Fruit of the Spirit

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

Summer 2003                                                            Volume 4, Issue 3

(Children, continued from page 1)

The Defense Of Children

"But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). Here we learn that Jesus is not so bothered by children as many of us seem to be. Not only did Jesus permit the children to come to him, but he asked for them. In turn if we want the children, we must ask for them. “Children’s church” and staffed nurseries have become the tool for intollerant church goers and impatient parents to remove children from the most precious event of the week; worship of God the Father.

Notice what Jesus said about children, “...for of such is the kingdom of God.” Since activity in Heaven will consist of worshipping God (Rev 4,5) and Heaven will be chock full of children, why would anyone who is critical of and distracted by children in worship ever want to go to Heaven? Especially since there will be no attended nursery there. Interestingly enough, the only time we find criticism by the Lord of children, is when those children had grown up to be adults and sinned. Furthermore, the only criticism of children that we do read of in the Bible was done by men, not the Lord.

Though we may feel we are trying to help a young mother or father when we offer advice or suggestions concerning their children, it is generally perceived as criticism. When a child is fussy or crying during worship, ignore him and concentrate on what is being done and said. Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Perhaps the worst damage to young parents has been done by arrogant preachers who stop mid-sermon to ask a mother to take a crying child out of the auditorium. Brethren, when we fill our sermons with substance instead of fluff, we will not have to worry about the distractions. If a fussy or crying child hinders you from preaching, then perhaps you should not preach.

The Demeanor Of Children

“Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter

therein” (Mark 10:15). Indeed, how can we be so critical of those whom Jesus says we are to model ourselves after? Often we refer to certain types of bad behavior as being “childish.” However, most of those behaviors are things that children pick up from observing the adults. When a child is unable to sit through the entire service without getting tired or agitated, he has probably already observed the adults that cannot sit through a sermon any longer than twenty minutes. Sure, little ones run around making noise and playing after services are over, but at least they are not gossiping over the pews or railing against each other.

Ask a child what he studied in Bible class and you'll get an ear full. Ask many adults what the sermon was about and you'll get a blank stare. The most sincere prayer I ever heard was prayed by a child. Children often like to sing their Bible class songs at home, school, or the store. But many adults refuse to sing even in worship. Children anxiously look forward to putting their quarter in the collection plate if it is something they see dad & mom doing every week. The enthusiasm and sincerity of children is a trait that we should work toward in ourselves. If we are annoyed or bothered by children in the church, likely it is because we are the ones misbehaving.

The Disposition Of Children

“And he took them up in his arms and put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16). Can there be any doubt that Jesus loves the little children? Paul said in 1Cor 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” So what should our attitudes be toward children? We should love the children and we should love having the children in worship.

We learn that the Christians of the first century worshipped with their children. They did not have nurseries or foyers, but simply worshipped God together. In fact the only ones who were rebuked by Paul for distractions in worship were the adults (1 Cor. 11,12,13,14). God has blessed us with children, so let us feel blessed to have them. Jesus blessed the children, so let us not curse that which the Lord has blessed.

Ted Parks
Vacaville, Ca.


Inside...
Page 1 - Jesus Loves The Little Children | Page 2 - Where In The Bible Will I Find...
Page 3 - Prison Report | Page 4 - Old Testament Studies | Page 5 - Where Did The Bible Come From?
Page 6 - Self Esteem, Part 1 | Page 7 - Christian Evidences | Page 8 - Same Sex Marriages?
Page 9 - The Christian Home | Page 10 - Continuations | Page 11 - The Children's Page
Page 12 - Announcements

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