Celebrate Children 2010

 Ten Promises For Our Children  - Julie Weslake

“If our children are to have faith, we need to make sure that the church becomes a significant community of faith.” John Westerhoff .  Faith does not develop in a vacuum. Having faith, understanding faith, exploring faith and questioning faith . . .  are meant to be done with others who are on the same path or looking for the same path. Ivy Beckworth, p74.  People of all ages need to join together and care for each other.

 

“Children need churches committed to the nurture of the whole child, for the whole of childhood.” Children Matter, p.140.  The goal of a child-friendly church is to recognise the importance of children and work together with parents to empower, strengthen and support them. The church should be a place where kids can feel comfortable, feel that they belong, have their social and spiritual needs met, and be embraced as valuable members

“If children are nurtured, released, trained, empowered and given a vision for their lives, then when they reach adolescence their roots will be deep. Relationships that have been formed during the early years can provide foundations.” Daphne Kirk p.60

The following ‘Ten Promises’ will help churches take the discipleship of children seriously.

 

Promise 1:

We will help you understand how much God loves you by the way we care for you.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”1 John 4:11

How will you show God’s love to a child in your church today?

 

Promise 2:

We will help you to feel welcome every time you come to our church.

“Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:5

How can you welcome children to your church as Jesus would welcome them?

 

Promise 3:

We will listen to you and put your needs at the heart of our church.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

Whose needs are the most important in church- the adults’ needs or the children’s needs?

 

Promise 4:

We will make sure you always feel safe, comfortable and special.

“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14

How safe and comfortable are the children in your church? How often do they feel special?

 

Promise 5:

We will be happy with you in your happy times and comfort you in your sad times.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15

How could you respond to the sad and happy children in your church today?

 

Promise 6:

We will welcome you when you use your special gifts in our worship services.

“From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” Psalm 8:2

What gifts has God given the children in your church and how will you involve them in your worship service this week?

 

Promise 7:

We will help you to learn that Jesus loves you. Died for you, forgives you, and is making a place for you in Heaven.

 “For God so loved the word that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Research suggests that “what you believe by the time you are 13 is what you will die believing.”*How will you make the most of this window of opportunity to help a child learn about Jesus this week?   *The Barna Group, Research Update November 17, 2003.

 

Promise 8:

We will be here for you when you wonder about life and God. We will listen to you and help you to find answers.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13

How will you support the children in your church as they search for God?

 

Promise 9:

We will be here to guide and support you as you learn how to follow Jesus in your everyday life as a Christian.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV

How are you supporting the children in your church as they learn how to follow Jesus?

 

Promise 10:

We will encourage you as you find your special way to serve God and share His love with others.

“We have different gifts. All  these, are the work of one and the same Spirit and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” Romans 12:6 and Corinthians 12”11 NIV

How are you helping the children in your church to use their spiritual gifts?

 

“See, I will send you Elijah, the prophet . . . and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers.” Malachi 4:4-6  God is challenging churches to respond - natural fathers, spiritual fathers, fathers’ of church institutions. NOW is the time to make a commitment, partner with parents and stand up for the spiritual development of children.

 

References and Recommended Resources:

· www.10promisesforourchildren.org

· Ten Promises for Our Children Poster packs are available from jweslake@adventist.org.au  - $10 plus postage.

· Ivy Beckworth, “Postmodern Children’s Ministry”

· Daphne Kirk ,”Born For Such a Time As This”

· John Westerhoff, “Will Our Children Have Faith”

· Scottie May, Beth Posterski, Catherine Stonehouse, Linda Cannell “Children Matter”

· Karen Holford, “Promises for Our Children” Copyright to SEC Children’s Ministries.

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