Preparing The
GenNext ISSUE - 14 OCTOBER | 2019
CONTENTS PREPARING THE GEN NEXT
Editorial ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
SUNITHA JOSEPH
Why is Children’s Ministry vital for any growing Church? --------------------------
2
DAVID SELVAN
Coming Alongside ISSUE - 14
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4
Developing a Children’s Ministry Relevant to our Children --------------------------
6
GEORGE EBENEZER
OCTOBER | 2019
Momentum is published in India by the Gateway Ministries family of churches, for circulation among members. PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY. SUBSCRIPTION FREE.
Chief Editor Mohan Varghese Editorial Team Mobis Philipose Debbie Prabhakar Editorial Consultants Stanley Mehta, David Selvan, Jœmon Joseph Design & Production Aditi Mendoza & Alex Varghese Published by Gateway Ministries International B 215, 2nd floor (Deck Level), Belapur Railway Station Complex Tower no. 10, CBD, Navi Mumbai- 400 614 Maharashtra, India Telephone: +91-22-22150654/22189036 Email: momentum.gmi@gmail.com Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from the New International Version of the Bible. Articles featured in Momentum reflect the opinion of the authors and not necessarily those of Momentum or GMI family of churches - Editor
ANNIE JOSE
How to Disciple our Children so they fall in love with the Bible & Jesus ------
8
GENEVIEVE ASHRIT
Sunday School: Where I learnt to Love God & Love People ------------------------- 10 INTERVIEW WITH DIVYA JOSE & DEBBIE PRABHAKAR
Important Events in GMI
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Marks of a Child-friendly Church
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JOANNA RUTH
Ten Practical ideas for Family ------------------------- 16 Worship ELIZABETH JOSEPH
Pitfalls to avoid in Sunday School ---------------- 18 NITEEN DONGRE
How to set up a Child Protection Policy for Churches? -------------------------------------------- 20 PRISCILLA ROXBURGH
Weddings in GMI
OCT | 2019
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EDITORIAL
CHILDREN, YOU’RE INVITED ‘Invisible’ is a fairly accurate word that can be used to describe how we perceive children today. The culture of busyness seems to keep us from hearing or seeing the numerous children around us. Forced to beg at the traffic lights, held in slavery in brothels and factories, abused by family members, lost behind screens and devices, children seem to be invisible to many of us. At the same time, ‘idolized’ is also a word that fairly describes how we relate to children. The pull from culture is a swing to the other side of the spectrum. This trend tempts us to regard children with blind adoration and devotion. They can do no wrong in the eyes of their doting parents and caregivers. Our lives are centred around them. Scripture, on the other hand, calls us to take a different stance. We see Jesus welcoming children to be blessed by Him. We hear him telling his disciples to be like little children, in order to be great in God’s Kingdom. We do not see Christ ignoring them. Instead, He invites them into His Kingdom. Nor does He idolize children. We see Him dying to save them. They, too, are sinners who need His saving grace. Through the Holy Spirit, He continues to shape them daily into true worshippers. This can only happen in communities of grace that long to see children pursued, redeemed and restored. This issue of the Momentum Magazine highlights the importance of having a vibrant children’s ministry, where lives are changed. The articles cover our calling as families and local churches to work with children, disciple them and draw them to Christ. Practical insights on how to be a Child-Friendly Church, the importance of the Family Altar and how to implement a Child Protection Policy in Sunday School have also been shared. I trust that these articles will provide valuable insights and invite us to a renewed way of seeing children. May our vision be enlarged! As children and adults, let us grow in worshipping Jesus together!!
Sunitha Joseph
Sunitha Joseph is the wife of Joemon Joseph and mother of three children. She enjoys pastoral ministry alongside her husband. She is also a consultant with ACT, Mumbai. Sunitha has over 15 years of experience in the field of counselling; among others, she has helped survivors of human trafficking and sexual violence.
01 OCT | 2019
WHY IS CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VITAL FOR ANY GROWING CHURCH?
Jesus’ concern: Ministering to children was a priority for Jesus (Matt 19:14). Jesus drew the attention of the adults to the vital need of reaching out to children. He dedicated time for them in His busy schedule.
CREATIONAL REASON: He has also set eternity in the human heart... - Ecclesiastes 3:11
Jesus’ caution: Kids sing aloud. They clap and raise their hands with ease. When a preacher needs a volunteer for any demo, children are the first to come forward. Kids remind us that the kingdom of God is for those who humble themselves like children and trust Him fully.
Eternity is embedded in every human heart, and not just adult hearts. It is impossible to explain to a child how an aircraft flies though it is tangible, visible, and explainable. However, it is easy to explain the concept of existence of God, who is not tangible, to a child. How is this possible? The things of God are perceived by the human spirit. A child has the capacity to understand and respond to God. The prophet Samuel conversed with God when he was just five. Hence, we cannot ignore reaching children right from their tender age.
No doubt, Jesus is drawing the attention of adults to become like them (Matt 18:3). Jesus’ commendation: Welcoming children is akin to welcoming God himself into our midst (Mk 9:37). Hence Childrens’ ministry is not just an ingredient for church growth, but mandatory based on the value Jesus has placed on them.
BIBLICAL REASON: God’s plan: God knows us from our mothers’ wombs, and designs our life blueprint even before we are conceived (Ps. 139:16). Jesus didn’t die only for adults. Likewise, his great commission is to preach the gospel to adults as well as children and make them disciples.
STATISTICAL REASON: 4/14 WINDOW Most Christians accept Christ as their Lord and Savior
02 OCT | 2019
between the ages of 4 and 14-years. This 4/14 window is now recognized as a key time-frame of opportunity to introduce a solid Christian foundation in the lives of children as this is the most open and receptive period in their life. For instance, my wife came from a non-Christian background and accepted Christ while attending Sunday School. I accepted Christ before the age of 14 and all my three children too. Any healthy growing church should focus on this 4/14 window.
