Kids 4 Truth, a Curriculum and Program
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7)
PHILOSOPHY of Kids 4 Truth Curriculum
by Bob R. Roberts
The Kids 4 Truth curriculum and program specifically targets 1st-6th grade children.
Curriculum: The Kids 4 Truth curriculum, in a nutshell, is a beginner’s level systematic theology.
Mission
Statement of Kids 4 Truth
Mission Statement: By godly men
and women teaching basic systematic theology, we purpose to teach young
believers what is correct doctrine, to persuade them why specific doctrines are
correct, and to equip them to declare (Titus 2:1; I Peter 3:15) to others
historic, authentic Christian truth in a clear, concise, memorable and
passionate way.
What
is Systematic Theology?
- “Theology” proper means the study of God. Since our sourcebook for finding out about God is the Bible, we may say theology is the study of the doctrines [teachings] of the Bible. “Christian doctrine is simply statements of the most fundamental beliefs that the Christian has, beliefs about the nature of God, about his action, about us who are His creatures, and about what He has done to bring us into relationship with Himself.”[1]
- A simple definition of Systematic Theology is “that which may be known of God by collecting all Scriptures together on a given topic to show the teaching of the Bible on that topic.”[2]
- Ryrie lists three elements in theology: 1. Theology can be understood by the human mind. 2. Theology requires explanation; thus one must study and systematize it to verbalize theology. 3. Theology is Bible based and thus theology will result from Bible study. "Theology, then, is the discovery, systematizing, and presentation of the truths about God."[3]
- Theology should be systematic. “It does not look at each of the books of the Bible separately, but attempts to draw together into one coherent whole what the entirety of Scripture says on a given topic, such as human sinfulness.”[4]
- [Systematic] Theology consists in the facts of the Bible, harmonized by scriptural comparison, generalized by scriptural theories, crystallized into scriptural doctrines, and so systematized as to show the system of truth taught.[5]
- Systematic theology teaches historic, dogmatic tenets of the authentic Christian faith.[6]
- Systematic theology is a systematic study and collecting of all information concerning God while it is also a system of belief.[7]
-
Systematic Theology is those beliefs upon which we have reached a definite
conclusion, are absolutely certain of, and with conviction affirm and teach.
What
are the Advantages of Systematic Theology?
·
We discover
all that the Scriptures teach on a certain topic.
·
Knowledge
of specific topics is enhanced. “All information is gathered and then assembled
into a system which is structured in such a way that it allows for all Biblical
facts to fit into the system. Each fact is an integrated part of the system. If
a fact does not fit into the system, then the system must be reformed to allow
the fact to fit. It has always amazed me that most Bible Colleges and
Seminaries wait until the students’ second or third year to teach them the
system into which all of their knowledge is to fit. It seems much wiser to give an overview of the
system at the beginning so the student can begin, immediately, to fit their new
knowledge into their belief system. It also
allows them to begin to evaluate the system to be sure it is within the
teaching of the Scriptures.”[8]
In this way, Systematic Theology provides a foundation upon which other
thinking can be built.
·
Topics that
are of utmost importance can and will be stressed.
·
Knowledge
is more useful when learned in a systematic fashion.
·
The
harmony, and consistency, which will be found in all God's teachings will
become conclusive proof of the divine origin of revelation.
·
Systematic
Theology lends itself to value each of the doctrines of the word of God. Each
is true. Each has been revealed that it should be believed. We cannot therefore
omit any one, because of its forbidding aspect, or its seeming unimportance, or
its mysterious nature, or its demand for great personal sacrifice, or its humiliating
assertions, or requirements, or the free terms upon which it assures of life
and salvation.[9]
Why
Such a Strong Emphasis on Doctrine and/or Systematic Theology?
The best education is education in the best things – Spurgeon
Children have a tendency to believe wholeheartedly what you tell them; therefore, we must be extremely careful and selective of what we tell them. We have precious “sacred seconds” we are privileged to spend with children. What will occupy these seconds? Will they be lessons on hygiene? Will they be exhortations to share your toys? Or will we realize our divine responsibility and seize the opportunity to communicate the most important, objective truths in a memorable and meaningful way?
