How to Lead Children’s Missions Discipleship

Do you need some tips and ideas for leading missions discipleship for children? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

The resources, tips, and planning guides on this page will help you start and lead children’s missions discipleship in your church.

The resource materials are provided as downloadable files (PDF, PowerPoint, etc.) that you can simply view on screen or download to your device to use or print.

Why Missions Discipleship?

WMU’s unwavering focus is making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.

Why? Because we believe that every Christian is to live out the mandate of the Great Commission, to live “on mission,” to share the goods news of Jesus Christ with all people.

WMU’s missions discipleship resources provide your church with biblically-sound learning opportunities and meaningful missions experiences.

Unfolding the Bible's Mission Story

God’s heart is for all people to know Him and worship Him. This video explores how the story of missions unfolds throughout the Bible. 

Missional Characteristics for Children

Through missions discipleship, children engage in growth experiences that help them develop the four characteristics of a missional disciple: 

  • Learn about missions
  • Pray for missions
  • Support missions
  • Do missions and tell about Jesus

The following PDF document and PowerPoint (PPT) download explain how these missional characteristics apply to children.

Missional Characteristics of Children (PDF)

Missional Characteristics of Children (PPT download)

To learn more about what, why, and how WMU supports churches in making disciples of Jesus who live on mission, visit the About WMU page.

Teaching Children

Children love to share God’s love. And children love to learn by doing. 

Through missions discipleship, children in grades 1–6 learn to share His love in multiple ways, from collecting school supplies for back-to-school backpacks to passing out water at sporting events to taking a meal to a homebound community member to simply sharing a prayer with someone who needs it. 

Understanding ways children learn and their learning styles, and knowing how to manage their behavior can help a leader be more intentional about helping children experience every aspect of missions discipleship.

Ways Children Learn (PDF)

Children grow and learn through play and the relationships they build with important people. Knowing how children learn will help you know how best to communicate to them.

Learning Styles of Children (PDF)

Incorporating multiple learning styles into your meetings will help children learn and experience missions discipleship.

Behavior Management (PDF)

Plan ahead to determine how you will manage behavior within a children’s group.

Missions Discipleship for Children's Groups

WMU offers two options for children’s missions discipleship so you can meet the needs of your church: 

  • Gender-specific groups. Our gender-specific missions groups are Girls in Action for girls and Royal Ambassadors for boys. Gender-specific groups give boys and girls godly role models of men and women who are committed to sharing the gospel of Christ. These groups are a safe place for boys and girls to share ideas and questions. 
  • Coed groups. Our coed group is Children in Action. Children in Action is ideal for small churches without enough children or leaders for gender-specific groups and churches who use a coed educational structure.

Girls In Action

Getting Started With Girls In Action

Getting Started with Girls in Action (PPT download)

Starting Girls in Action (GA) in your church just takes a few simple steps. This PowerPoint presentation will help you get on your way.

GA Resources (PDF)

Provide fun missions activities and tell the mission stories to girls with our resources. The basic resources for Girls in Action leaders are described, along with ordering information.

Try a Sample of the Children’s Curriculum

Get started right now with our free downloadable starter pack. The Girls in Action starter pack includes general information and sample curriculum materials. Click here to get your Girls in Action starter pack.

Leading a Girls in Action Group

How to Set Up Your GA Group (PDF)

There are several ways to set up your Girls in Action group to truly customize your experience for the girls in your church.

GA Leader Responsibilities (PDF)

There are several ways to set up your Girls in Action group to truly customize your experience for the girls in your church.

Planning a GA Lesson

Hear from several GA leaders as they discuss how they plan for their weekly GA meetings.

Checklist for Planning a GA Meeting (PDF)

Use this checklist as a help in planning your GA meetings.

Royal Ambassadors

Getting Started with Royal Ambassadors

Getting Started with Royal Ambassadors (PPT download)

Starting a Royal Ambassadors (RA) chapter in your church just takes a few simple steps. This PowerPoint presentation will help you get on your way.

RA Resources (PDF)

Provide fun missions activities and tell the mission stories to boys with our resources. The basic resources for Royal Ambassadors leaders are described, along with ordering information.

Try a Sample of the Children’s Curriculum

Get started right now with our free downloadable starter pack. The Royal Ambassadors starter pack includes general information and sample curriculum materials. Click here to get your Royal Ambassadors starter pack.

Leading a Royal Ambassadors Chapter

How to Set Up Your RA Chapter (PDF)

There are several ways to set up your Royal Ambassadors chapter to truly customize your experience for the boys in your church.

RA Leader Responsibilities (PDF)

What does it mean to be a Royal Ambassador’s leader? Start here to find out what it takes to be successful.

How to Lead an RA Chapter (PPT download)

Want to learn how to lead your own RA chapter meeting? Join us as we discuss how to prepare for and lead a successful meeting.

Planning an RA Meeting

In this video, hear from several state RA leaders as they give tips on how to plan a successful RA chapter meeting.

Checklist for Planning an RA Meeting (PDF)

Use this checklist as a help in planning your RA meetings.

Children in Action

Getting Started with Children in Action

Getting Started with Children in Action (PPT download)

Starting Children in Action (CA) in your church just takes a few simple steps. This PowerPoint presentation will help you get on your way.

CA Resources (PDF)

Provide fun missions activities and tell the mission stories to children with our resources. The basic resources for Children in Action leaders are described, along with ordering information.

Try a Sample of the Children’s Curriculum

Get started right now with our free downloadable starter pack. The Children in Action starter pack includes general information and sample curriculum materials. Click here to get your Children in Action starter pack.

Leading a Children in Action Group

How to Set Up Your CA Group (PDF)

There are several ways to set up your Children in Action group to truly customize your experience for the children in your church.

CA Leader Responsibilities (PDF)

What does it mean to be a Children in Action leader? Start here to find out what it takes to be successful.

Checklist for Planning a CA Meeting (PDF)

Use this checklist as a help in planning your CA meetings.