“Doctrine is a misunderstood word in the world of religion,” yet to the Apostolic, it is their salvation. Why? Because the word doctrine simply means teaching. Our kids need to see doctrine as a lifeline to salvation and a godly life...the parents of both Mark and Glenda Alphin are stalwart people of faith who stood for “strong doctrine” as an example to them. Now we have another generation holding up the banner of truth that will be an example for others to follow.”
Excerpt from Growing with God 2
Rev. William L. Sciscoe, Pastor
The Church Triumphant of Columbus
U.P.C.I. Prayer Commissioner
Ohio District Presbyter, Section 5
Mark and Glenda Alphin continue to produce lessons that instruct and train children, while stimulating faith and equipping young minds to become destined for a strong, spiritual walk with their Jesus. Their creative illustrations will develop moral values and grow biblical truths in both the student and teacher.
Resource manuals such as this should be in every Christian Educator’s library, promoting our heritage unto the Lord and helping the next generation to succeed in their personal relationship with God. Growing with God 2 is a much-needed biblical guide to effective discipleship for children. This biblically reinforced manual provides valuable insights that will assists teachers and Christian workers in ministry to today’s child.
It is with confidence that I support this study. I know it will become a great blessing to the little ones that have been entrusted to your love and care. God bless you for answering the call to Children’s Ministry.
Pat Wehlage, Children’s Evangelist
Family Praise Center, Noblesville, Indiana
From the earliest Biblical days, we see the importance of interpersonal relationships. We also see the difficulties. Cain killed Abel because he (Cain) could not resolve the issues of his relationships in a peaceful manner. Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship with God, and six deal with our relationships with others. The “Golden Rule” instructs us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Finally, our Lord commanded that we should love one another.
The following lessons lay a solid foundation and more for relationship building, with both God and other people. They contain instruction in eight areas of prayer, consistency, holiness, unity, and renewal, among other very helpful subjects. Practicing these principles is sure to bring hope to those teachers and parents who work together to save the children from the horrors of the street, the pitfalls of the enemy, and to establish their children’s hearts for a lifetime of victorious living.
Excerpt from Growing with God 2
Rev. Jack W. Sword
Home Fellowship Group Leader
The Church Triumphant of Columbus, Columbus, Ohio
In churches around this nation, there are many children today that grow up within the "walls of the church," listening to the preaching from the pulpit yet remaining void of a doctrinal foundation that will guide them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is not to the discredit of the pulpit, but to the lack of teaching that can reach into a child's level of understanding. The Alphins have had years of experience in ministering to the younger-aged children, effectively communicating sound doctrine in a way that children can understand. This is very evident as you begin to read through the pages and feel the directing of the Holy Ghost in every lesson.
Whether you are a home-school parent, a Sunday School teacher, a Youth Department worker, a Children’s Hour Leader, or simply a parent wanting to find great material to lead your young children in a greater understanding of God and His Word, the lessons contained in Growing with God 2 become a valuable tool for you to have. The Alphins have tailored these lessons so that you will be able to adapt them to various age levels. With careful preparation, Mark and Glenda bring together sound doctrinal teachings, presented in a way that will keep the interest of the young listener. This is very important in a generation that has Hollywood, the world of video games, and the internet contending for their attention and their minds.
Excerpt from Growing with God 2
Rev. Eric Smith, Pastor
Champions in Christ, Hilliard, Ohio
The Bible says that Moses was trained by his mother for five years. The thought probably crossed her mind many times, “What good can I do in such a short time?” How many of us have ever had this thought regarding Sunday School? But think about this: what mom taught Moses in five years, the world could not take out of him in 35! Listen to Hebrews 11:24: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” (KJV) He refused royalty and all that went with it. There had to have been a moment of impact that changed Moses’ life. I wonder if many of us realize that our fellowship is full of great leaders who once were bus kids? Somewhere in between those blessed Bible stories, there was a moment of impact that changed the courses of their future lives. The lesson for us to learn, and the call in this last hour, is to keep teaching, keep reaching so that the children that you are ministering to today will one day have their own definitive moment of impact that will change their lives forever. Who knows, the children you are training today may be the leader who will lead you tomorrow.
Training leaders via the Sunday School classroom is truly a worthy endeavor, but as I said before, it is not easy. That is why it is such a blessing when people like Bro. and Sis. Alphin come along and encourage us with wonderful teaching tools. The Alphins have shown a sincere burden for the work of God by their effective ministry to children. Their first work, Growing with God, has been a help to our Sunday School teachers, and this newest book, Growing with God 2, will prove to be yet another asset to the classroom. I’m sure the following pages will stir up the gift that is in you.
Excerpt from Growing with God 2
Rev. Mike Wilson, Pastor
Christian Life Center, Delaware, Ohio
