Embracing Our Legacy: Blessing Children with Inclusivity

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Welcomes and Blesses the Children

Jesus’ radical welcome of children, who had no status in society, reveals God’s heart for the least and the overlooked, and calls us to embody that same open-armed love in our own lives. Jesus’ indignation at the disciples’ attempt to keep children away shows that the kingdom of God is not reserved for the powerful or respected, but is especially for those who are vulnerable and marginalized. In blessing the children, Jesus turns the social order upside down, making it clear that everyone—regardless of age, status, or background—is precious in God’s sight. [10:45]

Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Reflection: Who in your life or community is often overlooked or undervalued, and how can you extend a radical welcome to them this week, just as Jesus did for the children?

Day 2: The Kingdom Belongs to the Least of These

Jesus uses a child as an object lesson to teach that greatness in God’s kingdom is not about status or achievement, but about humility, openness, and childlike trust. When the disciples asked who was the greatest, Jesus placed a child in their midst, challenging their assumptions and inviting them to see that the kingdom belongs to those who are willing to become small, dependent, and receptive. This teaching invites us to examine our own hearts and ambitions, and to seek greatness through humility and service. [15:30]

Matthew 18:1-5 (ESV)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “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. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let go of pride or status and embrace the humility and openness of a child before God?

Day 3: God’s Welcome Is for All People

The vision of children from every race gathered at Jesus’ feet is a powerful reminder that God’s kingdom is beautifully diverse and radically inclusive. This image challenges us to reflect God’s welcome in our own community, recognizing that every person—regardless of background, ethnicity, or circumstance—is invited to belong and to be blessed. As we look around and see our own context, we are called to pray and work for a church and a world that more fully reflects the colorful harmony of God’s family. [07:40]

Revelation 7:9 (ESV)
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

Reflection: How can you help your church or community become a more welcoming and inclusive place for people of all backgrounds?

Day 4: Taking the Church to the Children

When traditional ways of reaching children are not possible, God calls us to creative, missional action—taking the love and presence of Christ out into the community rather than waiting for people to come to us. Whether it’s reading to Head Start children, supporting foster families, or finding new ways to serve, every act of going out is a valid and vital ministry. The call is not to be discouraged by changing times or demographics, but to be innovative and faithful in blessing children wherever they are found. [23:10]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Reflection: What is one creative way you can “take the church” to children or families in your community this month?

Day 5: Blessing Children Through Advocacy and Everyday Actions

Blessing children goes beyond words or church programs—it means advocating for their needs, offering our time and skills, and creating moments of encouragement and affirmation in daily life. Every act of advocacy, every word of encouragement, and every effort to support children’s well-being is a way of embodying Jesus’ blessing. Whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply noticing and affirming a child, we are called to be champions for the young and vulnerable in our midst. [28:00]

Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV)
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Reflection: Who is one child (in your family, neighborhood, or community) you can intentionally bless or advocate for this week, and what specific action will you take?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the newly installed stained glass window, “Jesus Blesses the Children,” a vivid reminder of both our church’s origins and the radical nature of Jesus’ ministry. The window is not just a beautiful piece of art; it’s a call to remember that our church was founded, in part, because one woman saw children in need of spiritual community. This legacy is woven into our identity, even as the demographics of Clearwater Beach have shifted over the decades.

The window’s intentional depiction of children from diverse racial backgrounds is a visual proclamation of God’s inclusive love. It challenges us to be a welcoming community, echoing the heavenly vision where people from every nation and tribe gather at the feet of Jesus. While our congregation may reflect the local population, the window reminds us that God’s kingdom is far broader and more colorful than our immediate context.

Looking closely at the biblical accounts, Jesus’ blessing of the children was a revolutionary act. In a society where children had little status, Jesus not only welcomed them but became indignant when his disciples tried to turn them away. He used this moment to teach that the kingdom of God belongs to the least, the overlooked, and the powerless. This was not a sentimental gesture but a radical reordering of values, a challenge to the social norms of his day.

For us, this means reimagining how we minister to children, especially in a context where few live nearby and traditional Sunday school models are less feasible. We are called to creativity—taking the church to the children rather than waiting for them to come to us. Whether it’s reading to Head Start students or blessing foster families at Christmas, these acts are not lesser forms of ministry but faithful expressions of Christ’s love.

Ultimately, the question is personal: How are we blessing the children around us? Jesus’ example compels us to advocate for children, invest our time and skills, and create moments of blessing in everyday interactions. Our legacy and our calling are clear—just as Jesus blessed the children, so must we.

