Exodus 2:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Mark 10:13-16
Introduction
People of God, this is a special day! It is the celebration of Children’s Sunday when we celebrate God’s love for children and remind ourselves of our mission to guide them in faith. Children's Sunday is a day set aside to celebrate children as active participants in the church's life. In most Congregations, children serve as worship leaders throughout the service, including preaching. Our focus, “Celebrating Our Heritage – Persisting in Mission: Let the Children Come Unto Me,” reminds us that God cares deeply for children and has given us a responsibility to nurture them in His ways.
Our Heritage: God’s Plan for Children
The story of baby Moses in Exodus 2:5-10 is a powerful reminder that God has always had a special plan for children. Due to this plan of God, the devil also devises to militate against children. When Pharaoh ordered that all Hebrew baby boys be killed, God made a way for Moses to be saved. In the same way, God saved His Son Jesus from the claws of King Herod.
Jochebed, Moses' mother, fully trusted God and protected Moses. Even though Pharaoh’s daughter knew the child was of Hebrew descent, "And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children," she still showed kindness and adopted him. Moses grew up to become a great leader, chosen by God.
God's welcoming of children indicates the child's special plan and purpose on earth. Every child is precious in God’s sight. Moses' passion and support for the Hebrews later on shows that his mother nurtured him to capture the true heritage of the Hebrews. Christian leaders are called to inculcate God's faithfulness in the child.
Just as Moses had a special purpose, God has a plan for every child today. To Jeremiah God said, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5). The church, parents, and leaders must be intentional to protect, teach, and nurture children in the faith to fulfill their purpose.
Persisting in Mission: Never Giving Up
The persistence here speaks to our steadfastness and never giving up. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul tells us to be steadfast, unmovable and always working for the Lord. This means we must never stop teaching, guiding, encouraging, and praying for children.
Sometimes, children face challenges—peer pressure, struggles in school, and distractions from technology. Quality parenting strategies will support and empower them to become the children God desires.
This is a call on the church and parents to teach them God’s Word and help them to grow spiritually. The holistic growth of the child must be our priority.
We must understand that, even when it is difficult, we must remember that our work in the Lord is never in vain. "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Parents, teachers, and leaders must keep teaching children about Jesus, even when it is challenging. What we put into the children will surely propel them into the future. Children must also learn to keep their faith strong and never give up on doing good.
Our heritage of faith must continue from generation to generation. God said, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children..." (Deut. 6:6-9)
Jesus Loves Little Children
One day, people brought their children to Jesus, but His disciples tried to stop them. We normally do the same by chasing them out of our midst when they come around, especially during services. But Jesus rebuked them and said, “Let the little children come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
Jesus welcomed children. He blessed them and showed that they are important in the Kingdom of God. "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)
Jesus wants every child to know Him and have a relationship with Him. When the disciples began to block the children, the Bible indicates that Jesus was indignant or greatly displeased by their actions. Leading our children to know and welcome Christ into their lives is very important because Christ wants a relationship with them.
Jesus teaches us to have childlike faith—to trust Him completely. Our faith must be like a child's trust in the father or mother. They make no room for confusion, and so must the adult.
Children are an important part of God’s family. Therefore, the church must create a welcoming space for children to learn and grow in Christ. Just as Jesus embraced children, we must love, teach, and encourage them.
The church must move beyond just educating Children's Service teachers to handle the children at church to intentionally educating and training parents to parent their wards in their homes.
Conclusion
As we celebrate Children’s Sunday, let us thank God for our heritage and persist in our mission to raise godly children. May we continue to bring children to Jesus and teach them to follow Him all their lives.
Let the children come unto Jesus, for they are the future of God’s Kingdom. Amen!
Shalom aleikhem...
