Heartprints

Roller Coasters And Preteen Kids…”Experience The Ride”

 

   Roller coasters can be electrifying, exhilarating, and breathtaking.   People love to ride roller coasters to experience the unpredictable thrill-seeker high they get with the high climbs, steep drops, upside down spins, hair-pen curves, and the supersonic speeds.  For this reason, the roller coaster is by far one of the most popular attractions at any amusement park. 

 

   Roller coasters can be electrifying, exhilarating, and breathtaking.   People love to ride roller coasters to experience the unpredictable thrill-seeker high they get with the high climbs, steep drops, upside down spins, hair-pen curves, and the supersonic speeds.  For this reason, the roller coaster is by far one of the most popular attractions at any amusement park. 



            During the unpredictable preteen years, kids can be like roller coasters with their high energy, up and down mood swings, high climbs towards independence, and their spins and curves of a wide array of emotions.  Both boys and girls in the age range of ten to twelve years old are experiencing rapid growth and emotional vicissitudes.  As these changes are taking place, kids need to feel accepted and encouraged by adults, especially those closest to them. They desire to be more independent and want to make decisions for themselves; however, because they are still young, they continue to need encouragement from parents and teachers to make good choices by looking to God’s Word for answers.  

            At this stage of life, boys and girls are influenced by what their peers do and say, as one overriding factor is their desire to be accepted.  If they are not grounded in the Word of God, they will make poor decisions under the vice script of peer pressure.  As children’s ministry leaders and volunteers, equip your children with the Word of God, so that heavy-duty peer pressure will not influence them to submit to the world’s standards.  Teach them to seek God when making their decisions, learning what He expects from His word, on how they should live and what choices they need to make.   Provide them with opportunities to trust God and His Word and apply it to their lives.  Encourage them to make friends at church, allow them to invite their school friends to church, and give them opportunities to attend functions that are Christ centered as they interact with peers. 

            Most kids at this stage understand salvation.  Therefore, take every opportunity to present the gospel message in the classroom, during VBS, or at any other special children’s ministry event in clear and simple terms.  Boys and girls need to know and grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ, so create an environment that allows the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts and allow them time to respond to His urging.  Introduce a quiet time at the end of each lesson for kids to pray, seek, and respond to God. 

            All fourth, fifth, and sixth grade boys and girls continue to need direction and godly examples.  They are developing more abstract concepts, which will help them to understand God’s plan throughout the Bible.  The Bible is starting to make more sense to them and they need to be given opportunities to research, discover, write, and express their understanding of God through writing and speaking activities. 

            Encourage them to share their experiences and testimony with their peers.  Writing a song or a poem together with a partner can be an effective way to express their love for God.  Read Psalm 100 and give them an incomplete sentence such as, I love God because…  Then ask them to write a paragraph or a stanza to complete the phrase, emphasizing their love, praise, and thanksgiving to God.  After completing the writing activity, ask for volunteers to share their song or poem with the class.  

            As Children’s ministry leaders and volunteers we must be equipped to meet the needs of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade kids.  Seek ways to challenge, excite, and engage them in God’s Word, because at that age the world has a strong tug for their allegiance.  At the age of twelve Jesus was found in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  (c.f., Luke 2:46)  Jesus was at home and comfortable in the temple courts with his elders talking about God, listening, and asking questions.  Is your class of ten, eleven, and twelve year olds comfortable at church, listening, asking questions, and talking about God?   

 

Lisa Goodyear holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education, with a focus in Children's Ministry, from Dallas Theological Seminary. She has over twenty-eight years of local children's ministry, as well as an extensive background in early childhood education and international ministry to children. Currently, she is serving with the family/children’s ministry in her local church in Shawnee, Kansas. Lisa's passion is to see children from every nation, tongue, and tribe trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and grow in their relationship with Him. She is married to Rolla and they have two grown children and three grandchildren and a little Yorkie, Romeo. Lisa lives in Olathe, Kansas.