The sanctuary was full of children; singing, noisy,
inquisitive kids! This is not your
Grandma’s VBS. The music is loud, the lesson illustrated with science labs. Active
learning is the order of the day! I’m a happy man during Vacation Bible School
week. Men, women, teens, and young adults (a team of more than 50 people) come
together to make it happen. An amazing amount of effort is invested, hours
beyond my calculating. And, for what? Are we just giving 250 kids a happy experience?
That is part of it, but there is much more. Our mission is to transmit the
simple, radically life-changing truth that there is a living God who loves each
one of us and that we can know Him now. Thursday is the high point, when the
message of Jesus and His cross are the focus.
Few things weigh more heavily on me in my calling than the question
of handing the faith to the next generation. The Good News about Christ is
timeless, but the words and methods used to transmit that message, the ways in
which we worship Him, change to engage each generation. My Baby Boomer perspective is clearly
different than that of my grandchildren. Part of my fascination with the effort
this week is the way that the Story is told. It is not just verbal, as it was
for me 50 years ago. It is visual, experiential, the Message set in a context
that engaged nearly all the senses, all the while making sure that the ‘wow’
does not replace the core Truth. Deep emotions stirred in me as I stood in the
back of the rooms where I could see that 8 year olds were engaged. “Spirit of
God, finish the work!” was the prayer I breathed over and over.
Are you concerned about the spiritual health of your
children? Is there any evidence that they are becoming disciples of Christ? Do
you wonder if they are ‘getting it?’
Take a cue from the Vacation Bible School. Don’t just
lecture. Make sure that “Jesus” is not just a word for Sunday morning or
reserved for special occasions. Give the Gospel a place in everyday, each
moment. Contextualize Christ in ordinary life experiences. Moses taught the People of God to do this. "Write these commandments that I’ve
given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside
your children. Talk about them wherever
you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the
time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them
on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of
your homes and on your city gates." (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, The Message)
The Gospel is as much ‘caught’
as it is ‘taught.’ We must demonstrate its reality if we have
much hope of the next generation taking up the Call.
Here is a word from the Word. "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is
for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom
the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he
pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts
2:38-40, NIV)
_______________
Jesus loves the little
children,
All the children of
the world.
Red and yellow, black
and white;
All are precious in
His sight.
Jesus loves the little
children of the world!
Jesus calls the
children dear,
“Come to me and never
fear,
For I love the little
children of the world.
I will take you by the
hand,
Lead you to a better
land,
For I love the little
children of the world.”
I am coming, Lord, to
Thee
And Your soldier I
will be,
For You love the
little children of the world.
And your cross I'll
always bear,
And for you I'll do
and dare,
For You love the
little children of the world.
Jesus Loves The
Little Children
Clare Herbert Woolston | George Frederick Root
© Words: Public Domain
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