Bible-Less Children's Ministry?

Could the Bible illiteracy in our culture be the result of the absence of Bibles in our churches, and specifically in our children's ministries? Take a look at what Karl Bastian says at discipleblog (the June 6 posting)...

http://www.discipleblog.com/

Comments

[Henry Zonio]

I don't know how to respond to this. I've read the post and know where Karl's heart is coming from. I might challenge, though, his assumptions on where this "trend" might be happening. While he might see this happening as a "seeker" thing... I think it's more a lack of intentionality that comes from so much focus on environment and program that is more prevalent in "traditional evangelical" churches.

On the flip side, though, holding a Bible while you teach and having children who can do sword drills does not translate into a "deeper" church. Our main goal is transformation, not Bible knowledge. Yes, Bible knowledge should come as a result and outgrowth of transformation, but to single out Bibles as the indicator of discipleship...

We need to ask ourselves what the ends are. Is it to have children who can recite the books of the Bible? Or is it to have children who are transformed by the living God participating in missional community? They aren't the same thing... and yes it does matter which one is your "ends." I'm all for kids being able to know the books of the Bible, but because it is part of them being transformed images of the living God living in missional community.

[Karl Bastian]

Henry, great post! I love interacting with you where ever it is.

For the record, I said nothing about kids knowing the books of the Bible. :o) That's a straw man. And I'm not sure what you meant by the "seeker" thing, I didn't talk about that either.

You state, "I think it's more a lack of intentionality that comes from so much focus on environment and program that is more prevalent in "traditional evangelical" churches." which is EXACTLY the point I was making. AMEN.

So we agree. And while the goal IS transformation NOT Bible knowledge, the Bible has been central to the process of transformation since the early Church and it is God's primary way of communicating with us today. The Holy Spirit enhances but does not replace the Word. Transformation is the goal, and transformation comes from learning, obeying and applying God's Word to life. I certainly hope you aren't suggesting transformation can happen without a Bible. But then, I don't think you were saying that at all. So I won't put words in your mouth.

My point isn't to elevate the Bible higher than it should be - it is to simply say it ought to be VISIBLE and actually USED, which in many children's ministries the Bible is mysteriously missing.

I'm simply arguing for MORE of God's Word in children's ministry as opposed to less.

[Karl Bastian]

Ooops, I did ask if kids know the books of Bible, but it wasn't the point of the article, it was a question exploring whether we are equipping kids to know and use their Bibles. It is important to help kids learn to navigate the Bible, but the goal isn't the navigation it is the USE of the Bible in their life.

But I did notice my error in the comment above, and wanted to acknowledge it.

Bottom Line: the Bible needs to be present, visible and used in children's ministry.