Here’s a powerful verse from a book of the Bible that is rarely preached from. Grab your highlighters and mark this verse. “I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” (Job 42:5, New Living Translation).
Let’s face the facts. Many of our children are experts on Biblical knowledge. They could possibly outdo us in Bible trivia games. After all, they have been a part of our Sunday schools, children’s churches, and mid-week Bible clubs for years. Yet sadly, many of these children are like the first portion of Job’s statement. They have only heard about Him, they have never seen Him. To most of our children, Jesus is a great historical figure that they hear about week after week.
So, how do we transform Jesus from a character that our children hear about week after week into Someone who walks off the pages of the Bible or Sunday school quarterly? How does Jesus differentiate Himself from other historical religious leaders?
Here’s the answer. As children’s ministry leaders and workers, the answer is already an obvious answer. We all know that value of seeing and hearing, right? Each week, you don’t just tell a lesson. You and I are always looking for some visual to reinforce what we are teaching. In Acts 1:3 we see that Jesus knew the value of seeing and hearing. “He appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive.” (New Living Translation). He showed Himself and demonstrated His power. Through DEMONSTRATION, Jesus walked from the past tense (Someone who is heard or read about) to the present tense (Someone who is seen).
Here is where you and I come into this equation. Jesus continues to show Himself and demonstrate His power today by the working of the Holy Spirit through YOU! As we allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate through us, you and I turn what would possibly have been just a historical figure or religious myth into an “I have seen and now believe” (John 6:30).
Many years ago, I heard the great T.L. Osborn state, “If you can’t demonstrate the Gospel, you aren’t fit to preach it.” I double dawg dare you to show and demonstrate the Gospel. Demonstrate that Jesus is alive and well and still full of power. Make room for the Holy Spirit to manifest His presence and touch lives. Lay hands upon the sick and know that they will be healed. Preach with the anointing and expect yokes to be broken.
The Holy Spirit is waiting on you. Now go and do it!
