VISITATION
Relationship building is a priority for effective ministry;
and it's important that you develop a personal relationship
with the children you teach. It's not enough to merely deliver
lessons. Your kids need to see the Bible truths that you are
taking about put into action. They need to see the lessons alive
in your life.
The gospel was never meant to part of some
exclusive club. It was meant to be shared and talked about
in schools, streets and homes.
|
|
What is visitation? It's a program of going to the children's
homes and getting to know them and the challenges and joys of
their lives. It is simply developing a relationship with the
children and allowing them to see Jesus through you. It's accomplished
with a team of people who have a passion for helping this generation
and who are willing to be committed. Look for people willing
to care for kids with genuine involvement.
Determine the areas your ministry needs to visit and map out the neighborhoods. Mark
where the children live who are already a part of your Sidewalk Sunday School. Divide the
visitation areas among your team members involved in the program. Each child who attends
your Sidewalk Sunday School program should be visited each week.
The actual visit can be a simple reminder of what's going on in Sidewalk Sunday School
that week and a sincere query on how the child and her family is doing. Most of the time,
the children (or the parent) will respond by saying that everything is fine. However, as
the relationship and trust begin to grow, you'll get answers that reflect the real needs
of the family.
It's an opportunity to be a prayer partner for sicknesses, school problems, heartaches
and frustrations. It's meeting needs not only as a Christian but also as a trusted friend.
Most visits are a short one-minute stop, but you will have occasion to spend more time
when a family opens up and has specific needs.
You don't have to know all the problems and solve them during one visit. This is weekly
visitation, and you'll have many opportunities to do more.
Use visitation to invite new kids to come to your Sidewalk Sunday School program. Get
to know the people of the neighborhood. It's an excellent opportunity to be a witness.
When you see your "regulars" playing with their friends, get to know those kids
and invite them to the next Sidewalk Sunday School service. They'll be open to coming to
church with their friends.
Make sure that you introduce yourself to that prospective visitor's parents and explain
to them who you are. Visitation becomes an outreach as you meet the other people in the
neighborhood.
Finally, encourage the visitation team members. It can be tiring, lonely and
discouraging so you need to build them up. Share testimonies of what's happening as a
result of the visitation team's efforts. Let the members know that they are fulfilling one
of the most important jobs in the church. Keep the team moving forward with a positive
outlook as you serve Jesus together.
A few tips:
- Don't expect to know exactly what to do and how to handle every
situation, but be committed and faithful every week.
- Share the vision with others. Share the good report, have
them go with you, give them expectation by showing them a
neighborhood that needs them.
- Get teenagers involved. Committed teenagers make great role
models for the children you are working with.
- Remember, the goal is not to pass out as many flyers as possible
but to build relationships with people.
- Weekly visits show parents and children that you are faithful and
care about them.
- Build each week on previous visits, take interest in them, pray
for them there and then if the opportunity arises.
- Make sure your appearance is neat and clean. Always say
"hello". Remember to nod as you remind them about
the program and ask them if they are coming. Be
positive. Be ready to minister to the family as they open up
to you.
- Learn names, pray for them, remember specific things about each
child or their family. As your relationship develops be
prepared to listen as you become one of the few people they trust to
talk to about certain issues.
Ten musts of people you recruit to do visitation:
(from The Stereo Boom Box curriculum)
- Must be a dedicated Christian.
- Must be faithful and consistent regardless of weather or personal
recreational desires.
- Must be excited about your program.
- Must be loyal to God, the team and the people being visited.
- Must have compassion and be truly involved and concerned with the
lives of others.
- Must have a neat appearance.
- Must be a soul winner.
- Must set goals and be organized to achieve God's best.
- Must be a hard worker.
- Must have a positive attitude.
Visitation short-list.
(from The Stereo Boom Box curriculum)
- Devote time to prayer, consider your route.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in speech and action.
- Be ready for anything - especially surprises.
- Never talk to children from inside the car. Get out and
stand in the open.
- Be confident as you walk to the door. Walk quickly and
quietly.
- Knock loudly and step back from the door.
- Smile. Look them in the eye. Acknowledge them as a
friend.
- Know exactly what you are going to say.
- Carry a roster. Write down important information. Keep
it for later reference.
- Always leave a flyer with your ministry name & contact
information on it.
- Be sure to invite parents to the program and to church.
- Visitation, not relaxation. Avoid going in to sit down and
talk, it takes too much of your visitation time.
- Love those you visit. Let them see you really care.
- Give God the praise for what He does through you as you visit.
See also [Discipline] [Promotions] [Leading a Child to Christ] [Baptism in the Holy Spirit]
Got a question - don't hesitate to contact us! |
