PHOTO CAPTION: Taking my babies for a walk.
I have been “shepherding” or working with children most of my life.
As a teenager, babysitting was a good source of income for me. Then when I had kids of my own, I opened my own home daycare and took classes in Early Childhood Education. I eventually became a Montessori teacher and taught at a local Montessori school. Later, I became the director for Early Childhood Ministries at my church where I served for many years. I am now semi-retired, but I still write curriculum, teach chapel and volunteer every Sunday. It keeps me young. I learn as much from the kids as they do from me and I enjoy their excitement about learning. Hopefully along the way, I have helped them to take those first steps of faith as they learn about the God who loves them so very much. That brings me to a question that I still frequently ask myself, “How do we ‘shepherd’ our little ones? How can we help them take those first steps of faith?” Perhaps, you have asked yourself these same questions. Here are a few things I’ve learned in the trenches of Childen’s Ministry that hopefully will encourage and help you as you “shepherd” the little ones at your church.
SHEPHERDING OUR LITTLE ONES AT CHURCH
If you are a Nursery/Preschool Director at your church, you know that there are a lot of things that go into making this ministry a success, especially in the busy, chaotic world we live in today. Where do we begin? How about the basics.
Safety and Security – If you don’t already have safety and security guidelines in place, you will need them. Some things to think about:
* Background checks for volunteers working with children.
* Check-in and out. We use a computerized check in system that prints out a tag for both the parent and the child. We match up the parent tag with the child at pick-up time. This insures that the child is only released to people who are authorized to pick him up.
* Safety in the classrooms – This is especially important if your classrooms are used for other ministries as well. Do a walk through on Sunday mornings to insure that your classrooms and bathrooms are safe and ready to welcome your little ones.
* Emergency Procedures – Do you have a plan in place in case of emergencies? From the simple need for a band-aid for a scratch, to what to do in the case of a serious injury or being prepared in case of a fire; it’s good to be prepared and also to communicate these procedures with your staff and volunteers.
Environments –
* Classrooms and other areas – Are all your children’s areas clean and inviting? Do these areas look like fun places to be? Is your space easy to navigate for parents especially guests?
* Greeters – Having a friendly face greet families when they arrive is so important. Greeters can greet the child and the parents, help guests or new parents with the check-in process and walk them to their child’s classroom. Having bubbles or stickers available for the little ones may help with the transition from parent to class.
* Signage – Clear signage helps guests know where to go and makes families feel welcome. Clearly marked classrooms, check-in areas, restrooms, etc. eliminate confusion.
Faith Steps in the classroom and beyond – Encouraging those first steps of faith
is so vitally important.
* Know your faith basics – What do you want the kids to know? What is age appropriate? Can babies and preschoolers really learn about God or are we just babysitting? I believe they can.
* Babies learn trust when they are lovingly cared for at church. This trust tells them that church is a good place to be and prepares them to later trust God. Babies also learn by watching and copying what you do. If you pray with them, they will pick up on it. If you tell them Jesus loves you and so do I. It will stick.
* Preschoolers are starting to understand and make sense of their world. They can learn that God made them and God loves them for sure, but how? Where do we begin? There is so much to consider, it can be overwhelming. Ask God for wisdom and start somewhere. Please watch for more on this topic later.
PARENT PRAYER:
Father God,
I want to “shepherd” little ones and help them grow in their faith walk with you. I want them to know that you love them and will always be with them. I want them to know that you are amazing and that you made them in an amazing and wonderful way, yet I wonder, are they really getting it? Even though I have been teaching for years, I still desperately need your help. It’s a BIG job! I know I miss the mark sometimes. Please give me wisdom and anoint me with your Spirit to share you, your greatness, love and mercy with these little ones. Show me how to protect them and lead them in green pastures where they can eat freely from what you provide and drink deeply of the refreshing streams you offer. Then I know, they will find you and that they will walk with you as their faithful friend forever. Amen
WHAT DOES A SHEPHERD DO?
When delving into this topic, I asked myself the same question. What exactly does a shepherd do and how can I apply that to shepherding little ones? Here’s what I learned from Psalm 23.
