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Suffer the Little Children
Bill Shannon
 Pastor 
INTRODUCTION
So often when people within the church think of Children’s Ministry they picture some programthat has been developed to entertain children. They look upon Children’s Ministry as the arm of the church that keeps the little rug rats from distracting the “big people” from real and meaningfulworship. They look upon Children’s Ministry as the place where the distractions are left so the“big people” can have fellowship in the Word. This certainly doesn’t have to be the case nor should it be.An entertainment package doesn’t need to be developed and the mentality of just keeping thenoisy ones out of the way shouldn’t be endorsed. My proposal is that the church can augment thenurturing that is being done at home to accomplish great things for the Lord and His church. Thisministry doesn’t need to be treated as one of those necessary yet unspectacular additions. Thelegacy for the future of the church depends on what is being accomplished in the Sunday schoolrooms of today. The church should not treat this ministry as a bother or just a baby-sittingministry.The children must be taught the full counsel of God that is able to make wise for salvation (2Tim. 3:15). If the church treats this ministry as a venue to entertain the kids you will be nurturingthe next generation of “church potatoes”. They will learn to sit to see what the pastor can do toget them motivated or to excite them to return next week. The church today is inundated withentertainment BUT what we need is substance.If I were commissioned to start an effective Children’s Ministry today I would start by asking,“What is the purpose of ministry to children?” “What are we to be accomplishing?” “Whatwould the Lord Himself want us to do?”Children’s ministry actually starts in the home. It is the responsibility of the parents tocontinuously impart the Scripture to the people of God that they may know God and serve Him inworship and ministry. The ministry of the church is unique as we support through discipleshipand parenting instruction on the duties of parents in the raising of their own children. Foremost, achild’s spiritual instruction is the responsibility of the parents (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Spiritualinstruction within the family context is the most natural and the one that will have the mostlasting affect upon children. Parents are to first model a life that is pleasing (2 Corinthians 5:9)and honoring to the Lord as they set the example for their children. It is difficult to pass on tochildren that which is not manifested in the parent’s life. The parents must first make the Word of Life a priority in their own life. Deuteronomy 6:6 says “And these words, which I amcommanding you today, shall be on your heart.” The parent must first believe and live out theScriptures in their life.They must believe the commands of God in their heart and trust all that God says is truth. Verseseven of Deuteronomy tells parents to “…teach them diligently to your sons…” The verb here for teach could be translated inscribe or etch which gives the picture of a craftsman inscribing letterson a piece of rock or wood. Since it is a task requiring diligence and care. The continuous actionverb is used indicating that the action is not to stop but to be a part of all aspects of their home.This obviously is the most ideal place for children to be grounded in the Word of God as their 
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