5 Reasons Why Childrens Ministry Must Be a Priority Do you sometimes ask why am I in Childrens Ministry?

Why am I doing what I am doing? Lets answer that question together. 1. Children have always played a big part in Gods story. John Baptist For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb. (Luke 1:15) Little Maid Little girl was taken into captivity and used as a slave. Her new master, a powerful man and enemy of Israel was the victim of an incurably, disgusting disease. The girl told her captor, Naaman the leper, of a prophet of God who could pray for his healing. (2 Kings 5:1-4) Samuel heard God voice as a child. (1 Samuel 3) Josiah was crowned King of Judah at 8 years old. Was known for following God and being obedient to Gods Word. (2 Chronicles 34) Joash became King of Judah at 7 years old and reigned for 40 Years. (2 Kings 11) Boy with lunch. (John 6)

Children led the way in praising Jesus. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, " 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise' ?" (Matthew 21:15-16) 2. Childrens Ministry was a priority of Jesus. Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there. (Matthew 19) Disciples saw as a botherJesus saw them as a blessing. If you want your ministry to be like Jesus ministry, then childrens ministry must be a priority in your church. Profile high profile (how much air time does it get) Physical space Personnel Programming Programming funding Percentage of your congregation 15-20% is healthy

3. Children will bring Gods blessings to your church. He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:36-37) When you make childrens ministry a priority in your church, you will usher Gods blessings into your church. 4. Children are the greatest mission field. We are commanded to bear fruit as Christians. That means helping others find Christ. Childrens Ministry is the best place to bear fruit. 85% of people come to Christ before age 18. 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. (2 Timothy 3:14-15) Early years provide the foundation for the rest of persons life. Kids learn more in their first 5 years than any other time in life. Wet cement. There is only a short window of time before it hardens.

5. Children can serve God for a lifetime. In Matthew 20, Jesus shares an interesting story. An estate manager went out to hire people to work in his vineyard. He hired the first crew at 6:00 am, the second crew at 9:00 am, the third crew at 12 noon, the fourth crew at 3:00 pm, and the last crew at 5:00 pm. Quitting time was 6 pm. He paid everyone the same amount....no matter what time they had started work. We learn from this that God's redeeming grace is available for everyone...no matter what time in life they come to Him. Some people come to Christ early in life as children. For others it may be in their 20's, 40's, or even in their last few years of life. The same forgiveness is extended to all. If you serve in Children's Ministry, I believe you are focusing on the most critical of the five crews...the 6:00 am crew. The vast majority of people who come to Christ are from the 6:00 am crew. When you minister to children, you are working in the greatest harvest field. The 6:00 am crew also has the most time to work for the Master. When a child comes to Christ, they have their whole life to make an impact for the kingdom. You are part of something big you are holding the future leaders of the church in your arms, you are teaching the future Pastors, and rocking the future businessmen who will use their resources to further Gods Kingdom. What you do matters!!!

Psalm 78 O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, 2 for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past 3 stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about His power and His mighty wonders. 5 For He issued His laws to Jacob; he gave His instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them even the children not yet born and they in turn will teach their own children. 7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying his commands.