APLA Presentation

• In partial fulfilment of the Pathfinder Instructor Award

Youth Leadership Program

Module IV - Develop, Submit for Approval Presentation Materials to Conference Pathfinder Director on

New Skills Development for Master-Guides

Brian Tsikada (PLA)

Child Evangelism

Definition & scope

• Youth & Child Evangelism = the effectual participation or involvement of youth and children as influential agents in evangelism (execution of the gospel commission)

• Age group in context of MG ministry = 6-15yrs of age

Principles of Youth & Child Evangelism : “A message to tell to the World”

Purpose of Youth & Child Evangelism

• For MGs the setting of evangelistic efforts is within the AJY clubs & not so much in CHM.

• Purpose of clubs can be summarised in AY Ministries Mission :

• “To lead young people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and help them embrace His call to discipleship.”

• Therefore AY clubs are not mere recreational, educational or training centres but vehicles to implement an evangelistic agenda

• “to lead young people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and to embrace His call to discipleship”

• To lead:- to go before, to guide, to show the way, to encourage/motivate/ invite another to follow

• True leadership does not force the will or drive – it is to positively

influence others to volunteer their talents to participate in, to share & to enhence the leader’s vision

• Saving relationship :- a personal and conscious daily connection with Jesus Christ that empowers the youth to demonstrate His saving grace & power in their lives.

• Salvation from snares of Satan that seek to enslave the youth:

• Bad habits,

• Unprofitable associations,

• Alluring temptations - experiments with drugs, sex, and alcohol

• Slave to fashion, entertainment and love of display

His call to discipleship:-

• Personal commitment to accept Jesus’ call to ministry – to be His witness. Acts 1:8.

• Discipleship does not destroy the joy of youth on the contrary it gives meaning and fullness to the purpose of life. I John 10:10

Club Evangelism

Two fold initiatives

Club members Non-club members

Children Parents Children Parents

Fundamental Principles for Effective AJY Club Evangelism

1. Order & organization

- Club leadership : Establishment of roles & responsibilities

- Internal alignment in place with clear terms of reference.

- Does your club have a structure?-

- An executive committee?

- A chaplain?

- Unit Counsellors?

- A parent representative on Exec com. Or Staff com?

- Do you have a full year program in place including key

ceremonies & events?

2. Club Purpose should be in sharp focus

• “ The Adventurer Club exists for the purpose of supporting parents in the task of raising children for Jesus Christ.” AAdmin p32

• “ Article II Purpose

The objectives of the Pathfinder Club are:

1. To work towards the personal commitment of every Pathfinder to the Lord.

2. To provide an attractive church-centered achievement program.

3. To interest parents and senior youth in participating in the

organized church activities for youth.

4. To encourage Pathfinders to discover their own God-given

potential in service to others.

- 5. To foster the harmonious development of the physical, social,

intellectual and spiritual life of the Pathfinder.

- 6. To give opportunity for the development of leadership abilities.

- 7. To provide through the study of nature an appreciation of God's

love.” Padmin p30.

• 3. Commitment to an evangelistic agenda

- Club Directors & Counsellors should be mature, baptized & converted adults.

- Integrate aspects of programming with Children Ministries

- Soul winning should be purposeful & should be the objective of each program.

- The evangelistic initiatives should be sustainable (logistically, economically, materially, spiritually)

• “The Counselor is the leader of a unit of Adventurers. Counselors hold a key position in the Adventurer Club, for they have the closest contact with the Adventurers and their families and homes”. A.M.pg 20

• “The counselor knows the parents and home conditions of each unit member and talks to unit members about social, emotional, and spiritual problems” ibid pg 20.

• Counselors are selected from baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church where the club is organized. They must be converted and dedicated Christians. Ibid 20

• Therefore MG are to have 1. baptism certificate 2. recommendation from local church to train as MG! This is to safeguard the tender and impressionable minds of children from unconsecrated leaders

4. Personal commitment by Counselors

Club Member Evangelism

• Fact: Most youth make first & important personal decisions on their salvation between ages 9-16. (Builder- Guide).