FAMILY REASON: The size of India’s toy industry is estimated at between Rs 80000 crore and Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The reason the toy industry thrives is because parents will do anything to make their children happy. They spend sacrificially for their children more than what they would spend on themselves. Children influence their parents’ decisions. When a family relocates, they look for a church with a good sunday school. If we want to reach families, draw the children, (toddlers to teenagers), and they will bring their parents. My wife and her sister joined the neighbouring children to Sunday school, and now the entire family including the next generation follow Christ. Churches that reach children, will reach parents.
RESPONSIBILITY REASON:
when they face the world. Hence, the church cannot shirk from this responsibility.
"Repeat (these commands) again and again to your children." Deuteronomy 6:6-7 As a church we have a two-fold responsibility; one is to nurture our own children and the other is to reach the unreached outside our church community. What is rooted in the heart of a child is almost impossible to uproot in the life of an adult. My mother never took interest in my school report card as much as my Sunday school assignment. I could have my breakfast on a Sunday morning, only after reciting the memory verse for the week. No child is traumatised by these disciplines, but will surely develop a foundation that will hold them
FUTURISTIC REASON: Sow today to reap tomorrow. The leaders of tomorrow are babies today. A growing church needs leaders and catching them young is the only way to prepare them. History shows that most of the great men and women used by God had an encounter with God at their tender age. God called and revealed his plans to Prophet Jeremiah when he was a child.
David Selvan
David Selvan, after having served in Indian Navy, in offshore oil rigs and in shipping, joined GMI family full time to serve God. He was mentored by Stanley Mehta and served under him as a dean of Antioch Training Centre, a residential bible school of GMI for three years. In the year 1999 he was sent to Union Church, Coonoor and continues to pastor the church. He is married to Debra. They have two married daughters, one son, and one grand daughter.
03 OCT SEP || 2019 2019
COMING ALONGSIDE
During one of my travels into interior India, I watched a man weaving bamboo baskets. The process was intricate. First each stick was worked upon. Then these were laid in place, followed by weaving them together in a criss-cross pattern. Would it be a broad basket, used to hold fruits and vegetables, or one narrow and tall to hold newly harvested rice grain? It could well have been one that’s wide and strong which fisherman would use as boats in small rivers and lakes. If he didn’t tell you what he was doing, it would be very hard to guess the kind of a basket he was making.
There were times I would stand behind small food shacks, waiting for the banana leaves that would be thrown as garbage, so that I could eat the leftover food.
Only the weaver knew.
In my sixth grade, one of the school teachers, who didn’t even teach me, came up to me and asked me why I never bought anything to eat during the recess. Realizing that I didn’t have any money, she gave me two rupees to buy something for myself. It did not stop there.
As I roamed the streets of Chennai, digging into trash cans and trying to assuage my hunger, I wondered whether anyone would come alongside me. Questions that constantly plagued me were: Will anyone smile at me? Will someone give me some affirmation? Will anyone love me? Will someone show that they care for me? I was hurting.
Only the Lord God Almighty knew what kind of person He was weaving me into. I was 24 years old, when my aunts told me that my father murdered my mom. I grew up in a home where my father was an alcoholic. I was often beaten to the point where seeing blood became a common sight. I was sexually abused several times through my childhood between the age of 5 and 15 years.
I used to look for her at every recess and she would consistently give me money. I was sure that she would get annoyed and start to avoid me. But for the next five years, she gave me money during recess to buy snacks and candy. (At that time, two rupees was worth quite a bit.) When I look back, I often wonder why she gave me those coins. There were times she would run out of meetings to give me money. She was not wealthy, yet she’d give me those coins. Why?
…but people came alongside me Through all of this, I constantly saw people, who loved me genuinely, come with authority and correction. Those who abused me came with what looked like love, but was evidently counterfeit.
She did not preach or counsel me, neither bore me with those “Be careful” lectures. She just came alongside.
I would steal from shops and jump over walls. I would sneak into movie theaters that showed pornographic clips.
It was not the money. It was the way she understood my 04
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deep need for love and unconditional acceptance.
Today’s generation is being hurt by wrong relationships. But there is hope. Their healing can come only with godly relationships. This is no time to sit quiet or be indifferent. It is time to move out of our comfort zones and walk alongside our next generation.
Children need us to come alongside them The next generation needs us to walk alongside them. There are so many children and teenagers around us who are hurting. If we, as God’s children, do not come alongside them, someone else is ready to do so. They will come to lead them astray.
Here are some practical pointers for us to consider when we come alongside our young ones: 1. Listen, ask appropriate questions and then listen again. Don’t preach or teach.
Two years ago, I was counseling a 23-year-old girl in Delhi, who was caught in prostitution. Her pimp was standing nearby, carefully watching us. This girl was hurting. She used to cry a lot at first, but now tears would not come easily anymore. Even though she was running a high fever that day, she had to go back to attending to at least three to four customers that night, she said.
2. Empathise. Consider their point of view. Try and understand their challenges, fears and anxieties. 3. Connect before you correct or re-direct. Don’t jump to correction. But strive to connect. Connections come before correction.
Someone had exploited her vulnerability as a teen and had come alongside her. She was led astray. Now she pushes herself through all the pain, just so that she could send some money back home.
4. Live an authentic life before them. Let your life reflect your words. Nothing to hide. Nothing to lose. Nothing to prove.
Could this girl find someone to walk alongside her and show her love? Was there someone who could connect with her and offer her a shoulder to cry on?
5. Respond out of security and not just react out of capacity. Be calm and secure. Go before the Lord and listen to Him before you respond.
This love, that we as children of the Lord must show, comes from our Heavenly Father. Having redeemed us, the Lord can use us to redeem others. Even though we seem to be connected through technology, many still feel very lonely. This ‘touch’ generation, needs His touch through us.
6. Love them unconditionally. Your motives should be pure, accepting them just the way they are. Gently disciple and nurture them. You are there because you love them. Do not manipulate the situation or set conditions for acceptance and change. 7. Finally, may you be deeply anchored in the love of Christ. May everything you do flow out of that love. They need to see that.
We are called to walk alongside; to show love to those hurting, and lost. We are not called to condemn and crucify them.
