Kidifying the Message

I value God’s Word. I hope that all believers do. I believe it’s infallible. I think it’s perfect, not only in its composition and content, but in its ability to be a filter for how we should live our lives. It can’t be more relevant. It’s very important to me. Again, I think it’s perfect.

So why isn’t it connecting with kids the way it used to?

The answer is not a matter of scriptural relevance. It’s a matter of connecting enough with a child’s heart to a point that the relevance becomes important to them! We can’t make the Bible more relevant to our lives. The truth within is transformational. However, we must consider creative ways to make sure that it is even heard.

Consider this illustration:

A scientist invented the cure for a fatal disease. Early on, the decision was made to package the pills in plastic neon bottles that would stand out among other medicine bottles.  The scientist believed his medicine would change the world.

Simultaneously, A small town that happens to be surrounded by a wall has had an infestation of the disease to the point that all citizens inside are doomed to die. The town is closed off from the world.

OK, the story gets weird here, but the town only exists in black and white and can’t recognize anything in color. Just stay with me.

The scientist hears of the town and wants to help, but instead of changing the color of the bottles for fear that the value of the content might be diminished, he continues to hurl the neon bottles over the wall. The scientist increases the rate at which they catapult medicine bottles over the wall, but none are seen by the people inside. Eventually, to the dismay of the scientist, they all die.

Here are four parallel truths from this story:

1) The world kids live in today looks different than the world that existed only ten years ago. It’s drastically different from the culture of the 50s or 60s. They don’t see things the way most adults see things. In a sense, they are in a walled city that must be permeated with the truth of The Gospel.

2) The church has the cure. We have the truth that heals. We have the Word that reveals. We have the Messiah that Saves. The church can and should reach lost kids!

3) We often package Him up inside a culture with which we feel the most comfort. Perhaps it’s only what we know. In many cases, however, a decision was made that however we presented the message of hope in Christ in the past, that will always be the best way. We continue to hurl bottles over the wall into a village of children that don’t even recognize the help.

4) The value of the content does not have to be diminished by the changing of the delivery vessel.

Creative communication is critical to teaching of God’s Word. Look for ways to break in the culture of kids. Don’t be afraid to repackage the message to reveal its relevance in a child’s life.

It’s as important as getting the medicine for an incurable disease to those who need it.

Deliver it well.