The authentic Christian Church’s primary responsibility is to
communicate divine truth.
One might ask: “Is there really a need to teach fundamental doctrines?” Isn’t it good enough if I simply “love Jesus?” Please consider the following . . .
-
Correct doctrinal beliefs (objective truths) are the foundation for every
philosophy (a way of thinking that guides every action). 2 Timothy 3:15-17 And
that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
- Correct doctrinal beliefs are essential to the relationship between the believer and God. Many people “pour” different meanings into key words and terms. One man’s Jesus may be the incarnate Son of God Who has ever been and ever will be; but the next man’s Jesus may be ONLY a prophet from God. It is vital to define these words and terms in their biblical completeness. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
- Correct doctrinal beliefs are essential because of the connection between truth and experience. Children must be taught that truth and experience cannot be divorced. One man claimed to be a Christian because of his experience of having seen the outline of a fish on his ceiling when the lights when out. Seeing fish on ceilings (subjective experience) and calling out to Christ in utter helplessness for salvation (objective truth – John 14:6) are two things that do not have the same result! Children must be taught always to judge subjective experience with objective truth and not the other way around. Acts 17:11 KJV These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. I Corinthians 2:15a But he that is spiritual judgeth all things.
- Correct doctrinal beliefs are essential to establish because of the many secular and “religious” systems that compete for our devotion. Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; also Proverbs 1:8-10; Ephesians 4:15
- The Biblical Mandate for the generation in authority to communicate divine truth to the next generation (Psalm 78)
-
Correct doctrinal teaching answers the greatest questions of life. “Far from
being dry or abstract, Christian doctrine deals with the most fundamental
issues of life: who am I, what is the ultimate meaning of the universe, where
am I going?”[10]
John 5:39 – Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have
eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
-
Instilling objective truth into tender hearts and minds can combat the fierce
trend towards “relativism[11]
.” Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed
to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Proverbs
22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not
depart from it.
- We believe the most valuable thing we could teach a child is theology. Children’s minds are formative and moldable and we have a great heritage of doctrine we can give to them. Remember, if we do not teach the mind and reach the heart, somebody else will. Vladimir Lenin said: “Give me your four year olds and in a generation I will produce a Socialist State.”[12]
-
Jesus Himself used systematic theology in teaching believers. Luke 24:27 And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the
scriptures the things concerning himself.
-
“What we believe about God is the most important thing about us.” – A.W. Tozer.
One summer I was a counselor at a Christian camp and an evangelist made the
statement: “I believe the greatest thing I can do for people is to show them
their sin.” At the time, I heartily agreed. But as I grew and matured in
Christ, I have changed that statement a bit: “I believe the greatest thing I
can do for people is to show them their GOD!”
Interspersing Simple Apologetics within the Kids 4 Truth Curriculum
One of the primary goals of the Kids 4 Truth Curriculum & Program is to teach kids not only WHAT to believe, but also WHY to believe it. Apologetics (evidences which defend the faith) is a great tool to strengthen authentic faith and challenge worldly philosophies.
Definition of Apologetics[13]
: For those who
may not be familiar with the term “Apologetics,” the term comes from the Greek
word “Apologia” which means, “to defend.”
As Christians, the Holy Spirit through the apostle Peter commands us: give an answer (apologia) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Pet 3:15). Jude also tells us to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3). And Paul, by example, shows us we are to use evidence to convince and persuade (Acts 18:4; 28:23) people of the truth of Christianity. He used fulfilled prophecy, miracles, philosophical arguments, and especially the evidence for the resurrection. In fact, as we read the book of Acts, we find that there is no sermon given by an apostle that does not include some sort of apologetic appeal.
An example of apologetics would be the acrostic we use in our first Sword Sharpener. It goes something like this:
-
The Bible is TUFF – You don’t want to mess with it!