Key Takeaways

1. The founding vision of our church was rooted in a deep concern for children who lacked spiritual community. This legacy calls us to continually prioritize the needs and spiritual well-being of children, even as our context changes. Honoring our origins means seeking out and serving the most vulnerable in our midst, just as our founders did. [04:10]
2. The depiction of racial diversity in the stained glass window is a deliberate theological statement: God’s kingdom is radically inclusive. While our congregation may reflect the local demographic, we are called to embody a welcome that anticipates the diversity of heaven, where all are gathered at the feet of Jesus. This challenges us to examine our own openness and to strive for a community that reflects God’s expansive love. [07:00]
3. Jesus’ blessing of the children was a revolutionary act that upended the social order of his time. By welcoming those with no status or power, Jesus demonstrated that the kingdom of God belongs to the least and the overlooked. This challenges us to reassess whom we value and to ensure our ministries prioritize those whom society often ignores. [13:30]
4. The changing landscape of children’s ministry requires creativity and adaptability. With fewer children in our immediate community, we are called to take the church to where children are, rather than expecting them to come to us. Acts like reading to Head Start students or supporting foster families are not lesser ministries but vital expressions of Christ’s love in action. [23:00]
5. Blessing children is not limited to church programs; it extends to advocacy, personal involvement, and everyday encouragement. We are called to be voices for children in our communities, to offer our time and skills, and to create moments of affirmation and blessing in the lives of the children we encounter. In doing so, we embody the radical welcome and love of Jesus. [32:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to the Windows of Faith Series
[02:30] - The Story Behind “Jesus Blesses the Children”
[04:10] - Church Origins: A Vision for Children
[06:00] - Racial Diversity in the Window
[07:00] - God’s Inclusive Kingdom
[08:30] - Demographics and Congregational Reflection
[10:00] - The Radical Nature of Jesus’ Welcome
[13:30] - Jesus’ Indignation and Social Reversal
[16:00] - Lessons from Matthew and Mark
[18:30] - Implications for Our Ministry
[20:30] - Challenges of Children’s Ministry Today
[23:00] - Creative Approaches: Taking Church to Children
[26:30] - Christmas Outreach to Foster Families
[29:00] - Practical Ways to Bless Children
[32:00] - Advocacy and Personal Involvement
[34:00] - Closing Challenge: How Will You Bless Children?

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 10:13-16 — People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

- Matthew 18:1-5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Observation Questions

In Mark 10:13-16, how did Jesus respond when the disciples tried to keep the children away from him? What word is used to describe his reaction?
According to the sermon, what was the social status of children in Jesus’ time, and why was Jesus’ welcome of them considered “revolutionary”? [13:30]
What is the significance of the racial diversity depicted in the stained glass window, as explained in the sermon? [07:00]
What examples did the sermon give of ways our church is currently “taking the church to the children” rather than waiting for them to come to us? [23:00]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus became “indignant” when the disciples tried to turn the children away? What does this reveal about his values and priorities? [13:30]
The sermon says Jesus’ blessing of the children was not just a sentimental gesture but a “radical reordering of values.” What does this mean for how we view people who are overlooked or have little status in our society? [13:30]
The window’s depiction of children from different racial backgrounds is described as a “theological statement.” What does this say about God’s vision for the church and for heaven? [07:00]
The sermon mentions that our church was founded in part because one woman saw children in need of spiritual community. How does this founding story shape our church’s identity and mission today? [04:10]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to ask, “How am I personally blessing the children around me?” Who are the children in your life or community, and what is one specific way you could bless them this week? [34:00]
Our church context has changed, and there are fewer children living nearby. What creative ideas do you have for reaching and blessing children who may not come to our building? [23:00]
The sermon gave examples like reading to Head Start students and supporting foster families at Christmas. Is there a ministry or outreach to children that you feel drawn to participate in or start? What’s holding you back? [23:00]
Jesus’ welcome was radically inclusive, and the window reflects this. Are there ways you could help our church become more welcoming to children and families from different backgrounds? [07:00]
The sermon calls us to advocate for children, not just in church but in the wider community. Is there a need or injustice facing children in our area that you feel passionate about? How could you use your voice or skills to make a difference? [32:00]
Think about a child you know—maybe a grandchild, neighbor, or student. What is one word of encouragement or blessing you could offer them this week to let them know they are seen and valued? [32:00]
The sermon reminds us that blessing children is not limited to programs but happens in everyday moments. What is one small, practical step you can take this week to create a moment of blessing for a child? [32:00]

Sermon Clips

If we are to be followers of Christ it is imperative that we focus on what Jesus did and what Jesus said so that we might follow him. You know I got someone sent me a something this week and it reminded me Jesus never asked us to worship him Jesus asked us to follow him and so as we follow Jesus we must think about what Jesus did and what he said. [00:01:01]

