More than 1,100 children's ministry leaders joined us for the 2007 Children Desiring God Conference in Minneapolis. Our theme was chosen out of a desire to lead children toward a biblical understanding of salvation. The nature of our evangelistic appeals, the words we use to explain salvation, and the assumptions we make in teaching children will shape their understanding of the gospel for years to come. We must faithfully lead the next generation in truth, lest we unwittingly misguide our children. Plenary speakers included Wayne Grudem, C.J. Mahaney, John Piper, and David and Sally Michael. In addition, a number of seminars provided practical help and encouragement for parents, teachers, leaders, and all who are invested in ministry to children.
Standing on the Truth: How Great a Salvation
Conference Welcome (12 minutes)
David Michael
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God is the Gospel (58 minutes)
John Piper
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Teaching the Richness of the Entire Gospel, part 1 (67 minutes)
Wayne Grudem
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Teaching the Richness of the Entire Gospel, part 2 (65 minutes)
Wayne Grudem
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Extravagant Devotion (67 minutes)
C.J. Mahaney
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John Angell James: Pursuing the Souls of the Next Generation (69 minutes)
David Michael
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Leadership Focus
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers: Choosers Can't Be Beggars (81 minutes)
How can you turn recruiting from headache into joy? How can you see greater retention of current volunteers
from year to year? Answering these questions is one of the goals of this workshop for leaders in children's
ministry. We will take a look at a number of "keys" for recruiting and retaining volunteers that are time-tested
and biblical.
Craig and Kathy Sturm
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10 Unexpected Man-Centered Causes of Family Tension (67 minutes)
It's difficult enough to encounter a problem in the family when you know what's at the bottom of it.
It's all the more difficult when the root causes are not faced and addressed. If you want some ideas
to help you and your parents to redirect their energies to the CAUSES of and SOLUTIONS for family tension,
this seminar is designed for you.
Sam Crabtree
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Implementing CDG Curriculum in Your Church (77 minutes)
Implementing the CDG curriculum in a church flows from a vision for the next generation. This seminar will
present principles and questions that need to be considered along with assistance in developing a plan for
your church.
Ian and Nina Fry
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Vision-Driven Children's Ministry Leadership: Knowing & Living Out Your Vision (71 minutes)
This workshop is designed to help leaders in children's ministry think through how to lead with vision and
not just be driven by the tyranny of the urgent or the expediency of the activities. The workshop will unpack
two main ideas: 1) to lead with vision, you must have a vision; and 2) to lead with vision, you must be willing
to put your vision into action.
Craig Sturm
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Partnering with Parents (85 minutes)
What does it mean to partner with parents in ministering to children and youth? This seminar will describe a
model for partnering with parents in ministry to children and youth that recognizes the parents' God-given
responsibility and the unique position of the church in equipping and resourcing parents.
David Michael
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Are They "In The Faith"? Helping Young People to "Test" and "See" (85 minutes)
Children raised in a Christian home with parents who faithfully bring them to church can learn how to behave
like a Christian without being one. Often these children "accept Jesus" when they are very young, and
subsequently assume they are Christians even when there is little evidence of new birth as they mature.
In this seminar, we will consider a strategy for how to involve parents in preparing young people for
baptism (or confirmation) in a way that encourages them to "examine" themselves to see whether they are in
the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
David Michael
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Starting CDG Curriculum in a Small-Medium Sized Church (85 minutes)
This seminar will address some practical questions and allow time for your questions. How do I combine classes?
How do I get enough teachers? How can I assist my leadership and our congregation catch the vision and support
change? How can we keep the vision alive?
Karen McDermott
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Training Focus
Teaching to Reach the Heart (64 minutes)
Teaching truth is the first step to building children strong in the Lord. We also must aim our teaching to engage
a heart response in children. Teaching tips will be presented to shepherd children's heart response toward
Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Ian Fry
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Leading Children To A Solid Faith: Preparing Children to Hear the Gospel (74 minutes)
This workshop will explain some principles for leading children to salvation gleaned from a pastor and father of the
1800s. The insights from this man are a stark contrast to the "easy believe-ism" tendency in modern child evangelism.
Sally Michael
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Preschool Teaching (93 minutes)
Preschoolers are very impressionable. How many people do you know who trace the awakening of their faith
back to their preschool years? This seminar will present an overview of preschool ministry with biblical
foundations and ideas for structuring the Sunday school hour.
Connie Oman
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Really Worship GOD: The Call of Christ to the Hearts of our Children (76 minutes)
Can unregenerate children really worship God? Come find out why leading children in worship is NOT
an exercise in hypocrisy. Learn to use music as a means of awakening children to know, love, and
rejoice in the one true God.
Gil McConnell
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Making Your Point: Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing (82 minutes)
Do your children leave knowing the main point of each lesson? Preparing and teaching a lesson is a lot of work;
this seminar will present techniques to make sure your students know what the lesson was all about.
Jim Tomaszewski
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Preschool Lesson Preparation & Training (62 minutes)
Teaching preschoolers is a unique privilege and challenge. Come to this hands-on presentation
to learn how to prepare and present a lesson.
Connie Oman & Holly Urbanski
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Elementary Lesson Preparation & Presentation (85 minutes)
Teaching children is a privilege from God. Teaching them well is dependent on heart preparation,
studying the lesson before teaching and effective presentation. New teachers and experienced
teachers will benefit from this seminar.
Jill Nelson
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Teaching Youth: Watch Out For Your Method (49 minutes)
McLuhan wrote: The medium IS the message. Hmmm ... Is he right when it comes to biblical instruction?
Does your method make that big of a difference in what youth learn? This session is aimed at giving
practical direction in making the instruction of youth effective and fruitful.
Sam Crabtree
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Intergenerational Teaching (83 minutes)
This seminar gives a theology and a philosophy of intergenerational teaching, followed by many
practical suggestions. Also includes a testimony from a leader of a successful intergenerational small group.
Sally Michael
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How the Truth is Caught: Leading Application Time (84 minutes)
Leading application time is the most challenging part of the Sunday School hour. Applying truths of the
Bible lesson to the everyday life of children is essential. This seminar will help you learn how to ask
questions, how to engage children in spiritual conversation, and how to encourage children to respond
to the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Linda McIntire
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Introduction to CDG Curriculum and Sequence (88 minutes)
Are you new to the CDG curriculum? Come for an overview explaining how the curriculum sequence
fits together for building the faith of children. The components of a teacher's kit will be
introduced for better understanding and implementation of this unique curriculum.
Jim Tomaszewski
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Presenting the Gospel to Children (77 minutes)
Preschoolers are very impressionable. How many people do you know who trace the awakening of their faith
back to their preschool years? This seminar will present an overview of preschool ministry with biblical
foundations and ideas for structuring the Sunday school hour.
Jill Nelson
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Leading Children in Worship (84 minutes)
Singing songs or leading in worship? Practical aspects of planning and leading worship
times with children will be presented, including: structuring worship time; selecting songs;
using instruments and movement; and encouraging leadership in children.
Pam Grano
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Scripture Memory: God's Tool for Persevering in the Faith (77 minutes)
This seminar will provide a biblical mandate, inspirational encouragement, practical resources,
and instructive helps for training children in Scripture memory. Adults too, need instruction
and encouragement in Scripture memory. Suggestions for a church-wide Bible memory program will
be included.
Kathi Westlund
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