Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter Printer-Friendly

March 2005

Dear Christian Leader,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry.

This month we’d like to give you tips for talking to a child about Christ. As Easter approaches, this may be a good time for this type of discussion.

"By presenting Christ as Savior and Lord,
club gives children opportunities to
experience salvation and grow spiritually.

—Pioneer Clubs' Goal 1a

How to Talk to a Child About Christ

1. Recognize that the message needs to fit the child's understanding. In other words, your teaching or presentation methods need to be appropriate to the age and development of the child. Examples:

—Many Scooters and Voyagers can verbalize salvation facts and concepts, but they may not fully understand them yet. Since children in these grades are literal in their thinking, deal with abstract concepts concretely. Ask questions and show pictures. Their responses in their handbook Bible award requirements can help you evaluate their grasp of what you are teaching.

—Many Pathfinders are able to see that sin separates us from God. They can distinguish right from wrong. They can grasp the fact that God loves them and wants to forgive them and that God has provided the means for this forgiveness. Pathfinders are growing in their ability to comprehend abstract concepts, such as the idea of justice. They can more fully understand forgiveness and realize the significance of making choices. They also have a better comprehension of death and the meaning of the resurrection.

—Trailblazers can understand the sinfulness of the human race and recognize that each of us bears a part in it. They can comprehend God's forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice for us. These children can realize and admit both their need for forgiveness as well as their need to accept that forgiveness.

— Challengers can deal with the doctrine of original sin and that they are helpless to meet God's perfect standard. They are able to accept responsibility for their own sins and understand that they can be accepted by God through Jesus' death and resurrection. They realize they can have a personal relationship with God.

2. Explain the basic facts of salvation. Use Scripture, and allow children to explain what is read in their own words. Use language children can understand, and don't assume prior Bible knowledge. These simple but basic facts should be clear:

—God loves me (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9).

—I have done wrong, and this wrong—called sin—prevents me from having a relationship with God (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:6).

—Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sin (1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 7:27; 1 John 2:2).

—I must accept Jesus as my Savior to receive God's forgiveness (John 3:36; Acts 13:38-39).

—When I do this, I become God's child (John 1:12; John 5:24; John 10:28).

—God gives me a new and fulfilling life (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:3).

3. Pray for the Holy Spirit's leading. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a child of the need for a Savior. Some children know the plan of salvation but have never been convinced of their own sin and their need for Jesus to save them. Some lack knowledge; others have wrong ideas about what it means to be or become a Christian.

Try to establish an open atmosphere in club so that club members feel free to talk with you and other leaders anytime. Personalize the message, but don't force children into making a decision they're not prepared for. If they are not ready, allow them time to gain more understanding.

4. Help children be sure of their salvation. Some children express doubts about their salvation or aren't sure if they ever responded to an invitation. Listen to their doubts and fears. If you lead a child to Christ, ask what it means in his or her own words. This will give you clues about the child's understanding.

Each child is unique and understands at a different level. Be prepared to prayerfully and sensitively offer appropriate information for each one's growth and salvation. Two follow-up brochures that explain the significance of a salvation decision and how to grow as a Christian are available from Pioneer Clubs: Belonging to God's Family (http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/leader_resources/) for grades 1-2 (catalog #6790) and Learning More About Jesus (http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/leader_resources/) for grades 3-6 (#6792).

Changed Lives
Two sisters came to our church for vacation Bible School during the summer right before the start of Pioneer Clubs. These little girls ended up coming to Pioneer Clubs, but didn't attend church on Sundays. By the next spring, however, their parents began coming with them to church, and two years later they're still regular attenders! One of the girls was baptized a few months ago. I'm certain we would have lost this family if Pioneer Clubs had not been available. — Sheila Huey, Grace Lee Memorial Wesleyan Church, Beaver Dams, New York

Today’s Kids...
. . .differ widely in their knowledge of Jesus and the salvation he provides. Be aware of the progress each kid is making in his or her understanding. Be prepared to explain what it means to make a decision for Christ.

March Announcements

Pioneer Clubs Sunday 2005: "Servant of All"

Many thanks to all the clubs that participated in Pioneer Clubs Sunday on February 6! We'd like to know how your club celebrated. Please jot a note telling us about your Pioneer Clubs Sunday activities and e-mail it to Connie at cpowers@pioneerclubs.org. Remember, if you haven't celebrated Pioneer Clubs Sunday yet, it's not too late! You can celebrate on any date that works well for your church.

Kids for Kids Hike Countdown

The springtime Kids for Kids Hike is just around the corner: Saturday, April 23. Here are planning steps for this month:

Prepare adult hiker packets (see Kids for Kids Hike page at www.pioneerclubs.org) and give them to your adult helpers.
Arrange for someone to take photographs on hike day.
Prepare a first aid kit to take along

Annual Phonathon

We are grateful to all who responded to our Annual Phonathon last month. Thank you for your generous support! We will continue to contact our current leaders during the month of March. Since we'll be calling nearly 9,000 of you—too many calls for our three-person development staff—we've recruited a calling service that specializes in helping Christian organizations reach their donors by phone. Please prayerfully consider a generous gift when we call.

T-Shirt Design Suggestions

Pioneer Clubs' marketing department is looking for your suggestions and input on a new Theme Verse T-shirt. Please send your ideas, suggestions, and samples by March 25 to Cathi Toms at ctoms@pioneerclubs.org or by mail to Pioneer Clubs, Attn: Cathi Toms, 27W130 Saint Charles Rd, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188-1935.

Reflections

“Most people decide what they will do about Jesus–either wholeheartedly follow, merely acknowledge, or ignore or reject Him–while they are young. Most children are bombarded with cues regarding their eternal condition and fate, and they develop a rather deeply held perspective on the matter prior to entering high school." – George Barna, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions

Lighter Side

The mom and brother of one of our Pioneer Clubs members came to pick her up after club the other day. "You should come to club, too," I said to the little boy, trying to encourage him to join. "Yeah," his sister chimed in, "club is better than ice cream!" —Judy Bryson, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Warrenville, Illinois