Family Worship: Reaching All Who Attend

Copyright © 2008 by Dr. Chonta T. A. Haynes.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scriptural references marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version  NIV  Copyright© 173, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scriptural references marked NAS are taken from the Holy Bible, the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

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Contents

INTRODUCTION

Section 1

Fishing

CHAPTER 1

FISHING WITH A SHORT POLE:

CURRENT SITUATION

CHAPTER 2

THE NEED TO FEED

Why Fish?

ADULTS

YOUTH

Section 2

The Bait

CHAPTER 3 BAIT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Adults

Youth

Youth under 3

Youth ages 3-6

Youth ages 7-12

Teens

SPECIAL NEEDS

Learning Disabilities

Autism

Seizures/Epilepsy

Physically Challenged

Visual Difficulties

Hearing Difficulties

CHAPTER 4 LESSONS FROM THE MASTER FISHERMAN

STYLES OF TEACHING, PREACHING AND REACHING

Lecture

Stories and Parables

Illustration

Object Lessons and Demonstrations

Visual Aids

Question and Answer

Discussion

TYPES OF SERMONS

TEACHERS AND LEADERS

Section 3

The Pond

CHAPTER 5 EXTENDING THE ROD

Focused Attention

Individual Affirmation

Genuine Appreciation

Physical Affection

Interaction

SEPARATE YOUTH MINISTRY

Advantages

Disadvantages

Organization

Small Congregation

Large Congregation

YOUTH MOMENT

Advantages

Disadvantages

COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE

Advantages

Disadvantages

PERIODIC DAY

Advantages

Disadvantages

CHAPTER 6 EXTENDING THE LINE

STYLE OR PRESENTATION

Example

LEVELED ILLUSTRATIONS

Example

MULTI-VIEW APPLICATIONS

Example

CHAPTER 7 REACHING DEEP

CHARACTER BUILDING

The Holy Spirit is God 3-6 YEAR OLD LESSON PLAN)

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

First, I acknowledge the divine hand of God in this compilation. Without Him, this would never have been completed. I pray His heart and desires have been passionately expressed and will lead others to value even the youngest members of the body of Christ.

This book is dedicated to my children; Aryn, Jazmin, and Aaliyah and all youth who will be reached to develop a relationship with Christ.

INTRODUCTION

For thousands of years men have prayed, to praise God for all His goodness, to find hope and comfort when they are sad, security when they are anxious, courage when they are weak. And for thousands of years God has answered, making them conscious of His presence as a Father more ready to give than they are to receive. But even though they all worship one God, all people do not worship in just the same way. (Fitch: ix.)

On any given Sunday many go to worship. Church services are attended for different reasons. Some come to sing praises to God for the wonderful things He has done. Others come for spiritual refreshment from a world that depletes. The fellowship of other believers is another reason to come to the house of worship. We come with bitter situations looking for God to make them better. We come for answers to life’s questions. We come searching for the void filler. We come for various reasons and with different needs. God is good and it is good to go into the house of the Lord. We forsake not the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). We build each other up and we look to be repaired. Though we come for various reasons, the question of whether we got what we desired and needed remains paramount.

The Bible declares that God desires that none should perish, but that all come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4, italics added). The key word is all. God desires a relationship with all. We also know from the Word that in order for others to come to this saving knowledge, they must first hear the Word. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). We must reach out to all. The responsibility of evangelism rests squarely on the shoulders of all believers. There is no distinction in the Bible regarding salvation being for only the adults. In actuality, the Bible declares that the children have a special place and prominence in the eyes of the Father. He desires that all come. We as believers are expected to witness to and feed the young as well as the adults.

Understanding the need to feed the young is an important realization. The current situation in many churches displays a picture that all are not reached in worship, welcome or the Word. Worship doesn’t include the children nor really suggest they participate. The adult services aren’t designed in such a way to interest the youth nor speak to their situation thus leaving them feeling unwelcomed. The Word in many instances isn’t broken down to the level that many youth would be able to digest and apply. As the body of Christ our mission should be to minister to all God’s people with acceptance, love and forgiveness (Bruce: 50). Oftentimes the very young are not included in the preparation of the Sunday message or service. Attention span, illustrations and their spiritual needs are some considerations that should be included in preparation. We can ignore the needs of the precious children around us, or we can surround them with unconditional Christ-like love, nurture and acceptance (Bruce: 61). Taking time to research the manner in which Jesus ministered is beneficial in identifying effective measures to meet their needs. There are different methods to reach the entire congregation, specifically the children. These methods are highlighted and developed throughout this book.

Forethought is also required in understanding the importance of reaching everyone. Special consideration needs to be incorporated in order that all hear the Word and adequately respond. The determination of whether worship should be done as a family unit including the children or if a separate youth ministry is a better format many times is an after thought. God declares that the overlooking of the children has a weighty punishment which should lead us to change (Matthew 18:4-6). Being cognizant of the advantages and the disadvantages of the different types and methods for extending our reach, is a beginning to insuring effectively reaching all who attend.

The size of the congregation and the ability of the preacher is a consideration in what will work best for each ministry. Separate youth ministries, combined services or periodic youth days are all options to consider. The format is an individual decision that needs to be made considering the many facets of the congregation. The most important aspect that should be taken from this book is the fact that we have the responsibility and are held accountable for all who attend.

END NOTES: INTRODUCTION

1 Fitch, Florence Mary. One God: The Ways We Worship Him. Brooklyn, NY: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., 1954, pg ix.

