WHY CHILDREN MINISTRY?

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

(Prov 22:6)

Some scriptures are more dealt with the secular world than church people. This usually happens to dis-teach the young generation about the truth of God, His love and promises. The prince of this world has been doing its best to install an evil controlling system to governance, economics and most of all child development institutes. Moral education has been removed from building ethical generation since long decades.

The world is full of researchers and policy makers; so it will be effective in investing in child development plans. School curriculum is highly advanced to achieve the goals set by the syllabus. Education policies have been thoroughly revised as the result of ample researches of content and teaching methodologies.

Child development researchers have now reached to the extent of defining a child born with full version and ability of becoming his/ her own god or idol. They also have introduced a systematic teaching approach or methodology guideline for school teachers, parents and the community at large.

Our bible encourages us to teach the nation to submit to God. And only through this submission of the generation shall they be blessed and prosper.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Hear, my son, your father's instruction
And do not forsake your mother's teaching;

Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck.”

(Prov 1:7-9)

"Now, my son, the LORD be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the LORD your God just as He has spoken concerning you. Only the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.”

(1 Chron 22:11-14)

As king David puts it, destruction and a fall of a nation comes following the rejection of bible stories as well as the fear of the LORD. He advised his son to strictly follow God and HIS commandments.

"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act."

The Apostle Paul also mentioned Christ as wisdom of God.

(1 Chron 28:9-10)

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom ofGod.”

(1 Cor 1:22-24)

On the third chapter of the epistle of Apostle Paul to Timothy, he has mentioned how people turn from God in the last days. This has been prophetically scribed to warn the church. The Apostle advised Timothy...

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

(1 Tim 3:14-16)

In this days of globalization, internet, social media, crypto currency and live entertainment streaming, the word of God seldom rules peoples’ individual and social life.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”

(2 Tim 3:1-5)

No matter how frustrating the world’s daily activities may look, the promises of God for the church will never fail. The prophet Isaiah declared it as follows.

“All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace. In righteousness you will be established:

Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.

Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.

If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you.”

(Isa 54:13-15) And our beloved and great teacher, Lord Jesus Christ has confirmed it this way.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33)

The church has to, thus, strengthen children ministry with all her might. Ample prayers and empowerment workshops must be conducted to child missionaries and Sunday school teachers. Bible vocation schools must be available in every corners of the continent to adolescent children.

Even in the last days, people will long to the kingdom of God; and surely they need others to preach them the Good News. Jesus mentioned this to His disciples.

“Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

(Matt 9:37-38)

Hence, what good disciples of Jesus would reach out to the generations of the last days! When the church meekly invests in the mind, body and spirit of children; the father will abundantly multiply the good workers of His harvest. A higher standard of Christian living is demanded in this very end of the world.

Jesus preached to the people, who they are supposed to be, in the kingdom of God. Let us close this article up with the following powerful message of the Son of God, himself.

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and

the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

(Luke 6:27-49)