Posts by Daniel Watts
The “Real Life” Issues Children Face
When I was a young childrens church worker, my view of children was simple. They were cute, quick to learn and filled with spontaneous joy. I loved being with children, playing with them, talking with them, praying for them, teaching them and watching them respond to God’s Word. I still do. Then I realized that…
Read MoreThe Theology of Holding Babies
I had the opportunity to preach in my large church when I was a young children’s pastor. At the conclusion of the last service, one of the elders came up to me with kind words of encouragement. Then he said, “Daniel you like preaching, you’re completing your seminary studies…when are you going to move on…
Read MoreChildren Need the Local Church
I was meeting with one of our EGM supporters, just getting to know him. He told me that when he was 12 years old, he came downstairs to the kitchen one morning and found his mother lying on the floor. She had died suddenly and was gone. I was shocked. After a long silence, I…
Read MoreCan Children Be Disciples of Jesus?
If I survey my life, I find certain qualities that are not good. In fact, there are issues I have wrestled with my entire life. When my children were born and I began parenting them, I suddenly realized that those same qualities were evident in them. Apparently, they had picked them up from somewhere. Sometimes…
Read MoreThe Value of Simplicity When Teaching the Bible
After all the parties and celebrations, my friend took his family to dinner to celebrate his PhD. He had just graduated from USC. At the table, his eight-year old asked if his degree meant he could give people medicine. He replied, “No honey, it’s an academic doctorate.” Her response was, “Oh, so you’re a doctor…
Read MoreTransformational Ministry is Relational
Susan was the lesson planner and organizer. Cobb was the fun-loving, relational businessman. Everyone thought of her as the “teacher” and “children’s worker.” Cobb was just helping out. Each Sunday they would serve side-by-side. Whenever I would check in on them, I would observe Susan presenting the Bible truth, leading an activity or helping children…
Read MoreChildren Can – and Do – Respond to God
Years ago, I was asked to preach in a church in Quilpué, Chile. Before the sermon, they took an offering. The ushers had large, shallow straw bowls. Four of them stood in the front of the sanctuary. Down the pew from me was a young girl that looked to be about ten years old. She…
Read MoreChildren Are Excellent Teachers
Some of the greatest ministry being done in the world today is being done by children. Some of the most important lessons I have learned have been taught to me by boys and girls around the world. Sometimes we get so caught up in serving, teaching, pastoring and otherwise giving to children that we forget…
Read MoreThey Have God’s Full Attention
Four years ago, I completed a training session in Kisoro, Uganda. Several leaders asked me to walk with them to the nearby Potters Village Orphanage, run by the church. I was introduced to a little baby who was only hours old. His mother, a DR Congo refugee, had died in childbirth. There was no known…
Read MoreWhat is REAL Transformation?
Transformation has become a buzzword in our modern culture. The Uber phenomenon has “transformed” the modern business world. The Golden State Warriors have “transformed” professional basketball with the three-point shot. The e-book has “transformed” the literary world. Although those transformations are great, nothing compares to the transformation of a changed life! For Every Generation Ministries…
Read More