God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper

In the International Outreach breakout session this morning, Monroe Brewer, international director at the Center for Church Based Training, gave us a history lesson spanning about a thousand years. He told us the story of the Moravian church, beginning with the translation of the whole Bible into their language by Cyril and Methodius in the 800's and ending with the renewal of the church through the ministries of Count Zinzendorf and Christian David in the 1700's.

The perseverance of this church despite significant hardship can be linked to how they continued to successfully pass on their beliefs and values to their kids. So Brewer drew from this story several lessons regarding the education of children:

• A child's brain is meant to be used. Respecting children includes taking their minds seriously.
• Parents are the best teachers for their children. When others are involved in kids' education, it is still the parents responsibility.
• Moral discipline follows mental discipline.
• Children are special objects of Christ's concern. They have gifts like faith, humility, curiosity, and memory that adults have often largely grown out of.
• Music is a significant teaching tool. It is often better to sing than to lecture.
• Preparing a child to go on the mission field begins at birth or sooner through prayer.
• Though not everyone will be missionaries, everyone should be prepared to be.

He mentioned at the end that he has a list of missions activities for kids. When I get a hold of these, I will be sure to post them.