Course Purpose

This course is designed to help you gain an awareness of the wide variety of churches and church-related contexts in both urban and rural Kenya as they specifically relate to children. It further explores the relationships between the child and the church. It begins with an overview of the child in the bible and the significance of the child in the biblical narrative, the child’s participation in the faith story of the Bible, and the child as God’s frequent instrument in the revealing and outworking of His purpose. Through the course, we seek to develop professionals skilled in the theory and practice of missions for committed service with children and families in a dynamic world. You will be equipped with basic and effective methods to evangelize children's institutions.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

1. describe the term ‘church’
2. explain what the bible says about children;
3. evaluate the challenges and risks that children face;
4. discuss the role of the church in responding to the needs of children;
5. appraise a wide variety of ministry models, looking especially at ways in which the church participates in child development both within the local church confines and in the wider community;
6. devise methods and strategies which would encourage churches to play a greater role in community-based initiatives, as well as improve their own programs for children.
7. design a culturally sensitive child evangelism and discipleship program for deployment in a local church;