Treat every kid like they are made in the image of God.

As a parent there are three types of information you are supposed to know:

• information you are supposed to know but no one told you,
• information you are supposed to know but changed,
• information tucked away in a parenting book you read 10 years ago

Reasons why we miss phases:
1. We don’t see what we don’t see

• We have to pay attention because our role is redefined at every phase.
• Preschool asks, “Am I able?”
• Your role with a preschooler is to EMBRACE. Help her understand what it means to be loved unconditionally
• Elementary asks, “Do I have what it takes?”
• Your role is to ENGAGE his interests. Help them understand their experiences.
• Middle school asks, “Who do I like?”
• Your role is to AFFIRM. Help them get through difficult and confusing circumstances. You can help them own their own faith and value community.
• High school asks, “Why should I believe you?”
• Your role is to MOBILIZIE her. Help her figure out who she is and what she is called to do.

2. We don’t remember what we don’t remember.

Themes help us make the difference in how we see kids. One belief that can help how we see kids:

• They are made in the image of God.
• No one should feel more comfortable and welcomed at church as a kid.
• People can do amazing things not because they believe what we believe but because they are made in the image of God.

Treat every kid like they are made in the image of God.

3. We don’t anticipate what you don’t anticipate.

It’s important for us as leaders to understand the timeline and what is going on and what can happen at every phase.

• Four out of every 10 preschoolers live without fathers.
• Two out of every 10 girls get sexually abused.
• One in 10 kids start cutting in middle school.
• One in 10 kids start becoming sexually active in middle school.
• Starting at 30 percent in 9th grade, the percentage of students who become sexually active jumps 10 percent every year.

Tim Walk is the high school pastor at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He, his wife and two kids live outside of Atlanta and he blogs with a team of youth pastor www.youthpastoru.org . You can follow him on twitter @walkthetim.