Remember that it is not about skills and abilities. What you share, do or express, must come from the discerning and insights that the Holy Spirit gives.
Look at this from the perspective of the grand weaver, the Lord God Almighty. Look at what was done on the cross for you - 'It is finished'.
Be driven by His pain and passion for this generation. Carry His heart as you come alongside these precious lives.
There is no time to waste Seeing our children and teenagers hurting, breaks God’s heart. May your heart pain the way His heart pains.
George Ebenezer
George Ebenezer, founder of Beyond Barriers, is an expert in the field of human engineering and development, with special focus on children. His work has touched over 600,000 children across 26 countries over the past two decades.
05 OCT | 2019
DEVELOPING A CHILDREN’S MINISTRY RELEVANT TO OUR CHILDREN
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 families to hear the Word.
As the preacher Charles R. Swindoll put it, “Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” As ministers to children, when we deposit God's Word in their memory banks, our children will be impacted and enabled to live a life of faith. They will be able to distinguish and value what they have been taught, as compared to what they experience in the world outside. They will truly be as Philippians 2:15 states "Blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world”.
Teaching is seeing, touching, talking and hearing the lesson. Children must hear properly and repeatedly to transform beliefs. Also, they learn best in experiential ways. A gifted, equipped and enthusiastic teacher brings the Bible to life in unforgettable ways. Winning happens when we are Bible-centred and not relying on gimmicks or being just activity-oriented. Just as Christ has won us over, a grace-filled, gospel-shaped orientation in teaching will win over our children.
For this to happen, we must make children's ministry relevant to the children God entrusts us with, and lay strong foundations so every child hears the Gospel and accepts Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Nurturing is moulding lives through teachers who love Jesus and love to shepherd children. They believe and practice what the Bible says. They share the Pastor’s heart and vision for ministry and bring Bible truths to life, so children can apply them.
Sunday School is referred to as "the reaching, teaching, winning, and nurturing arm of the church."
Keys to make Sunday School relevant to children:
Reaching is connecting to families with children, by overcoming barriers that inhibit, such as class, or culture or beliefs. As Deut 31:12 says, we are called to gather as
1. Focus on the essentials - View Sunday school as a disciple making process; let’s 06
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go, make disciples (2 Tim 2:2).
joy club, do a trek, conduct a community sports day, run a tuition centre/day care centre, kids camp, weekend retreat, or a feeding program for underprivileged kids etc.
- Partner to develop Sunday school ministry, by involving those in media, publicity, worship etc.
9. Have Fun / special days such as: - Colour Day: children and teachers dressed in a specific costume /colour - Music Day: children bring their instruments and play - Story Day (stories with Audio visual aids, role play, drama etc) - World Day: Share interesting facts of a country, followed by prayer for it - Movie Day: with popcorn or snacks and a Q&A session - Cookery Day: Children help make sandwiches, chocolate truffle, cheese cake etc. recipes that don’t need fire. - Pastor’s Day: Pastor attends Sunday School to know the children. He can play a game with the kids and/or take a session for them. This helps bridge the gap between church and kids ministry, helps kids transition from Sunday School to church. - Kid's Sunday: Children help in most of Sunday church activities - Special Days: Father's Day, Mother's Day, etc. celebrated with card making, poster painting, pot painting or pot designing etc. can be special occasion mementos for parents and kids to treasure and cherish.
2. Vision: Every childrens ministry must have a vision, aligned to the broader church vision. 3. Set goals that challenge and excite everyone and build ownership and participation 4. Personalised attention: Children are an asset to steward. Nothing should hinder ministry to children – not lack of resources, volunteers, facilities, finances or even less children. God can turn Obstacles into Opportunities. -
Treat children as VIPs. Remember their names/birthdays Greet. Affirm. Applaud them Smile, Show affection. Hug when necessary. Connect wherever you see them. Call/Visit their home to show they were missed.
5. Role Models. Children love herœs and the Bible has several. Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, David and others whose faith inspires because they meditated on God’s Word and obeyed it diligently. 6. Curriculum: There is an ocean of resources available online and through Christian publishers, to make teaching a wholesome experience. Choose what is relevant in your context. Make space for children to share what they have learnt and practiced.
10. Child safety: Child safety should be of utmost concern to us as caregivers and teachers. Let us therefore, not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - (Galatians 6:9)
7. Facility: Should be non-distracting with enough space for children to enjoy their activities.
Let us pray fervently for our children, that God's love would capture their hearts and the things of this world would grow increasingly dim in the light of His glory and grace.
8. Possibilities of Children's ministry: If you have a heart to impact children with the gospel of Christ, then don't limit to Sunday. With their parents’ consent, have a
Annie Jose
Annie Jose has been involved with Children's ministry in Mumbai, Vizag and Secunderabad for nearly three decades. She brings a passion to see children live by God's Word and follow Jesus. She is married to Jose who pastors the Crossway group of churches and is mother to Divya and Santosh. Her cheerful, gentle spirit endears her to young and old. Annie has also served in the field of Nursing Education for 25 years.
07 OCT | 2019
HOW TO DISCIPLE OUR CHILDREN SO THEY FALL IN LOVE WITH THE BIBLE & JESUS
voice etc.
In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...”
Children learn by doing. It’s not enough to tell them that they can hear God’s voice. We need to train them about what to hear and show them how to listen. We should back up Bible stories with a doctrinal truth. Today our children lack an encounter with the living God. We must give ample opportunities for them to enter into His presence through prayer, worship, laying hands on the sick or operating the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We want our children to know God, but we are still focussed on telling them ‘about God’. That’s where boredom sets in. Children are hungry for the supernatural. Let us give it to them. If we don’t, the world will captivate many of them.
