Every Sunday, children walk into our church carrying more than backpacks and energy. They carry:
- questions they don’t know how to ask,
- emotions they don’t know how to name,
- and a faith that is still being formed.
For years, our church has faithfully taught children the Bible through an age-graded Sunday School model. We honor that season and we are grateful for every seed that has been planted.
But as we’ve listened more carefully—to Scripture, to families, and to the reality children are growing up in—we have become convinced of this truth: Children don’t just need to learn about God. They need to experience life with God.
That is why we are moving toward a Kids Church model.
This is not a rejection of teaching.
This is a commitment to deeper discipleship.
We are not asking, “How do we teach better lessons?”
We are asking, “How do we form faith that lasts?”
And in this journey, you—our volunteers—are not helpers on the side.
You are spiritual guides, shepherds, and builders of foundations that may shape a child’s entire life.
1. Why We Are Making This Shift
For many years, kids ministry has been carried out through a traditional age-graded Sunday School model, and we are deeply grateful for what God has done through it. Through faithful teaching, many children have been introduced to Bible stories, biblical truths, and the foundations of Christian faith.
At the same time, we are increasingly aware of an important reality: knowing Bible stories does not automatically result in a living and growing faith. Biblical knowledge is essential, but on its own it is not enough to shape spiritual identity, character, and lifelong devotion to God.
Children today are growing up in a fast-paced world, shaped by a highly visual culture and often experiencing fragmented relationships. In this environment, children do not only need more information; they need formation. They need safe relationships, meaningful rhythms, and environments where faith is lived, practiced, and modeled.
For this reason, we are moving toward a Kids Church model—a model that goes beyond transferring knowledge to intentionally forming identity, nurturing faith, and cultivating spiritual habits that can sustain children as they grow.
2. What We Mean by “Kids Church”
Kids Church is not a trend, a fun-only program, or a form of entertainment designed merely to keep children busy during service time. It is not about creating excitement without substance, nor is it about replacing teaching with activities. Fun may be present, but it is never the goal.
Kids Church is a discipleship environment where children experience church in an age-appropriate way. In this space, children are invited to worship, to pray, to hear God’s Word, and to belong to a spiritual community. Rather than preparing children for church in the future, Kids Church helps them participate in the life of the church today, forming faith through relationship, rhythm, and spiritual practice.
In Kids Church:
- Children worship
- Children pray
- Children hear God’s Word
- Children belong
- Children grow in relationship with leaders and peers
They are not being prepared for church.
They are participating in church.
“Children are not the church of the future; they are the church of today.”
3. Understanding The Age-Graded Sunday School Model
The age-graded Sunday School model organizes children primarily as students in an educational setting. Children are grouped strictly according to age and placed in classroom environments where teaching follows a structured sequence: lesson presentation, followed by an activity or worksheet. Typically, one teacher leads many students, and success is often measured by completing the planned material within a set time.
This model is built on the assumption that if children understand the Bible lesson, faith will naturally grow. Its strength lies in its educational clarity. It provides organized content, a clear curriculum flow, and systematic exposure to biblical stories and doctrines. As a result, it has played an important role in developing biblical literacy and maintaining order within a classroom setting.
However, while the model is educationally strong, it has limitations when it comes to discipleship. It is less effective at forming spiritual habits, building deep and lasting relational trust, integrating children into the broader life of the church, and shaping faith through consistent modeling and shared spiritual practices. In this sense, the age-graded Sunday School model excels at instruction but is discipleship-limited.
4. What Changes in the Kids Church Model
A. The Goal Changes
In the traditional model, the primary goal was to help children understand the lesson for the day. Success was often measured by whether the content was delivered clearly, the activities were completed, and the children could recall the Bible story or key points. The focus was largely on comprehension and coverage of material.
In the Kids Church model, the goal is broader and deeper. The aim is to help children grow toward loving God, trusting Him, and learning how to walk with Him in everyday life. Understanding Scripture remains important, but it is no longer the final destination. Biblical knowledge is seen as a means to shape identity, nurture faith, and form spiritual habits.
In this model, knowledge serves formation, not the other way around. We teach truth not only so children can remember it, but so it can influence how they pray, worship, relate to others, and respond to God as they grow.
