�Creating a Foundation for Kingdom Education
Honoring God’s Plan
The Reverse value of the kingdom
In the Kingdom of God, children hold a unique and invaluable place, reflecting qualities that Jesus Himself elevated and cherished.
Model of Kingdom Entry�
Jesus highlighted children as examples of the kind of heart needed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizing the value of childlike faith.
�Matthew 18:3
Purity and Innocence
Children often embody this purity, which allows them to perceive God’s presence and love in profound ways. Their innocence acts as a reminder to adults of the holiness and sincerity that God desires.
Matthew 5:8�
Heirs of the Kingdom�
Children are not just "future" members of the Kingdom; they are full participants and heirs. Jesus welcomed children to Himself, affirming their place in His Kingdom when He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
Faith that Exemplifies Trust
Children naturally possess a deep, trusting faith, which Jesus admired and presented as a model for adults.
Proverbs 3:5
Agents of Praise and Worship
Children carry a natural disposition for praise, which is significant in the Kingdom of God. Jesus noted the spiritual importance of their worship, saying, “From the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth your praise” (Matthew 21:16).
Reflectors of God’s Love
Their presence is a gift from God, and they mirror His love in their openness, affection, and joy, reminding us that we are called to embody and express God’s love.
Psalm 127:3
God Created Us as Children
God Designed a Continuum of Growth and Maturity
The progression from childhood to adulthood mirrors the spiritual journey God designed, moving from dependence on others to mature faith. This development reflects God's plan for us to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Luke 2:52).
Trust, Innocence, Dependence, and Purity
Children naturally embody a pure, wholehearted trust that Jesus calls believers to emulate.
Humility and Faith, Undiluted by the World
In the simplicity of their faith, children demonstrate a willingness to accept God’s love and guidance without hesitation. Their undiluted perspective on life and faith serves as a powerful reminder to adults, calling us back to a pure and sincere relationship with God.
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Maturing Without Releasing Childlikeness��
God’s design for growth does not require abandoning the core childlike characteristics that align with His Kingdom values.
Children Carry Unique and Essential Qualities in the Kingdom of God
Children embody a spirit of wonder, simplicity, and authenticity that is essential to Kingdom life.
Cultivating Childlikeness and Spiritual Maturity Together
The call to follow Jesus includes nurturing both spiritual maturity and childlike qualities.
How Adults Lose Childlikeness
As adults navigate life, they often lose their childlikeness in the Kingdom due to various spiritual and emotional shifts.
How Children Lose their Childlikeness
Children can lose their childlikeness through various influences that strip away their innocence, trust, and wonder.
Maintaining Childlikeness in the Kingdom
To preserve or reclaim the childlike spirit that Jesus emphasized:
When can children begin spiritual development?
Does spiritual development follow stages as other domains of development do?�
Yes…
But…
� | Theorists | Spiritual | Physical | Social-Emotional | Cognitive |
Birth-2 years | Piaget: Sensorimotor �Erikson: Trust vs. Mistrust �Fowler: Pre-faith � | Develop trust in parents, caregivers leading to trust in the Lord �Enjoy hearing simple Bible Truths and praise/worship music �Worldview begins developing | Gross Motor: sit up, roll over, crawl, walk, run, climb… �Fine Motor: reach, hold, grasp, hand preference… | Smiles, laughs, ego-centric, attach to caregivers, expresses love and affection, parallel play | Rapid growth in language development �Moves from recognizing own name and familiar faces to recognizing objects and shapes �Learning cause and effect |
Preschool 3-6 years | Piaget: Preoperational �Erikson: Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (1.5-3), Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6) �Fowler: Intuitive/Projective | Sense of belonging and fitting in �Enjoy hearing and reading Bible Truths & experiencing faith traditions �Trust older adults/role models | Gross Motor: Skip, hop, run, climb, ride on trikes to bikes �Fine Motor: holds pencil to writing and drawing | Cooperative play, learning to express feelings verbally vs. physically, struggling for independence, learning to share | Uses symbols, classifications, numbers, and cause/effect �Begins to use logic, differentiate fact and fiction �Learns right from wrong |
Elementary/Middle School 7-12 years | Piaget: Concrete operations �Erikson: Industry vs. Inferiority (Weaknesses vs. Strengths) �Fowler: Mythical/Literal | Learn to separate myths from Truth �Make faith commitments �Enjoy learning to dwell in the Word, adoring and worshiping God, communicating with the Lord in prayer �Worldview largely in place by age 13 | Organized sports �Refined fine motor skills �Plays musical instruments �Active | Enjoys peers and group activities �Moves from wanting adult approval and love to greater interest in peer approval and fitting in �Strong sense of right and wrong ��� | Thinking becomes more logical and organized, but still very concrete �Learns to generalize and draw conclusions �Likes to experiment �Draws symbolic pictures �Longer attention span �� |
But God…
Physical birth, but also Spiritual birth
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3
Spiritual development, though it has stages, does not necessarily follow ages – led by the Spirit.
…Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. �1 Corinthians 13:11
Hebrews 5:12-6:3
How do Kingdom Early Educators lay the foundations for faith in Christ?
Build a foundation for faith in the Lord through love and trust
Build a foundation in the Word
Worldview starts developing in the second year of life (from 15 to 18 months) and is largely in place by the age of 13. That’s the prime window of opportunity for discipleship. (Barna survey)
Build a foundation of Adoring God in Worship
Building a Foundation of Prayer�
Nothing is Impossible with God
Offering Reading #4 – �A Declaration from Bethel Church
I am powerful�And what I believe changes the world�So today I declare��God is in a good mood�He loves me all the time�Nothing can separate me from His love�Jesus’ blood paid for everything�I will tell nations of what He has done��I am important�How He made me is amazing�I was designed for worship�My mouth establishes praise to silence the enemy�Everywhere I go becomes a perfect-health zone�And with God�Nothing is impossible!