Parent Resources

Disciple Making Ideas

  • Responsibility

    Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 6-9 clearly states that teaching God’s law is not optional and that the parents are the primary “Faith Trainers” of their children. God has placed the responsibility of training children in the faith NOT on the church but on parents, not on Small Group leaders but on parents, not on pastors, but on the parents, not on programs and events but on the parents, not on Kids Ministers but on the parents. This is a commandment from God not a suggestion. We, in Kids Ministry, are here to walk alongside you to serve as a resource to help equip you as you seek to pass the baton of faith to the next generation and raise children who are fully devoted, passionate, followers of Christ who will impact the nations for the glory of God.

Discipleship at Home

  • Sunday Take-Home Sheets

    Children will receive a Sunday Take-Home Sheet each week. This tool will help cement the truths we teach on Sunday mornings into your child’s life. It lists daily Bible readings and highlights what they are learning and gives you ideas of how to reinforce the truth from Sunday morning all week long.

  • Helpful Hints to Memorizing Scripture

    • Keep your verse with you wherever you go.
    • Say your verse after prayer at every meal.
    • Repeat the reference before and after each verse.
    • Practice your verse every day.
    • Learn what the verse means.
    • Read the verses immediately before and immediately after the memory verse.
    • Say the verse aloud as you memorize it.
    • Draw a picture of what the verse means.
    • Act the verse out like a skit.
    • Memorize the verse with a friend.
    • Say the verse to your parents.
    • Make up hand motions for the verse.
    • Make puzzle pieces out of the verse and put it together.

  • Prayer

    • A=Adoration (Praise): We are to Praise God for who He is.
    • C=Confession: Telling God what you have done wrong and asking Him to forgive you.
    • T=Thanksgiving: We give God thanks for all He has done for us and for all He has given to us.
    • S=Supplication: Petition and Intercession. Praying for yourself and praying for others

  • Books

Leading Your Child to Christ

  • How to Talk to Your Child About Christ

    Keep in mind:
    1. The Gospel is for everyone. Romans 10:13, Luke 2:10
    2. Jesus taught that children could believe, Matthew 18:1-6
    3. God’s desire is for children to be saved. Matthew 18:14
    4. The evangelism process for children should begin in infancy. 2 Timothy 3:15
    5. God does deal with hearts of children. Old and New Testament
    6. Experience illustrates that children can believe.
    Guidelines
    1. Never assume anything.
    2. Children want to please the significant adults in their lives.
    3. They respond to praise.
    4. They are easily influenced.
    5. Help your child feel at ease
    6. Take ample time with your child.
    7. Do not rush.
    8. Present the gospel clearly on the child’s level.
    9. Ask Questions
    10. Avoid common church phrases
    11. Avoid excess emotionalism
    12. Use some type of visual such as a gospel presentation booklet, tract or draw a picture/visual as you are answering questions and talking to your child about the Gospel.
    13. Just because a child asks questions does not mean he is ready to commit his life to Christ and trust in Him as his Lord and Savior. Always gently close discussions leaving the door open to present the gospel again or talk about the Gospel at a later date.
    14. If a child does have understanding of what the Gospel is and what following Jesus means and the child indicates that he is ready to repent and commit his life to Christ, allow the child to pray out loud in his or her own words.
    15. NEVER SAY THE PRAYER FOR THE CHILD! Even if you feel the child is ready to make a commitment to following Christ, do not pray for him!
    Present the Gospel simply
    1. Any gospel presentation should include the character of God, the sinfulness of man, the sufficiency of Christ, the necessity of Faith, and the urgency of eternity.
    2. A child must understand the meaning of sin, that he has sinned, that he has sinned against God, that he is separated from God, that Jesus died to take the punishment for our sin, that He rose from the dead, that He is alive today!

  • Frequently Used “Church” Words and Their Meanings

    • Saved: When you have asked God to forgive your sins and asked Jesus to be Lord of your life, you are saved from being separated from God.
    • Repent: To turn away from your sin, and turn to God, choosing to follow Jesus.
    • Sins: When you disobey God. The wrong things you do when you have chosen to do things your way instead of God’s way.

  • Baptism

    We believe baptism is an outward expression and testimony of an inward transformation. Before a child can be baptized the following must occur:

    1. He/she must repent of his/her sins and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
    2. Email hmcintosh@brookhills.org to schedule a meeting with Kids Minister.
    3. Child and parent meet with the Kids Minister.
    4. Child completes the New Christian Class.
    5. Because baptism is a public display, our baptism practice also requires the child to write out their testimony, which they will read in the Worship Gathering immediately before their baptism. Not only is this an opportunity to share the gospel, but also their personal story. Please use the "Preparing for Baptism" document for assistance in writing your testimony.
    6. Email testimony to hmcintosh@brookhills.org to schedule baptism.

    "Baptism: Identification with the New Covenant"

    Anyone who is a Believer and Follower of Christ can baptize a new believer. However, a ministerial staff member will perform the “speaking” portion of the baptism.

  • New Christians Class

Teaching Philosophy

  • Worship

    In our large group time, we teach foundational Scriptural truths that are enhanced with kid-friendly drama and praise and worship led by various bands, solo vocalist and worship teams. We want this to be the most exciting hour of your child’s week, developing children who are passionate about God. It is our philosophy that families should worship together. All children and their parents are encouraged to attend a Worship Gathering together on Sundays at either 9:00am, 11:00am or 6:00pm.

  • Prayer

    We teach children that God has given us a great way to grow closer to Him. It is called PRAYER. We want them to know that the God of the Universe desires to get close to them. Each week children have the opportunity to talk to God aloud by leading prayer in large group, worship or in their small groups. Kids learn they can pray at any time and talk to God wherever they are by kneeling, standing, praying quietly to themselves or out loud. Children learn the answers to the questions; Why do we pray? How do we pray? They also learn the A.C.T.S. method of praying:

    • A=Adoration (Praise): We are to Praise God for who He is.
    • C=Confession: Telling God what you have done wrong and asking Him to forgive you.
    • T=Thanksgiving: We give God thanks for all He has done for us and for all He has given to us.
    • S=Supplication: Petition and Intercession. Praying for yourself and praying for others