We often view disciples as adults. We rarely think of them as children. Discipling a child can be a paradigm shift for parents and for those ministering to children. The common mindset is that children are not capable of understanding the things of God or hearing the voice of God. Jesus never set an age limit for a disciple. So, how do we train our children to be disciples of Jesus? By raising the bar. We need to give children the meat of God’s word in bite-sized pieces. We often start by teaching children Bible stories when they are toddlers. We hand out colouring sheets, show them videos, play games, or do craft based on these Bible stories. Regrettably, we tend to continue the same methods even when they are older. By the time they are twelve years old, they would have heard the story of David and Goliath multiple times. We focus on teaching the acts of God and often ignore instructing them on the ways God works in and through people - aspects like being led by the Spirit, operating gifts of the Holy Spirit, hearing His
Here are some principles which we can put to practice. Next time when you teach children about God healing the sick, tell them that they too can lay hands and pray for sick people. Teach them how to pray for a sick person. After that, place them along with an adult and take them to somebody who is unwell or a hospital ward where they 08
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can pray. Give them opportunities to pray over people and exercise their faith. When there is a healing service in your church, involve the children to be a part of the praying team.
given to them. Be it money,talents or toys. We must inculcate the practice and principle of tithe and offering (from the pocket money or gifts they receive) with reverence to God. This helps them understand that God is the Giver and Provider, not parents. Let us encourage children to pray for their needs and battle alongside them to see answers.
It is good to have worship sessions at home and in your children’s ministry. You can start with songs of praise and move into deep worship, taking children into the holy of holies. Encourage the children to lift their hands and voices to Jesus.
Most importantly, we, parents and children’s ministers, must practice all of the above. The disciples followed Jesus wherever He went. They watched what He did and then they imitated Him. Children are good imitators. So, let us give them something good to imitate. If the teachings of Jesus can be summed up in one word, it is ‘imitate’. When children see us serving others, showing compassion, and caring for others, and they being included to do the same, they will be confident in doing the same as they grow up.
Involve the children in prayer walks. Teach them the importance of praying for the lost, our city and our leaders. Use different themes for the prayer walk with creative ideas. You could consider going on a prayer drive in your vehicle. Tell your children the stories of missionaries. They must know the herœs of faith. Encourage senior kids to read Christian books and biographies.
They start by imitating, then it becomes a habit and eventually their lifestyle. John Tasch, a children’s minister uses this formula / method to disciple children:
Train the children on how they can listen to the voice of God. Have them read a portion of the Bible and ask what God spoke to them. Give them occasions where they spend a quiet time with God and learn to remain still in His presence. God says in Isaiah 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." We as parents and children’s ministers should consistently emphasise the weightage and priority of God’s Word.
1. I do – you watch 2. I do – you help 3. You do – I help 4. You do – I watch
Teach your children to move in the prophetic. Encourage them to prophecy, see dreams and visions (Jœl 2:28). They might make mistakes initially but let’s encourage them. Keep teaching them and make it a practice.
Using this principle, we can involve the children in every ministry of the church. Let us teach our children ‘the ways of God' by showing it to them and involving them, so that they may listen to the voice of God and follow Jesus all the days of their lives.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6
Reference: Becky Fischer, Redefining Children’s Ministry in the 21st century, Kids in Ministry International, Mandan, 2008
Children should be encouraged to be stewards of what is
Genevieve Ashrit
Genevieve Ashrit is married to Ashrit George. They have a daughter named Stuti. She is a a homemaker, and takes care of the children's ministry (Neon Stars) at Neon Family Church, Bangalore.
09 OCT | 2019
SUNDAY SCHOOL: WHERE I LEARNT TO LOVE GOD & LOVE PEOPLE INTERVIEW WITH DIVYA JOSE & DEBBIE PRABHAKAR Team Momentum caught up with Divya Jose and Debbie Prabhakar about their memories of Sunday School, and how it has shaped them as people. From running Friend-Finders camps to completing the Bible in a year, to having three-day sleepovers, Sunday School was both challenging and fun, and has had a lasting impact on both the young women. Divya lives in Delhi, and works as a policy officer at International Justice Mission. Debbie is based in Bangalore, and works as a development officer in the Museum of Art and Photography.
Debbie: Sunday School was a place where I was taught to keep going to the Word of God. We were taught the value of memorizing scripture and how that would hold us in good stead when trouble came our way. It was a place where I learnt values such as forgiveness, caring and serving for each other. I learnt what it meant to worship God without being conscious of those around me, a value that I only grew to understand and truly practice as I grew up.
AS YOU WERE GROWING UP, WHAT ROLE DID SUNDAY SCHOOL PLAY IN YOUR LIFE? Divya: As a kid, Sunday School was where I went to "escape" from the grown ups' sermon, and also a place where I learnt about Jesus, with my best friends. Today as I reflect, Sunday School was where the foundations of my faith were laid. I understood the value of a daily quiet time; I learnt to forgive and seek forgiveness; I learnt to include and love everyone. In sum, I learnt a simple yet most essential truth: I was created to love God and love people.
CAN YOU RECOLLECT ANY MEMORABLE LESSON YOU LEARNT IN SUNDAY SCHOOL?
10 OCT | 2019
Debbie: Growing up, I always saw the adults around me experience the presence of God and talk about it. So I thought this was something that only adults could understand and ‘feel’ because, well, they were older. But I fondly recall this specific teaching at a children’s camp, where the speakers and volunteers led us into a teaching on the person of the Holy Spirit and desiring God’s presence. I remember so clearly being impacted in our small group session later, where we understood that we just believed in Him, His presence was always with us and would never leave us.
challenge in Sunday School and I faithfully read the Bible cover to cover in exactly a year. Turns out, I was the only one who took that challenge seriously, and was seriously made fun of for being an "enthu cutlet"- but it remains one of my fondest memories and marks a significant point in my journey with the Word.
Divya: I remember we were doing a lesson on serving God, and the teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Good student that I was, I wanted to answer – missionary – so my teacher and friends would think I was so holy and such a good Christian girl. Instead, and much to my surprise, I remember the teacher looking at each of us and saying we could serve God ANYWHERE. I could be a musician, a teacher, a sportswoman, a police officer, or play any other role and STILL serve God. As a young girl with a very well meaning, yet slightly misdirected and misinformed passion to serve Jesus, this was a very memorable lesson.
