Chuck Yeager was a legend in the aviation world, being credited with breaking the sound barrier for the first time in October of 1947.
A few years ago, he was in the waiting area of an airport waiting to board a flight. He noticed an elderly man wearing a 101st airborne hat also waiting to board the flight. He walked over to the man and struck up a conversation.
He discovered that the man had parachuted behind the landing beaches at Normandy on D-Day in 1944 and jumped again in Operation Market Garden to liberate Belgium later that same year. He had also been on the ground in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
When they boarded the flight, the pilots and crew were doting over Yeager, and he asked to make an announcement through the plane’s PA system. He took the mic and announced to the entire flight who he was and that they had a “real” hero on board, ………. the man who had served in the 101st Airborne Division.
He cited the gentleman’s accomplishments and then invited the elderly man to the front and to the applause of the entire plane, Yeager gave the man his seat in first class and took the man’s seat in the back of the plane.
This kind of humble, servant leadership was on Jesus’ mind as He was teaching His disciples in Mathew 23.
“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So, you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:1-12 NIV)
This passage stands as bedrock truth for Christian leaders today. It was certainly a rebuke to the status-seeking of the Jewish leaders, whom He cites in the passage (vv. 1-7).
It also was a challenge to His own disciples who harbored visions of grandeur working at His side. It was seminal truth regarding Christian leadership.
Truth teaching is a crucial element of a transformational children’s ministry. We have shown this in one of the passages that speaks directly about how to develop a life-changing children’s ministry (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), teaching the truth of God’s Word is foundational.
In fact, teaching God’s Word is the skeleton on which all the other elements of a life-changing children’s ministry hang. We see this so clearly throughout Jesus’ ministry with Peter. We have already looked at Jesus' relational ministry approach with Peter and His use of experiential activities with Peter.
Now we see Jesus’ consistent truth teaching in His ministry with Peter. In this passage we notice two common characteristics of Jesus’ truth teaching.
Correcting a Misunderstanding
A misunderstanding had developed among God’s people, specifically their leaders.
Humility, dependence on God, servanthood, and considering others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3) had been replaced by another leadership model.
This model was characterized by pride (vs. 5), recognition, the primacy of place (vs. 6), being honored and recognized (vs. 6), titles (vs. 7), and a decided lack of humility and dependence on God. Most disturbing was the hypocrisy (vs.4) that found them teaching one thing and living something else.
And so, Jesus goes about correcting this misunderstanding regarding the kind of leadership that God values. Piece by piece He deconstructs their leadership, pointing out the many failings of the Jewish leadership.
To label it “correcting a misunderstanding” is to put it mildly.
This is characteristic of truth teaching in a life-changing children’s ministry where so many boys and girls have developed misunderstandings about a great many things.
Here are a few I have run into:
- God is not an angry person looking to punish sinners.
- Jesus was not just a nice guy who taught some good things.
- Bad things shouldn’t happen to good people.
- We can hide our sins from God.
- There are certain things that are too bad for God to forgive.
- People sin but it’s really my fault.
- The Bible has stories that did not or could not happen.
This list could go on, but you get the idea.
Like Jesus did with Peter, a children’s ministry leader has to teach God’s Word and help correct these kinds of misunderstandings.
When we incorporate this idea into our Bible teaching, God brings transformation to the lives of children.
Truth, Crucial for Peter
Not only does Jesus correct a poor understanding of leadership, but He also offers a new vision for godly leadership.
He teaches Peter and the others that they should not adopt titles of status and self-aggrandizement (vs. 8). Godly leaders draw attention to Christ and not themselves (vs. 8). They consider others as family (vs. 9) and they give credit to Christ in their instruction (vs. 10).
He concludes by teaching the overarching principle that leadership means humility and a servant’s heart (vv. 11-12).
Closing Thoughts
Effective truth teaching is not simply focused on correcting falsehoods but rather offers a new vision for living the life that God intends.
God’s Word has the keys to meaningful life and children’s ministry leaders are teaching Bible truth in a manner that guides children into godly living.
This last spring, we had a wonderful lesson on “honoring your father and mother in the LORD” (Exodus 20:12).
It was Mother’s Day and so the emphasis was on honoring our mothers. The Bible teaching was on the meaning of “honoring” and included thankfulness, interest in our mothers’ lives, obedience, and caring for our mothers.
As part of the lesson, we prayed for our mothers and many of their prayers were heartfelt, sincere, and simply precious. We made them Mother’s Day cards that had an assortment of lovely wishes, Bible verses, and unique artwork! 
After the class, each child was given a “Learn About Your Mom” sheet to interview their mom. I watched as the children took their moms aside and discovered for the first time their mom’s favorite color, food, and Bible verse, their best childhood memory, and best childhood vacation.
I watched with joy as they put “honor your mother” into action.
We have shown how truth teaching is found throughout the Bible and is an essential element of a life-changing children’s ministry:
- Smooth Stone #3: Jesus and the Truth
- Smooth Stone #3: Paul and the Truth
- Smooth Stone #3- God and Moses (Truth)
Make teaching God’s Word the center of your ministry this weekend and watch God’s work in the lives of children.