Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV). Using Play Dough to illustrate this revelation, the children could see their importance as we taught that even before their birth, God placed His hands into their mother's womb so that He could form-fit and specially craft them to give them everything needed to do exploits and great things for the Kingdom.
Week #3 How's Your Eyesight? (Even Satan Can See God’s Reason for You Being on this Earth!)
Psalms 139:14 shows us that God took great care in the sculpting and molding of each and every child. Even Satan can see this. This is seen in Satan's continual attempts to keep babies from being born. He can see that within every child lies the potential to do great harm to his kingdom. A great illustration is found in the birth of a little boy, Moses, who in his mother's womb had been shaped and specially crafted by God to become a great leader of God's people. What did Satan do? He had Pharaoh to attempt to kill every newborn male child so that there would be no deliverer named Moses. Children need to begin to see what God and even Satan can see. Each and every child has the God-given potential to " ... prove themselves strong and stand firm and do exploits [for God]."
I'll pick up with the next segment of this series in next week's blog.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Teaching for Signs & Wonders #1
After the Holy Spirit spoke to me about this being the year for our children to know their God and be bold and do exploits, our children's ministry team began to prepare the children for stepping into this arena of boldness and power. To get from where we are now to the realization of our final destination, Daniel 11:32, we knew that we had to prepare the way through teaching.
One of the greatest mysteries to me is to hear children's ministry leaders talk about wanting to see their children flow with the Holy Ghost and when asked about what they are teaching their children to hear them give an answer like the Beatitudes. I know that there is a time and season for teaching on the Beatitudes. But, if you want to see the Holy Ghost show up, then teach on the Holy Ghost! It is imperative that the teaching always establish a strong, scriptural foundation for the manifestation or results that you desire.
So, we immediately began to focus our teaching on dissecting our theme verse, Daniel 11:32, breaking it down using what I call the McDonald's Happy Meal Principle. Almost everyone in the world who has children has been to McDonald's. We all know that McDonald's has made billions and billions of dollars because they understand children. McDonald's has learned to take the same food that they serve the adults and make the meal age-appropriate by taking the adult meal (Quarter Pounder, large fries, and large drink) and serving smaller child-size portions in the Happy Meal (small hamburger, fries, and drink). The McDonald's Happy Meal Principle takes the very same truth that I would share with adults and changes the serving size into digestible segments. It is the same truth, but in smaller portions.
To share the entire teaching overview in one blog entry would be far too lengthy. In the next few blog entries, I will show how we have made Daniel 11:32 into age-appropriate, bite-size meals for our children to meditate upon and set the course of their destinies.
One of the greatest mysteries to me is to hear children's ministry leaders talk about wanting to see their children flow with the Holy Ghost and when asked about what they are teaching their children to hear them give an answer like the Beatitudes. I know that there is a time and season for teaching on the Beatitudes. But, if you want to see the Holy Ghost show up, then teach on the Holy Ghost! It is imperative that the teaching always establish a strong, scriptural foundation for the manifestation or results that you desire.
So, we immediately began to focus our teaching on dissecting our theme verse, Daniel 11:32, breaking it down using what I call the McDonald's Happy Meal Principle. Almost everyone in the world who has children has been to McDonald's. We all know that McDonald's has made billions and billions of dollars because they understand children. McDonald's has learned to take the same food that they serve the adults and make the meal age-appropriate by taking the adult meal (Quarter Pounder, large fries, and large drink) and serving smaller child-size portions in the Happy Meal (small hamburger, fries, and drink). The McDonald's Happy Meal Principle takes the very same truth that I would share with adults and changes the serving size into digestible segments. It is the same truth, but in smaller portions.
To share the entire teaching overview in one blog entry would be far too lengthy. In the next few blog entries, I will show how we have made Daniel 11:32 into age-appropriate, bite-size meals for our children to meditate upon and set the course of their destinies.
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