Our Future Depends on Us

“Your children shall be taught by the Lord.” – Isaiah 54:13 

Last night my church’s brand-new, state-of-the-art, almost completed Children’s Building was dedicated to the Lord.  Sweet kids sang “How Great is Our God”, our senior pastor and children’s pastor thanked those who were a part of this endeavor, and we prayed over this building that it would be a tool to bring thousands of children to a saving knowledge of Christ in the coming years.

In preparing print and screen media for the dedication service, I enjoyed seeing the rich legacy of the children’s ministry at First Baptist Church Morristown.  Our church historian found a photo from 1926 of what appears to be the very first children’s Sunday School class of our church.  He also found a lot of photos from other eras in time…all related to the children’s ministry (see the photo at the end of this post for a collage of pictures I put together for the program).  From Sunday School to Vacation Bible School to GA’s/RA’s to AWANA to so many other children’s activities and events…our church has had a century-long, deep-rooted desire to educate children in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Now that desire has developed into a beautiful building that today’s children and future children will come to enjoy from now until eternity.

My church’s former pastor, and the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s current executive director, Dr. Randy Davis, spoke a few words and prayed the dedication prayer over the building.  Something he said last night was especially poignant to me.  He said about our Children’s Building: 

It may be the most important strategic decision you’ve made as far as buildings go for the last 50 years.  The reason being is this: for the young adults that were born between 1980 to 2000, only 15% have come to known Jesus as Lord and Savior in the United States...the smallest since our founding.  And the projection is this: if our trends are an indication, only 1 out of every 10 of the children born and living right now under the age of 13 in the US will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Am I shocked at those numbers?  A resounding, YES!  Am I surprised at those numbers?  Sadly, no.  How can more children come to a saving knowledge of Jesus when they live in a world that values trash over dignity?  How can children know the sweet name of Jesus when all they’ve ever heard is His name associated with a curse word?  How can kids know that Christ changes your life when they see their celebrity role-models who say they are “Christians” behave immorally?  I’m not making any of these scenarios up.  These are things that today’s generation live with EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  And not to be a “Debbie-downer,” but it’s only going to get worse…read 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

These examples combined with Bro. Randy’s statistics PROVE that it is imperative to spiritually educate our children in the knowledge of Christ!  How can they fight this world that so desperately tries to get them to join in on the filth?  With the strength and power of Jesus!  How can they show their friends that Jesus is love and not a curse word?  By knowing who He is!  How can they prove to others that being a Christian involves a life change?  By growing in their walk with Him!!!  Proverbs tells us well, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). 

Praise God that He has bestowed upon First Baptist Morristown the gift of this Children’s Building.  You know, it’s more than a building…it’s a weapon against Satan and all that is evil and a training ground for future soldiers of the Cross.  It won’t be just the building’s job to educate those children, however, it will be the job of committed and dedicated workers who train these children…from babies to sixth graders…in the Truth of Jesus.  May we as workers NEVER take that lightly. 

Isaiah speaks so eloquently, when he says, “your children shall be taught by the Lord” (Isaiah 54:13).  Over time, in my church and really any and all other churches children’s ministries, there has always been one constant – the Father.  It is He, through His Spirit, who taught and continues to teach children about Himself.  As “grown-ups” we are His willing vessels as He uses us to speak His truth to countless numbers of children.  The Lord teaches His children because He desires to have a relationship with them.  It is He who wants them to learn to trust Him in all circumstances.  It is the Lord who wants them to spend eternity in heaven with Him.

Let me stop for a minute and say…I’m not just speaking to FBC Morristown folks...these words are meant for every single church-going person.  You don’t have to have a fancy children’s building…you can have a children’s ministry room and these words still apply.  Globally…children are aching to find something to fill their emptiness.  Some turn to music, some to celebrities, others to video games and sadly the list goes on and on and on.  Let’s help them turn to Jesus. 

Hopefully within the next month or so, we will be able to move into the children’s building and begin using this tool to reach the children in our area.  I can’t wait to see how God uses this building to glorify Him.  We have a big job and the task seems quite daunting, especially when you see what our kids are faced with on a daily basis.  But “greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).  If you’ve never been involved in anything children’s ministry related, I pray that you will consider doing so…whether it be through VBS, Sunday School, Wednesday night program, choir, or anything else that your church does to tell kids about Jesus.  Why?  Because our future depends on us.

FBC Morristown's rich history of children's ministry....from 1926 to present day.

A Word to the Young...

