This article was written by The Wonder Ink Team with David C Cook. It is a paid promotion.
Back in the day when maps were printed on paper, the route of a summer road trip would be marked with a highlighter or traced with a finger along interstate highways and local roadways from point A to point B.
Every curve, corner, and sign along the way would be confirmed in reference to point B. Getting off course due to a wrong turn could require pulling over to the side of the road for a closer look at the map. You’d have to figure out where on earth you were so you could get reoriented to where you were going.
Satellite navigation systems have changed all that. It’s now easier to map your way anywhere: to a doctor’s appointment, a friend’s wedding, or a camping trip. Just type in the address, and you never have to look farther than a three-inch blue line straight ahead on your screen. If you get off-route, the system will reroute you within a few seconds—no need to even think about it. You know where you’re supposed to be going. But you don’t really need to pay attention to point B until you’re there.
Programs Aren’t Jesus
As ministry leaders, we’ve become accustomed to following a program and trusting that we’re showing kids the way to Jesus. Great curriculum and programs make it easy. We have our eyes on a three-inch blue line straight ahead. If we have lost focus on the greater journey of faith formation, our desire for the convenience of packaged programs may be partly to blame.
Of course, nobody would advocate inconvenience per se as the remedy. But, somehow, we need a clear picture and constant reminder of point B. And “we” includes at least four key influencers in a child’s faith formation. “We” includes the church as a whole, children’s ministry, parents, and publishers.
The Real Jesus
To help with the faith formation of our kids, we use songs, lessons, videos, and activities. But they are not point B. A vibrant identity in Jesus is. The real Jesus. The scandalous, law-breaking, love-abiding Jesus. The counter-cultural Jesus who modeled and taught a way of following God that broke from the conventions of His time and place in the world—and ours.
The Jesus who advocates paying taxes to Caesar and makes a point to hang out with mafia-like tax collectors (Matt. 17:27; Luke 19:1–10).
Who goes on a rampage and literally turns the temple tables to expose greedy vendors preying on loyal worshipers (Matt. 21:12–13).
Who writes in the dirt to scare off would-be stone-throwers eager to impose capital punishment on a woman who had committed adultery (John 8:1–11).
Jesus who tells a rich young ruler—a man who had checked all the boxes of righteous behavior—to sell all his earthly goods and give to the poor (Mark 10:17–27).
Who loves Peter through the heart-detour from disciple to traitor and back again by complementing his three denials with three directives to “Feed my sheep” (John 18:1–26; 21:15–19).
This Jesus.
Do we love and follow this Jesus—the Christ, the Son of God? And all the more desire our children to do the same?
He is the goal.
This article excerpt was taken from What If We’re Failing Kids at Faith Formation? (And How Not To). You can download and read the full guide here.
The Wonder Ink Team is made of ministry volunteers, leaders, and experts who work with David C Cook. We’re passionate about equipping leaders as you empower volunteers, engage families, and inspire children on their journey of faith. Discover more about Wonder Ink children’s ministry curriculum at WonderInk.org.
