Key Thought : We should cultivate our young people’s talent and enthusiasm and train disciples for Christ at an early age.

[Teaching plan for Discipling Children January 27, 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. How can we, in whatever situation or background we come from: love, protect, and nurture the children within our homes and influence?
c. Personal Application: Are there children who need your time, efforts, or encouragement that you could encourage and uplift? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “The church has too many rules and too much of a judgmental attitude toward young people who want to fit in with their cultural generation. People always tell me what I shouldn’t be doing, or wearing, or listening to, or watching; but no one spent time with me doing anything they thought I should be doing.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Luke 2:51-52.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What influences determine whether a child will be subject unto his parents and increase in wisdom and stature with God and men?
c. Personal Application: How much influence on how you act, trust others, and think has to do with your mother or father’s training? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why are so many youth today disrespectful, disobedient, and sacreligious? Is it a lack of parental guidance? Societal influence like music, TV and movies? A lack of the traditional family? What can be done for those who have such great disadvantages today?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 18:1-6.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why are younger people more apt to accept Jesus and want to be baptized than seasoned adults?
c. Personal Application: When did you accept Christ as your Savior? How can we help youth who desire baptism to follow up with their Christian growth? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I don’t think many young people are ready to be baptized. They don’t know or understand many of the doctrinal foundations of the truth and couldn’t give a Bible study on different subjects. They might have a heart desire to follow Christ, but is that enough?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 10:13-16.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a little child? It can’t mean being naïve and ignorant. What was Jesus saying about children’s hearts and attitude contrasted with adults?
c. Personal Application: How does the church help the youth in the church to come to Jesus, know Him, and grow in His character? How can we improve in this area? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.

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