How can we "let the little children come" in our church community? The Heart of Jesus for Children Luke 18:16: “But Jesus called the children to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” • Jesus does not merely tolerate children—He welcomes them. • His command contains both a positive (“let them come”) and a negative (“do not hinder”). • Children illustrate the humble, trusting posture required for everyone who enters the kingdom. Recognizing Obstacles We May Create • Adult-centered schedules that make participation difficult for families. • Environments that are unsafe, noisy, or confusing for young ones. • Teaching styles that demand adult-level attention spans. • Unspoken attitudes that view children as distractions rather than disciples in progress. Welcoming Children in Worship • Reserve front-row seating or easily accessible areas so children see and engage. • Include age-appropriate Scripture readings, songs, and brief explanations during the main service. • Celebrate family participation—clapping for child dedications, rejoicing in their baptisms, expressing warmth when little voices are heard. • Rotate children’s choirs or Scripture recitations to let them contribute visibly (Psalm 8:2). Equipping Parents and Families Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands parents to teach God’s words diligently to their children. • Offer parenting classes on biblical discipleship at home. • Provide take-home discussion guides that reinforce Sunday lessons. • Encourage family devotions by recommending simple, age-graded resources. • Pair new parents with seasoned mentors for encouragement and accountability. Building a Child-Friendly Culture • Train greeters to address children by name and eye-level smiles. • Ensure signage is clear and hallways are stroller-friendly. • Keep classrooms bright, clean, and stocked with engaging, doctrinally sound materials (2 Timothy 3:15). • Display children’s artwork or memory-verse posters in main traffic areas to signal value. Guarding and Protecting Proverbs 22:3 reminds us to foresee danger and take refuge. • Implement background checks and two-adult policies in every child ministry room. • Establish clear child-check-in and pick-up procedures. • Train volunteers on recognizing and reporting abuse. • Maintain secure, allergy-aware snack practices. Teaching the Whole Counsel of God • Present the gospel plainly—sin, substitution, resurrection, and faith—without diluting truth. • Use concrete illustrations (crosses, visuals, hands-on crafts) to clarify abstract concepts. • Reinforce doctrinal accuracy with catechism-style memory work adapted for age levels. Modeling the Gospel Matthew 18:5: “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.” • Adults demonstrate humility by kneeling to pray with a child. • Leaders confess mistakes openly, showing repentance is normal. • Congregants greet every child as a person bearing God’s image, not a future adult. Inviting Children to Serve • Assign supervised roles: handing out bulletins, assisting with food drives, decorating for events. • Encourage child-led prayer for missionaries or persecuted believers. • Involve older kids in tech support, music teams, or greeting rotations (1 Peter 4:10). Measuring Success God’s Way • Growth in Scripture memory and Christ-like character outweighs polished performances. • Look for spontaneous child prayers, genuine questions, sibling reconciliations—signs of the Spirit’s work. • Celebrate milestones: first Bible reading, first act of service, first public testimony. Living Out “Do Not Hinder” • Continually evaluate programs and attitudes against Luke 18:16. • Remove any barrier—physical, procedural, or relational—that keeps a child from seeing Jesus clearly. • Remember: when the church honors children, it mirrors the very heart of the King who said, “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” |
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