CHILD PROTECTION:

Workshops

1. God’s Mandate to Protect His Children

  • Description: Interactive workshop with PowerPoint presentation for leaders and congregants (4 hours)
  • Process: thinkSMALL trains church staff and parents to understand and commit to following the scriptural mandates to honor, protect and empower children against exploiters and traffickers.

Scriptures include: 2 Cor 5:17, Romans 12:2, Matthew 18:6, Psalm 78:4-8,  Matthew 21:16

2. The Biblical Rights of Children

  • Description: Interactive workshop with PowerPoint presentation for church leaders    (3 hours).
  • Process: thinkSMALL trains church staff and parents to understand the Biblical Rights of Children (supported by scripture and compatible with the key elements of the United Nation’s CRC). Churches sign the charter, promote it to their leaders and congregation, and hang a framed version in a highly visible location.

3. Writing a “Church” Child Protection Policy

    • Description: Interactive training with downloadable template (5 hours)
    • Process: thinkSMALL trains church staff to develop their own child protection policy. PowerPoint slides and interactive discussion. 

    Training includes the scriptural and practical elements of keeping children safe in the church as well as how to respond after abusive situations.

    The church appoints a person to be the Child Protection Officer. The Child Protection Officer is responsible to ensure everyone who works with children has been trained to understand the policy. They also will interview any child who reports an issue of abuse and choose (with the pastor) the appropriate action.

    thinkSMALL teams assist the Child Protection Officer in writing the policy.

    Child Empowerment Outreaches

    Combining FUN with Serious Topics!

    Age 4-6

    Children at a young age are able to learn how to understand the impending signs of abuse and trafficking in their local community. Children learn what parts of their body are “OK to touch,” how to recognize unsafe people, how to escape, and learn the characters of trustworthy people. 

    Additionally children learn that they are responsible to help their friends if told of an abusive situation. They are introduced to the church Child Protection Officer as a safe person to report any abuse.

    At each outreach children learn WHO is the perfect and most trustworthy person: Jesus! He wants to be their Best Eternal Friend. Children are offered the opportunity to both invite Him to be their Savior and enter into discipleship within 48 hours through thinkSMALL Cinema!

    Age 7-14

    1. Trafficking

    Child trafficking occurs in every nation. Outreaches are customized to fit the local ways traffickers exploit children. 

    Children learn how to identify the impending signs of trafficking in their local community in advance and protect one another. 

    They are offered an opportunity to give their lives to the Ultimate Protector of Body, Mind and Soul: Jesus! Immediately after the outreach they are invited to begin discipleship within 48 hours in thinkSMALL Cinema!

    2. Abuse

    As horrific as trafficking is, abuse is a much more common occurrence.. It is often the ‘sin behind the door’ as most abuses happen within the family. In many cultures, abuse also is prevalent in multiple areas of the community, including on the Internet. 

    Children learn how to understand the impending signs of abuse and trafficking. Children learn what parts of their body are “OK to touch,” how to recognize unsafe people, how to escape, learn the characters of trustworthy people. 

    Additionally children learn that they are responsible to help their friends if told of an abusive situation. They are introduced to the church Child Protection Officer as a safe person to report any abuse.

    They are offered an opportunity to give their lives to the Ultimate Protector of Body, Mind and Soul: Jesus! Immediately after the outreach they are invited to begin discipleship within 48 hours in thinkSMALL Cinema!

    3. Drugs

    Children are using drugs in every culture. Inexpensive drugs are available even to the most poor children. From coca leaves, to glue, to petrol, to pills, kids are increasingly using drugs to enhance their ‘feelings’ or simply to emotionally escape their hardships.  

    In many cultures children are used as ‘runners’ of methamphetamine in order to gain free access for themselves.

    In thinkSMALL Drug Prevention Outreaches children learn what drugs are in their area, the physical and psychological dangers and how to protect one another from them.

    During the event they are offered an opportunity to give their lives to the Ultimate Protector of Body, Mind and Soul: Jesus! 

    Immediately after the outreach they are invited to begin discipleship within 48 hours in thinkSMALL Cinema!

    SPECIAL Kid OUTREACHES:

    thinkSMALL Cinema

    thinkSMALL Cinema is an exciting 5-event animated movie series! Filled with games, music, and snacks, ‘new believing’ kids watch Biblical stories that relate to a deeper understanding of Jesus! 

    Old Testament and New are presented in exciting animation…and kids can win prizes if they ‘pay attention’ and get the right answers.

    Who would have thought discipleship could be so fun?

    Here is how we introduce thinkSMALL Cinema to new believers…and their program! 

    Christmas

    A fun celebration of Jesus’ birth! This outreach is for the whole family! From games and object lessons, to a beautiful animated 25 minute movie, people will experience the birth of Jesus and discover WHY His birth changed the world forever!

    A great event for both believers and non-believers who will be given an opportunity to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior!

    Easter

    Most churches do not have a community program to share the story of the greatest day of Christian history: Jesus’ resurrection!

    Fun games, object lessons and an animated movie will inspire believers and open the door to the Gospel for all others! Thousands have come to Christ in our wonderful Easter events!

    Let your church step ‘beyond the walls’ this Easter to bring the message of hope to your community!

    Special Workshops

    Securing the Future of Your Church

    Where will your church be in 5 years? 10 years?

    Churches around the world have aging and declining congregations. Young people are less passionate about ministry. Youth and children leave church in record numbers…only a few return.

