“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:16–17
Ministry to Children
Arlington Baptist Church (ABC) warmly welcomes children and families. Psalm 127:3 tells us that “children are a heritage from the Lord.” It is our goal at ABC to create a safe and loving environment in which the children entrusted to our care are able to learn about the character of God, discover biblical truth, and see what it means to follow Jesus Christ. While the responsibility for the spiritual instruction of children is given by God primarily to parents in the context of the family, the church should be a useful partner in both equipping parents in doing such instruction and in proclaiming the gospel to those children when they are with the church body.
Mission
The children’s ministry of Arlington Baptist Church exists to glorify God by:
- Supporting and encouraging parents, who are primarily responsible for teaching biblical truths to their children (Ephesians 6:4).
- Making the whole counsel of Scriptures known to children with a special emphasis on the gospel (Deuteronomy 6:6–9; Romans 1:16–17).
- Praying for the children and relying on the Holy Spirit to regenerate their hearts through the faithful teaching of His Word (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:4–10).
- Living faithfully before the children and modeling for them how Christians are called to respond to God, and interact with others, and the world around us (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1).
Vision
It is our hope that our children, who are precious, being made in the image of God, and yet spiritually dead, are presented with the glory of God in Christ through the Bible and won by saving grace through faith in Jesus. Then, having received new life as young believers, grow and mature in their faith in Christ to the point of willingly and joyfully laying their own lives down for the sake of others, whether children or adults, whether across the street or around the world, so that all people everywhere will come to know and delight in God. This rugged, God-entranced, Bible-saturated, Christ-exalting faith of the child will hopefully fuel a passion for Jesus and a zeal for missions that will, Lord willing, be unquenchable and unending.
Classes
We offer classes and care for children during our Sunday School Hour (9:30am–10:15am) and our Morning Service (10:30am–12:00pm).
Sunday School (9:30am–10:15am)
Nursery (Ages 0–2): **No nursery at this time during Sunday School. Parents are invited to bring their young children with them to the adult discipleship class.**
Pre-School Sunday School Class (Ages 3 – Pre-K): This class focuses on a combination of free play, a short structured lesson, and related activities. The core curriculum currently being used is:
- The Gospel Story Curriculum
"The Gospel Story for Kids is a unique, three-year program that helps churches and families ground children in the gospel story from Genesis to Revelation. Children who began this program at age three will have learned and absorbed the gospel story from Genesis to Revelation three complete times. At each age level children are taught the gospel through age-appropriate illustrations, activities, coloring pages, object lessons, and memorization using the Gospel Story Sunday school curriculum, an illustrated children’s storybook Bible, The Gospel Story Bible, and two family-friendly devotionals, Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God (OT) and Old Story New: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God."
Lower Elementary Sunday School Class (Kindergarten – 2nd Grade): This class uses the same curriculum as the preschool class but is taught in a manner more appropriate for older children. The lessons are presented using a variety of engaging formats.
Upper Elementary Sunday School Class (3rd – 5th Grade): This class focuses on an age appropriate study of systematic theology using the Praise Factory Curriculum. The children study a “Big Idea” over three weeks using a story from the Old Testament, the New Testament and Christian history. The lessons are presented using a variety of engaging formats.
Morning Worship Service (10:30am–12:00pm)
Nursery (Ages 0–2): This class is a structured nursery environment where basic child care is provided in a safe and secure environment. There is a short lesson read and Bible songs are sung in an age appropriate manner.