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

“Young” is a relative term and means different “ages” in different situations.  However, at 26, and compared to those I work with/interact with/talk to, I consider myself young…well and the fact that “young” is my last name, ha ha.  Many times, and throughout my own life, we come across situations and experiences that we are deemed “too young” to take part.  “Too young”…those are hard words to hear, especially when it’s something that you would like to do/want to have experience in doing and know you would be good at and enjoy.

Obviously for situations like riding a rollercoaster or driving a car, individuals are too young for safety reasons.  Conversely, for situations like teaching a class or speaking in front of a group of older individuals, young people are less likely to have these opportunities because they may not have the wisdom or knowledge to do these things.  As I’m not a daredevil, my “too young” experiences have been in this second example that I have just presented. 

I definitely agree with the rationale that I don’t have as much knowledge or experience as someone who is older.  A 26 year old hasn’t experienced life like a 56 year old.  However, knowing who I am, what I’ve done in my “young” life, what I like to do, and what I’m good at, I know that I have the potential to do a great job and learn a lot about myself if I had the opportunity and experience of being able to take part in a particular event/class/situation.

“Young” people, let me speak to you first. 

1 Timothy is Paul’s letter to a pastor named Timothy.  He was considered a youngster compared to others in his community/area and we know this because of how Paul encourages him in 1 Timothy 4:12.  Paul says to Timothy, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”  Basically Paul is saying, “I know people are telling you that you can’t do this and you can’t do that, but don’t listen to them.  You know your heart; you know you’re following God’s Will.  Show others that this is what God’s designed you to do and show them by how you live your life.”  There are a good number of other examples from the Bible about individuals who made a Godly difference when they were young…Joseph, Samuel, a young David, Jeremiah, Josiah, Esther, and the apostle John…just to name a few.  Young men and women who lived Godly lives and went on to accomplish great things for God…many during their “younger” years.

Young person (and I'm speaking to myself too)…we know in our hearts and through much prayer and guidance from the Father and those who we trust (a parent or mentor) that God has destined us to be involved in certain areas that mean something special to us.  Sometimes it may be hard for those outside our realm of closeness to realize that we indeed would be a great asset or addition to their particular ministry or area because they feel that we may be too young to be successful at it.  Paul, however, offers us some help!  Set an example.  Set an example in the way you act, speak, live, behave, move, decide, walk…I think you know where I’m going.  As young people, we have to prove ourselves…but not boastfully or sarcastically, rather through living as Christ.  We may have to do grunt work or things that we don’t necessarily want to do, but by doing these things in a timely manner and with a positive attitude, it shows others that we have what it takes to be a great asset to their team.

Living a Christ-like life shows maturity beyond your years and can really intrigue those who may be skeptical.  I love what God told the young prophet Jeremiah because it shows us that God has indeed called us as young people to do what He has designed us to do.  God says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).  God designed you for a purpose.  Don’t let age stop you from fulfilling it.

“Seasoned” individuals, I have a word for you too!

Be willing to take a chance on us young folks.  Yes, we’re still learning the ropes of life, but we have a lot to offer the world.  We have energy, excitement, and lots of enthusiasm… especially about something we are passionate about.  We can be great advocates and supporters.  We may make a few mistakes along the way, but we will learn from them and know never to make that same mistake again.  We can even inspire our peers and even those younger to be involved in your particular area or ministry thereby increasing your workforce!

I wouldn’t be as involved in children’s ministry today if it wasn’t for an amazing mentor from Alabama who took a chance on a “misfit-middle-schooler” and let me become involved in children’s church on Sundays showing me that I have a love for teaching kids the Truth.  I wouldn’t have the media responsibilities at church today if it wasn’t for two dear ladies who taught me how to use the TV graphics equipment in our church media room, thereby inspiring me to become involved in all things media ministry.  All of these individuals took a chance on me and singled out gifts I never knew I had.  I’m forever grateful for that. 

Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the children [young people] come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”  We are the next generation…teach us, inspire us, encourage us, and mold us into workers for the Kingdom so that we can do the same for those that come after us.

I absolutely love it when the young AND old can come together and serve God in unity.  As believers, we are brothers and sisters in Christ and we have a lot of gifts, experience, and knowledge to offer each other.  Our age should never be a factor in teaching, serving, reaching, or going.  God’s called us all…young and old…to great things, we just have to be ready and willing to do what He’s called us to do.  Take a chance, step out on faith, live as Christ, and be amazed at the journey on which God takes you!