Working in Kid's Ministry can often seem draining, exhausting, lonely and a whole lot of other negative adjectives that burnt out people seem to feel.
The other day though, I was reading through my Bible and I noticed just how much Jesus cares for children. And I realised something- God cares so much for these little ones, and he chose ME to work with them? What a terrifyingly, great privilege it is to be chosen to work with kids.
I know without a doubt that God has chosen me to work with kids (whether it's for this season, or a life time- I'm still working that out!). John 15:16 says 'You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.' This verse is one that I hold close to my heart, it's a constant reminder that God placed my in this position for a reason, and he wants me to produce lasting fruit in the young ones that are under my care.
We all know the classic 'let the children come to me verse', but there is so much more surrounding this passage. In Matthew chapter 18 Jesus says, 'And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea' (verses 5 & 6).
Jesus seems to think it's better for us to drown than to suffer the consequences of leading a little one to sin. Therefore, he values children pretty highly. Later on in the same passage Jesus says, 'Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father' (verse 10). This warning is clear: don't you dare look down on (or treat badly) and children. Jesus then goes on to tell a parable of the lost sheep, and he finishes it with this: 'in the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish' (verse 14).
Clearly God cares greatly about children. He doesn't want a single one to be led into sin. He doesn't want a single child to be looked down upon. He doesn't want a single child to be forgotten or lost.
Do you know that famous story about when Jesus walked into the Temple and saw the people buying and selling animals, and then knocked over the tables (Matt 21:12)? After that occurred, the blind and lame came to him to be healed (verse 13) and then this happened: 'The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David,"
But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"
"Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'' (verses 15-16).
The scripture Jesus is referencing here is Psalm 8:2- 'You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you'
Jesus knew that the praises of children are so powerful that they silence the enemy. And he wasn't afraid to tell the religious leaders of this. The religious leaders were annoyed that the children were making too much noise. God uses children's praise as a weapon. Pretty cool!
God highly values children, and the worship that they bring to him.
Don't you think that he would only get the right type of person to train them and to teach them about his Word?
And he chose me. He chose you.
This actually really freaks me out, but in a good way. It's a lot of pressure because I know how much he values kids. But I trust him, and I trust that he knows what he's doing in terms of choosing me! Even though I may not be worthy enough of this great privilege, I'm going to do my best to make sure that I teach these children to the best of my ability. And I hope that you will too :)
The other day though, I was reading through my Bible and I noticed just how much Jesus cares for children. And I realised something- God cares so much for these little ones, and he chose ME to work with them? What a terrifyingly, great privilege it is to be chosen to work with kids.
I know without a doubt that God has chosen me to work with kids (whether it's for this season, or a life time- I'm still working that out!). John 15:16 says 'You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.' This verse is one that I hold close to my heart, it's a constant reminder that God placed my in this position for a reason, and he wants me to produce lasting fruit in the young ones that are under my care.
We all know the classic 'let the children come to me verse', but there is so much more surrounding this passage. In Matthew chapter 18 Jesus says, 'And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea' (verses 5 & 6).
Jesus seems to think it's better for us to drown than to suffer the consequences of leading a little one to sin. Therefore, he values children pretty highly. Later on in the same passage Jesus says, 'Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father' (verse 10). This warning is clear: don't you dare look down on (or treat badly) and children. Jesus then goes on to tell a parable of the lost sheep, and he finishes it with this: 'in the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish' (verse 14).
Clearly God cares greatly about children. He doesn't want a single one to be led into sin. He doesn't want a single child to be looked down upon. He doesn't want a single child to be forgotten or lost.
Do you know that famous story about when Jesus walked into the Temple and saw the people buying and selling animals, and then knocked over the tables (Matt 21:12)? After that occurred, the blind and lame came to him to be healed (verse 13) and then this happened: 'The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David,"
But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"
"Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'' (verses 15-16).
The scripture Jesus is referencing here is Psalm 8:2- 'You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you'
Jesus knew that the praises of children are so powerful that they silence the enemy. And he wasn't afraid to tell the religious leaders of this. The religious leaders were annoyed that the children were making too much noise. God uses children's praise as a weapon. Pretty cool!
God highly values children, and the worship that they bring to him.
Don't you think that he would only get the right type of person to train them and to teach them about his Word?
And he chose me. He chose you.
This actually really freaks me out, but in a good way. It's a lot of pressure because I know how much he values kids. But I trust him, and I trust that he knows what he's doing in terms of choosing me! Even though I may not be worthy enough of this great privilege, I'm going to do my best to make sure that I teach these children to the best of my ability. And I hope that you will too :)
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