More Than Just an Award:
God and Country as Christian Education and
Outreach
Young
people who participate in the God and Country program grow
stronger in faith and in service to God. True, they receive an
award, but they receive many more benefits that come from
studying the Bible, working with an adult Christian, getting to
know their pastor, and designing their own projects to reinforce
Bible lessons.
God and Country means…
Ø Christian Education –
God
and Country is Bible based curriculum that requires students to
read scripture and answer questions about the Bible. God and
Country can support a congregation’s Christian Education
department.
Ø Family Involvement –
Most
church programs are very age segregated and separate the
children and youth from the adults. God & Country helps the
family to interact together and to share their faith with each
other. God & Country includes an adult mentor component
designed to strengthen intergenerational sharing between
adult/parent and child. Families enjoy the time learning
together about God. Parents are often surprised at how eager
their children are to learn about God and to pray together as a
family.
Ø Getting to Know the Pastor –
Although the pastor isn’t the one necessarily teaching the
class, it is the pastor who reviews the students’ work and gives
final approval upon completion of the program. Students enjoy
connecting with their pastor.
Ø Service Projects
– Students are challenged to put their faith into action. They
choose or design their own projects. Service projects are often
targeted toward the family, congregation, and community. Here
are some sample projects: planning a game night or special night
for the family, cleaning the toys in the church nursery, working
in a local food pantry, serving meals for the homeless, holding
a toy drive for the church day care center, etc.
Ø Community Outreach
– Congregations that promote their God & Country classes through
the scouting community are reaching out to scouting families
that may not have church homes. These parents want their
children to earn their award, and in the process they discover
how hungry their children are for the Gospel. God & Country is
a friendly, non-threatening way to get families into your church
building and connected with your people. It can be an
additional tool for your outreach ministry.
Ø Real results and the Potential to Change Lives
– God & Country has helped families
re-examine their priorities. Parents realize they need to
take time for faith development, to pray with their children, to
talk about God. As a result, parents also share how they
have seen changes in their children and in the way family
members interact with each other. Family members are
closer to each other and to God.
What others
have said about God and Country
Ø “We
are not regular church goers, and this program has developed my
daughter’s interest. I didn’t know how eager she was to learn
about God.” – parent
Ø
“I am very impressed with the material. I will likely use it as
a discipleship curriculum for my church.” – Pastor
Ø “Through
the God & Me program, my son and wife decided to be baptized
into the church…Thank You!”
Ø “We
feel more open and confident in discussing our faith and
beliefs.” – parent
Ø
“My son was able to forgive his step-father…which has brought
all of us closer.” – parent
Ø “Once
a family or individual from our scouting ministry visits our
Church, they find something that ministers to their family
here. Scouting remains our main outreach ministry and we
continue to develop nurturing ministries to keep those families
coming back again and again.” – Pastor
Ø
Garrett loved reading his Bible and learning more about God. We
all agreed to find time for a family devotion time as a result.
– Arlington, TX
Ø “I
learned a lot of Bible stories. I like looking things up in my
Bible!” – Recipient of the God and Family award
Ø
What I remember best was going to the nursing home. It was fun,
and I felt like I was doing something to help out.” – Recipient
of the God and Church award
Ø
I really didn’t know if I could learn the Lord’s Prayer, but I
just kept saying “I think I can” and I did! I liked
learning about God. – Recipient of the God and Me award
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