- T – tons and tons of copies – The Bible has far more manuscript evidence than any other book – EVER.
- U – underground discoveries. Historical finds always support the accuracy and truthfulness of Scripture.
- F – fulfilled prophecies. All prophecies except those relating to the Second Coming have been (and can be verified to be) fulfilled.
- F – facts taken as a whole. All that we know about the Bible shows us there is far too much evidence to say, “Not true.”
This is a great tool to help a child remember that the Bible is divine rather than human in origin. Not only does it help establish in the child’s heart the accuracy and validity of Scripture, it equips children to confidently give an answer WHY they believe what they believe. Apologetics not only helps a child defend his/her faith, it also lends itself to teaching good reasoning skills.
We believe: “there is an infinite, all-wise, all-powerful, all-loving God Who has revealed Himself by means natural and supernatural in creation, in the nature of man, in the history of Israel and the Church, in the pages of Holy Scripture, in the incarnation of God in Christ, and in the heart of the believer by the gospel.”[14] Systematic theology should incorporate those elements that aid the learner in finding out about God in any of His revelation. Any revelation outside the Bible will, of course, be compared with the Bible for it’s ultimate veracity. Remember, the Bible is our highest rule for faith and practice. All our thinking in every area should be judged in light of Scripture. “We Christians should base our thinking in every area on the 66 books of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Acts 17:11).”[15]
The Biblical Mandate to the Church in Relation to Children
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
- Psalm 78:1-7 Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.
- Spurgeon on the Biblical Mandate to Teach Children Divine Truth:
"So
far as they can be taught by word of mouth, or learned by the hearing of the
ear, we are to communicate the faith and fear of God, inculcating upon the
rising generation the principles and practices of piety. This verse may be the
address to every Sabbath-school teacher to his class, of every parent to his
children. It is not without instruction in the art of teaching. We should be
winning and attractive to the youngsters, bidding them "come," and
not repelling them with harsh terms. We must get them away, apart from toys and
sports, and try to occupy their minds with better pursuits; for we cannot well
teach them while their minds are full of other things. We must drive at the
main point always, and keep the fear of the Lord ever uppermost in our teachings,
and in so doing we may discreetly cast our own personality into the scale by
narrating our own experiences and convictions"[16]
“It is
the duty of the church of God to maintain, in fullest vigor, every agency
intended for the religious education of the young; to them we must look for the
church of the future, and as we sow towards them so shall we reap. Children are
to be taught to magnify the Lord; they ought to be well informed as to his
wonderful doings in ages past, and should be made to know his strength and his wonderful works that
he hath done. The best education is education in
the best things. The first lesson for a child should be concerning his mother's
God. Teach him what you will, if he learn not the fear of the Lord, he will perish
for lack of knowledge. Grammar is poor food for the soul if it be not flavored
with grace. Every satchel should have a Bible in it. The world may teach
secular knowledge alone, it is all she has a heart to know, but the church must
not deal so with her offspring; she should look well to every Timothy, and see
to it that from a child he knows the Holy Scriptures. Around the fireside
fathers should repeat not only the Bible records, but the deeds of the martyrs
and reformers, and moreover the dealings of the Lord with themselves both in
providence and grace . . . What happy hours and pleasant evenings have children
had at their parents knees as they have listened to some ‘sweet story of old’.”[17]
Teach the Truth with the Intention to Reach the Heart and the Mind
Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it. – Blaise Pascal
Ted Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child’s Heart, states: “[People] often get sidetracked with behavior. If your goal in discipline is changed behavior, it is easy to understand why this happens. The thing that alerts you to your child’s need for correction is his behavior. Behavior irritates and thus calls attention to itself. Behavior becomes your focus.”[18]
Conformity is such an easy goal to shoot for when dealing with people. We gravitate toward conformity because it is so easy to measure.
Consider what Jesus taught: And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness -- Luke 11:39.
If my goal is for the Lord to use what I teach to ultimately reach the heart, then I must tailor my material around that which God uses to reach the heart.
