Our mission at CDM is to strengthen your church to "make disciples" in the place where God has planted you. With the GROW training and website, we want to help you lead children's ministry with purpose—glorifying and praising God for the great things He has done.
Last week, the focus of the GROW training was on ministry to those outside the congregation. The hearts of true believers always seek to spread the message of the gospel. In doing so, we worship the King before whom every knee shall bow and "every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:11).
In the final week of His earthly ministry, Jesus cleansed the Temple in order to restore proper worship. This worship included children crying out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matt. 21:15). The chief priests and scribes were indignant, and adults throughout history have worked to silence the worship of children.
This week, we consider how to GROW in equipping today's children to sing praises to the Son of David. CDM team member Becky Sinclair will conduct a webinar on teaching children how to participate in the corporate worship service. Burress McCombe's workshop examines how families weave Bible, prayer, and music into a life of worship at home.
This year the CDM staff updated our curriculum entitled Teach Me to Worship, which explains the various elements of a weekly service. Other resources this week include Lisa Updike's book Church Is NOT Boring to help children understand the value of being in "big church." If you are looking for a resource that enables parents to read and discuss God's Word book by book, be sure to consider the series by John Kwasny entitled Investigating God's Word at Home. As children begin to wonder why we "put water on babies" and occasionally "eat bread and drink juice," you want to introduce them to Elizabeth Harwell's The Good Shepherd's Pasture and The Good King's Feast (available by October 15). All of these resources help leaders and parents equip the next generation to tell the glorious deeds of the Lord and the wonders He has done!
