| Ministering to Children Children Are Very Special To God.
Jesus Took Time To Minister To Children. Both the Scripture and the pen of inspiration
indicate very clearly the value He placed on children. When mothers brought their little ones to
Jesus, the disciples tried to drive them away. However, Jesus rebuked them instead.
Then He placed His hands on the children, blessed them and prayed
for them (Matthew 19:14). Jesus declared that the On another occasion when Jesus was asked
by His disciples who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, He
placed a little child in their midst, “And He said, “I tell you the
truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never
enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3).
Here again Jesus emphasizes the importance of learning from a
child. He mentions one of the characteristics
in Matthew 18:4 “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the Jesus enjoyed the little things children
did and even the flowers they brought Him. “As the children gathered
the wildflowers so abundantly around them, and crowded up to present
to Him their offerings, He received them gladly, smiled upon them, and
expressed His joy at seeing so many varieties of flowers.”
Ellen White, Upward Look, p.57. Jesus not only watched the children at play
but got involved with them in their activities. “Christ watched children
at their play, and often expressed His approval when they gained as
innocent victory over something they were determined to do. He sang to children in sweet and blessed
words. They knew that He
loved them. He never frowned
on them. He shared their
childish joys and sorrows. Often
He would gather flowers, and after pointing out their beauties to the
children, would leave them with them as a gift.
He had made the flowers and He delighted to point out their beauties.”
Ellen White, Upward Look, p.57. Ellen White’s Counsel On Ministry To Children
Ellen G. White received much inspiration
from God regarding the importance of children and the early training
of them to accept Jesus as their Saviour. “Too much importance cannot be placed on
the early training of children.
The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years
of life have more to do with forming his character than all it learns
in future years.” Child Guidance. p. 193 “It is still true that children are the most
susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to
divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians,
having an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated in spiritual things,
and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters
after the similitude of the character of Christ.” Desire of Ages,
p. 515 “Children of eight, ten, or twelve years,
are old enough to be addressed on the subject of personal religion. Do not teach your children with reference
to some future period when they shall be old enough to repent and believe
the truth. If properly instructed,
very young children may have correct views of their state as sinners,
and of the way of salvation through Christ.” Testimonies, Vol.1,
p. 400 “Those who love God should feel deeply interested
in the children and youth. To
them God can reveal His truth and salvation. Jesus calls the little ones that believe
on Him, the lambs of His flock.
He has a special love and interest in the children … The most
precious offering that the children can give to Jesus, is the freshness
of their childhood.” Reflecting Christ, p.373. “When Jesus told the disciples not to forbid
the children to come to Him, He was speaking to His followers in all
ages, -- to officers of the church, to ministers, helpers, and all Christians.
Jesus is drawing the children, and He bids us, Suffer them to
come; as if He would say, They will come if you do not hinder them.”
Desire of Ages, p. 517. Counsel For Teachers from Deuteronomy Chapter 11 and Testimonies on Verse 1. “You shall love the Lord your God.”
Because of your love for Him, always live as He wants you to
live. This is the best example you can give your children.
“Let the teachers bring sunshine, gratitude, and hearts full
of tenderness and Christ-like compassion, into their work, and leaven
the hearts of their scholars with the spirit of unselfish love; for
this is the spirit that pervades heaven.” Ellen White Testimonies on Verses 2 – 7 God says, “Today I do not speak
with your children who have not known and who have not seen …” (what
I have done for you). Remember what God has done for you personally. Don’t forget the experiences you’ve had
with the Lord, what you have learned about Him and what He has taught
you about yourself. God asks us to relate our experiences with Him to
others, particularly to our children. We are to communicate a living
connection with God that our children can also have. We must not take
for granted that the children will pick up on this if we do not talk
to them about our personal walk with a real living loving God who wants
to be our personal friend for ever. “The Sabbath school should be the place
where, through a living connection with God, men and women, youth and
children, may be so fitted up that they shall be a strength and blessing
to the church.” Ellen White Testimonies on Sabbath School
Work p.92. Verses 8 & 9. “Keep every commandment
that you may be strong … and prolong your days.” Our children need to see our obedience
to God and recognize the blessings He brings to our lives. Verse 18. Store in your heart the remembrances of
your walk with God. Tell your children when they rise up in the morning,
lay down to rest, walk and sit. Write them down in a prominent place
for your children to see. Do not miss any opportunity to teach them
about God. Verse 26 & 27. “Behold I set before you
today a blessing and a curse” - a blessing for obedience and a curse
for disobedience. God has
unselfishly created us with the gift of free choice. God wants us to
teach our children with hearts full of love for Him (and them) and our
tongues, hands and feet always reflecting that. God wants our children
to have all the knowledge we can pass on to them as well as a Godly
example to follow, but He lovingly gives us freedom, freedom to choose
or reject Him. Our task is to lead our children to a love
response to God’s call to them.
“It requires tact and wisdom and human love and sanctified affection
for the precious lambs of the flock, to lead them to see and appreciate
their privilege of yielding themselves up to the tender guidance of
the faithful shepherds. The children of God will exercise the gentleness
of Jesus Christ. The teacher may bind these children to
his or her heart by the love of Christ abiding in the soul temple as
a sweet fragrance ….. (that) …the image of God shall be revealed in
the soul of the child, and the character become transformed by the grace
of Christ.” Ellen White Testimonies for Gracelink The Vision Children knowing, experiencing and sharing the grace
of God. The To connect children to a lifelong loving relationship
to Jesus and His church through discipleship, worship, community, service,
stewardship and outreach. Core Ministry
Values Joy - We want the children to celebrate who God is. Safety - We ensure physical and emotional safety. Family – We recognize and empower the children’s family Sharing - We equip the children to share God’s grace. Application - We plan for a changed life. Engagement - We encourage active learning. Relationships - We are intentional about building relationships. What is Gracelink?Gracelink is a 12 year curriculum
comprising 624 lessons; a series of Bible study guides for children
of all ages. It is grounded in Scripture to meet the spiritual and educational
needs of our children. Every
lesson is based on a Bible story that teaches the ‘message’ about God’s
grace. It emphasizes the unlimited, forever power
of God that finds us and fills us with everything we need. The Gracelink
program is a about God’s grace.
Each quarter’s Bible study guide is based
on four dynamics which are rotated monthly and repeated throughout the
entire curriculum.
The educational
benefits of the Gracelink curriculum are:
Age Distributions0 – 3 years
Beginner Level Bible Story 3 - 5 years
Middle Level Bible Story 6 – 9 years
Higher Level Bible Story 10 – 14 years Junior
Level Bible Story The
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