Children: Central to God's Kingdom and Our Mission

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound question of whether children are distractions or the very heartbeat of God's kingdom. In a world filled with political turmoil and societal shifts, it's crucial to remember that our mission as followers of Christ remains unchanged. We are called to make disciples, pray for revival, and serve our communities, regardless of the political climate. Our focus today is on the next generation, particularly in light of the alarming rise in mental health issues among young people since the advent of smartphones and social media.

Jonathan Haidt's book, "The Anxious Generation," highlights the dramatic increase in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among youth, a trend that began around 2010. This rise is attributed to a lack of real-world play and overexposure to digital screens. As parents and leaders, we must recognize the barriers we may be placing in the way of children coming to Jesus. We must not allow distractions to keep our children from hearing God's voice and fulfilling their divine purpose.

Jesus emphasized the importance of children in His kingdom, rebuking His disciples for hindering them. He declared that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child. This message challenges the cultural lie that children are distractions from what matters most. Instead, they are central to God's plan, and we must prioritize their spiritual growth and well-being.

As we navigate this digital age, we must be vigilant in guiding the next generation, providing them with boundaries and spiritual mentorship. The statistics are sobering, but there is hope. There is a growing hunger for God among young people, and we must seize this opportunity to lead them to Christ. Let us not hinder them but instead bless, protect, and include them in our spiritual journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. Children as the Heartbeat of God's Kingdom: Children are not distractions but central to God's kingdom. Jesus emphasized their importance, and we must prioritize their spiritual growth and well-being. Our mission is to guide them to Jesus, ensuring they hear His voice and fulfill their divine purpose. [18:39]

2. The Rise of the Anxious Generation: The increase in mental health issues among youth since 2010 is alarming. This trend is linked to a lack of real-world play and overexposure to digital screens. As parents and leaders, we must recognize these challenges and provide guidance and boundaries to help the next generation navigate this digital age. [05:50]

3. The Lie of Distraction: Society often views children as distractions from personal goals and ambitions. However, Jesus teaches that they are integral to His kingdom. We must reject the cultural lie that children hinder what matters most and instead embrace their role in God's plan. [21:43]

4. The Power of Anointing Over Anxiety: We are called to speak life and purpose over the next generation, declaring that they are anointed, not anxious. By doing so, we empower them to fulfill their God-given calling and resist the enemy's attempts to sow fear and doubt. [12:10]

5. A Call to Spiritual Mentorship: The next generation is hungry for God, and we must rise to the occasion by providing spiritual mentorship and guidance. By investing in their spiritual journey, we help them discover their unique gifts and calling, ensuring they become the anointed generation God intends them to be. [31:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:31] - Emotions After Elections
- [04:00] - Mental Health Crisis in Youth
- [05:50] - The Anxious Generation
- [08:02] - Digital Age Challenges
- [12:10] - Anointed, Not Anxious
- [14:13] - Hunger for God
- [18:39] - Children in God's Kingdom
- [21:43] - The Lie of Distraction
- [23:11] - Cultural Pressures
- [26:06] - Parenting in a Digital World
- [28:50] - Screen Time Impact
- [31:32] - Spiritual Mentorship
- [34:33] - Faith Like a Child
- [38:36] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Mark 10:13-16

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the reaction of the disciples when people brought children to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to them? [18:39]

2. According to the sermon, what are some of the mental health challenges that have increased among youth since 2010? [04:00]

3. How does the sermon describe the cultural perception of children as distractions, and what does Jesus teach about their role in His kingdom? [21:43]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between digital screen exposure and the rise in mental health issues among young people? [05:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' statement about receiving the kingdom of God like a child challenge the cultural view that children are distractions? [21:43]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church can provide solutions to the mental health challenges faced by the younger generation? [08:02]

3. How does the concept of being "anointed, not anxious" provide a framework for addressing the mental health crisis among youth? [12:10]