• The Work of the MG Counsellor:

1. To be Jesus’ agent to assist in helping the club members to make

this choice intelligently

2. To work closely with the parents to encourage them to support the

child in making that personal choice.

3. After the decision is made, the Counsellor is continue the work of

nurturing

The Role of the Club Parent

• The Parent who is a converted Christian “Parents are to be recognized as the key "Relational Ministers," those who more than anyone else can create the sense of trust, love, and concern that is foundational to the development of "openness" to faith. Parents must be seen as the "primary evangelizers" of their children. No single factor influences the faith development of children more than does the witness and faith life of parents. Those involved in Adventurer leadership must help parents to fulfill this vital role”. Ibid 12. One of the goals of Adv. Curriculum: 4. “ Parents and other primary caregivers will become more confident and effective in their role as colaborers with Christ for their children.” pg 8. • The unconverted Parent

“Counsellors should visit the home of each Adventurer in his or her unit…., introducing himself or herself as [child's name]counselor.” ibid 25.

- Pre-requisite of all Adventurer Clubs: The director and associate directors appoint a mother and father to the Executive Committee to represent all parents of registered Adventurers

Non Club Member Evangelism • Non-club member : children

“It is the policy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to admit children to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities made available by the church, regardless of race, gender, handicap, or religion.” ibid p5.

• Non-club member: parents & community

“Once an Adventurer Club is established, appeal to church and community families that have not previously been interested. The director should make friends with every Adventurer family. Help each non-Seventh-day Adventist Adventurer family to become acquainted with the pastor. These families can then be invited to hear what the church has to offer them. The Adventurer Club should be evangelistic” Ibid pg 25.

Evangelistic Model* for AJY Clubs

• Club Members spiritual leadership contact points – key drivers : Club or unit spiritual leadership & environmental influence)

- Spiritual nurturing by Counsellors - Spiritual Influence by Club chaplain - Parental influence - Pastorial Influence - Club events, activities, & curriculum - Awards - Honours

• Non-club members spiritual leadership contact points – key drivers: Impressions, Events & Programs, Activities)-

• Guest Night • Enrolment night • Uniformed Parade & Drill • Camping • Field trips • Community Service Projects • Vacation Bible School • Direct contact by other children to

other children or adults -

Specific evangelistic methodologies & concepts are covered in “How to Lead a Child To Jesus” Seminar

How to Lead a Child to Jesus Christ* • Scope of Seminar : Specific evangelistic strategies, methodologies &

concepts in the context of the Adventurer & Pathfinder Clubs

• Recap on leadership: Leadership is influence: to positively influence others to volunteer their talents to participate in, to share & to enhence the leader’s vision.

• “It touches the heart first & then others will put their hand in the

leader’s hand & follow”.

• The leader should have a VISION first! This is the work of Club

Directors, Club Chaplain & Unit Counsellors

* Material adapted from Leading a Children to Jesus Course – Certification Level 2. General Conference Children’s Ministries

Winning Individual or Unit Club Members

• Key component of Adventurer & Pathfinder work is to win their souls to Christ.

• Best done on a one-on-one basis or at most at Unit level.

• Key spiritual influencers : Parents, Pastor, Club Director, Club Chaplain, Unit Counsellor

• “Children of eight, ten or twelve years are old enough to be addressed on the subject of personal religion. Do not teach your children with reference to some future period when they shall be old enough to repent and believe the truth. If properly instructed, very young children may have correct views of their state as sinners, and of the way of salvation through Christ.” 1 T400.

•

4 Key Thoughts in talking about Faith with Club Members

1. Don’t defer to someone more qualified or experienced to explain

salvation when a child asks.

2. Don’t give kids a heavy load of theology.

3. Describe your own faith journey of how you become a Christian.

4. Appropriate Communication : Prepare to say the right words when

-ever the right opportunity arrives.

• Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors

• Dynamic 1: Children Understand Concrete Terms And Language Better Than They Understand Abstract Terms And Language.

• Some Confusion-causers?

