Jesus-Centred Teaching

Alarmingly, many children in many churches will quit church just as soon as they can (Hemorrhaging Faith and Faith For Exiles). Why are so many children leaving the church as soon as they can?

There are many reasons, including the absence of Bible engagement and prayer at home. American Pastor Tony Evans says, “The single greatest reason why we are losing our young people today is that the home is no longer the place where faith is transferred.”

Another contributing factor to consider is that many children learn a lot about Christian behaviour and very little about Jesus. If children don’t get to taste and see that Jesus is a gazillion times better than anything this world offers, they will choose the things of the world.

If children don't get to taste and see that Jesus is a gazillion times better than anything this world has to offer, they will choose the things of the world. Share on X

To elaborate. Children are not experiencing the heart-stopping, breath-taking, mind-blowing Jesus because of a persistent focus on teaching isolated Bible stories with neat applications for particular age levels. The applications are mainly moralizing legalism. Telling children they must live a certain way will not draw them into the family of God. When they reach their teenage years with a belly full of morality and empty hearts, they will plan an exit strategy.

What can we do to amend this problem?

Four things:

Exercise critical supervision in selecting children’s ministry and Sunday School curriculum. Any curriculum that is moralistic and not Jesus-centred must be replaced.
Provide basic instruction in biblical theology. Many parents and teachers have received little or no training in telling children the whole Bible story as the story about Jesus.
Link isolated stories to Jesus’ story. The theme of the Bible, from the beginning to the end, is Jesus. At the very least, exit every Bible story connecting the children to Jesus.
Major on the Gospels. Jesus is most clearly revealed in the Gospels. Majoring in the Gospels makes it easier to focus on how a story or event testifies to Jesus. Highlighting Jesus should be essential to any lesson because the Scriptures are about Jesus (cf. John 5:39).

Stop giving children what they want (fun and games), and give them who they need (Jesus). Share on X

Are we training children to be addicted to Jesus or lesser things? Stop giving children what they want (fun and games), and give them who they need (Jesus). If your teaching methodology relies mainly on entertainment-based approaches, then the only way you’ll keep children in the church is by entertaining them better than the world can entertain them! As the pastor and author Carey Nieuwhof says, “Whatever you use to attract people is what you need to use to keep people.”

Paul himself taught nothing but Jesus! “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

Note the phrase “nothing … except Jesus Christ.” The implications are profound. The content of Paul’s teaching in the first-century church was “first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did – Jesus crucified” 1 Corinthians 2:2 (MSG). And what was the impact of this teaching? The church flourished, despite problems and persecution!

Let's stop cheapening what should be sacred! Jesus isn't a brand identity for what we do. Share on X

So, let’s stop cheapening what should be sacred! Jesus isn’t a brand identity for what we do. And He will never be palatable or popular by the world’s standards. Children’s ministry must be counter-cultural. Teach children “nothing … except Jesus Christ”, and teach it well. For the pure Gospel is more than enough for children to see Him.

The above is to say that when we do everything possible to immerse children in the words, works, and life-capturing love of Jesus, it’s unlikely they’ll leave the church.

Did you find this article on Jesus-centred teaching helpful? Share it with ministry colleagues and parents.

Living Like Jesus

Jesus Focused Children’s Ministry

Meeting Jesus

Two-Minute Training Video

What does the Bible say about teaching and learning?

For Further Reading

Connecting Children With the Bible

Summary

Many children are leaving the church as soon as possible, and the root causes include a lack of Bible engagement and prayer at home, as well as a focus on moralizing rather than on teaching about Jesus. To combat this, churches should prioritize Jesus-centred curricula, teach biblical theology, and emphasize the Gospels, centring the lessons on Jesus. Rather than focusing on entertainment, children’s ministry should aim to immerse children in the life-transforming message of the Gospel, ensuring they encounter Jesus in a way that fosters lifelong faith.

FAQ 1. Why are so many children leaving the church as they grow older?

Many children leave the church because their faith lacks a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Research suggests that factors such as limited Bible engagement at home, shallow discipleship, and teaching that emphasizes moral behaviour more than the Gospel can contribute to young people walking away from the church. A Jesus-centred approach to discipleship helps children develop a lasting, authentic faith.

FAQ 2. How can children’s ministry help kids build lifelong faith?

Children’s ministry can build lifelong faith by consistently pointing children to Jesus in every lesson, helping them understand the Bible as one unified story of redemption, and encouraging regular Bible reading, prayer, and Gospel-centred discipleship. Rather than relying primarily on entertainment, effective ministry helps children know, love, and follow Christ.

FAQ 3. Why should children’s ministry focus on Jesus instead of moral lessons?

Children’s ministry should focus on Jesus because the central message of Scripture is the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. While biblical character and obedience matter, lasting transformation comes through faith in Jesus, not merely trying to be a better person. Teaching every Bible story in light of the Gospel helps children understand God’s plan of salvation and strengthens their faith.

2 Corinthians 4:5