Connecting with kids...
Not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God (Mark 12:24) is the biggest hindrance to kids growing up today. Yet it's not a new problem. Two generations after the Israelites conquered the Promise Land a whole generation grew up who didn't know God. Judges 2:10 says, "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel." Whose fault was that? The kids?
Kids want to know--their minds are made to understand the things of God. They are led astray because the loudest voices out there aren't tell them the truth. And those who know the truth are timid about speaking up.
For the past 10 years, my husband and I have volunteered at children's church "acting out" the Bible for children. It takes us five years to act out Genesis to Acts, and these kids KNOW their Bible. The tough thing is I haven't found a fit with a publisher yet because our program doesn't "fit" with current "curriculum." There is no flannel graph, no crafts, no snack time--just dynamic drama. Improv, actually. (Although I'll keep trying, because we've seen it impact kids!) Breaking out of the mold works with the Nintendo generation. We all know this. It's just hard to get publishing houses to risk what's not tried and true.
The best way to connect with today's kids is to be bold and creative and to proclaim the truth and the power of God. I've been blessed two write two books for teens. My Life, Unscripted just came out last month. In it I shared my teen experiences through "scripts." I also have quotes from dozens of teens in the book. And I share God's transforming power. Different. Impacting.
So far I've gotten tons of great feedback from teens. They are smart. They are savvy. They can tell if someone's being real with them (or not). But mostly they want to experience God. They want to know that if they're going to live for something that it's worth living for.
Many adults today claimed to believe in God’s power, but they do not put stock in it. Kids and teens can spot this. The greatest thing we can do as parents, leaders, and writers is study the Scriptures in light of God’s miraculous power and live our lives like we believe He can do what He says He will do. Kids and teens need to know about God’s ability, abundance, and meaning. Only then will they too be “fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised” (Rom. 4:21).
Kids want to know--their minds are made to understand the things of God. They are led astray because the loudest voices out there aren't tell them the truth. And those who know the truth are timid about speaking up.
For the past 10 years, my husband and I have volunteered at children's church "acting out" the Bible for children. It takes us five years to act out Genesis to Acts, and these kids KNOW their Bible. The tough thing is I haven't found a fit with a publisher yet because our program doesn't "fit" with current "curriculum." There is no flannel graph, no crafts, no snack time--just dynamic drama. Improv, actually. (Although I'll keep trying, because we've seen it impact kids!) Breaking out of the mold works with the Nintendo generation. We all know this. It's just hard to get publishing houses to risk what's not tried and true.
The best way to connect with today's kids is to be bold and creative and to proclaim the truth and the power of God. I've been blessed two write two books for teens. My Life, Unscripted just came out last month. In it I shared my teen experiences through "scripts." I also have quotes from dozens of teens in the book. And I share God's transforming power. Different. Impacting.
So far I've gotten tons of great feedback from teens. They are smart. They are savvy. They can tell if someone's being real with them (or not). But mostly they want to experience God. They want to know that if they're going to live for something that it's worth living for.
Many adults today claimed to believe in God’s power, but they do not put stock in it. Kids and teens can spot this. The greatest thing we can do as parents, leaders, and writers is study the Scriptures in light of God’s miraculous power and live our lives like we believe He can do what He says He will do. Kids and teens need to know about God’s ability, abundance, and meaning. Only then will they too be “fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised” (Rom. 4:21).
posted by Tricia Goyer @ 10:15 AM
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