The last point Jesus made before going to heaven was for us to “go and make disciples and to be His witnesses”. To be a follower of Christ carries with it the desire to tell others about the Living God. Throughout history, church has focused on telling others about Jesus.

How effective are we in this mission? Are we targeting our resources and efforts where there is the highest probability of success?

According to Barna Institute research on faith development and discipleship has found that the moral development of children is complete by age 9. Attracting younger children to church to learn about the Love of God will have 5 to 8 times the impact of attracting the same number of older children or adults. The probability of people accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior for a lifetime relationship, found the following:

1. •32% for children between 5 and 13 years old
   

2. •4% for children between 14 and 18 years old
   

3. •6% for people 19 years and older
   

George Barna states: “The research is very clear: if Jesus is not already part of their lives by the time they leave junior high school, the chances of them accepting Him as their Lord and Savior is very slim, (6% to be exact).  Children have a tremendous influence within their families and on the choices they make in all areas of life...The greatest evangelical window currently available is among young children.”

R. S. Lee, the author of Your Growing Children and Religion says it this way: "The first seven years [of life] constitute the period for laying the foundations of religion. This is the most important period in the whole of a person's life in determining his later religious attitudes."

Why Children’s Ministry?

WHY NOT!

Source

1. •Barna Research Online