• • “Ask Jesus into your heart.” They wonder how Jesus can physically fit into such a small space.

• Use: “Start a personal relationship with Jesus today.”

• • “Pay the price for your sins.” A young boy once said he would try to save his pocket money to cover the payment himself?

• Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors

• Dynamic 2: Children Are At Different Developmental Levels.

• Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors

• Dynamic 3: Children Are Most Receptive to Stories and Terms They Can Relate to or Picture.

• Key Dynamics of Communication with Kids for Counsellors

• Dynamic 4: Children May Focus On, or be Distracted, by a Single Detail in a Story.

• Child-Friendly Terms

• 1. Sin Things we do wrong, naughty stuff, when we disobey, make bad choices

• 2. Punishment Get in trouble, time-out, spanking, be disciplined

• 3. Crucified Died on a cross because that person was in so much trouble, hurt bad and killed

• 4. Saviour: Forever friend, helper, agrees to be in trouble instead of you, took your place

• 5. Resurrection Alive again, came back from being dead, didn’t stay dead

Keys to Spiritual Influence for the Unit Counsellor/Club Chaplain

Leading a child into a relationship with Christ requires :

• That you have a relationship with Christ first.

• You can only give away that which you have.

• A relationship with Jesus is more than knowing the Bible, going

to church, teaching children’s class, or being baptized. Your life

needs to change.

Specific Strategies, Methodologies & Concepts for Community Club

Evangelism

• ….. “it is important to remember that witnessing should be a part of the Pathfinder lifestyle--not just a program! Witnessing is a way of life! "Take the time to spread the Word.“ Pthf Admin Manual 118

1. Guest Nights

• Held +/- 2-3 weeks before enrolment night.

• Each potential Adventurer may invite a special community friend to this "guest night“ meeting.

• The director and other officers should become acquainted with each child.

• “During the conversation, the director or deputies should ask, "Would you like to join our Adventurer club?“ If the answer is Yes, plan visits the homes the very next week and explain the complete program, showing a willingness to work with the family about their Sunday or Sabbath feelings.

• 2. Implement a home visitation program.

Counselors should visit the home of each Adventurer in his or her unit immediately, introducing himself or herself as [child's name] counselor.

• “Each home represented in the unit is contacted by the counselor a minimum of once per Adventurer quarter.” AdAdmin 12.

• = excellent time to reach out to community parents

3. Community Projects for Other Children - Making or repairing toys for hospitals

- Story Hour in Children’s homes

- Literature/Book rack for children in instutitions

- Vacation Bible School (invite other kids in uniform) – follow up immediately by Counsellors after graduation.

• Hospital Outreach

- Flower gifts to the sick (Pathfinder visit in uniform)

- Personally designed “Get Well Soon” cards

- Magazine, books

- Volunteer cleaning of hospital environment

4. Parades and Marches

- Temperance march against drugs, alcohol, smoking etc.

- Healthful living march

5. Other

- Branch Sabbath Schools with/by Pathfinders.

- City Parades & literature distribution

- Fairs & Camporees

The Adventurer for Christ Project

2. Choose three from the following:

• a. Send five homemade cards with personal messages, poems, or Bible verses to people who are in need of encouragement.

• b. Visit ten or more people and invite them to a special church or Pathfinder event

3. c. Get the whole family involved in a witnessing project, such

as giving Bible studies, passing out Steps to Christ to motels,

adopting a needy family, doing a work project for an elderly

person.

Junior Witness for Christ Project

• 3. Enroll at least two people in Bible correspondence courses.

• 6. Make at least 50 one-to-one contacts using Share Your Faith literature, Ingathering solicitation, etc.

• See also Literature Evangelism & Personal Evangelism Honors

Assignment • By end of next Quarter (Jan - March), plan & execute one

Community or Evangelistic Outreach program with your unit or club.

• POE : 1. Complete Community Outreach Report as part of fulfilment of requirement : II -5.

• Remember to hold a staff meeting in the planning process

• Keep the minutes as part of Staff Meeting requirement

• Check where this project will also meet the objectives of your AJY class curriculum