Some curriculums for Children's Ministry moralize at the cost of connecting kids with Christ.

One curriculum took the story of Jesus calming the wind and the waves with a command and taught that Jesus was kind to His friends. The moral of the story? Be kind to your friends.

That curriculum missed the point. Jesus is so powerful that He can calm the wind and the waves with His words! This story is in the Bible to boost our faith in Christ (remember that Jesus chides His disciples for little faith -- Matthew 8:23-27). So the lesson should be about the power of Christ and His word. We apply this truth by teaching kids that Jesus is powerful to answer prayer. He just has to say the word and it's done.

Mark 10:14: "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" 

Our focus Sunday morning was on Jesus' heart for children and our Children's Ministries. Why are Children's Ministries so crucial? The video shows just how vulnerable they are. And if God's people don't reach out to them, who will? (Check out www.shalombaptist.org and click on "Messages" to hear/read this week's message.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG3kc1F5jmk