Being Sheep and Children's/Youth Ministry

The boys at children’s time Sunday had it right – sheep aren’t leaders, they’re followers. And sheep know their shepherd’s voice and follow.

I learned a lot about sheep as I prepared to lead worship this past Sunday, like how there would be a large bowl of olive oil at the entrance to the sheepfold and as the sheep were checked one by one at the end of the day, any who were injured were anointed with oil and then offered water from a large jar. Like how there is an actual dangerous valley near Jerusalem that is a treacherous route sheep in the region needed to travel to find grazing lands and how the shepherd’s crook would scoop any up who fell in the crevices of the narrow passageway between two towering cliffs. Like how David’s famous 23rd Psalm was all about things he had experienced as a shepherd and been offered by God.

I don’t know about you, but skittish sheep is an apt description for many kids in Sunday schools I’ve experienced. Sometimes it’s because of various diagnoses of physical and mental and emotional challenges. Sometimes it’s because of the variety of life events they’re dealing with, from parents breaking up to new siblings to death of pets or family members to lack of boundaries to skittish parents modeling insecurity and poor choices.

It’s very difficult to make headway with a relationship with a loving God with sheep that won’t settle and that are caught up with their own worries and needs. “Mindfulness” has become increasingly touted as a great tool for school classrooms to help children to focus and banish at least some of their anxiety and fear. In the church, we have many practices in our toolkit to help calm frayed nerves and cool over-active jets.

How do we lead our kids to the wonderful refreshment of God’s still waters? How do we coax them into patterns of growth in faith that will offer tools for dealing with the tough stuff that life throws at them? Consider the following:

1. Create safe, quiet space for being still and at peace. This may be a corner of the classroom, a small tent, a small room with soothing colours and pillows and mats to sit on as well as age-appropriate Bibles or a corner of the sanctuary that is kid-friendly. Mention this space frequently to catch rare attenders to your programs and talk about what it is for. Quickly redirect those who misuse the space so that you can maintain its purpose and integrity.

2. Become aware of when learners are needing to burn off energy to focus and when they are already in a place of listening and quiet. Capitalize on times when the pump is primed for quiet prayers, quiet discussions, deep sharing and caring for one another. Create an atmosphere where there is not a rush, but the time that is needed is available for important conversations and digging deep for those ready to go there.

3. Think carefully about what foods your learners are eating before and during programming. If you offer snacks, choose low or no sugar, options without artificial flavours and colours, variety in colour and texture if possible, and something coinciding with the theme if possible. Water is perfectly adequate as a drink.

4. Talk about examples from your own life of being led by Jesus and/or model practices that bring you closer to Jesus so they can understand what these look like (i.e. prayer, Bible and devotional reading, creating art, giving to mission, helping at a soup kitchen, silence, making music, worship, making good choices in what you listen to and watch, sharing with a friend, walking a labyrinth, etc.). Practice some of interest with your groups.

5. Create connections with other sheep in the congregation who are willing to share about their journey of following Jesus and, if possible, with kids and youth from other churches to celebrate together that we all follow Jesus.

We sang the song “I just wanna be a sheep” to end our children’s time. As leaders we need to ensure that our desire to follow Jesus isn’t superseded by our desire to lead, and that we willingly and equally care for all of the sheep we find in our fold. We are one of the strongest models for Jesus, our Good Shepherd, that our learners have.

Be sure to also find your own time to replenish with God’s living water so that you can splash it on all those you serve.