Embracing Children: The Heart of Our Faith Community
Summary
On this beautiful last Sunday of March, we gather with expectant hearts, bringing all that we are before God, who meets us where we are. Today is a special day as we celebrate the gift of life with the dedication of Kinsha, a precious child crafted by God. We pray for her journey, that she may grow closer to God and feel His presence throughout her life. We also pray for her parents, Ken and Felicia, as they guide her, celebrating both the good and challenging times with reliance on God.
As we look around the church filled with children, we reflect on how God sees them. Are they part of His mission in the world? How should the Bible's narrative be interpreted with children in mind? Jesus placed children at the center, as seen in Matthew 18:2-3, where He called a child to Him and said that unless we become like children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. This challenges us to consider the role of children in our faith communities.
Jesus' interactions with children, such as feeding the 5,000 and healing the son of a Roman official, demonstrate His inclusive ministry. He welcomed children, not as a distraction, but as integral members of the community. This intergenerational approach is a model for us today, reminding us that children are not just the church of tomorrow but also the church of today.
In both Matthew 18 and Mark 10, Jesus uses children to redefine greatness and faith. He places a child in the midst of His disciples, showing that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are humble, dependent, and trusting like children. This challenges us to rethink our assumptions about status and importance in God's kingdom.
As a church, we strive to welcome children as active participants, valuing their presence and contributions. Jesus' radical love and inclusion of children call us to reflect on who we might overlook or undervalue in our communities. We are reminded that the kingdom of God is for everyone, especially the humble and dependent, who come with open hands and hearts.
Key Takeaways:
1. God Meets Us Where We Are: We are invited to bring all aspects of our lives to God, who meets us with grace and love. This openness allows us to experience His presence and guidance in every situation. [00:00]
2. Children as Integral to Faith Communities: Jesus' interactions with children highlight their importance in the kingdom of God. They are not just future believers but active participants in the church today, teaching us about faith and trust. [27:38]
3. Redefining Greatness and Faith: Jesus challenges cultural norms by placing children at the center, redefining greatness as humility and dependence. This calls us to embrace a childlike faith, characterized by trust and openness. [41:23]
4. Intergenerational Ministry: Jesus' inclusive approach to ministry, where children are part of the community, serves as a model for us. It encourages us to create spaces where all generations can worship and learn together. [29:43]
5. Welcoming the Overlooked: Jesus' radical love for children challenges us to reflect on who we might overlook in our communities. The kingdom of God is for everyone, especially those who are humble and dependent, reminding us to extend His welcome to all. [47:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [02:00] - Dedication of Kinsha
- [05:00] - The Role of Children in Faith
- [10:00] - Jesus and Children in Scripture
- [15:00] - Intergenerational Ministry
- [20:00] - Redefining Greatness
- [25:00] - Jesus' Radical Love
- [30:00] - Children as Models of Faith
- [35:00] - Welcoming the Overlooked
- [40:00] - The Church of Today
- [45:00] - Embracing Childlike Faith
- [50:00] - Announcements
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
- [58:00] - Fellowship and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 18:2-3
2. Mark 10:13-16
3. John 4:46-53
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 18:2-3, what does Jesus say is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven? How does this relate to the qualities of children? [27:38]
2. How does Jesus' interaction with children in Mark 10:13-16 challenge the cultural norms of His time? What was the disciples' initial reaction to the children being brought to Jesus? [38:27]
3. In John 4:46-53, how does Jesus demonstrate His care for children through His actions? What was the outcome of His interaction with the Roman official? [32:47]
4. According to the sermon, how does Jesus' treatment of children redefine greatness and faith in the kingdom of God? [41:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Jesus use children as a model for the kind of faith required to enter the kingdom of heaven? What characteristics of children might He be highlighting? [41:23]
2. How does the inclusion of children in Jesus' ministry serve as a model for intergenerational ministry in today's church? What might this look like in practice? [29:43]
3. In what ways does Jesus' radical love for children challenge the church to reflect on who might be overlooked or undervalued in our communities today? [47:04]
4. How does the story of Jesus healing the Roman official's son in John 4:46-53 illustrate the power of faith and trust in Jesus' words? What can this teach us about our own faith? [32:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. In what ways can you cultivate a childlike faith characterized by trust and openness? What specific steps can you take this week to embrace this kind of faith? [44:14]
2. Consider the children in your life or community. How can you actively include them in your faith community and recognize their contributions? What changes might you need to make to ensure they feel valued and heard? [29:43]
3. Jesus challenges us to welcome those who are often overlooked. Who in your community might be feeling undervalued or ignored? How can you extend Jesus' radical love and inclusion to them this week? [47:04]
4. Think about a time when you felt God met you where you were, as mentioned in the sermon. How did that experience impact your faith? How can you be open to experiencing God's presence in your current circumstances? [49:57]
5. Reflect on the cultural norms that might influence how you view greatness and importance. How can you align your perspective with Jesus' teaching that greatness is found in humility and dependence? [41:23]
6. Identify one way you can support intergenerational ministry in your church. How can you help create spaces where all generations can worship and learn together? [29:43]
7. How can you apply the lesson from John 4:46-53 about trusting in Jesus' words? Is there a situation in your life where you need to rely on His promises? What steps can you take to strengthen your trust in Him? [32:47]
Devotional
Day 1: God Meets Us in Our Present Reality
In our journey of faith, we are invited to bring every aspect of our lives before God, who meets us with grace and love. This openness allows us to experience His presence and guidance in every situation. Whether we are celebrating moments of joy or navigating through challenges, God is there, ready to embrace us as we are. This understanding encourages us to approach God with honesty and vulnerability, trusting that He will meet us where we are and lead us forward. [00:00]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite God’s presence and guidance today? How can you intentionally open your heart to Him in this area?
