Children are the church of TODAY!

May 17, 2013LaBreeska Ingles

One of my pet peeves is the statement, “Children are the church of the future.” I think one of my life sermons is CHILDREN ARE THE CHURCH OF TODAY!!! Why would Jesus say that we should be like children?

Kids can change the world. They are passionate. They have the innate desire to love others. They believe without doubt. If we tell them that they can change the world and empower others today and tomorrow, then they will try. Kids will dream of creative ideas and they will need the adults to help them execute these ideas.

One story that inspired me lately is the story of Ryan Hreljac. He was 6 years old when he decided to build a water well in Africa. He spoke at different places to raise money and one year later, that water well “changed the world” of that African village. Ryan went on to found an organization called Ryan’s Well Foundation and it has completed “667 projects in 16 countries, bringing access to clean water and sanitation to more than 714,000 people.”

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/photos/8-amazing-kids-who-have-changed-the-world/ryan-hreljac

Ryan didn’t wait to change his world as an adult, but you know that it was necessary for his faithful parents to help complete this challenge. First, they must have introduced Ryan to the world and the challenges that others face, such as the lack of water in African villages. Then, the parents had to really hear Ryan’s ideas and recognize that he was seeing through heaven’s eyes. Next, comes the hardest part. These parents had to roll up their sleeves and work with their son to execute these ideas. I’m sure they had to teach him many skills along the way, such as how to give a speech, how to save money, how to make connections with well diggers, and much more. It’s true that kids may not have all of the skills to complete the passions in their heart, but that’s why God gave them parents.

My challenge as a mom and a pastor to children is 1. Believe that children can change the world TODAY! 2.Use language that empowers kids to look at their world and listen to heaven’s solutions for the world around them. 3. Don’t dismiss a kid’s idea as too silly or too difficult to execute. 4. Teach kids the skills that will help them finish their victorious race. 5. Roll up my sleeves and work beside the kids to complete their tasks.

Kids don’t have to wait until they are adults to make a difference in the world. The reality is that not all kids will have ideas as big as Ryan Hreljac. “Changing the world” means changing the world that you live in, (the society that surrounds you). Children could change their world through simple tasks, such as taking soup to a sick person, writing an encouraging card to a neighbor, or leading their friends to Jesus at school. However, I want to be prepared for our kids to possibly get the answer to world hunger, come up with a creative idea for a business at a young age, or start a movement that changes the world. Kids are bringing the Future to Today!


If you are interested in additional resources, children's church curriculum, and lesson plans, check out the Kidsministryteam store.