Is your children's and youth ministry focused on the gospel?

On Thursday, I was again reading Creature of the Word by Geiger, Patterson, and Chandler. Chapter 8 is a great chapter that all children's and youth workers should read. It gives a perspective that we all need to consider. Here are some thoughts from the chapter:

"children and students are often pummeled with curriculum designed for behavioral modification rather than gospel transformation."

"Perhaps many churches fail to teach the gospel to children because law is more attractive. Law provides children's ministry leaders and parents with the false assurance that we are doing the right things, that we can check boxes off a spiritual checklist."

"A changed heart will result in obedience."

"So the hearts of children ultimately do not need protection but transformation."

"The "next big thing" mind-set regarding a student-ministry calendar fosters an unhealthy dependence on programs."

"While children's ministry can drift toward teaching for behaviors people want to see in children, student ministries tend to drift toward teaching against behaviors people don't want to see in teenagers."

"The gospel provides the greatest identity one can ever find. Because of the gospel, students can understand that they are His. Because of the gospel, students can walk in confidence. They are His child, His bride, His ambassador, His servant."

"If we are not careful, we will gather children and teenagers and go through the motions of Christian discipleship without a sense of the life-giving message and mission we have been given."