4. What role does spiritual mentorship play in guiding the next generation, according to the sermon? [31:32]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there ways in which you have viewed children as distractions rather than integral to God's kingdom? How can you change this perspective? [21:43]

2. Considering the rise in mental health issues among youth, what practical steps can you take to reduce screen time and encourage real-world interactions in your family or community? [05:50]

3. How can you actively participate in providing spiritual mentorship to the younger generation? Identify one young person you can invest in spiritually this month. [31:32]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of speaking life and purpose over the next generation. What specific words of encouragement or affirmation can you offer to a young person this week? [12:10]

5. Reflect on your own digital habits: Are there changes you need to make to set a better example for the younger generation? What is one specific change you can implement this week? [08:02]

6. How can you create an environment in your home or community that prioritizes the spiritual growth and well-being of children? What is one action you can take to foster this environment? [18:39]

7. In what ways can you support parents and leaders in your community who are navigating the challenges of raising children in a digital age? [26:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Children as Central to God's Kingdom
Children are not mere distractions but are central to the heart of God's kingdom. In a world that often views them as obstacles to personal ambitions, it's crucial to remember that Jesus emphasized their importance. He rebuked His disciples for hindering children and declared that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child. This perspective challenges the cultural narrative that children are distractions from what truly matters. Instead, they are integral to God's plan, and their spiritual growth and well-being should be prioritized. As followers of Christ, we are called to guide them to Jesus, ensuring they hear His voice and fulfill their divine purpose. [18:39]

"And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively prioritize the spiritual growth of the children in your life today, ensuring they feel valued and heard?

Day 2: Addressing the Anxious Generation
The rise in mental health issues among youth since 2010 is alarming, with anxiety and depression becoming increasingly prevalent. This trend is linked to a lack of real-world play and overexposure to digital screens. As parents and leaders, it's essential to recognize these challenges and provide guidance and boundaries to help the next generation navigate this digital age. By understanding the impact of digital exposure, we can create environments that foster real-world interactions and emotional well-being. This involves being intentional about screen time and encouraging activities that promote mental health and spiritual growth. [05:50]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to reduce digital distractions and encourage real-world interactions for the young people in your life?

Day 3: Rejecting the Lie of Distraction
Society often views children as distractions from personal goals and ambitions. However, Jesus teaches that they are integral to His kingdom. We must reject the cultural lie that children hinder what matters most and instead embrace their role in God's plan. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's perspective, recognizing the value and potential of the next generation. This involves being present in their lives, listening to their needs, and nurturing their spiritual journey. By prioritizing their well-being, we contribute to the fulfillment of God's kingdom on earth. [21:43]

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth." (Psalm 127:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your perspective to see children as a blessing and integral part of God's plan rather than a distraction?

Day 4: Anointing Over Anxiety
We are called to speak life and purpose over the next generation, declaring that they are anointed, not anxious. By doing so, we empower them to fulfill their God-given calling and resist the enemy's attempts to sow fear and doubt. This involves being intentional about the words we speak and the actions we take, ensuring they align with God's truth. By affirming their identity in Christ, we help them overcome anxiety and embrace their unique gifts and calling. This requires a commitment to spiritual mentorship and guidance, providing them with the tools they need to thrive. [12:10]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally speak words of life and purpose over a young person in your life today, affirming their identity in Christ?

Day 5: A Call to Spiritual Mentorship
The next generation is hungry for God, and we must rise to the occasion by providing spiritual mentorship and guidance. By investing in their spiritual journey, we help them discover their unique gifts and calling, ensuring they become the anointed generation God intends them to be. This involves being present, listening to their questions, and guiding them in their faith journey. By doing so, we create a supportive environment where they can grow and thrive in their relationship with God. This is a call to action for all believers to invest in the spiritual development of the next generation. [31:32]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one young person you can mentor spiritually, and what steps can you take today to begin investing in their faith journey?