Ultimately, our goal is for these kids to internalize the truths we teach them. Each child will at some point examine the doctrines and determine whether he will embrace its truth. Our goal is to present the glorious truth in a passionate way that aims for the heart.
Obviously, we desire a controlled environment that aids learning. Any person with a little patience and persistence can attain this goal. We are shooting for a much HIGHER GOAL than outward conformity. We are shooting for the inculcation of divine truth into the hearts and minds of children.
Can KIDS be taught –gulp—THEOLOGY?
Knowledge about God makes you realize your need to know God – Jim Talent
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Could it possibly be the reason we neglect to put the main emphasis on fundamental doctrines is because we are ignorant of them ourselves?
Consider this appropriate thought:
“There’s a built-in spiritual corruption that causes most adults to look at children and assume that they have nothing to offer. Such an attitude stunts a child’s spirit like the ancient Chinese custom of footbinding. It was a well-intentioned act by adults to make girls desirable for marriage someday. To totally contain the growth of a foot demanded that the foot be crushed and then bound for several years. Over one billion women are estimated to have been mutilated from the tenth through the mid-twentieth centuries from footbinding. How many more children have been crushed from well-intentioned ‘spiritual footbinding?’”[19]
Let’s face it; most people don’t expect much from kids. If a child can get up and sing a song about being nice to their brother or sister without tripping or making a complete fool out of themselves (and their parents), then we’re happy. If a child can recite a couple of Bible verses, we glow with warm feelings.
Concerning the church, I maintain that we have expected far too little from both our teachers and pupils. If we do not seize the day and rethink our children’s ministry philosophy, we will have in 20 years exactly what we have now . . . a generation that is ill equipped and mostly afraid to communicate their faith to others.
Children are sponges. They are capable of taking in an incredible amount of information. As a Bible teacher, I never want to be guilty of teaching or NOT teaching (either by my lips or my life) that which spiritually “foot binds” a child (Matthew 18). In other words, let’s not DUMB-down our kids when it comes to God.
I believe that in fundamental circles we are doing an admirable job of training kids for life in a Christian subculture. We train them how to look, what to say, and how to perform. Although these are important, these are not primary objectives. We are the church and our primary objective is to teach kids all about GOD!
“Disciples in youth will prove angels in age. Use and experience strengthen and confirm in any art or science. The longer thy child hath been brought up in Christ's school, the more able he will be to find out Satan's wiles and fallacies, and to avoid them. The longer he hath been at the trade the more skill and delight will he have in worshipping and enjoying the blessed God. The tree when it is old stands strongly against the wind, just as it was set when it was young.”[20]
If what Spurgeon said is true, then I must teach them the richest doctrines of the Bible, I must teach them in a clear and enthusiastic manner, and I must teach it over and over again until they GET IT. Our responsibility here on earth is to train someone to take our place when we are gone (II Timothy 2:2).
Let us ask ourselves some hard questions concerning what we are trying to accomplish with children:
- Is performance our goal? (Robotic-ism)
- Is outward conformity our goal? (Pharisee-ism)
- Is successful living in a Christian subculture our goal? (Isolation-ism)
If you can clearly see the answers without hesitation, then you probably qualify to serve as a Kids 4 Truth worker or teacher. If you answered “yes” to any of these, please read Deuteronomy 6:1-10 and Psalm 78:1-12.
Doctrines aren’t Really Practical – are They???
Consider the following illustration:
There is a barn close by to my parent’s home in Michigan. It is a big, old barn[21]
.
I have often wanted to take a picture of it because it illustrates so well a
Bible truth. Someday I hope to get a photo. So what’s the big deal about this
old barn?
The foundation of the barn is
crumbling. Some corners of the foundation have old boards crisscrossed one on
top of another to support the building’s weight. Cracks in the cement foundation
have been patched time and again to no lasting avail. Entire sections of the
foundation are gone. Every time I go home I am amazed to see the ancient
edifice still standing.
