This past weekend, we took our Junior Bible Quiz teams up to central Florida for the season-ending district finals. We actually left a day early so that we could reward the teams by taking them to an indoor theme park in Orlando. At the end of the time at the park, we were to meet in the store at the exit of the park. While we were waiting on the final few boys and girls to arrive, several of the boys began to play with some of the swords and toy guns. For several minutes, it was fun watching toy swords swishing through the air and toy guns blasting away at the pirates, that is until it dawned upon me that I would be personally responsible for any broken store fixtures and toys. I quickly put an end to the playtime.
Have you stopped to think that the majority of the children in our children’s ministries know far more about pretend warfare than about the spiritual war in which we are engaged? Few children’s ministry leaders have ever taught …
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:12
It’s no wonder that Satan is creating havoc in our children’s lives. Our children are in a supernatural battle, a battle for their very soul. And yet, they are totally ignorant about this warfare.
Spiritual battles must be fought with spiritual weapons. Children’s Pastor, children aren’t too young to know about the weapons provided to keep the enemy in his place of defeat. Sunday school teacher, it’s time to open the Word and teach children to man their battle stations. Mid-week Bible club leader, we must launch militant children who will invade the camp of the enemy and take back what belongs to God. Dare to teach about the power of the Word of God. It still is sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) Teach about the Holy Spirit who has been sent to provide heaven’s insights about what lies ahead. (John 16:13) Tell about the angels who have been given charge over us. (Psalm 91:11) Children must know about the power found in the name of Jesus that causes everything in the heavens, on the earth, and below the earth to bow its knee at that name. (Philippians 2:9-10) Lastly, every child must know that the blood that flowed from Calvary’s cross still provides an everlasting covenant with a covenant-keeping God. (Hebrews 13:20)
Want to put an end to a powerless, unarmed generation of children? Then, preach the Word, the whole Word. Don’t hold back. There’s an army of children needing to know that God has provided weapons to insure and maintain their victory! Again, preach the Word.