Quotes

"Well, there's nothing like pastoring in our capital city the week after a major election. There's so many emotions, so many people who are grieving, fearful, and hurt. Others who are grateful at the outcome, being thankful that their concerns are being addressed. The reality is that elections affect a lot of people, but they really affect the people who are in the middle of the election. They affect folks in our city and in our church, because so many people's jobs or their contracts are tied to what happens in elections. They raise all sorts of emotions, especially in a church as diverse as ours. And I just want to let you know, wherever you are, that I see you. I might not understand everything that you're going through, but I'm honored that you would trust me and our team to lead you spiritually in this time. So don't hesitate to reach out to me, to anyone on our team. We also have an amazing team of counselors and prayer leaders in our church." [00:00:27] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And so my question is, what barriers are we putting up in our lives or allowing in our homes that are making it more difficult for children to get to Jesus? And what ways are we enabling distraction that is keeping our children from hearing the voice of their creator who has a calling on their lives?" [00:08:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And so the world today is calling this an anxious generation, but I believe that we are to flip the script and prophesy that this shall be an anointed generation, to take back ground the enemy has taken and to reclaim the kingdom of God. Their biblical destiny. Anxious means this. It means to experience worry, unease or nervousness typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome it can involve a sense of restlessness tension and sometimes physical symptoms like you can feel like your your heart rate goes up or you start sweating or you have trouble focusing anxious feelings can be around something specific or it can be around something general but regardless it steals your joy and it affects your peace of mind now anointed means this anointed is to be chosen consecrated or set apart for a special purpose often with a sense of divine favor and blessing so someone who is anointed by God is spiritually empowered or specially equipped to fulfill a purpose or calling this is someone who is set apart with unique abilities with wisdom and authority to carry out a task that God assigns to advance his purposes." [00:09:43] (90 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus is ready to bless this next generation, to speak to this next generation, to place his hand on this next generation. He says, truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, a child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and he blessed them. It's interesting how the research is confirming how children need godly human touch. They crave it. We all need it, but especially children. In fact, the research shows how important it is for babies born prematurely, especially ones that are in the NICU. They need to hear a human voice and they need to experience human touch. The human voice calms them in what is a very stressful environment. It actually stimulates their brain development and human touch stabilizes their heart rate. It helps them sleep better and eat better and get discharged from the hospital faster. There's something that a NICU machine cannot do that only a human can do, human touch and a human voice." [00:33:14] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus here speaks to one of the greatest lies that I believe in our generation. It's a lie from the pit of hell and the lie is this, children are a distraction from what matters most. So what matters the most? If it's not our religious programming, our pre -scheduled programming, maybe it's that kids are a distraction from our social lives, right? Many of us live in great urban cities like DC. There's just so much to do. There's so many restaurants. There's amazing music scene and museums and events and sports. And I have my guy friends and you have your girlfriends and you want to go out and it's expensive to get a sitter. It's complicated." [00:22:26] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And this belief is a stronghold right here in DC, that what matters most is anything but kids because they're expensive and stand in the way of what matters most. of our effort to change the world. Jesus says, let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. God, help us not hinder your children from coming to you through our belief systems, regardless of whether we have children or whether we're married. God, forgive us for allowing this mindset to get a foothold in our lives. You told us from the beginning to be fruitful and to multiply, that our biggest contribution is not what we do for our generation, but for the generations that come after us. Forgive us for being so short -sighted, for not taking the long -haul view." [00:25:12] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"There's something about little children. I know I've talked about teens and screens, and we'll talk about that more next week, but there's something about little children that Jesus is telling us that we cannot miss. And I think it's tied to us managing our anxiety as adults, that there's something about little kids that they don't carry stress like the rest of us do. It says in God's word in Philippians 4, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. So how do I not get, how do I not be anxious? I get around a young child, and I see what is on their heart, what they're thinking. I get around a young child, and I see what is on their heart, what they're thinking about, what they're not worried about that I'm worried about. I want to get around the faith that they have that I don't have. Jesus says, bless them, protect them, pray for them, include them. Don't see them as a distraction from what matters the most, because what if they are who matters the most?" [00:36:46] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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