Our church was founded in part because of the vision of this one little Canadian lady who saw the children running around the streets of Clearwater Beach with no church to attend. Our church was founded in part for children. Now Clearwater Beach has changed a good deal in those 75 years...but this is in our blood. We were founded as a church who cares for children. [00:00:00]

One of the high values we place as our in a community together, one of our missional aspirations, is that we would be a welcoming people to all people. And so to have all the races represented in this window is by design because everyone is welcome at the feet of Jesus and if everyone is welcome at the feet of Jesus then everyone is welcome at Chapel by the Sea and so it's a beautiful depiction of, I think it's a depiction of God's ideal. [00:03:51]

It's not because we don't realize that heaven is going to be a lot more colorful than we are here at Chapel by the Sea and it's also a recognition that in God's ideal people from all nations and all tribes will gather in harmony at the feet of Jesus. Oh God let it be. [00:04:43]

Let us not miss the revolutionary nature of this window. Is it revolutionary Pastor Rhonda? Yes, yes it is, thank you for asking. Let me tell you how. You see children were kind of nobodies in first century Israel. They had no status, they had no power, they were kind of at the very bottom of the social order. [00:05:59]

Jesus said not only did he say but he was indignant. Jesus said no let them come to me and then he blessed them and he's using this as a teachable moment to teach his disciples that the kingdom belongs to the least of these. The kingdom of God is not just for the powerful, not just for the wealthy, not just those who are highly respected and regarded with lots of status. No, the children represent those who the kingdom of God belongs to. [00:06:49]

Jesus with this teaching is turning the traditional social order completely upside down saying these are the people who matter disciples get it through your thick skulls would you I am indignant can't you see and so he blessed the children he rebuked his disciples and in so doing showed us a better higher revolutionary way. [00:07:26]

Both of these scriptures detail that it wasn't just a theory it wasn't just some theological concept Jesus is embodying with his actions his high regard of small children so what does this mean for us this was a radical kind of welcome that Jesus offered to his children the children around him and if we are to be Christ followers if we are to learn something from what Jesus said and what Jesus did then perhaps we should follow in kind and offer a radical welcome as well. [00:09:55]

As you in the over the next few months and years perhaps continue to look at that window I don't want you to think of it as a simple little a playful window I want you to think of it as something that challenges us to think about how Jesus turned this social order upside down how Jesus stood against the the norm and challenged people's thinking. [00:10:40]

What does that mean for us? I suggest it means that we must be creative. I suggest that it means that we no longer expect the children to come to us to the church but that we take the church to the children and we're already doing that. [00:13:10]

Every time we go and read to those head start children you know what we're doing right we are taking the church to them and is that a less valid ministry than having children come to us to sunday school no good you guys are on it smart no is the answer no it is a valid ministry as we take the church to them it does require us to be a little more creative than we were back in the 1950s. [00:14:16]

We're not off the hook Chapel by the Sea in ministering to children we just have to find creative ways to do it and you're pretty smart cookies you've proven that today we can do this we can find ways to be missional to take the church to the people instead of expecting old school come to us is the only way you're going to get Jesus. [00:16:10]

Jesus blessed the children and how might we how might we as individuals even find increased ways to bless the children that we know the children in our community and the children of the world I have a couple of ways that we can think about this first of all we need to advocate for children's needs in our wider community. [00:16:41]

Jesus didn't just bless the children who came to him he made a public statement about their value in God's kingdom and so in the same way our blessing of children shouldn't stop at our own church doors we need to be voices for children in our schools in our neighborhoods in our political systems where our children's needs being overlooked where are they vulnerable where do they need champions maybe it's supporting local schools or advocating for safe places to play addressing children's poverty this is how we can bless children too. [00:17:12]

We can offer our skills and our time we can volunteer in the head start reading program Pam raise your hand if you're interested in that she's right back there or if you don't want to talk to Pam talk to me and I can get you in touch with her we can volunteer to read in the public school system we can become a guardian ad litem in the courts and help children caught up in the court system we can volunteer with casa or big brothers big sisters we can mentor a foster child so many organizations out there doing great work we can bless a child by getting involved. [00:17:52]

We can create moments of blessing in our interaction with the children who are already in our lives a kid or a grandchild or a great -grandchild a niece or a nephew or a neighbor a word of encouragement an attaboy or an attagirl recognizing their gifts celebrating their achievements no matter how small these moments will tell children that they're seen and that they're heard and that they are valued. [00:18:26]

As we think about the founding of our church how we were founded in part to minister to children we must find ways to honor that legacy here together and so I'll leave you with this question this is what I want you to take home with you today are you ready how am I personally blessing the children around me Jesus blessed the children and so must we. [00:18:57]

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