By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Ken Hindman believes there can be, and should be, more to teaching children about God than reading a Bible story and passing out Goldfish.
Hindman, children’s pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, has spent years developing a teaching method that can be applied by parents, children’s workers and church leaders as they engage in teaching children and youth about the Lord and the Bible. Hindman outlined these concepts in the book Every Age, Every Stage, Teaching God’s Truth at Home and Church, which he co-authored with Landry Holmes, manager of Lifeway Kids Ministry Publishing, and Jana Magruder, director of Lifeway Kids.
Hindman shared some of his thoughts on the topic and discussed the book during a recent webinar hosted by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. During the session, Hindman stressed the importance of teaching children in an “age suitable” manner. He noted that teaching the Bible isn’t a “one size fits all” concept — which is the focal point of Every Age, Every Stage.
“(The book) is based on the principle that kids and teens learn and comprehend concepts differently as they grow in maturity,” he said.
Vicki Hulsey, childhood specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said Hindman’s teaching method is vital for churches, which is one reason she felt the webinar was so important.
“I was so excited for pastors, discipleship pastors, ministers of education and next-gen ministry leaders to have the opportunity to learn about this valuable resource,” she said. “(Every Age, Every Stage) provides a consistent framework for learning from infancy through high school. Adding to that, the book has the potential to equip churches and families to champion discipleship for ‘every age and every stage’ represented in their congregations.”
Hindman’s book examines biblical truths in 10 concept areas: Creation, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Bible, salvation, church, people, family, community and world.
Hindman noted during the webinar that teaching children about the Lord is a mission that he not only embraces, but truly enjoys.
“I love what I do,” he said. “I love the opportunity to impact families. The most important responsibility I have is to teach Biblical truths at church that partners with what mamas and daddies are doing at home.”
Hulsey said Hindman has done an excellent job in accomplishing that goal. She said she especially enjoys the fact that Every Age, Every Stage is more extensive than some of the systems used in the past.
“I have had the opportunity to train church leaders using the ‘Levels of Biblical Learning’ since the late 1990s,” she said. “Up until the past couple of years, the Levels of Biblical Learning (LOBL) provided a consistent framework for learning from infancy through Grade Six. For many years, we hoped to see the LOBL expanded to encompass age groups all the way through high school.”
Hindman said writing the book was “an incredible, life-changing experience” and he hopes the book will continue to impact parents and teachers who are seeking effective ways to grow closer to the Lord. He noted that the process isn’t always easy, and said there is often some trial and error involved.
“When you are a new parent with a new baby, you have to learn how to take care of their needs,” he said. “And the same applies to his/her spiritual needs.”
During his 27 years of services in preschool and children’s ministry, Hindman has served in four Tennessee Baptist churches, as well as churches in Alabama, Texas, and Georgia. He and his wife, Kristina, live in Arlington with their two sons, Mack (21) and David (19).
He is the creator of Marketplace — a hands-on biblical learning experience for kids — and has also designed a variety of programs for preschoolers, children, and families. The list includes: Resurrection Journey, Kid$ense, Creation Station, TeamKID Camp, Fall Fun Fest and Journey to Bethlehem.
Hindman noted that children, perhaps now more so than ever before, are being bombarded with so many different messages from the secular world. His goal is “to present parents with some guidelines” to teach Biblical stories and principles — lessons that he hopes will continue long after elementary school.
“It’s about building relationships of communications,” he said. “This is a great resource for your family to open a line of discussions.”
Hulsey said she believes parents can benefit greatly from applying these methods at home.
“Many parents recognize their responsibility of teaching their children about the Lord, but they feel inadequate to do it,” she said. “As a result, parents often send their children to Sunday School, a church daycare, or a Christian school to ensure they receive quality biblical instruction.”
Hulsey said there is value in having others (from outside the family) teach biblical instruction to children — but the process should not stop there, she said.
“Deuteronomy 6 reminds us that while the church does share some responsibility for the spiritual growth of children, God is very specific about the responsibility of parents to teach biblical truths to their children,” she said. “Being a leader of preschoolers, children, preteens, or youth at church means much more than teaching Bible truths.”
She said this is what makes Hindman’s book, and his method, so critical.
“As Next Gen leaders, it is a must to recognize the primary role of parents and work to become partners with the home through praying for parents, developing relationships with parents, and equipping parents by providing training and resources,” she said. B&R