IF I WERE A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER, ONE THING I WOULD CERTAINLY DO IS...
Our annual kids camps were always a hit! We would go to the mountains to a place called Araku Valley, near Visakhapatnam and build tree houses and have a 3 day long sleepover- it was the best!!!
Divya: I would create more space in my class for kids to ask questions and wrestle with hard and challenging sections of the Bible. Debbie: I would work towards being more mindful of the issues that children encounter these days, and create a space for them to ask more questions – be it about life outside church or the difficult portions of the Bible, through practical examples.
WHAT IMPACT HAS SUNDAY SCHOOL HAD ON YOUR WORLDVIEW AND VALUE SYSTEM? Divya: Sunday School was formative in how I saw the world and how I saw Jesus. I fell in love with Jesus singing songs about Him and reading stories about Him with my friends. It gave me a deep sense of calling and a passion to serve Jesus, which is still a guiding force in my decision making today. Debbie: Sunday School was the first place I learnt to glean from other people’s views and work along with them in a team. It was instrumental in shaping the way I show God’s love to those closest to me and even those I do not know. It actively showed me how to take small steps of faith, be it from praying out loud, to knowing Him as a healer and provider.
Debbie Prabhakar
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MEMORIES YOU HAVE OF SUNDAY SCHOOL? Debbie: My memories of Sunday school span from our various church camps to Sunday School outreaches. But some of my favourites recollections would be the many ‘Friend-Finders’ camps we would do during summer. This meant, as young children, we were the ones helping out to teach other kids, who were from other faiths, Biblical stories, values and songs. As a kid, it seemed like such a huge task, but those few days of planning, implementing and even learning many hard lessons are memories I will always cherish.
Divya Jose
Divya: We were given a "read your Bible in a year" 11 OCT | 2019
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN GMI
25th Anniversary Celebrations Of Sahaara
25th Anniversary Celebrations Of Grace Tabernacle Ministries
12 OCT | 2019
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN GMI 1. Dr Elizabeth Joseph (Meena) received her PhD. Tech.
in Chemical Engineering from Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai on 19th March 2019. Research in carbon capture.
3. Bombay Baptist Football Club (BBFC) is officially a registered club under Mumbai Division Football Association It has been a long journey of 4 years from a team of 5 players to become an official registered football club. The team has a vision to Impact & Influence Young people with a strong & leadership values on and off the pitch and spreading the love of God. With a mission to grow as a family who will stand for each other wherever they go to care & love for one another.
Elizabeth Josephy received a PHD
Following are the Championships that the team so far has won in the current season -
2. Mounika Sunil Jetty
is a young mother and during her pregnancy time with her daughter Sheryl who is now one year old, wrote a Bible devotional book for parents and children.
(a) Champions of West coast brigade Cup 2019. (b) Runner up of Glorious United Cup 2019 (c) Champions of Faith Cup 2019
About the book: The books A to Z alphabet stories from the bible and A to Z alphabet stories from the bible (Parent's Manual), are set of books aimed for a wonderful family prayer time in families with toddlers and pre-schoolers. The concept of these books is that each alphabet has a bible verse starting with it and every verse has seven bible stories, whose corresponding bible passage can be personalised first by the parents using the parents manual and then have a fun filled bible learning experience with kids. With a single verse being deeply rooted into your child's heart for an entire week, you can teach your kids 26 Bible verses and many many more bible stories.
BBFC if officially registered! 4. Gyan Lama received his Masters in Divinity
Mounika published a Book for parents & Children
Gyan Lama receives his M. Div Certificate 13 OCT |OCT 2019 | 2019
MARKS OF A CHILD-FRIENDLY CHURCH
“Let the little children come to me…” - Matthew 19:14 church is not about ‘keeping the kids occupied while the adults worship’.
Jesus’s disciples saw children coming in the way of ‘ministry’ but Jesus always saw children as a key part of his ministry. It’s no little coincidence that Jesus’s great miracle of feeding the five thousand involved a partnership with a little boy, who willingly and sacrificially parted with his lunch box, and exercised faith in the great God who dœs much with our little.
“PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT” BUT ARE CHILDREN IMPORTANT? When people feel valued, there is a sense of belonging that develops. Children sense this at an early age. Creating a culture where the opinions of our kids are valued and where their participation is appreciated is a good indicator of a church family that is wholesome.
In this backdrop of Jesus’s inclusive approach with children, we are encouraged to go far beyond a weekly Sunday school event. Jesus’ inclusivity when it came to kids is essentially a worldview that shapes each ‘church’ activity. What we say in our sermons, the way we encourage their creativity, how we build their spiritual foundations and even the amounts we allot for ‘Children’s Ministry’ in our annual budget speaks volumes about our intentionality in growing them.
Undoubtedly, children are excited to come to a place where they not only have a fun-filled time, but are also loved, accepted, heard and encouraged in their walk with Jesus. We have been a part of Bombay Baptist Church, Colaba, for only a couple of years but I have personally met with a number of adults who began their journey of faith at Kids’ Church.
Being intentional about helping our children see Jesus, will remain deeply rooted in their being. As such, a child-friendly church will fulfil a child’s needs to worship corporately and learn from God’s Word in an age-appropriate setting. It will exude much excitement, because it’s a platform for kids meeting with Jesus. We must at all costs avoid the trap disciples fell for; Kids’
While generally, our children’s ministry revolves around serving the needs of our kids, we could have other ‘ministries’ include them too. We could begin by teaching our pre-teens how the sound system or DLP projector works, or involve our middle-schoolers in welcoming 14
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newcomers to the church. Giving them space to steward church resources implies they are an important part of the team.
access to kid-sized washrooms? Is there a nursery for the tiny tots? Is there enough space for young parents to bring in prams or car seats? Are there soft (and non-noisy) toys accessible for fidgety fingers? Do ushers know where to find these?
It’s also important to see our children as part of a thriving, Christ-centered community, where they experience live faith. They experience, in real time, what it means to be dependent on the Holy Spirit and live out God’s Word.