Now consider how foolish it would be
for the old farmer to go out with a ladder, paint, and a paintbrush in hand and
begin to paint the barn a beautiful “new-barn” red. This would not be time well
spent because of the foundational problems. In fact, based on the poor
condition of the foundation, I’m not sure the old barn could even support the
weight of the farmer on the ladder!
Kids need a foundation of truth and
there is no better time to learn it as when they are kids! I believe too often
we wish to bring to them the proverbial paintbrush and make their externals
nice and acceptable when their foundations are either non-existent or
crumbling.
Doctrines are necessary for
practical Christian living. Doctrines must be established as a foundation
before anything else can be built thereon.
Why the Name: Kids 4 Truth?
When one hears the words “Systematic Theology,” one may have concerns that we are simply teaching worn out old truths and downplaying the evangelistic fire all Christians should have. On the contrary, the Kids 4 Truth curriculum is designed around the goal for the children to be able to KNOW and COMMUNICATE to others the truth that they have learned. See II Timothy 3:14: II Timothy 2:2.
Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
There are four main people or groups of people that motivate us to teach and motivate kids to learn fundamental Christian truths. Hence the Name “Kids 4 Truth.”
-
G
OD
- To know Him – Jeremiah 9:23-24; II Timothy 2:15
- To obey Him – II Tim. 2:15; Titus 2:1; John 5:39
-
OTHERS -- Believers
- Teach and Train – Heb. 5:12; II Tim. 2:2,15
- Reach greater Unity[22] – Eph. 4:13
-
OTHERS – Unbelievers
- Lead Others to Christ -- I Timothy 4:16; II Tim. 3:15
- Defend the Faith by Answering Questions and Refuting Error -- I Peter 3:15-16; Jude 1:3; Titus 1:9-11
-
DUTY to Self
- Stability – II Pet. 3:17-18
- Maturity – Heb. 5:12-6:2; Eph. 4:13-15; Psalm 1:1-3
We know and believe that Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth 1 Corinthians 8:1b. We should always keep before the eyes of the children WHY they are being taught this stuff and why it is important for them to learn it. This can be remembered by the acrostic GOOD (God, Other believers, Others unsaved, and Duty to self). Kids 4 Truth can be Kids 4 GOOD.
The Attitude of a Kids 4 Truth Teacher / Worker
Faith – Every doctrine of the Word of God is true! – II Timothy 3:16
-
Never, ever skeptically question or shed doubt on any part of the Word of God.
- Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Humility – Only God has it ALL figured out! – Romans 11:33-36
- I Corinthians 1:26-27 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty
Zeal – Stay passionate for the truth – Psalm 119:97
- Often when we honestly survey the spiritual temperature of the average Christian School Kid, it is very low. Why is this? I believe, in part, it is because we are teaching God’s truth with little or no zeal and passion. We do a great disservice when we communicate glorious truths in a dry, ineffective manner. One preacher noted that the greatest gauge of one’s spiritual temperature is their tenderness toward the truth that Christ died for them.
Consistency
– Deuteronomy 6:4-9
· “A frequent mention of things is the best art of memory: what the mouth preacheth often the mind will ponder much. Besides, it may work for thy children's [will]; the more they be acquainted with the goodness, wisdom, power, and faithfulness of God which appear in his works, the more they will fear, love, and trust him.” George Swinnock.[23]
Love – I Corinthians 13
-
For OTHERS: I
Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be
burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
-
For TRUTH: II
Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Also, Zechariah 8:19.
Dependence Upon the LORD – John 15
-
We may be teaching the
most vital truths in a clear, concise, memorable, and passionate way, but
it is still God’s job to use that truth to transform a heart. Our
confidence is that we know God has changed our hearts with the Word and
will continue to do so among others. Remember the blessed hymn that
declares:
Channels only, blessed Master, But with all Thy
wondrous pow’r, Flowing through us, Thou canst use us Ev’ry day and ev’ry hour.
