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Growing Missionaries and Their Helpers - N/D 06 |
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God wants every Christian to be a
witness—to tell others what they know about Him. But God asks some
people to give their whole life to telling others the good news of
salvation. That’s what a true missionary is! Missionaries need lots of
helpers. Every child should know God wants him to be either a
missionary or a missionary helper.
God Prepares a Missionary
God uses many things in a person’s life to make him a missionary. Even
things that seem bad can develop compassion and show a child how to
help others. God wants to use you as a teacher in the process as well.
Assurance of salvation, knowing God’s Word and obeying it are basic to
sharing the Gospel. Walking close to God through a daily quiet time is
a must-have habit. Discuss how important these things are in serving
God as a missionary. When missionaries visit ask that they address one
or more of these basics in addition to sharing facts about their field.
God may want some kids in your class to attend a Bible college. It’s
not too soon to make them aware of such schools. Have a college student
visit and tell about his Christian school.
As you tell missionary stories don’t be afraid to ask for commitments
to God’s will. Many missionaries have heard God’s call at a young age.
God Uses Different Gifts
You know that missionary service is not confined to preaching and
teaching. Do your students know it? God uses doctors, nurses,
musicians, mechanics, artists, printers, accountants and many other
skills to help spread the Gospel around the world. Countries that are
closed to “missionaries” may be open to tent makers—Christians who work
as teachers or in other professions but whose goal is to tell others
about Jesus.
God Uses Missionary Helpers
Missionaries need prayer. Children’s prayers are full-grown prayers not
childish miniatures. Children take hold of a need, pray with faith and
look for God’s answers. Help their concern for missionaries to grow.
• List the needs of missionaries that are similar to
theirs. Add those which are different because of the culture they live
in.
• Give them their own copies of missionary prayer cards.
• Keep prayer lists up-to-date and share answers regularly.
• Pray for a missionary during every class.
Missionaries need money. They need food, housing, clothing and gasoline
the same as we do. They also need airplane tickets, passports, medical
supplies and transportation where they serve. Sometimes they need money
to help others.
Teach your class how missions are financed. Try a skit which follows
the journey of a ten-dollar bill, from the class offering, to the
church treasurer, to the bank, to the mission organization, to the
missionary.
Encourage personal giving by discussing ways your students can earn
money for missions. Have specific class projects such as purchasing a
bicycle, a computer, Gospel books, training materials, etc.
Missionaries need friendship. When a missionary family comes to
your area or church invite him to your class or club. Make him feel
welcome and loved by planning a time to interact during a snack.
Continue this friendship through cards, letters, photos and small gifts.
Who will challenge children for missions? If not you, then who? If not now, then when?
—Mary Anne Pirie
Director of Children’s Ministries, CEF of Ontario, Canada
A Growing Class Project
Encourage involvement and faith by visualizing a missions project.
Divide the project into components; e.g., a bicycle would have tires,
pedals, handle bars, seat, frame, light, horn). Assign a money
value to each component. Assemble the picture of your project as the
money is received.
cef
Copyright © 2006 Mary Anne Pirie
November/December '06
Teach Kids!
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