Last week we basically stayed in one passage of scripture, so today we’ve got some catching up to do, as we get back to scriptural gymnastics.
Our key verses will be found in:
Matthew 19:13-15
Proverbs 22:6
Focus on three main ideas today:
Discipleship
Training up our youth
Overcoming hindrances
Although a couple of these overlap, I’d like us to consider how each of these will play a key role in our Children’s Ministry.
Let’s begin in:
Luke 9:46-48 (read from my bible)
I believe He is telling us at least 3 things in v.48:
• “whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me” I believe He is saying. Children are important to me, make sure they are important to you!
• “and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent me”-Children are important to God
• “For he who is least among you all, will be great.” A couple of weeks ago, we discussed Matthew 20: 25-28, in which Jesus tells the disciples that to follow Him, certain things will be upside-down, compared to the world view.
• Jesus again is teaching humility.
Here's something I found interesting:
He is saying this in front of this child.
Therefore, He is not only showing the disciples how to train up the youth, He is training up the youth at the same time.
You may have to chew on that a minute.
But don’t our children learn by watching and listening to us? That child heard what Jesus was saying.
Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.
Matthew 18:1-5 records what Jesus said, a little differently. (read from my bible), then say v.3 in
NLT goes like this: “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven”.
Listen to Solomons words in:
Ecclesiastes 12:1 NLT “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say “life is not pleasant anymore”.”
I don’t know about any of you, but the excitement of my youth, caused me to forget my Creator.
Just as a reminder, Solomon was considered the wisest man, and he also wrote Proverbs 22:6, that we just read a couple of minutes ago.
Let’s look at yet another example of being trained up in our youth.
This is King David, Solomons father:
Psalm 71:5 “For you are my hope O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth”.
Maybe Solomon learned a thing or two from his dad!
I’d like you to hold on to that word trust for just a few minutes when we return to it.
These verses we just looked at are about training up our youth, as well as discipleship.
Let’s look at a few others that instruct us as well:
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (read from my bible)
I believe scripture interprets scripture, therefore when we hear familiar scripture with different addresses, it helps us gain a deeper understanding.
Joshua 8:34-35 (read from my bible)
Discuss:
• Our children need to learn the whole bible, God’s Word, not just the fun stuff or the blessings, but the curses as well. They need to understand His love is inexhaustible, but He is also a just God. That is His nature, and He cannot operate outside of His nature or character.
• We also see discipleship in Joshua. He was Moses’ successor. He read the entire law to everyone, including the children.
Let’s move on to the final part of today’s message.
Mark 10:13-16 (read from my bible) This passage is recorded in three of the 4 Gospels
Stand with me as we honor God by reading His Word.
• Indignant
• They/people/parents
• Brought the children-there could come a time that CPC goes to get the children and bring them to Jesus!
• Disciples rebuked the children, then Jesus rebuked the disciples.
• Hinder
o I’d like us to look at a few hindrances that we could encounter as we set forth our journey into Childrens’ Ministry
? Do you think pride could ever be a hindrance in our CM?
• Pride on the parents part- I don’t need anyone teaching my children about Jesus, or as I did, I taught our children how to be independent, when I should have been teaching them to be dependent on Jesus!
• Pride on the church body’s part?
• Pride on the church leaders part, or the CM leaders part?
• We must be vigilant and remove all pride, and be humble in the task God has blessed us with!
Another hindrance could be a parent’s unbelief.
• Men’s breakfast-Larry McGinty
In closing I think we must remember that children are:
• Vulnerable
• Helpless-the younger they are the more they depend on us
• Trust we are going to:
o Shelter them
o Cloth them
o Feed them
o Protect them
If you remember, I asked you to hold on to that word trust for a few minutes.
As I was preparing this message, I realized as adults we are the same as children! We have to TRUST him to:
• Shelter us
• Cloth us
• Feed us
• Protect us
• We must trust Him in all things!
Survey time:
If you were 18 or younger when you accepted Christ please raise your hand.
This week, I learned something that was surprising to me. I found it in 3 sources, (as well as this survey today), so I expect the statistics should be fairly accurate.
85% of people who come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior do so before age 18.
That was a real aha moment for me.
Melissa.com
Two final thoughts:
Hindrance- Space
This is how important Jesus found the children to be.
It is found in:
Mark 9:42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea”
Great responsibility
Closing prayer:
Today we dedicate our CM to you.
• May we be discerning as we carry out your will in these little ones lives.
• Please remove all hindrances, so they may experience your full glory and be a blessing to other children.
• Guide us to those who are lost, and let your light shine through them.
