Teaching The Concept of Salvation To Children of Five To Twelve Years Old

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the biblical basis of teaching the concept of salvation to children of ages five to twelve years old, and to find out the teaching methods that will facilitate the learning of this concepts, with the intention of making recommendations towards improving children's ministry at the Kenya Assemblies of God church, Bahati. The main areas of inquiry which were foundational to this study are, children's church workers and precedents derived from the review of related literature. Two instruments, a questionnaire and interview questions were formulated. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended and open-ended Questions. The information gathered were analyzed and summarized by use of various tables and graphs where necessary. The findings of the study revealed the following about children's ministry at the Kenya Assemblies of God church, Bahati: 1. The church of the Kenya Assemblies of God, Bahati has a strong children's ministry programme but there is a need for the leadership to set well defined goals which should be made known to every worker in the Children's church. 2. There is an intentional effort on the part of workers in the children's church to teach the concept of salvation to children. The children demonstrated their level of comprehension as they answered the questions in the interview. Due to the cognitive difference between children of five to seven and eight to twelve, the teaching methods will vary. The former understand and retain biblical information in story form, hence the teacher should learn how to effectively use story telling method. The latter can understand ideas and specific topics and can recall factual content Hence the teacher must learn to use a variety of teaching methods including storytelling. 3. Though the teachers are aware of many other teaching, methods apart from drama, Bible study projects, skits, general singing, puppets, and Bible games, they should be trained to use other teaching methods. The writer recommends that the leaders set clearly defined goals for the children's church, teachers training on how to use teaching methods relevant to cognitive level of the child and that teachers be trained in understanding children cognitive development