Teaching Kids Theology Part 15
TLDR: The doctrine of the church and the doctrine of last things are interwoven; the church exists to continue Jesus’ ministry until he returns. This mission includes children, who share the same calling of living on mission for Christ wherever they go.
Perhaps one of the most startling statements God made in the Bible is what he told Adam in Eden, that it wasn’t good for him to be alone (Genesis 2:18).1 It’s jarring really. On the heels of the refrain “it was good” that courses throughout Genesis 1, God deems something not good. And that should stop us in our tracks. Adam had God, of course, but God had more in mind for Adam. God knew Adam needed a companion.
In Genesis 2, we see that God hard-wired us for relationship, primarily with him but with each other too. And while that often manifests itself in the form of marriage and family, God has given us another crucial relationship in the church, a relationship that all believers partake in.
When we think of the church, we can think of it in two ways. First, it’s all believers of all time. This is often called the universal or invisible church. Second, the church is the believers in one specific time and place who gather regularly. This is called the local or visible church. The church isn’t perfect, but Jesus died for the church, loves the church, and he is returning for the church one day.
The doctrine of the church is a field called ecclesiology, and the doctrine of Jesus’ return or of last things, is an area of study called eschatology. These two doctrines are tightly intertwined. The church exists to complete the mission that Jesus began two thousand years ago as we wait for his return. What started out as a handful of believing Jews in and around Jerusalem has spread around the world, but as long as the sun rises in the east and there are people who haven’t trusted in Christ, we have work to do.
That work will end one day though. One day—no one knows when it will be—Jesus will return to earth. The first time he came as the suffering servant; when he returns, he will come as the conquering king. And on that day, Jesus will end all that is wrong. Sin, rebellion, suffering, and death will be no more. He will repair and restore everything that sin broke. Every wrong will be made right. This is a great day of hope—but only for those who have trusted in Jesus, his church. For all others, this will be a day of great mourning. Our calling is to follow Christ’s guidance to do whatever we can to make that latter group as small as possible—prayerfully non-existent.
As you talk through these doctrines with your kids, be sure to cast a two-way vision: The return of Jesus fills us with great hope, but it should also compel us to live out the mission he gave us—while there is time. Each follower of Jesus—including a believing child—is part of the church and takes part in its shared mission to reach the world with the gospel. As such, help your children understand that they have a role to play in and through the church. Don’t let them see themselves as Junior Christians, or as a B Team. God wants so much more for them!
If you are looking for a resource to help you grow as a theologian and to help you teach your children theology, Faith Foundations is for you. These ninety-nine devotions use an ancient tool called a catechism to teach the core doctrines of the faith. Each devotion features a Bible reading, a devotion, several engaging questions, a Jesus connection, and a suggested family activity. Faith Foundations is now available for purchase.
- This blog post is a slightly adapted excerpt from Faith Foundations. (Brian Dembowczyk, Faith Foundations: 99 Devotions to Help Your Family Know, Love, & Act Like Jesus. Downers Grove: IVP, 2025.) ↩︎
brian dembowczyk 