The Church and Children

#Family #FamilyMinistry #Discipleship #Children #Church #ChurchFamily #ChurchLife #IntergenerationalChurch #GospelLiving #FamilyLife

The local church is the vehicle for transforming the world by extending the Kingdom of God in this age. The best and most appropriate way, by far, is to impart the gift of faith to the youngest among us. Children are a must in a healthy church because it places the importance of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission at the forefront of the local church’s work, both in and outside its walls. The local church needs children as much as children need the local church.

The Psalmist writes:

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:3-5, NASB95)

First, Children are a gift from God. While not every adult is called to be a parent, every adult is called to be a role model for the generations entrusted into our care as members of the local church and community. Children may be perceived as burdens, taskmasters, or sources of disagreement. The truth is nothing like these examples. Children are a source of hope because there is a continuity of life and a continuity of the Gospel as we impress it on the generation given into our care.

“‘Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.’” (Matthew 18:4-6, NASB95)

Second, the Lord Jesus uniquely regards Children. The wholehearted and straightforward trust of a child towards their parents is such an example of the way each disciple must possess in relationship to Jesus Christ. The Lord Himself makes the care in the text quoted above. Humility requires to depend on someone else. Children do this because it is a consequence of being young and unable in some instances. When was the last time you trusted someone with such simplicity and total abandon as a little one does a mother or father? We must be careful to protect and defend children from any and all evil possible. This includes providing them spiritual guidance, disciplining them, and leading them to the throne of Grace. Rightly does Jesus makes the dire warning about making them stumble. If Children are as important to God, they must be equally important to the local church.

Third, Children refocus the local church. The primary focus of the local church is worship of the Living God. Worship is founded on the person of Jesus Christ, and it expresses itself in obedience. Obedience to Jesus Christ is expressed through more than attendance, giving, and service. We must be joyful and wantonly generous as children tend to be, even when it seems messy and disorderly (Believe me when I say this is speaking to the writer first). Children keep the local church less stuffy, more energized, less business-like, and more like a family of multiple generations living together.

Children need the local church to impart the Gospel to them, and there is no doubt of that fact. But do not believe that the Church can do ministry without children being present in the local congregation, imparting the joy and energy children have to encourage adults.

It is a blessing when a local church is teeming with children everywhere (especially worship services).