3 Really Important Talks You Must Have With Children

You may be thinking "I was nervous enough about the ONE 'talk' I needed to have.  Now you tell me there are THREE!!"

Yes, three talks but here is something really important to remember about these talks.
They are not "one and done" types of talks.   They are ongoing talks and we want to provide resources for you to have each of these conversations with your children.  

We are going to take part of our next three parenting classes to go through each of these topics.  We will provide you with some great resources and talking points each week.

These topics are for any one who wants to help their child or children grow in their relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

• Talk about Salvation, which we will be talking about on January 8th in our parenting class.

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Grearr
How to Lead Your Child to Christ by Nancy Machowski

• Talk about Worship, which we will be talking about January 15th in our parenting class.

Ten Unexpected Man-Centered Causes of Family Tension by Sam Crabtree
Family Worship by Donald S. Whitney

• Talk about Relationships and Sexuality, which we will be talking about on January 22nd in our parenting class.

Time for the Talk by Zollos

Crossing the Jordan and Baptism

This past Sunday (10.09), our EKIDZ lesson was Joshua and the Israelites cross the Jordan River.
In this story God shows his power and faithfulness.

The 1st - 3rd grade class made a direction connection between this story and the six baptisms we saw in the service.

In Joshua 3, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant were commanded to step into the water and then the river parted.
The water didn't part because of some magical power their feet possessed.
God is the one who parted the river.  Joshua and the priests showed faith through their obedience.

None of the people baptized shared that they could not wait to get in the water so that their sins would be forgiven.
Their testimonies talked about what God had done and how they wanted to be obedient.

For more on the ordinances of baptism and communion:
http://ekidzministry.blogspot.com/2016/04/kids-baptism-communion-and-celebrating.html

Kids, Baptism, Communion and Celebrating Jesus Christ!

This Sunday night we have our monthly IMPACT service.  
I (Pastor Dave) have the opportunity and privilege of sharing the devotional before communion.

With that being said I want to encourage families with children to come out Sunday night for this meeting which includes baptisms, communion and some important church business matters.

For children kindergarten and under - there will be child care.
For older children - It would be great to have them see the baptism, hear the testimonies and learn more about and possibly take communion with the church.   

I want to use the rest of this blog to explain the "learn more about and possibly celebrate communion."
During the devotional time I am planning to share about the seriousness and the symbolism of baptism and communion.  
My goal is to prayerfully plan the teaching to help you have Gospel talking points with your child.
I also am going to share how God used communion to save me.  You will have to come and here about that.  It is not what you think!

Here is a video that explains communion using Passover, which was last week's lesson.

 

The information below is taken directly from www.thevillagechurch.net/the-village-blog/should-my-child-take-communion/

Some thoughts to remember

• In the Bible, there is no age of accountability or prescribed requirement.  The only prerequisite is that the participant be a follower of Jesus Christ.
• Never rush communion.  It's not magical so taking it sooner than later will not keep your kids from sin or earn them extra favor with God.
• Communion requires proper mental understanding and meaning spiritual reflection to hold significance.
• No one knows your child better than you and when it comes to a decision like this, trust the Lord's guidance and your discernment as a parent.
• Be prayerful about the matter.

Some questions to ask yourself

• Have they given a convincing profession of faith in Jesus?
• Are they showing fruit and evidence of conversion through obedience to and love for Jesus?
• Do they understand and can they articulate the significance of communion?

Some questions to talk with your child about

What is Communion?

Make sure they understand what communion is and what communion isn’t. I recommend starting with Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper in Luke 22. Talk about what Jesus was teaching when He spoke to His disciples and how we continue to remember Jesus broken body and shed blood. Be sure to explain that what we are doing is symbolic and not literal. We are not literally drinking Jesus’ blood and eating His body. Communion is not magical.

Why Do We Take Communion?

Teach your child that we take communion because Jesus instructed us to and as a way of remembering and celebrating what He did for us. 1 Corinthians 11:26 tells us that as often as we eat of the bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. 

How Do We Take Communion?

Coach your child through the logistics and the spirit of taking communion. Communion is done differently at every church, so coach them on the proper way to receive and the proper time to partake of the bread and juice. Also, help and encourage them to be in the right mindset. 1 Corinthians 11 gives personal instructions for taking communion and tells a believer to “examine himself” before eating and drinking.