By dreaming big: To children, things appear bigger than themselves. They’re generally looking at the world through magnified lens. So think BIG while planning a service that would include kids: LARGE font on the PPTs, lesser chairs and more room (if 15 adults can comfortably be seated, then that’s enough space for 5–7 kids). Need more ideas? Ask your kids – it’s not difficult for them to dream BIG because they naturally see BIG.
Forgiveness, redemption, restitution and joy are more than big words. Kids see, feel and are a part of grace-filled lives. They imitate the faith of the important people in their lives and this becomes foundational for their own personal faith. WHEN KIDS TALK, EVERYONE LISTENS. I’m sure there have been times when you have just stopped yourself mid-sentence to overhear a kid who has so much to say, or even be interrupted by one. It’s true: when kids talk, everyone listens and when kids talk about Jesus, everyone continues to listen! Further, the way to a parent’s heart is through their child. Over the years, we have seen the little ones in our church bring in their little friends to Kids’ Church on a Sunday morning. Imagine the impact that a talkative four-year old can have on her friends and the parents of her friends. Now add to that, deep spiritual deposits and value-based change. Multiply that by a few years and you have an entire community being influenced by the life-giving Word of God. Missionaries have been birthed and raised by intentional sowing and watering of God’s Word at a young age. Gladys Aylward, Jim Elliot, William Carey, CT Studd… all of them met Jesus at a young age. The influence they have had on communities and nations have changed the narrative of history.
By reaching down: Age plays a crucial role in the process of evangelism. Children are more receptive and are quicker to soak in the gospel than adults. Our pluralistic culture encourages spiritual experiences and as churches, we could contextualize this for the kids in our communities. Let the Holy Spirit lead us, in our local churches, to reach (down!) with His love.
ENVISIONING A CHILD-FRIENDLY CHURCH:
In sum, making a cushion available for a nursing mom, or coloring sheets and washable crayons for a child is all related to being intentional about what Jesus said: ‘Let the little children come to me’.
“Through their eyes”: To see ‘church’ through the eyes of kids would also mean that we intentionally prepare and plan around their practical needs. Is there adequate
Joanna Ruth
Joanna Ruth, wife to one & mom to two, resides in Mumbai and worships at BBC, Colaba. She finds great joy in creative expression and is currently binging on baking videos with her son.
15 OCT | 2019
TEN PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP expanded into the creation of an ‘environment’. The family environment is the space where children could understand, through an abundance of ways, what it meant to love God “with one’s heart, soul, and strength” (6:5). We can call this, simply, ‘family worship’. As parents, we often thought about what such an ‘environment’ could look like. The following is the list of some of the practices we embraced as a family. While these practices were not in any way a formal ‘project’, they were definitely a priority for us. But first some disclaimers: Every family is different, and family worship can, and should, take on various forms. So, in no way is this an absolute set of practices to be followed, nor are these ‘golden bullets’, but just an account of some of the things we did together. I hope that reading this spurs you to find practical and meaningful ways to worship God in your families. 1. No matter how tired some, or all, of us were, we made it a point to pray daily. Those found dozing were encouraged to walk about and stay awake. The absence of a member, due to a night shift/college project etc., did not stop us from gathering, as this was a priority. 2. Honest sharing, by both parents and children, was valued. Issues at home, conflict at work or school, personal sin etc. were discussed at length and prayed for. 3. We were continuously learning and memorizing verses during family prayer. Our children struggled with their studies, and for several years one verse we kept returning to was Isaiah 56:13 “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.” There were no immediate results, but we kept proclaiming this verse in faith.
In the sixth chapter of Deuteronomy, the people of God received commandments before they entered the Promised Land. These practical instructions, on how the Isrælites would express their love for God, were not only to be followed, but also ‘taught’ to the next generation.
4. From time to time, we invested in collective spiritual growth by doing ministry together. This included interceding for the sick, exercising spiritual gifts, casting out demons, etc.
The teaching was not through a lofty institution or a strict system of schooling, but through the simple, everyday, and, often, chaotic unit of the family. As Scripture says “...impress them (God’s commandments) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up...” (Deut 6: 7-9).
5. We made room for God to speak to us supernaturally, like He did in the Bible. We would ask each other if we sensed anything from God. We shared dreams and prayerfully sought their meaning over breakfast. Sometimes we got similar interpretations, while at other times we did not receive anything.
As such, the teaching was not limited to instruction, but 16
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had Christian songs playing in our living room and while driving, we often sang together.
6. While planning activities such as tuition classes, we tried to ensure that they would not clash with church commitments such as cell group and Sunday services. Also, despite their initial unhappiness, we made it a point to take the children along for prayer meetings.
10. We kept a written record of specific promises or prophecies. Often, we kept affirming God’s purpose for each child. We used bible verses to remind our children of how God sees them.
7. We tried to inculcate an attitude of gratitude for what we had. When our friends passed down old toys or clothes, we thanked God for it. At threshold moments (on new-year’s eve, after finishing an academic milestone, new job etc.) we sat down and shared individual lists of what we wanted to thank God for. When they failed, we did not judge or belittle them, but encouraged them and prayed with them. 8. We disciplined our children prayerfully. During early childhood, this would involve a discussion about what went wrong. My husband would then tell them that they would be disciplined with the “rod of correction”; we prayed together before and immediately after hugged them and reassured them that this was for their good. In adolescence, disciplining transformed into a discussion with suggestions, followed by prayer. 9. Our times together were often filled with singing and making melody to God (Eph 5:19). Most of the time we
In closing, I must mention that Sunday school was extremely influential in allowing the children to learn and interact with the Bible in a different setting. Here they were able to watch and get to know other Christian children live out the Bible. Through interaction with the local community of believers, our children developed and grew in many aspects. Apart from teaching practical skills such as playing musical instruments and numerous other life-skills, some church members went out of their way to train, correct, disciple and nurture our children. We cannot thank God enough for the investment of these men and women of God in our children’s lives. That being said, it is important to restate that the primary responsibility of training our children rests on us parents, and for that we can, and will, receive the grace of God!