    This leadership workshop discusses the issues that are affecting the future of the local church and the spiritual and practical solutions. 

    Rooted in scripture, practically applied Jesus-based strategies will bring new hope to your church!

    Reversing the Exodus

    59% of children leave church before they are 15 years old (Barna Research). Only 30% ever return (Lifeway Research).

    What can be done? 

    This workshop explores the reasons young people leave and the strategies a local church can implement to secure them in their walk with the Lord. 

    Learn how why the strategies of ‘Relationship, Responsibility, and Relevance and are critical to keeping young people’ strong enough to resist the secular magnetic culture!

    Ending Trafficking and Abuse

    Despite the increased awareness and stronger laws, Child Trafficking and Abuse are increasing.

    “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).

    Jesus said “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander”    (Matthew 15:19)

    “..be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

    The church is the key to eradicating trafficking and abuse by providing a ‘new heart’ impact of Jesus.  

    This workshop will awaken your church to it’s awesome responsibility and opportunity to eradicate trafficking and abuse through discipleship of the youngest generations.

    Parents Discipling Kids

    99% of American pastors believe that PARENTS should be the primary disciplers of their children (Barna Research, March 2019)

    The “Parents Discipling Kids” is a strategy of church/parents partnership on behalf of child discipleship. 

    Combining the David C Cook “Action Bible” with our “Family Discussion Guide for the Action Bible,” Sunday School leaders and parents join in partnership to raise children in Christ together.

    Learn the strategy of bringing discipleship back into the family, improve parent-child relationships and unify everyone to raise the next generation of Jesus followers!

    Transforming Nations Through Children

    In 1900, 34.5% of the world stated they were Christian. In 2019, only 31% claimed Jesus as their Lord.

    What happened? What can be done?

    85% of Americans claim they came to Christ before they were 15. But little evangelism for children is taking place today.

    Learn strategies to effectively reach children for Christ in ANY apathetic or resistant culture. 

    Discover some of the keys to growing the Kingdom of God in your community and around the world. 

    Sunday School Training

    Teachers are taught how to improve their discipleship of children, help them engage Jesus in a deeper way and learn how to use our long-term, lesson by lesson curriculum.

    Child Discipleship

    New Believers (13 weekly lessons) 

    This curriculum is written for teachers and designed for the newest child believer. Starting with a basic understanding of God and His Son, it opens the door to a new lifelong relationship with Christ!

    Includes:

    • Teacher training
    • Bible Lesson
    • Fun activities
    • Memory Verses
    • Object Lessons
    • Small Group Activities

    One Year Child Discipleship Curriculum

    A fun 1 year curriculum with 51 weekly lessons. This curriculum is written for teachers and designed to bring children into both a scriptural and relational experience with Jesus! Filled with activities and to make discipleship FUN…but with enough depth to bring children into a transformational connection with Christ. 

    Six Units include:

    1. Who am I?
    2. Who is God?
    3. Who is Jesus?
    4. What is God Like?
    5. Who is the Holy Spirit?
    6. What Does It Mean to REALLY Know God?

    Includes:

    • Teacher training
    • Bible Lesson
    • Fun activities
    • Memory Verses
    • Object Lessons
    • Small Group Activities

    Friends From The Heart:

         How You Can Become a Jesus-Style Friend  (7 Weeks)

      Of all things children value, friends are near the top! They desire more friends and better friends.

      In this curriculum, children learn the special ways Jesus illustrates His friendship for His disciples! Children learn how Jesus loved, served and honored friends. They learn His special characteristics of friendship and how they can become a “Jesus-style friend!” Children will learn how to make new ‘good’ friends Jesus’ way!

      In applying these lessons between Monday to Saturday, children will increase their love for Jesus as He becomes even more ‘relevant’ to the things they value.

      This ‘topical’ curriculum is a successful way to get kids even MORE excited to follow Christ!

      PowerPoint driven with Jesus’ stories, memory verses, fun activities for kids to do in church AND at school and home!

      Topics include:

      • What is a friend?
      • Who is Jesus?
      • Jesus is a PERFECT Friend!
      • The 5 Fingers of Friendship!
      • How to Make a New Friend
      • How to Be the a Jesus-Style Friend
      • Weekly “Try it at home and school” activity

      Sermons

      Gary is available to come to your American church or Christian conference. He speaks worldwide on a variety of topics. His most requested messages are:

      The Power of Yes (Responding To God’s Nudges) 

      Transforming Your Church & Nation Through Children

      Gary provides an inspiring message of HOPE for our church, community and nations. Rooted in scripture, history and today’s issues he shows how God can revitalize our church and secure it’s future through the youngest generation! 

      Loving the Unlovable Neighbor

      “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even tax collectors do the same?”  (Matthew 5:46)

      Your church will be challenged and inspired to take the ‘illogical steps’ of faith in loving those who seem unlovable. Forgiveness, praying for those who offend, and setting ourselves free from the self-erected chains that restrict us is hard. But it is also a key to living a joyous life in Christ. 

      The Father Effect (Fathers’ Responsibility to Children)

      Around the Christian world there is a tendency of fathers to be less involved in raising and discipling young children. Children have an intrinsic need for the loving, guiding hand of their earthly father. 

      Gary’s sermon relates the intimate relationship Jesus has with His Father, and how earthly fathers can learn to build a similar relationship with their children. It is often the missing ingredient to a child’s ability to walk through the minefield of today’s secular cultures.

      “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” (Eph 6:4)