Day 2: Children as Active Participants in Faith
Children hold a special place in the kingdom of God, not just as future believers but as active participants in the church today. Jesus' interactions with children highlight their importance and teach us about faith and trust. By placing children at the center, Jesus challenges us to see them as integral members of our faith communities, capable of teaching us profound lessons about humility and dependence on God. This perspective invites us to value and include children in our spiritual practices and community life. [27:38]
"Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively involve children in your faith community or family life today? What steps can you take to learn from their perspective and faith?
Day 3: Redefining Greatness Through Childlike Faith
Jesus redefines greatness by placing children at the center, emphasizing humility and dependence as key attributes of the kingdom of heaven. This challenges cultural norms and calls us to embrace a childlike faith characterized by trust and openness. By doing so, we are invited to rethink our assumptions about status and importance in God's kingdom, recognizing that true greatness lies in our ability to trust and depend on God as children do. [41:23]
"For who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 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.'" (Matthew 18:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a childlike faith in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate humility and dependence on God today?
Day 4: Embracing Intergenerational Ministry
Jesus' inclusive approach to ministry, where children are part of the community, serves as a model for us today. This intergenerational approach encourages us to create spaces where all generations can worship and learn together, valuing the contributions of each age group. By doing so, we foster a sense of belonging and unity within our faith communities, recognizing that everyone has a role to play in the body of Christ. [29:43]
"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an intergenerational environment in your church or community? What practical steps can you take to bridge generational gaps and foster unity?
Day 5: Welcoming the Overlooked with Radical Love
Jesus' radical love for children challenges us to reflect on who we might overlook or undervalue in our communities. The kingdom of God is for everyone, especially those who are humble and dependent. This reminder calls us to extend His welcome to all, ensuring that no one is left out or marginalized. By embracing this inclusive love, we become agents of God's grace and hospitality in the world. [47:04]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community might be feeling overlooked or undervalued? How can you extend God’s radical love and hospitality to them today?
