Up front, I'm going to admit something. I am a big fan of children learning by watching and participating. For example, my little girl and I were recently at the playground together, and she wanted to slide down the slide on her belly. So, after giving her the typical precautions and while waiting at the bottom of the slide to catch her, she slid down on her belly. Then, when she arrived at the bottom, she wanted to climb back up the slide. While you could argue with me about the proper way to make use of a slide, I let her do it, keeping my hand at her back in case she fell back, but also pointing out how she could put her hands and her feet in ways that would help her learn how to climb up the slide better. After just a couple of minor slips, she was back up at the top. Then, we started the process all over again, and each time, she showed a greater ability to do it without the extra assistance and tips.
Children learn by watching, by doing, and by being gently instructed along the way. I believe this goes for so many faith matters, as well. Children learn how to worship and what is proper in worship by being in worship, but also by being instructed why we do what we do, and how we do what we do. Yes, there are times when they get frustrated and squirmy, and maybe didn't sleep enough or are hungry, but what is gained by their presence far outweighs any "advantages" to not having them in worship.
One day, many of His followers were trying to bring children to Jesus. The disciples attempted to persuade the parents that this wasn't good, right, and proper, to which Jesus replied, "Let the children come to me!" God has a heart for children, since we all are children in His eyes. And from the very beginning, children have always been included in the promise that God gives. Circumcision was the sign of God's promise. Baptism now extends God's promise to each child that is baptized. God eagerly desires for children to be an active presence in His Church.
As we at Oak Road look to deepen and expand our ministry to children, we do so with the full understanding that this is something God repeatedly reminds us is a good thing. We hope and pray that a love for children will grow and grow among us as His people, especially as these ministry areas develop more fully.
Children learn by watching, by doing, and by being gently instructed along the way. I believe this goes for so many faith matters, as well. Children learn how to worship and what is proper in worship by being in worship, but also by being instructed why we do what we do, and how we do what we do. Yes, there are times when they get frustrated and squirmy, and maybe didn't sleep enough or are hungry, but what is gained by their presence far outweighs any "advantages" to not having them in worship.
One day, many of His followers were trying to bring children to Jesus. The disciples attempted to persuade the parents that this wasn't good, right, and proper, to which Jesus replied, "Let the children come to me!" God has a heart for children, since we all are children in His eyes. And from the very beginning, children have always been included in the promise that God gives. Circumcision was the sign of God's promise. Baptism now extends God's promise to each child that is baptized. God eagerly desires for children to be an active presence in His Church.
As we at Oak Road look to deepen and expand our ministry to children, we do so with the full understanding that this is something God repeatedly reminds us is a good thing. We hope and pray that a love for children will grow and grow among us as His people, especially as these ministry areas develop more fully.
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