Matt, Taylor, and Denver welcome Dr. Theresa Roberts (professor at Ozark Christian College) to discuss why children’s ministry is vital to a healthy church.Roberts argues that the most significant formation happens in the first 13 years of life, making the local church an essential partner – alongside parents – in building a strong foundation of faith and serving as an extended family for children. The conversation covers childhood development (including concrete vs. abstract thinking and how young children process Bible stories), the importance of careful, responsible teaching and vocabulary, and how children also disciple adults through curiosity and theological questions. Roberts critiques common curriculum trends from the past 20–30 years, including entertainment-driven programming, theme-based teaching that forces Bible stories to fit, and behaviorism that bypasses the character of God. She emphasizes asking, “What does this story teach about the character of God?” and highlights the value of live teaching over video-based lessons. We also discuss how to handle difficult biblical stories in age-appropriate ways, the need for children’s and student ministries to coordinate what is taught when, and other topics related to children's ministry.Follow The Learning Laborers on Substack!Support us on Patreon.Check out these recommended resources:Raising Disciples: Guiding Your Kids Into a Faith of Their Own by Teresa RobertsThe Bible Story Handbook by John Walton & Kim Walton00:00 Welcome Back + Why Children’s Ministry Matters (More Than ‘Goldfish’)02:09 Volunteer Shortage & A Call to Action for the Church04:16 Kids Today: A Different World (Tech, Social Media, Discipling Across Generations)05:46 Meet Dr. Theresa Roberts: Children’s Discipleship Expert08:30 Jesus Welcomes Children: The Biblical Case for Prioritizing Kids Ministry10:05 The First 13 Years: Research, Parents, and the Church as Extended Family14:20 Faith Stories from the Hosts: Raised in Church vs. Coming to Christ Later17:32 How Kids Think: Development, Concrete vs. Abstract, and Careful Theology24:32 Kids as the Church Now: Curiosity, Questions, and Mutual Discipleship30:05 From Knowing About God to Knowing God: Worship, Wonder, and Hearing the Spirit33:55 Identity in the Teen Years: Imago Dei as a Lifelong Anchor34:38 Beyond Indoctrination: Teaching Kids to Listen for God in Prayer36:27 Kids Are Watching: Modeling Scripture, Prayer, and Faith at Home38:30 Children’s Ministry Hot Take: When Curriculum Becomes Entertainment & Behaviorism44:05 Fixing the Focus: ‘Discover God’ and Live Teaching Over Screens47:01 Handling the Hard Bible Stories: Age-Appropriate Truth Without Sheltering55:22 Middle School Boys & Small Groups: Build Trust Through Play and Presence01:02:53 Final Charge: Be Intentional—Jesus Welcomes the Little Ones