Let the children come

At our churches, children are not an afterthought. On Sunday, while the sermon is preached, children have a message of their own, led by a teacher, where they learn about Jesus.

Jesus welcomed the children

In the Gospels, people brought their little children to Jesus so that He could bless them. His disciples tried to send them away. Jesus was not pleased with that. He called the children to Him.

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16, NKJV

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:13-14, NKJV

This is the invitation we want every child in our church to hear: come to Jesus.

Children present the armor of God at the front of the church, with a teacher helping.

A teacher speaking with a group of children at the front of the church while the pastor takes a photo behind them.

Children gather near the pulpit while the congregation claps.

Why we teach children

God wants children to hear His word

When Moses told Israel to gather for the reading of the law, the little ones were included, so that they would hear it and learn it.

Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”

Deuteronomy 31:12-13, NKJV

Faith is handed on from one generation to the next

God asked His people to tell their children what He had done, so that each new generation would set its hope in Him.

We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments.

Psalm 78:4-7, NKJV

A teacher guides young children at the front of the church while others watch.

A teacher talks with a group of children standing at the front of the church.

Teaching begins at home, and the church stands beside it

The Bible gives parents the first place in teaching their children. The children's message is there to stand beside parents in that work, not to take their place.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NKJV

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4, NKJV

A teacher standing with children who hold paper swords, with flowers on the pulpit in front.

What children learn early stays with them

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6, NKJV

Timothy is an example. Paul reminded him that from childhood he had known the Holy Scriptures.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15, NKJV

A girl in a white dress reading from a sheet of paper.

Soldiers of Jesus: learning the armor of God

In one lesson, the children learned about the armor of God and showed it to the whole church. They wore a helmet, a breastplate, a shield, a belt and carried a sword, each one marked with what it stands for. They stood at the front with a sign that read "Soldado de Jesús", Soldier of Jesus.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:13-17, NKJV

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:3, NKJV

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. That is why we want children to learn the Bible: it is the sword God puts in their hands.

Four children at the front of the church holding paper swords and a sign that reads "Soldado de Jesús", with a song slide on the screen behind them.

Children at the front of the church with a sign and paper swords while a song plays on the screen.

A teacher helping a girl with a paper while a small boy in a green paper armor stands beside her, with the pastor behind the pulpit.

A boy wearing a handmade green helmet and breastplate of the armor of God, with a paper shield, while a girl stands beside him.

Questions about the children's message?

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