Reaching out to children?

Panthea

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I'm part of a very small church, 5 families (multi-generational) in total, 3 children ages 5-10. I was recently given control over the Sunday School class, and the kids I have, love the new material I've brought to them. I want to introduce more children to God through the new and more exciting material, I just don't know how to reach out to the community to get their attention. Our church is located in a historic part of town, and the busiest area for Trick-or-Treating. Each year we hand out candy with a flyer. This year I made posters announcing the new Sunday School material. I can't help feeling like I failed somehow, since not one new face showed up today. I know I can't give up but I need help on ideas to reach the community. Thank you in advance :)
 
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Do a similar activity where the church group has more time to talk with people and get to know them-- and the kids are involved in what you can offer. A picnic in the park where you can lead activities (with a microphone?)

I've seen youth groups with booths at festivals, doing face painting or selling lemonade, selling crafts to raise money for missions. People who are curious or truly interested will approach them, and that will provide a way for them to find out more about the church.

Since your focus is young kids, you could offer something for that age group. Even a parent's night out where you offer a class on a Friday night (with reservations so you know if you'll need helpers).

VBS always works wonderfully for larger churches. The kids are happy, the parents are happy. It shows the public what they can expect of the church, without a long-term obligation. That would put too much strain on the adults and teens for now, but you could keep that in mind as the church grows.
 
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Luna1991

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I'm part of a very small church, 5 families (multi-generational) in total, 3 children ages 5-10. I was recently given control over the Sunday School class, and the kids I have, love the new material I've brought to them. I want to introduce more children to God through the new and more exciting material, I just don't know how to reach out to the community to get their attention. Our church is located in a historic part of town, and the busiest area for Trick-or-Treating. Each year we hand out candy with a flyer. This year I made posters announcing the new Sunday School material. I can't help feeling like I failed somehow, since not one new face showed up today. I know I can't give up but I need help on ideas to reach the community. Thank you in advance :)

First and foremost I'd be praying! And you certainly haven't failed! You are passionately and humbly shadings God's message with these children. Who He chooses to bring to you and when they come is entirely up to God. Trust in Him and hand it over to His will - let go and let God! :)

You seem to be doing all the right things, it will just take time and trust. Could you put an advertisement in the local school newsletter?

My church also is small in numbers, and when I was teaching Sunday School the numbers could be very, very small some weeks. But we saw a lot of changes in numbers over the years - both growing and shrinking at times.
 
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beforHim

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Seems most churches advertise their kids programs to parents. if you're gonna do this, you MUST show the parents that bringing their kids there will be more than worthwhile. Why do parents take their kids to the er when their kid has had a terrible accident? Gotta make the church seem just as urgent.
 
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MissRowy

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Seems most churches advertise their kids programs to parents. if you're gonna do this, you MUST show the parents that bringing their kids there will be more than worthwhile. Why do parents take their kids to the er when their kid has had a terrible accident? Gotta make the church seem just as urgent.

But we don't want to shove religion down their throat. We have to make it inviting and exciting. I have worked with church groups before at a church where I grew up. The kids would come to the church after school and play games and sing songs as well has have afternoon tea.

Promoting a church kids club at Scripture is an ideal idea. I know because the Scripture teacher I was helping was promoting his kids club at the church every scripture lesson.
 
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beaverpond

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This is how we started our Awana Youth Program. First year we sent home flyers through the school and got 10 kids, sounds depressing. But wait, within a couple of months those kids were inviting their friends to club and by the end of the year we had 22 kids. Now we are year two, we started of with 20 kids and within a couple of months we were up to 30 kids and finished the year that way.

Now, we meet on Fridays after school. Because we are so close to the school, they bring the kids to us and drop them off at the corner and we walk with them to the church...like 700 feet. They do this for not only our elementary kids but those from the middle school as well. Sure the ones from the middle school get there way early, but we have an extra game time and snack time with them as well as some other activities. We work with kids from grades K-6. We are going to add in grades 7 & 8 next year and two years later we will add in all of the high school.
 
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