OUR HEART FOR CHILDREN
At Peine Ridge Church we believe that children are a blessing. We don't say that because it sounds good. We actually get that from the Bible. Psalm 127:3-5 says:
" 3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one�s youth. 5Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
We know that parenting can be difficult at times, but it's also a great blessing to raise up children who both know God and obey their parents. So where do we learn how to raise up children like this? Unfortunately our kids don't come with a personal instruction manual. There is good news though! God's Word, the Bible, tells us everything we need to know about parenting. If we want to know why our kids act the way they do (especially when they drive us crazy) the Bible can tell us. If we want to know how to raise kids who are honest, well- educated, kind, generous, patient, and disciplined, we mustn't look any further than the wisdom of Scripture. As parents, we must seek to understand and educate our children, and this can only happen through the understanding of God's Word.
Because of this, the vision that will drive our efforts with children at Peine Ridge Church will center around the equipping of parents. History and personal experience will confirm that parents are the most influential agents for change in the life of a child. By God's design, you are the most suited and best equipped to raise your kids. Coaches, teachers, and boy scout leaders may have an impact on your children, but they won't shape their faith and character like you can. At Peine Ridge Church, we recognize this, and find our foundations for this type of thinking in the Bible. In Deuteronomy 6, parents are encouraged to teach their children the ways of God,
"When you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Likewise, in Ephesians 6, fathers are challenged to,
"bring up [their children] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
These commandments aren't applied to your child's school counselor or youth pastor; they are applied to you as the parent. Why? Because the Bible is a book of God's sovereign wisdom. The Creator of the universe not only created your child, but He knows exactly what they need.
At Peine Ridge Church, we believe that the church�s primary role with our children is to value, support, equip, encourage, and hold accountable the primary role of parents. We will do this by: encouraging parents to lead their children in consistent family worship times at home (consisting of Bible reading, teaching, singing, and prayer); instructing parents on how to faithfully train their children through corrective discipline; and by exhorting parents to actively partner with the local church for the continual spiritual growth of themselves and thier children. What does this look like practically? The Peine Kids children's ministry focuses on children ages 0-Kdg. This ministry exists to prepare children for their participation in the corporate worship service, as well as assisting parents in formative biblical education. Peine Kids will also provide activities and events for children of all ages that help parents connect with, have fun with, minister with, and experience God together with their children.
This approach will be difficult and will challenge the patience of parents, but we also believe it will prove fruitful in the days and years ahead, for generations to come. At first glance, it may appear to some that our love for children at Peine Ridge Church is not that strong because we don't focus the bulk of our attention on activities and programs geared towards educating and entertaining kids. As you get to know us though, we hope you will see that we actually love them deeply and intentionally. This can most vividly be seen in our willingness to be "inconvenienced" by them temporarily for the hope of faith that will abound generationally.