Inculcating Kids with
the TRUTH? – YES!!!
in·cul·cate (n-k
l
k
t
,
n
k
l-)
v. tr. in·cul·cat·ed, in·cul·cat·ing, in·cul·cates.
1. To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill: inculcating sound principles.
2. To teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition; indoctrinate: inculcate the young with a sense of duty.
inculcate \In*cul"cate\ To teach and impress by frequent repetitions
or admonitions; to urge on the mind; as, Christ inculcates on his followers
humility.
The most
obvious and necessary duties of life they have not yet had authority enough to
enforce and inculcate upon men's minds. --S. Clarke.
Synonymns:
To instill; infuse; implant; engraft; impress.[24]
Have you ever thought that a responsibility in this life is to
train someone else to take your spot when you are gone? Think about what II
Timothy 2:2 says -- And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also.
It is a sobering thought to think
that those who we train now will be JUST LIKE US! That means everything rises
and falls on us, the generation now in control.
Personally, I wish that I could have
been more solidly grounded in fundamental doctrines at an early age. I look
back on my Sunday school days and Junior Church times and wonder why my teachers
squandered so many sacred seconds. As I grew up my faith and beliefs were
challenged. I had no answer to give some arguments and many times I wavered in
my faith because of a weak foundation.
Even recently I have met some godly
Presbyterians that have put me to shame with their knowledge of fundamental
bible doctrines. Why is this so? Because to a large extent, Presbyterians have
learned the value of INCULCATING kids with the truth through their means of
catechism.[25]
We are teaching and preaching sound
doctrine to young minds in hopes they will give up their natural, inborn
philosophies that exalt self, the world, and Satan.
Some
people will disagree with the philosophy of “Inculcating Truth,” saying we
should let the kids decide for themselves what they believe. Ultimately, this
is true, a child will eventually have to decide what they believe; however, we
are fools not to realize the rich heritage we have to offer children and do our
best to make sure they learn it over and over and over again. If we don’t teach
children by our lives and lips those truths which God has been so gracious to
show us, we are communicating to kids that we have nothing to give them, and
really, we are no wiser than they are. Praise God for the rich heritage of
truth we have to offer the next generation.
Those
adverse to the term “INCULCATE” ought to consider these quotes:
·
“Christianity
is our foe. If [our agenda] is to succeed, we must destroy the Judeo-Christian
Religious tradition.” – Peter Singer (father of Animal Rights)[26]
·
“Fundamentalist
parents have no right to indoctrinate their children in their beliefs. We are
preparing their children for the year 2000 and life in a global one-world
society and those children will not fit in.” – Senator Paul Hoagland, Nebraska,
said to Everette Sullivan’s attorney, 1984[27]
·
“Give me
your four year olds, and in a generation I will build a socialist state.” –
Vladimir Lenin[28]
·
“Education
is thus a most powerful ally of humanism. What can a theistic Sunday school’s
meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children,
do to stem the tide of the five-day program of humanistic teaching?” – Humanism: A New Religion, 1930[29]
The Kids 4 Truth Curriculum and Program is the result of an honest survey of what is currently offered kids in fundamental circles. This philosophy has grown out of fierce desire to see kids Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7).
Our Mortal Limitations
In speaking about parenting, Tripp says:
“People
frequently ask if I expected my children to become believers. I usually reply
that the gospel is powerful and attractive. It uniquely meets the needs of fallen
humanity. Therefore, I expected that God’s Word would be the power of God to
salvation for my children. But that expectation was based on the power of the
gospel and its suitability to human need, not on a correct formula for
producing children who believe.”[30]
As a teacher of children I am limited to what teaching material I use, and what teaching method I use. I cannot control the results. The mandate for the church is to live and speak the TRUTH. Our task is to faithfully communicate divine truth. Isaiah 55:11 -- So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Our confidence is in the Lord and the Word of the Lord.
We must strive to faithfully communicate divine truth in a clear, concise, memorable, and passionate way; however, God is the only one who can ultimately transform the heart.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Our dependence must be upon God to use His truth to accomplish His purposes. There is joy in simply being a tool to communicate His truth.