- A shepherd cares for the sheep’s basic needs. He leads them to pasture where they can graze, receive nourishment and rest.
- Another basic need is for water. A shepherd leads the sheep by quiet streams where they can drink and be refreshed safely.
- A shepherd provides everything that his sheep might need.
- A shepherd guides. This is similar to leading, but I think goes a step further in that even when the sheep are resting or grazing, the shepherd is still there to guide in the right way/path.
- A shepherd protects. David protected his sheep from a bear and a lion. A good shepherd watches out for danger.
- A shepherd anoints or blesses. He has good things for his sheep.
- A shepherd loves. Jesus, our good shepherd, was even willing to lay down His life for us, His sheep.
How can you apply these “shepherding” principles to your “flock” of little ones? It starts with the basics. Let’s love, care, lead, guide, provide, protect and bless the little ones and families in our ministry. Take these basics and think through what you are doing to include these things in what you do each week? Ask yourself, “What am I doing well? Where do I need to improve? How would I feel if I were a first time guest? How can I help parents ‘shepherd’ their kids at home? How can I encourage parents?”
Kid’s Section
STORY: David, The Shepherd – 1 Samuel 16:8-13, 17:34-37
When David was just a boy, he had a job to do. He took good care of his family’s sheep. Everyday, He led the sheep out to a field (Walk, walk, walk) where there was nice green grass to eat (Munch, munch, munch) and rest in. (Sit down and pretend to rest.) When they were thirsty, he led them to streams of water where they could get a drink. (Pretend to drink. Slurp!) Sometimes a wild animal like lion or bear would try to attack the sheep. (Roar went the lion, Grr went the bear, “Baa, baa, baa!” said the little sheep. “Save me from the lion.”) David protected his sheep from the wild animals.
I wonder if David ever felt lonely out in the field with just the sheep for company? Did he know that God was with him? Yes, he knew God was with him. He knew God would help him keep his sheep safe. (Baa, baa, baa!) David welcomed God into his day as he watched the sheep. He was glad God was with him. He played the harp and sang songs to God when he was with the sheep. (Pretend to play the harp.) David talked to God too. (Fold hands as though praying.) David knew that God loved him and was with him all the time. He wanted God to be his friend everyday and he wanted to be God’s friend.
God loves you and is with you all the time too just like He was with David. You can talk and sing songs to God everyday like David did. You can tell Him what you are doing or what you are learning. You can ask Him for help. You can tell Him that you love Him and that you are glad He loves you. Just like David, you can welcome God into your day because, He loves you so very much. He loves you lower than the deep blue sea, (Reach down low.) higher than you can reach, (Reach up high.) and way more than you can imagine. (Touch forehead with fingertips.) He loves you just like a good shepherd loves and cares for his sheep. You are special to Him. (Give yourself a hug.)
MEMORIZE: Ephesians 3:18 NIV (Hands open as though holding a book.)
… How wide – (Arms out wide to the side.)
And long- (Stretch arms out in front of you.)
And high. – (Reach up high.)
And deep – (Reach down low.)
Is the love of Christ. – (Cross arms, then raise hands up.)
LONG & WIDE VERSE SONG: (Sing to the tune of: “Frere Jacque”)
How wide – and long,
High and deep,
High and deep,
Is the love of Christ,
Is the love of Christ.
Ephesians 3:18
KNOW: God is with me all of the time. He loves me like a shepherd.
TALK ABOUT: Things you do during the day.
ASK: Who loves you? God loves me.
AND DO… Welcome God into your day and what you do during the day.
FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK:
* Bless your kids by saying a quick prayer for them each morning. Thank God that He is with them even when you can’t be. “Thank you, God, for my kids. I know that you are with them and will help them today. Amen.”
* Pretend to be sheep and talk about what sheep might do during the day – include lots of “Baaing!”
PRAYER:
Dear God,
You love me and are always with me just like David loved his sheep. I’m glad I can talk to you all the time. I love you and I want you to be my friend. I welcome you into my day. Amen
Faith Steps and More 