Elizabeth Joseph
Elizabeth Joseph is married to Biju, and they have three sons. Elizabeth is a chemical engineer; since 1994 she is in the teaching profession. Presently, she works as an associate professor with the Thadomal Shahani Engineering College in Bandra, Mumbai. She is part of Bombay Baptist Church, Colaba. As a family they host a cell group since 1990 and have helped as facilitators for the foundation course for many years.
17 OCT | 2019
PITFALLS TO AVOID IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School used to be one of the most important ministries of the church, but is now on the decline. Some churches are not even having regular Sunday School.
minutes and remaining time was spent in worship and teaching. It is quite easy to start Sunday school or children’s ministry, but very difficult to keep it going. Many people get discouraged and do not want to do anything constructive with the children. One of the keys is to motivate and promote staff and volunteers with skill to take spiritual care of children.
Most parents who attend church feel children are a distraction during the service; so the children are sent with someone who has been given the responsibility to take care of them. Often, the one who is responsible for childrens’ ministry may either be untrained or not skilled to look after children, or worse may not be very happy to do so.
4 TOP PITFALLS EVERY SUNDAY SCHOOL SHOULD AVOID:
In turn, children also feel that Sunday School is boring because of the use of unattractive teaching methods, uninteresting curriculum and resources and unmotivated people to teach. When compared with the modern school system, Sunday School falls short. Hence, children are not interested to attend.
1. Selection of Teachers: As mentioned earlier, many Sunday School teachers are untrained and unskilled. They find it difficult to teach due to lack of training and poor knowledge of the Bible. Some teachers are hesitant to take Sunday School because they realize that children know Bible better than they do, or they are poor in telling Bible stories.
In the year 1998, we faced a similar problem at our church. There were few children in the Sunday School. Then we came across a book "Big Ideas". This book addressed the problem of decline in Sunday School and offered ideas to increase attendance. We applied the ideas given in the book and found that our Sunday school grew from 15-20 children to 150 children.
Solution: It will be good to invite a Sunday School Trainer and train Sunday School teachers and volunteers. It is good to give responsibility to the one who has the gift of teaching. They must love the kids, feed them, nurture and protect them. The ratio may be 1:20 [One teacher for 20 students]
This book suggested that each Sunday be different. We had Flower Sunday, Friendship Sunday, Angel Sunday, etc. The activity of the special Sunday was only for 10
2. Entertainment: Children like entertainment i.e. competitions, painting, singing, games etc. This helps 18
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Sunday school to grow. So creativity in planning is key. At times, it also makes sense for children to participate in the main Sunday Worship with their parents. Children learn a lot by observing, more than by teaching.
school teacher dœsn't end with singing, teaching and managing activities on Sunday. Children and their families are won to the Lord by visiting their homes. The parents of the children will be very grateful to the teacher who takes care of their precious little ones.
Solution: Annual Time Table can be prepared in advance. This will include scripture memorizing competition, outings, drama, special days etc. Entertainment will gather children, but the right balance of teaching and discipling will see children grow. Jesus should be at the centre of all activities. It will be good to train teachers well, so they prepare the next generation.
Solution: Whenever a child remains absent, the teacher must visit the family and find out reasons. They may be sick. This will give an opportunity to pray for the child and family. CHILDREN LOVE TO COME WHERE THERE IS ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE. HENCE LOVING THEM WILL SEE THEM GROW AND BRING OTHERS TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
3. Predictability: It is often seen that the Sunday school activities are predictable. i.e. singing, story time, memory verse and prayer. Usually less time is given for the work of the Holy Spirit. Many great leaders in the world are born again in Sunday School. The transformation of lives will happen only by the Holy Spirit. When children have an encounter with God, their lives will get transformed and they will become a new creation.
Someone said that "The church which dœs not have a good Sunday School is digging its own grave". While some emphasise spreading the good news of Jesus by conducting crusades or through the distribution of tracts or Bibles, a focus on building children's ministry can result in much fruit. We may see children come from unreached areas. Children are also the key to see families reached, so an effective children’s ministry is a key part of fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus.
Solution: Teachers need to stretch the faith of children, and ask them to pray for healings, miracles, numbers, rain, parents etc. 4. Visiting Children: The responsibility of the Sunday
Niteen Dongre Niteen Dongre pastors the Living Hope Ministry based in Miraj. He was at Bombay Baptist Church for a few years during which time the Sunday School grew under his leadership to 150. Today most of the young people who were then in Sunday School, are senior leaders and serving God. He used to work for YWCA Mumbai till 1997 and hearing call of God left Mumbai and has been serving at Miraj since then. He is married to Vandana Dongre since 1988. They have two children, Reuben and Rhema. Both of them are serving the Lord. 19 OCT | 2019
HOW TO SET UP A CHILD PROTECTION POLICY FOR CHURCHES
In 2014, our newspapers were hit with the awful news of the six-year-old girl who was raped during school hours by two men who were hired as gym instructors by a Bangalore-based school. Parents, around the country, me included, were deeply troubled and furious about the lack of care and concern the school shows toward child protection.
each volunteer signs the document (annually) acknowledging an understanding of its contents and consequences. It is always wise to establish mechanisms to prevent harm to our children rather than have to deal with a crisis. FRAMING THE POLICY:
Where dœs that leave the church? Whilst not a school, but definitely a public space that regularly has children attend it - how can a church ensure the safety and protection of children in their community?
There are a number of templates available online specifically for churches, which also allows for simple amendments to suit each situation.
I believe there are two key things a church can do:
If you are using a template that has been written for a church abroad, I would advise taking the counsel of a trained social worker, school principal or lawyer to ensure the policy is fully compliant with the rules of the State namely POSCO and other relevant Indian Acts. Here are some resources to help you make your church a stronger and safer environment:
a) Constitute a well-written, robust child protection policy. b) Thoroughly implement a best practice document. The policy would help a church draft their intention, purpose and framework through which to follow through on children protection issues. The best practice document would help all pastors, staff, teachers, volunteers and parents understand the behaviour expected of children’s ministry staff, as a result of the policy.
