I have a question for you. Why do we place age restrictions where God doesn’t? Sadly, many adults and church leaders are guilty of having a condescending “just kids” mentality and placing unscriptural boundaries for what God can and cannot do in and through children. Consider these facts backed by the Word of God. Your children can and should: (All scriptures are shared from the New Century Version.)
- Be born again. Acts 16:31 “They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all the people in your house.” The word “all” literally means all – adults, teens, and children!
- Serve God. Joshua 24:15 “…As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” This takes salvation one step further. Our entire family will not only be born again, we will serve the Lord.
- Know God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:15 “Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” I know that the word “kiddify” isn’t a real word, but that is what we tend to do when teaching God’s Word to children. Children often receive watered-down, powerless presentations about the Word. This wasn’t true about Timonthy for Paul reminded Timothy that as a child he KNEW God’s Word. So can our children.
- Be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:39 “This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself.” Pardon the simplicity but your children literally means your children are to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.
- Flow in the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:11 “One Spirit, the same Spirit, does all these things, and the Spirit decides what to give each person.” The KJV “dividing to every man” can easily confuse the casual Bible reader. Most other translations use “to every person” and “to each one” to teach that those qualifying as being a person, human being, or among the class of Homo sapiens (this includes children) can be used by the Holy Spirit in His gifts.
- Hear God’s voice. 1 Samuel 3:10 “The LORD came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel said, “Speak, LORD. I am your servant and I am listening.” In a world screaming lies from the enemy, if trained (Proverbs 22:6), our children can clearly hear, recognize, and obey the voice of God.
- Speak God’s words. Jeremiah 1:7 “But the LORD said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am only a boy.’ You must go everywhere I send you, and you must say everything I tell you to say.” Cowardly? Ashamed? Are you kidding me? Daniel 11:32 tells us that there is a supernatural boldness upon people (this includes children) who know their God. The Holy Spirit will fill their mouths with what, when, and where to speak for God. (Luke 12:12)
- Make a difference through their offerings unto the Lord. John 6:9-12 “Here is a boy with five loaves of barley bread and two little fish, but that is not enough for so many people.” Jesus said, “Tell the people to sit down.” There was plenty of grass there, and about five thousand men sat down there. Then Jesus took the loaves of bread, thanked God for them, and gave them to the people who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, giving as much as the people wanted. When they had all had enough to eat…” With their entire being, our children will impact the world. Never too young, never too limited, never too insignificant.
I’ve shared what God’s Word has to say about your children. What do you have to say?