B. The Environment Changes
Before
- Classroom-focused
- Task-oriented
- Quiet = successful
Kids Church:
- Worshipful environment
- Relational atmosphere
- Engagement = success
In the Kids Church model, the environment is intentionally worshipful and relational. Children are invited to participate, respond, sing, pray, and engage with God and one another. Success is no longer defined by silence, but by healthy engagement—children listening, responding, asking questions, and participating appropriately in the life of the church.
Kids Church is designed to shape:
- reverence
- joy
- attentiveness
- belonging
Kids Church is designed to shape key spiritual and relational qualities in children.
C. The Role of Volunteers Changes
This is one of the most important shifts.
From Teacher → Coach
In the traditional approach, volunteers primarily functioned as teachers, with success often measured by whether the lesson was completed and whether children understood the material being taught. The focus was on content delivery and classroom management.
In the Kids Church model, volunteers are invited to serve as choaches, not just instructors. The guiding questions change significantly. Instead of asking, “Did I finish the lesson?” or “Did they understand the material?”, volunteers now reflect on deeper and more relational questions: “Did the children feel seen and safe?”, “Did I reflect God’s love in my words and actions?”, and “Did I help guide them toward God today?”
This shift recognizes that faith is formed through relationship, example, and presence. Volunteers are not simply transferring information; they are walking with children in faith, modeling what it means to love God, trust Him, and live out Christian character in everyday life.
You are not just transferring information.
You are walking with children in faith.
5. The Philosophy Behind Kids Church (The “Why”)
A. Children Learn Faith Through Relationship
Children learn faith primarily through relationship and observation, not through explanation alone. While teaching is important, children are deeply shaped by what they consistently see modeled in the lives of trusted adults. What is lived in front of them often speaks louder than what is taught to them.
They learn:
- how to pray by watching you pray
- how to worship by watching you worship
- how to trust God by watching how you respond
Children learn how to pray by watching adults pray sincerely. They learn how to worship by observing genuine worship. They learn how to trust God by seeing how adults respond to challenges, disappointments, and moments of uncertainty. In this way, faith is not only communicated through words, but through everyday attitudes, actions, and responses.
Because of this, your presence matters more than your perfection. Children do not need flawless role models; they need real, faithful adults who walk with God honestly and consistently. A caring presence, lived faith, and authentic relationship create the environment where faith can take root and grow.
B. Children Are Formed by Repetition and Rhythm
Children grow spiritually through repetition and healthy rhythm. Faith is not formed in isolated moments, but through consistent practices that are repeated over time. Just as daily routines shape habits and character, spiritual rhythms shape how children relate to God and experience faith.
In Kids Church, spiritual rhythm means creating a familiar and steady flow each week that gently guides children toward God. When children experience the same spiritual practices in a consistent order, those practices begin to shape their hearts and habits.
For example, children learn to pray not by being told to pray, but by praying together every week—opening in prayer, responding in prayer, and closing in prayer. Over time, prayer becomes natural rather than awkward. In the same way, worship becomes part of a child’s life through regular participation, not explanation alone. Singing the same songs, learning familiar postures of worship, and responding together help children associate worship with joy, reverence, and closeness to God.
Spiritual rhythm is also formed through predictable structure and consistent leadership. When the same leaders welcome children each week and guide them through the same basic flow—welcome, worship, teaching, small group, prayer—children feel safe and oriented. This sense of safety allows them to engage more deeply. They are not distracted by uncertainty; instead, they can focus on listening, responding, and growing.
Importantly, spiritual rhythms extend beyond Sunday activities. These rhythms teach children patterns they can carry into everyday life—pausing to pray, reflecting on God’s Word, responding with gratitude, and trusting God in different situations. Over time, what begins as a guided rhythm in Kids Church becomes an internal rhythm of faith, shaping how children walk with God long after they leave the room.
Spiritual rhythms do not require perfection or complexity. Their power lies in repetition, consistency, and presence. Through these steady patterns, children develop spiritual habits that anchor their faith and shape their hearts as they grow.
Kids Church intentionally uses rhythm to build this spiritual memory. Through familiar songs, prayers, and patterns, children learn not only what to do, but how to live out faith naturally and confidently.
C. Children Belong Before They Believe
Children grow spiritually best when they first experience a strong sense of belonging. When children feel known, welcomed, and accepted, their hearts become open and receptive. Before they can fully understand beliefs or doctrines, they need to know that they are safe, valued, and loved—both by the people around them and by God.
