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Childhood and the Holy Scriptures (Synopsis of Come Ye’ Children – Chapter 16)

April 30, 2010 in Come Ye' Children with 0 Comments

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In this chapter, Spurgeon employs the example of Paul and Timothy to draw some conclusions about children and the Bible.  He begins by recounting the method how Paul taught Timothy the gospel.  He taught him the lessons of the Bible verbally by teaching him sound doctrine.  As importantly, he taught him experientially by allowing Timothy to see Paul live out his Christian faith in everyday life.  As Spurgeon explains,

“We cannot force truth upon men, but we can make our own teaching clear and decided, and make our lives consistent therewith. Truth and holiness are the surest antidotes to error and unrighteousness.”

As teachers of children, it is of the utmost importance that we lead lives consistent with what we teach.  If our kids see us outside of the classroom setting violating the very standards that we teach them on Sunday morning, they will never follow those standards again.  We are supposed to shine the light of Jesus on them by imitating hm.  Teaching the Word of God is as much about living it as it is about speaking it.

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King David’s Two Encouragements to Parents and Teachers (Synopsis of Come Ye’ Children – Chapter 15)

April 23, 2010 in Come Ye' Children with 2 Comments

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Lest we should ever start to feel like our work with kids is pointless, in this short chapter, Spurgeon offers two words of encouragement to both parents and teachers for dealing with kids.  The two examples are found in the lives of David and Jesus.

Encouragement #1 – Working with Children is a Noble Endeavor

David was renowned King of Israel and author of numerous psalms.  Appointed by God in his early years, David replaced Saul and led the nation of Israel for 40 years.  Jesus was, and is, the Son of God who came to earth in human form to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins so that we could be reconcile to God forever.  One thing they shared in common was a desire to teach children.

David said: Continue Reading…

“Come, Ye Children” – The Psalmist’s Invitation (Synopsis of Come Ye’ Children – Chapter 14)

April 19, 2010 in Come Ye' Children with 1 Comment

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David and the Children

In Chapter 14, Spurgeon exegetes the verse in Psalm 34 that serves as the title for this book:

“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” [Psalms 34:11 ESV]

NOTE: Spurgeon’s book was, of course, based on the wording of the King James Version of the Bible which is slightly different than the ESV Version.]

Spurgeon notes that this Psalm was written by David following the change in his behavior in front of Abimelech.  In those events, which are related in 1 Samuel 21:10-15, David pretended to be insane before the King of Gath in order to escape from him.  Spurgeon points out that, only after David had lowered himself to pretending to be a drooling madman subjected to the scorn of children did he finally discover his duty. Spurgeon explains:

“In after days, when David sang songs of praise to Jehovah, recollecting how he had become the laughing-stock of little children, he seemed to say, “Ah! by my folly before the children in the streets, I have lowered myself in the estimation of generations that shall live after me; now I will endeavour to undo the mischief,—”Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.’”

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Collaborate: Family + Church (A Synopsis of Chapters 28 – 35)

April 16, 2010 in Kidmin Resources, Other Books with 2 Comments

Over the last several days, I have posted a number of articles on the new book Collaborate: Family + Church. This represents the next entry in that series. Earlier entries include:

28. Dr. Rob Rienow – “Building a Theology of Family Ministry”

Summary: Rob Rienow starts this chapter with the premise that family ministry is not something the church should embrace because it is the newest fad or even because it works.  He asserts that churches should adopt a family ministry approach based on a review of Biblical theology.  The point of this chapter is to demonstrate that family ministry should be built on the “inerrancy and sufficiency of scripture” and that the Great Commission is fundamentally based on the concept of family.  He then proceeds to work through both the Old and New Testaments to support 3 basic and foundational principals as follows (and I quote them from the article as I couldn’t phrase them any better): Continue Reading…

Collaborate: Family + Church (A Synopsis of Chapters 19 – 27)

April 15, 2010 in Kidmin Resources, Other Books with 1 Comment

Over the last several days, I have posted a number of articles on the new book Collaborate: Family + Church. This represents the next entry in that series. Earlier entries include:

19. Kenny Conley – “Reinventing Baptism”

Summary: Kenny Conley’s article provides interesting insights into what his church is doing in the area of baptism to get families more involved in the spiritual development of their children.  Kenny notes that the best chance a child has at long-term spiritual growth is when the parent takes a leadership role in that process.

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Collaborate: Family + Church (A Synopsis of Chapters 10 – 18)

April 14, 2010 in Kidmin Resources, Other Books with 2 Comments

Over the last several days, I have posted a number of articles on the new book Collaborate: Family + Church. This represents the next entry in that series. Earlier entries include:

10. Gina McClain – “I Hate Homework!”

Summary: Gina McClain argues that our job in children’s ministry is to help parents develop a vision for their children.  If parents do not have a godly vision for their children, it will not matter how many tools and resources we give them to help them lead their children spiritually.  Without a vision, such tools and resources will often go unused.

Gina explains that when parents do not intentionally develop a vision for their kids, they will inevitably adopt the vision the culture holds for their kids.  She explains that the vision that today’s culture has for kids is what she calls the “well-rounded child.”  This can alternately be called the “self-focused” child.  This child believes that the world and everything in it exists for their personal benefit.  To combat this, parents must develop a God-sized vision for their kids that teaches them to focus on God rather than themselves.

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My 2010 Reading List

January 25, 2010 in Other Books, Personal with 2 Comments

Inspired by Kenny Conley (as always), and his post “My 2010 Reading List,” I thought I would put together my own reading list for 2010.  I love to read, but I tend to go through stages throughout the year.  There are months where all I read is my Bible, and there are period where I read insatiably.  I usually have many books going at the same time. I hope to accomplish two things by posting it here:

  1. It will help me to organize my thoughts and have a plan for what I intend to read; and
  2. I hope it will help to ease my wife’s concern that I continue to buy tons and tons of books and never read them.  See, honey, I have a plan!

So, here is what I plan to be reading in 2010: Continue Reading…

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