“Doors are wide open to teach otLIVE in many schools in our area”

At a recent Instructor Forum meeting, the Zimbabwean otLIVE instructors were eager to share their experiences of teaching otLIVE in schools in their area…

“otLIVE touches not only kids, but adults too!”

“This tool equips us for the work of the Lord!”

“otLIVE enables me to reach children with the message of the Bible.”

“Doors are wide open for us to teach otLIVE at many schools in our area.”

“People are excited that they understand the Bible chronologically, even pastors.”

“School teachers are also learning the Bible through otLIVE.”

One instructor has resolved to teach his family otLIVE, saying: “It must start with me and my family first”.

“There is so much potential for otLIVE here in Zimbabwe… at schools, churches, Awana groups, SU and the possibility for using the handsigns in the deaf community.”

The instructors were also excited about their new sense of community and identity as they received their STEP INTO THE STORY T-shirts from Walk Thru the Bible – and as they together committed to helping many to ‘step into the story of God’s Word’.

This was also a time to celebrate the graduation of the instructors who had already taught otLIVE more than 3 times, as well as share ‘best practices’ and upgrade teaching skills.

Please pray with us that as these men and women teach otLIVE in schools, that many Zimbabwean children will come to know, and love, the God of the Bible. 

Zimbabwean Sunday School teachers share their experience of using KidZ at Heart as they minister to children

Perseverence shares her story

Feedback from Everjoy

KAH helped me to understand how important it is to be committed to the work that God has called me to – to teach children about Him. I need to be committed to God, committed to the children and committed to teaching them God’s Word. If I are committed, I will prepare well and care about the well being of the children.

It really also made a big impression on me that sometimes I can unintentionally do things that hinder children from coming to Christ. I never knew this before. Things like not modelling what I teach. The practical pointers that KAH gave us for discipline problems also really helped.

Hear from Marvellous

I am so enjoying the new ways of teaching that I learnt from KAH – for example welcoming the Holy Spirit at the beginning of every lesson. This really helps the children to experience God’s presence during this time, and to calm down and focus. I was also amazed to learn that God can speak directly to kids. I always thought that I had to tell them everything! But, if you create the opportunity, children can hear from God for themselves through His Word. I know know that the children can pray for each other and also for the teacher. I can help the children to be aware of things to pray for.

These Zimbabwean teachers have recently received further training in KAH modules. What a joy to hear and see how they are putting the training to use.

KidZ at Heart aims specifically to equip churches and children’s ministry workers to reach and teach children

within their own culture – without the need for costly curriculum.

For more information on KidZ at Heart, please click here.

That’s over 100 00 people who learned the major people and events of the Old Testament while having fun! 

We’d like to introduce some of the team who taught otLIVE in schools…

We honour your enthusiasm and commitment to teaching God’s Word. Thank you for helping to ignite a passion for God’s Word in thousands of young people. 

Hear from one of the instructors about how otLIVE has been received in the schools…

“The participation from the learners was amazing! Kids love this! otLIVE definitely develops an interest and curiosity about the Bible in the children who attend. They learn in a fun and exciting way. In fact, they develop a passion for learning about the Bible.

Many of the children ask questions and identify with characters from the Old Testament. The hand signs are also really Important for remembering the big picture. I would like to pay tribute to the teachers who really help by regularly reviewing the material.”

For more information about otLIVE, please click here.

Feedback from pastors who have been equipped with sermons based on Walk Thru the Bible courses

The sermons are based on transformational Walk Thru the Bible courses and are available in different African languages – either online, on USB, WhatsApp or hard copy. 

Reverend Oupakie Mdhlane, Katlehong
The local high school in KwaThema just invited me to come and speak to their seniors to motivate and encourage them – but they said: “We want you to preach the same message that you did last time when you came. What you taught last year was so different and it really impacted the learners.”

And what I preached last time was a sermon based on the Walk Thru the Bible course Detour and the life of Joseph. After a year, they still remember what I taught, and they asked me to come back and do it again!

Pastor Joseph
I have many pressures and limited time to prepare my sermons. I am convinced that these Walk Thru the Bible sermons are of God. This is something that boosts me. I can take it and run with it. I can apply it, preach it and bring my own story to it. This is pouring into us pastors – so that we can go and influence our communities.

Pastor Oupa
The content and teaching in these sermons is 100%. The messages in these sermons will help to heal me first, and then I can bring the message to my people. You know, sometimes, we can be ignorant or scared to face hard.

Bishop Lukas Mahlangu, KwaThema
Wherever I go anywhere to preach, I only use these sermons. They work, and they work very well! 

Bishop Bafana Shabangu, Tsakane
We are facing many challenges during this time. People are living in poverty in overcrowded shacks. I am working to try and help the people. But at least with these sermons, it takes some of the pressure off me as a pastor.

I also use this material to minister to the youth at the sports grounds. Young people need release and to refresh themselves with sport. Afterward, I am able to minister to them with some of the sermons from Walk Thru the Bible.

– and teaching them to connect with God for themselves

Walk Thru the Bible, in partnership with KidZ at Heart, offers training to children’s ministry workers in Southern Africa. God has certainly blessed this partnership, the heart of which has been to see children fall deeply in love with Jesus and His Word.

In light of this collaboration, it has been a privilege to host and train a group of children’s ministry workers from the MES Gap Year Programme ** at the Victory Park LifeChange Centre this year. What a joy to celebrate with this committed group of young people, who have now completed all the KidZ at Heart training modules. This training forms part of equipping them to minister to children from inner city environments through after-school programmes and Bible clubs.

The young people were united in their enthusiasm and appreciation for the training – as they were encouraged to connect with and develop their own relationship with God. Many testified that their lives were deeply impacted and enriched by the practical guidelines and skills they were taught.

The smiles on their faces, as they display the certificates they received at the end of the training, clearly reflect their joy and enthusiasm for all they have learnt.

This group clearly has a heart to reach children with the Good News of Christ. They testified about how the KidZ at Heart material had shown them how to teach children to have their own relationship with God, and to trust in Him whom they have never seen.

Many shared how they had learnt to help children go home remembering the main point of the lessons and Bible stories. A real highlight for many was learning how to teach children to hear from God and talk to Him themselves.

Others shared about the KidZ at Heart training…

“I only met God personally at KidZ at Heart. I now have a passion for God and I want kids to meet Him also.” – Kevin

“I love that the KidZ at Heart training helped me personally to grow in confidence and to use different techniques and skills to reach children for Christ. – Elina

“This will help me minister to children to give them hope and trust in God. We were also made to feel so welcome at Victory Park Life Change Centre.” – Brightness

“It’s bigger than just the teacher teaching the children about God. This training helps you know how to create that space where kids can connect with God and experience Him for themselves.”

– Hlengiwe

We praise God for the impact of this partnership and for the many children that will be ministered to through this group!

For more information on KidZ at Heart, please click here.

** (MES ministers to people in need through Moulding, Empowering and Serving)

As we rejoice over the birth of our Saviour, we pray that you and your loved ones will experience His joy and peace this Christmas time. 

We are so grateful for your prayers and partnership as we, together, help to ignite a passion for God’s Word.

Thank you for Stepping into the Story with us – so that others may know God’s Grand Story and the salvation He offers through His Son.

May you have a blessed and Christ-filled Christmas,

From the Walk Thru the Bible Southern Africa team