Children Everywhere Walking With Jesus

How can we work with God to see children everywhere walking with Jesus?

Children: seeing them through God's eyes

• Every child is uniquely made in God's image and loved by Him. We need to know and value them as He does if we are to help them walk with Jesus
• How well do I know the children around me, understand their world and allow their voices to be heard and acted upon?

Everywhere: entering their world

• Broken environments lack the safety and nurture that children need. The Good Shepherd longs for children to walk among green pastures and quiet waters where they can thrive.
• Are we creating environments of safety and nurture where children can thrive in the midst of challenging circumstances?

Walking: growing on the journey

• Learning to walk with Jesus can happen anywhere, at any time, with anyone — or alone, Both formal and informal learning experiences are vital to developing deep roots in God that will enable children to stand strong
• As I explore life and faith with children, do I demonstrate creativity, relevance and a confidence that God speaks to them through the Bible and prayer and life experiences?

With: thriving through relationships

• God seeks a relations with every child. As we walk along with the, we support them and help them to make sense of life and faith
• Do I see my relationships with children as opening possibilities for them to have life-changing experiences with God?

Jesus: bringing Jesus to others

• As children walk with Jesus, they bring Him and his message of hope into their world. They can share Him in places and ways that adults can't.
• Am I overlooking the contribution children can make to the Great Commission?

We achieve the goal of children everywhere walking with Jesus through:

Families that:

1. Celebrate the unique gifts and journeys of each child.
2. Ensure that the family is a safe place for children to grow and learn.
3. Model and pass on faith in everyday circumstances.
4. Serve God together in church and community.

Churches that:

1. Welcome children and families into a safe and nurturing community which serves their holisitic needs.
2. Support and equip families to be centres of faith development
3. Pray, learn, serve and celebrate together across the generations.
4. Create opportunities for children to explore their God-given gifts and walk alongside them as they learn.

Children that:

1. Know that their gifts are values and have opportunities to use them.
2. Share their faith with others in creative ways.
3. Are active participants in building God's Kingdom

Theological institutions and seminaries that:

1. Impact all church leaders by including a robust theology of ministry to children and families in every academic discipline
2. Ensure that children's ministry is a genuine academic option.
3. Become regional centres for networking, conversation and resources in ministry to children and families.

Partnerships amongst Christian and secular organisations that:

1. Meet children's practical needs for food and shelter, health and education
2. Advocate for children's rights at all levels of community and government.
3. Explore innovative approaches that address the changing, often difficult, realities for today's children and families and ensure that these are adequately resources.
4. Encourage children to contribute to the well-being of the community.