Let the Children Come

Rebekah Harkins

The cross section of a tree shows wooden rings and markers of time gone by and seasons of growth throughout the years. For a child seeing those rings of a tree for the first time, you might explain to them why some rings are closer together or farther apart based on a year of health and plenty or a dry season. Each of the rings represent a time in the life of the tree, they are a part of its makeup. It tells a long and true story. In the same way, Christian believers who have been through a lifetime of sanctification filled with joys and sorrows, blessings and battles, can use that to point out to children what the Christian life is like. A growing Christian can teach children and pass down the faith by offering to them the wisdom given to them from the Lord from those years of seasons of walking faithfully with him. Psalm 1 reminds us that a man who delights in the law of God is like a tree planted by streams of water yielding fruit in season, its leaves do not wither, and in all he prospers. It is such a blessing and a gift for those who have been believers for many years to know Jesus as their Savior and delight knowing they belong to him. The beauty of ownership is the desire to pass down what you have. The legacy of faith is the most important thing you can pass down.

For those within a church body who have a story of faith to tell, be it empty nesters, grandparents, parents, couples, people who are single; your purpose and promise to be in a way “spiritual parents” or “spiritual mentors” to the covenant children of your church is crucial. That promise happens in real time right now in your church for children and youth, as a part of the covenant family. When older believers see younger believers as an invaluable investment of care and teaching of faith to them, amazing things happen in the family of God. There are only a certain number of Sundays that young people have before they graduate high school and move away. If you are a part of the body of Christ, you have a story of Jesus love for you and hopefully you love to tell that story to all including the children and young people you know. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in knowing how to serve your church in this way and he will give you the strength and ability if it seems like unknown territory for you. When you know the loving-kindness of the Lord, you can give it away to the younger generation for encouragement in their own faith.  

What are some practical ways that you can do this in your church? First, try to know the names of the children in your church and introduce yourself. You might even bring candy to church to offer them after the service or just a “hello!” or high five every Sunday. Knowing what sport or activity they are interested in can be a great connection point to start and even introducing them to an activity that you enjoy could help bridge the gap of knowing the children. Next, think of ways you can serve the children’s parents to encourage them in their busy and tiring season of life. Another way of investment might be serving in the children’s ministry as a Sunday school teacher, volunteer helper, or praying for the children of your church by name. Simply being a friend to the families of your church would allow for you to pass down and share the journey of faith with them as you show them the love of Christ and tell them of what he has done for you. Tell them about the “rings of the tree” of your life and tell them how the Lord led you all the way. “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14).’ ”