Quotes
"Father, we thank you for the gift of life. We thank you for Kinsha's safe arrival. We thank you for that she has been crafted by you. Lord that you are calling her you know the days you know what lies before her and Father over these coming days weeks and months and years as she grows may she grow closer to you may she feel your presence may you continue to bless her all the days of her lives and Father we ask that you bless Ken and Felicia as they guide this young life this precious life that you have entrusted to them Lord when the things are going well help them to celebrate when things are not going so well help them to celebrate Lord just help them to rely on you Lord we know that as you have said when we teach our children the way they should go they will never depart from it may that be the situation may that be Kensha and Father we look forward to all that she will become and will be in Jesus name we pray Amen" [00:24:36] (73 seconds)
"how does God see children? are they part of the mission of God in the world? and if so how? does God want the child outside the community of faith to be part of that community of faith to be believers and as part of the church? what of the Bible? how should the great narrative the great story that is the Bible be interpreted with children in mind? what does it mean for the church if we place the child children in the midst as Jesus did?" [00:26:28] (40 seconds)
"And it strikes me that Jesus was one of the first people to employ what we call today is intergenerational ministry. where children are part of the church, not segregated out somewhere else, but actually part of the service. I mean, I can't see Jesus going, okay, all these people, there was 20 ,000 people, Peter, James and John, can you take the kids over there? And can you take the... No, they would have all been there. They would have all got the same message, all interacted. The kids were probably running around. The kids were probably making a lot of noise. But Jesus didn't care, because they were there." [00:29:30] (50 seconds)
"You know, and as I read the scripture, I find myself thinking about us as a church and how we welcome children and let them be themselves in church, able to wander around and just be kids, but at the same time taking in what is said and what is done as we teach them and as they teach us what it means to have faith in Jesus. I'll let you in a little secret. You know, there are times when I question, or I'm called to question, and it's not by God, our approach to ministry and intergenerational ministry." [00:39:19] (39 seconds)
"They had no power or status of their own. They were totally dependent on their parents or guardians. In the ancient world, the world in which the disciples grew up, the world as it was when Jesus walked this earth, the world as it was when Jesus ministered for three years, the world the disciples were living in at that moment, children had no rights or social standing. You see, children didn't add anything to the family's economy or honour. And in fact, in the Roman world, children had such low status that you could literally throw a baby outside to die and not be held to account." [00:40:49] (49 seconds)
"In both of these moments, when he places a child in the midst of the disciples, and when he welcomes these little children to be brought to him, he's making a radical statement. He's once again overturning cultural expectations and challenging deeply ingrained beliefs about status, about power, and who is truly important in the kingdom of God. It's how he responds to the disciples' question about greatness. He doesn't tell them off for asking. Instead, he completely redefines what greatness looks like. He calls a child, a person with no status, no authority, no rights, and places them right in the centre so everybody can see." [00:42:58] (55 seconds)
"If we truly take Jesus's words and actions to heart and take them seriously, how should we respond? I'm really glad that I see children as active participants in our church, in the life of our church, not just as future believers, not just as the church of tomorrow, because you guys, you children, you young people are not the church of tomorrow. Well, you are, but you're also the church of today. But Jesus doesn't just say, sorry, I'm pleased that we don't see them, see children as a distraction, but as equally important members of our church, equally deserving of being here in church as everybody else, that we don't expect them to wait until they have grown up to be part of the church." [00:44:14] (62 seconds)
"Because Jesus doesn't just say that children are welcome. He says that unless we become like them, we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. It's not being childish, it's being childlike. It's a strong statement. So what is it about a child's faith that Jesus wants us to embrace? Their total trust? Their total dependence? Their openness to wonder and mystery? Yes. All of that and more. You see, children remind us that faith is not about status, it's not about what we've done, it's not about achievement. It's about just receiving. Children come with open hands, not trying to earn things, but simply accepting." [00:45:34] (57 seconds)
"Clearly, Jesus valued children, not just as part of the crowd, but as a central image of what it means to belong in God's kingdom. In a culture where Jesus, sorry, where children had no status... Jesus welcomed them. Where society overlooked them, Jesus placed them right in the centre. Where others saw them as distractions, Jesus saw them as examples of faith. He didn't embrace them out of kindness, which is a statement about the nature of his kingdom. Jesus turned the values of the world upside down. The kingdom is not for the powerful, the accomplished or the self -sufficient. It is for those who know their need for God." [00:47:01] (53 seconds)
"At Jesus' table, no one is too insignificant. No one is overlooked. The kingdom of God is not won by status or success, but received in humility, trust and dependence. Just like a child receiving the love of a parent. In raising up children, in the context of a society where they were seen as insignificant, Jesus challenges us to reflect and ask ourselves, who do we see as insignificant? Are there people we overlook or undervalue in our communities? Are we making space for the vulnerable? Are we nurturing faith? Or do we knowingly or unknowingly become a stumbling block?" [00:48:12] (53 seconds)
"Our loving and gracious God, we come to you with hearts full of gratitude. We thank you for the gift of children, for their trust, their openness, their wonder, and the way that they model for us what it means to receive your kingdom. Thank you that in Jesus we see your heart, a heart that welcomes, blesses, and lifts up those the world so often looks, often overlooks. Help us as your church to be a place where all are welcome, young and old, strong and weak, the seen and especially the unseen. May we never push away those you have called to yourself, but instead may we embrace them as you do." [00:57:34] (47 seconds)
"And give us the humility to learn from the faith of the children you put in our midst and the courage to model your radical love. We thank you for the generosity of those who have given today and throughout the week. And we ask you to bless these gifts that they may be used to further your kingdom, to nurture faith, and to create a church where all people, no matter what their age or status, know that they are deeply loved and valued for you. As we go from this place today, let us go as people who embody the welcome of Christ, extending his invitation to all and receiving your kingdom with childlike trust." [00:58:20] (43 seconds)
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