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St. Mark DC Children & Youth Ministry

Message Crafting Format

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Title: Should Be specific
Bible Base/Memory Verse: Include the memory verse AND the underlying Bible passage of the message
Spiritual Book/Sermon: This helps you to personally receive a message and also helps provide you with materials
Purpose of the Message: This is different from the spiritual aim. For example, the purpose of a lesson on Jonah is that the children learn the story of Jonah
Spiritual Aim:
The spiritual aim answers the question: How should my life be different if I believe everything in this message?
NOTE: Repentance (change of behavior) is the goal of every lesson. NOT a discussion on repentance.
NOTE: My purpose is to bring Jesus Christ. Any lesson that doesn’t lead to Christ is worthless
Introduction: The purpose of the intro is to engage the audience in the message. Focus on the needs of the audience as a start. Start with something familiar to them so you can take them to what they don’t know or understand.
Beware of:
•  Long introduction = loss of audience concentration/attention
•  NEVER start with: “ today we will talk about”
•  Intro above or below your audience level leads to confusion or loss of attention
Message:
•  Support the spiritual aim with 3 or 4 principles not points
o  Points are predictable & boring
o  Principles are truths that apply to all
o  EXAMPLE: A message from the story of Jonah can be divided as follows: (calling, rebellion, judgment, repentance) – this is not important to me as a listener. However,
▪  Instead of call: God always wants to speak to those who want to hear
▪  Instead of Rebellion: he is a fool who thinks he’s wiser than God
▪  Instead of Judgment: You cannot run from God
▪  Instead of repentance: You always have a chance to change
•  THEN build around each principle:
o  State, explain, apply and illustrate (with a story or activity/craft/video)
Activities:
•  Can be in the introduction, but activities throughout the message help you keep the audience attention
Conclusion: This is you final chance to wrap up the lesson in strong way, like the closing argument in a court of law.
•  Do NOT take it lightly
•  Do NOT introduce new things
•  Do NOT repeat the whole lesson
Homework:
•  Apply knowledge to life
•  Homework as to be SMART
o  Specific
o  Measurable
o  Attainable
o  Relevant
o  Time-bound(gives audience enough time to finish it)
•  Do NOT give theoretical homework: love everyone
•  Do NOT Give more than one: pray, fast, love – this is confusing and audience will not do it.
•  You have to follow up
o  This is a part of discipleship
o  Try to help the children turn the homework to a habit. (Usually takes 1 – 2 Months). Thoughts turn to feelings. Feelings turn to actions. Actions become habits. And Habits become part of one’s character.