When children feel:
- known
- welcomed
- accepted
Their hearts open to God.
Belonging creates emotional and spiritual safety. In an environment where children feel secure, they are more willing to listen, ask questions, engage in worship, and respond to God. Without this sense of belonging, children may comply outwardly but remain closed inwardly. Feeling accepted allows faith to grow from the inside out.
For this reason, belonging is not a reward for good behavior or spiritual maturity. It is the foundation for transformation. When children are welcomed before they behave perfectly or believe fully, they encounter grace in action. That experience of grace becomes the soil in which genuine faith, character growth, and spiritual transformation can take root.
6. How Kids Church runs Practically
a. Welcome & Safety
Kids Church begins with intentional welcome and a strong sense of safety. Children are greeted by name because being known communicates value and belonging. When a child hears their name spoken with warmth and consistency, they are reminded that they matter and that this is a place where they are seen.
Consistency among leaders is also essential. When children regularly interact with the same leaders, trust is built over time. Familiar faces create emotional security, making it easier for children to engage, ask questions, and participate without fear. Consistent leadership helps children feel anchored and supported.
Clear transitions and expectations further strengthen this sense of safety. When children understand what will happen next and what is expected of them, anxiety is reduced and attention increases. A safe environment builds trust, and trust opens hearts—preparing children to engage with God, grow in faith, and experience meaningful spiritual formation.
Safety builds trust. Trust opens hearts.
b. Worship Time
Worship time in Kids Church is intentionally designed to help children encounter God, not simply to participate in an activity. When children sing together, they are learning that worship is a shared response of the community, not something done alone or watched from a distance. Singing helps children express joy, gratitude, and reverence in a way that engages both their hearts and bodies.
Simple prayers are woven naturally into worship time. These prayers teach children that talking to God is normal, safe, and personal. Over time, children learn the language of prayer—not as a script to memorize, but as a living conversation with God. Through repetition and example, prayer becomes something they are comfortable practicing themselves.
Worship time also teaches children reverence and joy at the same time. They learn that worship can be joyful and expressive, yet also meaningful and respectful. In this environment, children begin to understand that worship is not a performance, where they are evaluated or watched; it is not a filler, used to pass time before the lesson. Worship is a genuine response to who God is and what He has done, and children are invited to participate fully and sincerely in that response.
c. Teaching the Word
In Kids Church, teaching the Word is not primarily about transferring information or helping children remember Bible facts. Instead, it is about inviting children into a way of life shaped by God’s truth. Scripture is shared not only to inform the mind, but to form the heart and guide daily living.
Bible stories are told with a focus on who God is and how He relates to us, helping children see that the Bible reveals a living God who is present, loving, and trustworthy. Rather than emphasizing details alone, teaching highlights God’s character, His promises, and His invitation to respond in faith.
Teaching is also intentionally connected to discipleship. Leaders help children see how God’s Word shapes attitudes, choices, and relationships at home, at school, and with friends. Instead of asking only, “What did you learn?”, we guide children to reflect with questions such as, “What is God inviting us to trust or obey?” and “How can we follow Jesus in our lives this week?”
In this way, teaching the Word becomes an ongoing journey of learning to follow Jesus, not just learning about Him.
d. Small Group
Small groups are a central part of the Kids Church model because they create the relational space where discipleship can truly happen. In small groups, children are known personally—by name, personality, strengths, and challenges. This personal connection helps children feel seen and valued, making it easier for them to open their hearts and engage honestly.
Leaders intentionally stay with the same group of children over time. This consistency builds trust and allows relationships to deepen naturally. As trust grows, leaders can better guide, encourage, and pray with children in ways that are meaningful and appropriate to their stage of life.
Small groups also provide a safe space for children to ask questions, share thoughts, and pray together. Children learn that their questions are welcome and that faith includes conversation, reflection, and dependence on God. In this setting, discipleship becomes relational and personal, reminding us that faith is formed in relationships, not in crowds.
Discipleship does not happen in rows; it happens in circles.
Practical Application of Small Groups in Kids Church
Small groups in Kids Church are designed to turn large-group experiences into personal discipleship moments. After worship and teaching, children gather in smaller circles where they can be known, heard, and guided more personally. This shift from crowd to circle allows leaders to engage children at a heart level, not just a group level.