1. Sunitha Jœmon has written and implemented a policy for Bombay Baptist Church that has been translated into both English and Hindi and a copy can be accessed by writing to gmiofficeindia@gmail.com
If your church has never thought about children protection for your Sunday school or children’s ministry, I would urge you to give yourself a time frame of about 3-6 months within which the policy is framed, training is set up and
2. Safe Churches - Customisable child protection policy for churches https://www.safechurch.com/Resources/sc/ChildrenYou th/protectionpolicy.doc 20
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adults (There are a number of resources available for this online). It is important that best practice documents should also list out how to spot child abuse in children.
3. To understand all the various Indian legislations pertaining to children: https://www.childlineindia.org.in/Child-Related-Legislati ons.htm
Sunday school teachers may be the first person a child reports abuse to. There are so many people I know for whom, it was their teacher, to whom they first reported incidents of long-term abuse, rape or household violence. It is how you respond to the child at the first retelling of the abuse which will determine how the child works through the trauma. A disbelieving teacher can clamp a child down for years, allowing the abuse to continue; but a teacher who is armed with information, wisdom and sensitivity can help a child start to walk in freedom whether that is immediately moving the child to safety, emotionally helping the child through the trauma or just coming alongside them on the journey no matter how arduous.
4. To read the Government of India manual on the expected standards regarding the safety and security of children in schools: https://ncpcr.gov.in/showfile.php?lang=1&level=1&subl inkid=1343&lid=1550 Please note: The policy should be reviewed regularly by internal and external stakeholders to ensure that it is robust and can be held as a strong guide during a crisis. The policy must also highlight the steps that the church will take, being fully compliant with the laws of the land, should an incident come to light.
We have the responsibility of believing the child - no matter how wild the story might seem, or how ‘righteous’ or prominent the alleged perpetrator is in the community. When the six-year-old from the Bangalore school was raped, the chairperson of the school was also arrested under POSCO (Section 21) for concealing information and tampering with the evidence.
BEST PRACTICE DOCUMENT A best practice document is one that informs the practice and behaviour of children ministry workers, Sunday school teachers and any church staff that have access to the children’s areas on church premises.
The Bible is clear on this, in Matthew chapter 18:6, it says “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Some issues to be tackled would be: 1. Appropriate child-adult ratios. For example - Sunday school teachers should always work in sight of another adult 2. The organising of toilet breaks for children 3. Correct ways of administering first aid (for example, checking with the child that they are okay with you putting a hand on their knee to check an injury) 4. The appropriateness of giving lifts to children or young people 5. How to identify grooming behaviour in predatory
Let’s not be a church that allows harm to befall children but instead be strong communities that protect the little ones amongst us by building solid frameworks, invest in training, recruit teachers wisely and have the courage to follow through with action to create a safe place for children.
Priscilla Roxburgh
Priscilla Roxburgh started her career as a journalist and spent nine years working for an anti-human trafficking organisation that addressed child rights and child protection issues. She currently oversees communications and media at the Museum of Art & Photography and is a part of Bridge Church, Bangalore.
21 OCT | 2019
WEDDINGS IN GMI
Manoj & Greta
Leander & Urvashi
Ravi & Sheeba
Kevin & Neethi
Andy & Stuti
Bruce & Janet
01 22 SEP || 2019 OCT 2019
WEDDINGS IN GMI
Aaron & Merlin
Sateesh & i Prashanth
Christopher & Rhema
Christy & Joan
George & Lydia
Soumen & Robby
01 23 SEP || 2019 OCT 2019
WEDDINGS IN GMI
Hemant & Sabita
Rohit & Amruta
Ayung & Rinpam
David & Thelma
01 24 SEP || 2019 OCT 2019
Rajender & Komal
Healings Among Children (From The Ministry Of Thomas Ouseph)
- A BLIND BOY HEALED -
- A BLIND GIRL HEALED -
A lady from another church once called me to ask if she can bring a blind boy for prayer. This boy, who was in the 12th standard, lived in Mumbai, and was the son of a single mother. The lady who brought the boy for prayer had told him Jesus can do a miracle. She got my number from a church member in our GMI Naigaon church. This boy was wrongly diagnosed with TB and given medication for one year, due to which his body DNA got altered and he had become blind.
I had got a call from a girl who had just finished 12th grade in Kannur district of Kerala; she had got my number from a lady doctor who was part of our GMI Colaba church some years ago. She had an optic nerve breakdown and lost eye sight in one eye. She says though she was able to manage with one eye, the pain was unbearable due to the nerve breakdown, and no medications were helping her. While praying over the phone, Jesus touched her and opened her eyes and she could see. I thought I must visit her and check. When I went to GMI Kannur church after a few months, I went to their home and saw with my own eyes that she could see clearly and read up to a 20 feet distance.
While praying for him at home, he started seeing the colour of our sofa set. Then I asked the lady who brought him for prayer to get him for our church meeting the following Sunday. While praying during the church service, Jesus touched his eyes and he started seeing more clearly. First, he could see the banner at the end of the hall, and as we continued praying, he could see clearly and identify everything up to a 6 to 8 feet distance.
25 OCT | 2019
It is the dream of a place where the hurting, the hopeless, the discouraged, the depressed, the frustrated and confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance and encouragement. It is the dream of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with hundreds of thousands of residents around Mumbai. It is the dream of welcoming 10,000 members into the fellowship of our church family - loving, learning, laughing and living in harmony together. It is the dream of developing people to spiritual maturity, through discipling and bible studies, small groups, seminars, retreats and a Bible school for our members. It is the dream of equipping every believer for a significant ministry by helping them discover gifts and talents God gave them. It is the dream of sending out our members on short-term mission projects and as missionaries & church workers into major cities in India, to different states within India, to our neighbouring countries and ultimately to other nations of the world. It is the dream of planting daughter-churches in every local language. It is the dream of becoming 'Salt and Light' in the community, thereby influencing every sphere around us with the Kingdom values, namely spheres of family, education, judiciary, arts & entertainment, media, politics, business, industry, economics, social services etc.