Joy Magazine article Dec 2013 Jesus loves the children

I just saw an article in the Joy Magazine Dec 2013 that has really touched my heart. It is about Jesus loving children. Extra meaningful to me as we have our last Children’s Church meeting for this year on Sunday. Some extracts:

 

“Recent statistics say that over 83% of Christians make the decision to follow Christ before the age of 18. Only 17% are saved after age 18. Children and young people are a priority to Jesus, and they need to be a priority to us too!” (pg. 36)

 

“When you see little ones running around at church, you are seeing the ones who are greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. The ministry to children is probably the most important ministry in your local church.” (pg38)

 

“Now admittedly, it takes energy and patience to teach children. It takes time and money to provide for the needs of young people. But it’s worth whatever it takes!” (pg. 38)

 

“The children were brought to Jesus. That’s what Jesus wants you to do. He wants you to bring them to Him. If you don’t bring them, they might never come.

 

“There are parents who don’t understand the importance of giving their children spiritual direction. They want them to wait until they are old enough to decide for themselves about spiritual things or go to church. Yet they don’t let them wait until they are old enough to decide for themselves if they should go to school, visit the dentist, or clean their room.

POINT THEM TO CHRIST

A preacher wanted to show off his garden to a man who wouldn’t let his children attend church. He wanted them to wait until they were old enough to decide for themselves. When they walked in to the garden, it was full of weeds, which were choking out his squash, beans and tomatoes. The man said, “This is a pitiful excuse for a garden!” To which the preacher replied: “I just wanted to wait until the vegetables had a chance to decide for themselves what they wanted to do!”

 

 

 

My verses for Sunday are:

 

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8-9).

 

What is the key of life? “…Loving the LORD your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself (cling) firmly to Him. This is the key to your life” (Deuteronomy 30:20). NLT

 

This is my aim in Children’s church because everything else will perish, but the word of God will be for all eternity.