Will you diligently instruct the children in every place?

I’ve always considered children’s ministry to be a growing edge for me. I’ll admit that working with children, especially small children, has been anxiety producing.

I remember right after I got to Wesley UMC, there was a miscommunication about chapel for our Lambs of God Daycare children. Our children’s director was out and had intended to cancel chapel but the daycare director missed the memo. The children were all assembled in the sanctuary with no one to lead them. Our office manager, Amy, came to the hall between the pastors’ offices and tried to judge whether Bruce or I looked busier….I failed. She said “you’re up! You need to do chapel right now!” Talk about fear and trembling! I can pull a sermon out of thin air for a group of adults, but coming up with a lesson for 25 screaming children? UGH!

I do think that this anxiety is lessening now that I’m a father and learning to relate to and teach my own child. Regardless of my comfort level, I know that Jesus loves children and so do I. My comfort level does nothing to diminish my love for children.

Mark 10:13-16(NRSV)

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹³ People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus is teaching his followers that they should love children and put no barrier between him and the children. Second he teaches them that we should all receive God’s Kingdom with the heart of a little child. Yes, children make me nervous, I can admit that. But I will instruct them nonetheless because I love them and want to share God’s love with them. I have tried to insert myself into more and more situations where ministry to children is the focus.
I love talking with the kids that I drive on our bus for Kids Konnection on Wednesday. My day can go from bad to fantastic when I get bombarded with hugs when I visit Lambs of God. I want to take “instructing the children” so seriously that every church I serve becomes known as the place where children are welcome and safe. I want to know their names and for them to know me as teacher and friend.

I didn’t come to follow Jesus Christ until I was 14 years old. How I wish I would have known Him as a child. I want my girls to know Him and love him much earlier than I did. I’m striving to take very seriously this call to instruct my own children and the children in every place regarding the life-giving relationship offered to them in Jesus Christ!

Will you diligently instruct the children in every place? I will.