OBJECTIVES:

  • Understand the special place children have in God’s heart
  • Realise why they are so important to the church
  • Recognise that we can learn from children

“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.”Anonymous

Throughout Scripture, we see that God has a special place in His heart for children and loves the worship that rises from their hearts. Let’s see what theBible has to say specifically about children...

MATTHEW 18:1-14

This passage paints an incredible picture of God’s heart forchildren. He calls them the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and tells His disciples(you and me) that we must become like them, welcome them, not look down on them,to watch out for them and woe betide anyone who causes them to sin!

PSALM 8:2 and MATTHEW 21:15-16

Both these passages show us how God reallyloves and welcomes the praises of children.

When it comes to children, we have to understand that they are extremely precious to God and He cares for them deeply. Here are some specific examplesfrom the Bible to demonstrate:

• 1 Kings 17:21 and 2 Kings 4:34 - two sons are restored from death to life.

• Luke 9:42 - a boy is set free from the power of the devil.

• Mark 5:41 and Luke 7:14-15 - Jesus raises two children from the dead.

• Matthew 19:14 - Jesus rebukes his disciples when they try to stop childrencoming to him.

Children have great potential in God.Remember the following biblical characters:

• Samuel: Serves in the temple and becomes Israel’s judge.Children have a great ability to hear from God.

(1 Samuel 2:18)

• David: Shepherd boy who becomes king.Children can show great courage and leadership.

(1 Samuel 17:34-37)

• Young girl: Serves Naaman’s wife and points this great man with leprosy in the rightdirection for his healing.

(2 Kings 5:2-3)

• Josiah: Becomes king at the age of eight and leads people back into covenant with God.

(2 Chronicles 34)

• Jeremiah: Set apart and appointed as a prophet to the nations. Children can speak outGod’s Word.

Who knows what God will do with the precious lives of children awaiting sponsorship? Many formerly sponsored children are becoming the movers and the shakers of their nations:lawyers, doctors, teachers, politicians, businesspeople, engineers, pastors, evangelists, greatmums and great dads!

Going back to Matthew 18, as the disciples argue about who is the greatest in the Kingdom, Jesus takes a child and tells them that they have to become like one to enterthe Kingdom of Heaven.

The qualities that Jesus seems to be looking for are:

TEACHABILITY

Children are generally teachable and open to instruction. They want to learn.

HUMILITY

The disciples were fighting amongst each other for position. They were a little too proud.Children, on the other hand, often recognise their dependence.

DVD IDEAS ON DISC

It Begins With a Child [4:39]

One Act [3:45]

Being Elisabeth [4:33]