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Why do we always look down?
Why do we instantly think children can't encounter God as us older people can?
I'm not going to lie, that's what I thought up until Sunday evening. There's a child who's family recently started coming to my Church, and if I'm honest they're amazing people! But one thing that really surprised me is the youngest boy's understanding of God. He had stolen my phone, went straight to the memo pad and started to write notes on the preach, adding his own little comments in there too!
This, however, wasn't what I found so inspiring. What I found inspiring was the fact that I had learnt from what he had said.
I learnt from what he had said!
Now, the boy must be around 10 or 11, but still he is not failing to teach people more about the love of Jesus, to people much older than him!This made me realise that we really underestimate children. They can be just as powerful as the worship leader, the preacher, and even the pastor in Churches. The youth of the church is what keeps the church going, what draws youth in, with many questions about God.
The main advantage that children have is that, more often than not, they don't have a care in the world of what anyone thinks of them. They live 'free lives'. Which means it is much easier for a child to talk to someone about God or even pray for someone, as they don't have a care in the world. Which is why I feel that it is extremely important to teach children all about God's great mercy and how they should live their lives.
Sunday evening is not the only thing that made me realise this. A few weeks back, whilst serving in the Kids section of Church, we were teaching about knowledge and wisdom. The leader asked the children to think with their groups about the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Almost instantly one boy put his hand up and said:
"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.".
We asked where he'd heard it from and he said he'd just thought of it on the spot.
One of the best analogies I've ever heard about wisdom for sure!
Isn't that just amazing? Children, thinking up analogies, making notes on the preach and even some children getting images from God! We have SERIOUSLY underestimated the young people in our Church.
Actions?
Well, for a start I'm never going to look down on a child ever again. After all, without children in the Church, eventually no one would be left.
"They are the future of the Church."
They have the power to connect with God just like anyone who is older does.
I've also realised that no matter what your age is, you can have such an amazing impact on people's lives. You influence not only those who are younger and stereotypically looked after by you, but also those who are older than you too!
I definitely need to take my role serving in the Kids Church more seriously. The stuff the kids learn, through games, videos, etc, about the Christian religion are the basic building blocks for them to become great with God. It is that same knowledge that makes a great preacher, not only through what he or she says whilst in the limelight, but also someone who practises what they preach.
Thanks for reading, and as usual I really urge you to think about the point made in this post.
Thank you.
