Children and the Church
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SUBJECT: Children
TITLE: Children and the Church
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will discuss 1) the purpose of the family in having children, 2) the mission of the church in relationship to children, and 3) the need for the church to be involved in the lives of children.
OBJECTIVE: To encourage the church to support and be involved in our children’s activities with a view toward growth.
AIM: I want to discuss the relationship of the church to children in an encouraging way.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Psalm 127:3-5
2. About the Text:
1) God certainly intended to bless mankind by creating a design that involves children.
2) He describes them as an inheritance, blessing, and reward.
3) We gain wisdom and knowledge from having and rearing children
4) What characterizes the relationship of children to the church?
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: What characterizes the nature of the relationship between the church and children?
I. The Purpose of the Family – To Produce Godly Seed
1. Children are at the heart of the purpose of the family.
1) Read Malachi 2:10-16
2) Verse 15 says, “But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.”
3) Consider Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
4) Why did God make husband and wife one flesh? – To Produce Godly offspring.
2. For children to be godly, they must be reared by godly parents.
1) God certainly desired this from Israel.
2) Read Deut.6:4-9
3) “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
4) The Holy Spirit desires it of parents today.
5) Read Ephesians 6:1-4.
3. What happens if families do not fulfill this mission?
1) We do the best we can, but we often fail.
2) Sin gets in the way even in the best of circumstances.
3) Those who are lost in sin many times don’t care about rearing godly children.
4) So, this means that God’s purposes in the family are not fulfilled.
II. The Mission of the Church – Seek and Save the Lost
1. God’s purpose for the church is unity of all in Christ.
2. Read Ephesians 2:14-18.
3. We accomplish this purpose by carrying out the mission that Christ gave us.
4. Read Matthew 28:18-20.
5. Genesis 8:21 – “And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.”
6. This makes youth part of the great commission.
III. The Church Must Be Involved in the Lives of Children
1. Read Mark 10:13-16 – Jesus, the head of the church, received children, taught them, and blessed them.
2. 1 Timothy 3:15 – The church is the pillar and ground of the truth, and children need truth.
3. In that regard, the church is a resource for parents to raise godly seed.
4. God wants us to teach children so that they can be united with Him in the church (Eph.2).
5. “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
6. God also commands children, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”
7. What about children’s “behavior” in the assembly of the church?
CONCLUSION:
1. What characterizes the nature of the relationship between the church and children?
1) God wants children to be godly.
2) God wants children to be united with Him.
3) God wants the church to receive and teach children.
2. Invitation