“School” Mentality Needs to Go Back to School
What’s the difference between
teaching a kid math and teaching a kid the Bible? Is there any? Are both purely
academic? Can we place them on the same level? I hardly think so.
There is an inarticulable chasm that establishes a difference between school teaching and church teaching. Children should be taught that there is a difference between learning THEOLOGY (things which pertain to God) and everything else. I fear that when Sunday rolls around, the day is not looked upon as a privileged and revered day to spend time learning about and worshipping the Lord; rather, it is another day like the others. The subject matter of GOD is not distinguished as that which is “the word of life” -- the MOST important teachings we could ever learn.
Therefore, the Kids 4 Truth setting
needs to be different from the school environment. Our teachers and workers
should not be looked upon as “school” teachers and workers, but rather as Kids 4 Truth workers and teachers. We do not give out demerits and bad grades.
This is simply not the church’s responsibility!
To sum it up, I don’t want the Kids
4 Truth program to be like school. We will not give bad grades, demerits, and
MAKE kids do something they simply don’t want to do. We will not teach our
subject matter with callousness of heart. We will maintain a spirit of
privilege to teach about God, and will exhort the children both with our lives
and lips to seek after the things of the Lord. The kids must know beyond a
shadow of a doubt that the Kids 4 Truth program is an entity far removed from school.
In saying these things, I am
certainly NOT trying to make the school out as an evil entity. I am not saying
all schoolteachers teach in a callous manner. There needs to be a difference
between teaching Bible and teaching math. Some of the best Kids 4 Truth workers
are also schoolteachers; however, the best will strive to maintain the
distinction between purely academic subjects and the truth of God and God’s
Word.
Goals and Objectives
Obviously, it is unwise to have the same objectives for both first graders and sixth graders. Here is a general overview of the Kids 4 Truth goals.
1-2nd grade – KNOWLEDGE of truth
3-4th grade – KNOWLEDGE, COMPREHENSION, APPLICATION of truth
5-6th
grade – KNOWLEDGE, COMPREHENSION, APPLICATION, INTERNALIZATION, and
COMMUNICATION of truth
Kids 4 Truth – Statement of Faith[31]
God's Word: We
believe in the full Divine inspiration and inerrancy of every word of the
original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments; that revelation ceased with
the completion of the New Testament; and that the Bible is our sole authority
for faith and practice.
God's Person: We
believe in one God in three Persons (Father/Son/Holy Spirit); that God is a
Spirit Who is personal, eternal, infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise,
unchanging, holy, and loving; that He is Creator and ruler of all things and
the sole proper object of man's worship; and that He judged the world in the
past by the flood and will judge the world by fire in the future Day of the
Lord.
God's Son: We
believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man; that He eternally pre-existed
with the Father, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, worked miracles,
died on the cross and shed His blood as an atonement for man's sin, rose bodily
from the dead, and ascended to Heaven; that He is exalted as Lord of the
universe, the head of the church, and the believer's High Priest; and that He
will come again to raise the saved to everlasting life and the lost to
everlasting punishment, judge all people, rule over all, and establish a
perfect new heaven and earth.
God's
Grace: We believe that all men inherit a sinful nature from the fall of Adam,
are totally depraved and separated from God by sin, and are unable to earn
salvation; that salvation from sin is by grace alone through faith alone in
Christ alone; that salvation by grace brings justification, regeneration, the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, deliverance from eternal
condemnation, entrance into God's family, eternal life in God's kingdom, and
future resurrection; and that saving grace brings repentance and leads to a new
life manifested in following Christ and submission to God's moral law.
Fundamental Distinctives: We believe in six literal day creation,
ecclesiastical separation from false teachers, personal separation from the
world, the autonomy of the local church, believer's baptism by immersion, the
symbolic nature of the Lord's Supper, the eternal security of the believer, and
the imminent premillennial return of Christ. We are opposed to the charismatic
movement and the modern ecumenical movement.