In practice, each small group is led by a consistent leader who walks with the same children week after week. This consistency allows leaders to notice growth, struggles, questions, and changes in each child’s life. Over time, leaders are able to follow up on previous conversations, pray intentionally for specific needs, and encourage spiritual growth in ways that are personal and meaningful.
Small group time focuses on conversation, reflection, and prayer, rather than completing tasks or filling time. Leaders ask open-ended questions that help children process what they have heard, such as how the Bible story connects to their own lives or how they can trust and follow God during the week. Children are invited to pray—not forced, but gently encouraged—helping them grow comfortable talking to God.
7. What Is Expected from Volunteers
a. Presence Over Perfection
In the Kids Church model, volunteers are not expected to be experts or to perform perfectly. You do not need to be a Bible scholar, a perfect parent, or a professional teacher to serve effectively. God does not call you to impress children with knowledge or skill, but to walk with them faithfully.
What matters most is your presence. Being available means showing up consistently and being emotionally and spiritually present with the children. Being attentive means listening, noticing their needs, and responding with care and patience. Being spiritually sincere means living out your faith authentically—praying honestly, worshiping genuinely, and depending on God rather than pretending to have all the answers.
Children are deeply influenced by adults who are real, present, and caring. When volunteers serve with availability, attentiveness, and sincerity, they create a safe and meaningful environment where faith can grow naturally.
b. Modeling Faith Daily
In Kids Church, volunteers teach faith not only through words, but through everyday actions and responses. Children are always watching how adults live out their faith in real situations. They notice how you speak to them, to other volunteers, and about challenges. Your tone, choice of words, and attitude all communicate what faith looks like in practice.
Children also learn from how you respond to disruption or difficult moments. When things do not go as planned, your calmness, patience, and grace show children how to handle frustration and rely on God. Correction, when needed, becomes an opportunity to model love and self-control rather than anger or embarrassment.
How you show patience, kindness, and forgiveness shapes children’s understanding of God’s character. Through your consistent example, children begin to see that faith is not just something we talk about, but something we live every day. Your life teaches louder than your words, and your daily modeling of faith leaves a lasting impact on their spiritual formation.
c. Partnering with Parents
Kids Church is designed to support the family, not replace it. Parents and caregivers remain the primary spiritual influencers in a child’s life, and Kids Church exists to come alongside them by reinforcing and strengthening what is already happening at home. Our role is to partner with families in nurturing faith, not to carry the responsibility alone.
What we model on Sunday is meant to continue throughout the week. The prayers children learn, the truths they hear, and the spiritual practices they experience in Kids Church are intended to spark conversations at home. When parents reinforce these lessons through everyday moments—talking, praying, and reflecting together—faith becomes integrated into daily life rather than confined to one day a week.
This partnership creates consistency for children. When church and home are aligned, children receive a clear and unified message about faith, helping spiritual growth become natural, relational, and sustainable over time.
8. How We Measure Success in a kids church
In the Kids Church model, success is no longer measured only by how smoothly a lesson runs or how well a schedule is followed. While organization and preparation still matter, they are no longer the primary indicators of fruitfulness. A quiet room or a completed lesson does not automatically mean that spiritual growth is taking place.
Instead, we ask deeper discipleship-focused questions.
- Do children feel safe and welcomed in church?
- Do they talk to God naturally, without fear or pressure?
- Do they engage meaningfully in worship rather than merely observing?
- Are they building healthy friendships rooted in kindness and respect?
- Most importantly, do they want to return—not because they are required to, but because they feel connected and valued?
These questions reflect discipleship indicators, not classroom metrics. They help us discern whether faith is being formed over time through relationship, rhythm, and environment. When these signs are present, we can trust that spiritual growth is taking place, even if it is not immediately visible or measurable in traditional ways.
Closing: A Calling Worth Our Yes
As we step into this Kids Church model, we want to end with this reminder:
Children may not remember every lesson they hear.
They may not recall every song they sing.
But they will remember:
- who made them feel safe,
- who listened to them,
- who prayed with them,
- who reflected the love of God to them.
Kids Church is not about creating a perfect environment.
It is about creating a faith-forming environment.
It is not about controlling behavior.
It is about shepherding hearts.
It is not about preparing children for church someday.
It is about helping them experience being the church today.
So when you welcome a child,
when you kneel to their eye level,
when you pray with sincerity,
when you show patience and joy—
You are helping a child learn not only who God is,
but what it feels like to be loved by Him.
budi hidajat 