2 Bruce, Robert and Debra. Becoming Spiritual Soulmates with your Child. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, pg 50.

3 Ibid., pg 61.

Section 1

Fishing

When Jesus called two of the disciples (Peter and Andrew) to service, He called them to be fishers of men (Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17). He called them to be haleeis anthropon not just fishermen. Their service was to be in catching men. By trade, four of the disciples were fishermen catching actual fish as their livelihood. Now, their focus was to be different. The ‘men’ in this instance is the Greek word anthropos meaning humankind or mankind. This generically includes all human individuals, male and female. Within the male and female population, we can not leave out the youth. Because of the generality of the term used, the statement more clearly would be a desire to be fishers of men, women and children. As Christ’s disciples we are also called to service in fishing for mankind. There are plenty of fish in the sea.

It is difficult at best in many congregations to get believers involved in evangelism for the adults and even more difficult to stir up excitement for the youth. Evangelizing the lost, preaching to them the good news resulting in them converting to Christianity, is one of the primary functions for the church. We, as the body of Christ, should reach out to bring others into the fold. Fishing for souls is the desire of God for every believer and the result should be the catching of lost souls from the jaws of death. Why then would we forget the young?

Children are more easily persuaded to believe than adults. Jesus often used children as examples of faith, humble submissiveness, obedience and vessels of praise. Missing the opportunity to introduce a loving God and a relationship that is everlasting is detrimental to them and in opposition to the will of God. He desires that none be lost (2 Peter 3:9). Environments to offer salvation should be the most important thing we consider as we go about serving God. The greatest opportunity we have is the gathering together on any given Sunday.

The great commission tells us to go into all the world preaching the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus said that we should go and preach to every creature (Mark 16:15). Christ said He sent us as God sent Him (John 17:18; 20:21). The last words of our Lord should be the first words of His followers. We are under orders by way of the great commission to tell the story. The good news of Jesus should be on our lips and offered to all. We are to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). We are to evangelize and we can accomplish this on the streets as well as in the house. The gathering together on Sunday is an excellent opportunity to do what we are called to do, evangelize every creature. The message of Christ and what He has done should not be limited to any individual, race or age. It is important to consider the overall mission and goal which God sends us into the world to achieve. As we go, whether short distances or great distances, we should consider the commandment and the importance of fishing for mankind. The current situation should be evaluated and the impression of how important it is to reach all should be stirred up in all believers to set the tone for change. If it is broken, then fix it. If it is ineffective, then change it. If it is mediocre, then upgrade it. Whatever the current situation, it should be held up to the light of God’s will.

CHAPTER 1

FISHING WITH A SHORT POLE:

CURRENT SITUATION

"Murray gently set the infant seat and three-month-old Matthew on the sun roof of the car and turned his attention to buckling Matthew’s twenty-month-old sister into her seat. Without thinking further, Murray slid into the driver’s seat and drove off, forgetting that Matthew was still on the roof.

Moving slowly from the darkened garage into the bright sunlight, Murray drove through busy streets toward Interstate 290. Despite heavy traffic, nobody beeped or waved to warn him that anything was wrong. Pulling onto the expressway that cuts through the city, the driver accelerated to 50 mph and then he heard it, a scraping on the roof of his car as the tiny seat with Matthew strapped in began to slide. He said, I looked to where Matthew should have been in the car, and then in the rear view mirror I saw him sliding down the highway in his infant seat. That’s where he landed. In the middle of the interstate, in the path of oncoming traffic.

Three-month-old Matthew is a picture of the generation of children growing up in our world—sliding down the highway, unprotected, heading toward oncoming traffic . . . and no one seems to notice."

(Jeremiah, The Power of Encouragement: 115)

Whether we look at society in general or the church in particular, often the children are overlooked. As we fulfill the plan of God in fishing for men, we must recognize the importance of the children. No compassionate individual could watch the scene of a helpless infant in the middle of the highway without wanting to help. The same compassion, the deep moving within the inward spirit, should apply to the spiritual development of the youth today. The same careful attention and desire to assist should be stirred up within the pulpit and the pew in order to facilitate change.

Putting adults’ desires over the needs of children is a characteristic of our modern culture. One author said, The problem in our generation is we have childified adults and adultified children" (Anderson: 64). Like society, the church has followed suit for many years catering to the adult population. The youth come and go as if a revolving door has been installed at the entrance to God’s house. The opportunity to pour into them the truth of the Word of God vanishes while we try to grow up the grown ups.

Children are victimized at school, at home, and in their neighborhoods. An incredible number of youngsters are beaten, maimed, molested, or even murdered by their parents. You may have seen the news story of the Chicago parents who went on vacation and left their kids home alone. After that story hit the press, many more accounts of home-alone kids" made national news.

Children in this country are in trouble because families in this country are in trouble. And frankly, many families are in trouble because a lot of churches are in trouble. The disturbing news that I have been reading recently points out that there is little, if any, statistical difference between Christians and non-Christians regarding many areas of home life. As God’s people, we must realize that good families do not just happen. The relationship between parents and children requires the same kind of discipline and effort that is required of husbands and wives."

(Jeremiah, The Power of Encouragement: 115).

As we look into our churches today, we see a replica of the worlds view on the youth. There is victimization. Some children are spiritually abused. Scriptures may be used out of context by well meaning but non-prepared teachers. Youth programs may be viewed as baby sitting services. The importance of the future teachers, preachers and evangelists may have fallen through the cracks of our well planned out ministries.

Now is the time to re-evaluate where we