3/4- Declaring God’s Glory in Helping the Children-
Matthew 18:2-5
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Mt. 18:2-5)
Today is "March Forth" Day. It is a day to think about how we can go into all the world and proclaim the gospel. One important way to do that is by reaching the children for Christ. Our government is not allowing us to do this publicly, which means that churches and Christian parents are that much more responsible for reaching out to the next generation, and need to step up (and adapt) to the challenge.
Christian preschools and daycare should not be simply appendages to a Christian ministry, but a vital part of a Christian ministry. Ministers and elders should be active on the board. Chapel should be held in the preschool, and Bible stories and songs actively taught. Churches should not be afraid to invest in the preschool or children's ministry to make it work- for if we lose the next generation, we lose the church. There is, perhaps, no better investment in the future of the church than in the children of its community.
Christian preschools and daycare should not be simply appendages to a Christian ministry, but a vital part of a Christian ministry. Ministers and elders should be active on the board. Chapel should be held in the preschool, and Bible stories and songs actively taught. Churches should not be afraid to invest in the preschool or children's ministry to make it work- for if we lose the next generation, we lose the church. There is, perhaps, no better investment in the future of the church than in the children of its community.
Churches should make every effort to accomplish what Jesus said in verse 5- welcoming the children. We need to make sure they are welcome in worship- and our worship is child-friendly. We need to make sure they are invited- thinking creatively about how to invite children to the church.
But this also means that EVERYONE has a role to play in this. Jesus said, "WHOEVER welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." This means older adults need to play a role. People without children need to play a role. People with children need to reach out to other people with children- or other friends of their children. Pray for the children of our land- that this next generation will hear the gospel.
Prayer: Lord, may a little child lead me. Help me to welcome you into my life and heart as I welcome little ones to my life and to you.
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