Mark 9:36-37 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,  “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

Those who are willing to sacrifice their time to teach and train our children in the ways of the Lord are making a difference … they are changing this world. Conversely, those who “just don’t have the time” to spend with children make a much smaller splash. The world is indoctrinating our children into it’s ways at an early age. A representative for The German National Socialist Regime once stated, “Give me a child of six to educate and he will belong to me for life.” This is serious stuff … it’s been said that 85% of one’s adult personality is formed before the age of six.

The education of our children in the love of God is of utmost importance. In the May 28, 1998, edition of USA Today, the following appeared among the letters to the editor:

Will somebody help me save my son? My son is two years old and is a reflection of complete innocence. His vulnerability to this harsh, violent, ignorant and uncaring world just rips my heart apart. He knows nothing of the killing within the schools that are supposed to prepare children for the world. He knows nothing of the abuse that happens within the homes of children just his age. As he plays with his toys, he is oblivious to the tragedies that occur every day across the country. And as he clutches his blanket, sleeping soundly, dreaming of the mommy and daddy who love him, he has no idea of the complete social and moral decay of our country. Does anyone care anymore? Will someone please, please help me save my son?

Are we willing to answer that letter? Are we willing to help save his son? What about our own children? I know, I know … we spend most of the week with our own children and by the time church rolls around we’re just ready to occupy a seat and be filled. Let someone else take care of teaching the kids. The Children’s Ministry at any church is a challenging place to serve, but we cannot change this world without placing one another’s children as priorities. Children are important and those who minister to the children are doing a divine work. Be sure to tell those precious people who teach your children in church just how much you appreciate them.

Many years ago a Scottish pastor stood before his congregation and resigned, saying, “In the past two years, I have only seen one conversion in this congregation, little Bobby Moffatt. With such little fruit, I can no longer serve in this ministry.” And he walked away from the pulpit. Little did he know that little Bobby Moffatt grew up to be the missionary who opened the entire continent of Africa to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Our children are packages of potential wrapped up tightly in humble frames. Those who serve in the children’s ministry have a huge impact on the world. As pastor, I may lead an adult to Christ, but generally they have less than half a lifetime in which to serve God and influence the world. Children, however, have many more years in which they may have a huge impact on the world. If we are going to change the world, we must place a high priority on raising our children up to love God.

But church is only part of the picture. The other part … the greater part is parents.

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

If you are willing to compromise in your Christianity, so will your children. Our kids watch us to see if we live out what we say we believe. Children can discern insincerity. Did you know that the word sincerity came from two Latin words that meant “without wax.” You see, there was a time when unscrupulous sculptors would cover up cracks in their sculptures with wax. But once those sculptures were purchased and placed in gardens where the sun could hit them, the wax would melt and the cracks would appear. Children are not fooled by empty words. If you are willing to skip church, don’t think you will have children that will grow up with a love for the church. If you are willing to skip prayer or devotion time, don’t expect your children to read their Bibles and pray. If you are willing to compromise in your love of the Lord, know that your children are going to do the same. Conversely, if you live out your faith, your children will do the same.