Called to Teach Kids?

We have an amazing capacity to complicate what God has made simple.  Take the call of God, for instance.  There are certain things every believer is called to do without exception:  abide in the Vine, share the Gospel, to teach new believers, pray without ceasing, to love one another as Christ loves us, and to live for the glory of God to name a few.  What often trips people up is defining their personal role in the Body of Christ.  Because the clouds have not parted with a beam of light, no lightning has struck their path, or the risen LORD has not appeared to them in a vision, they waffle and remain uncertain concerning what they are to do.  And most often, unfortunately, use their freedom in Christ to do little or nothing.

One of the roles most neglected in the Body of Christ is the teaching of children.  I was told early in ministry that "10% of the people in church do 90% of the work," and there is much evidence to support this.  This may or not be the case, but it should never be the case!  Every single person is critical to make the Body of Christ function as intended by God.  Ephesians 4:15-16 says, "...But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head --Christ-- ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."  Every true believer has been born again of the same Spirit, and as a living member of the church serves a purpose and function. There is no escaping this reality.  God has freed us from sin and death but we are also to actively glorify Him by our lives.  The first qualification for teaching children is being born again through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you wonder if you have been called to teach children.  Let me put it very simply:  if God by his grace has given you children, you are called to teach children.  Period!  This does not eliminate anyone young or old, single or married from serving in formal ministry to children.  But if you have children, you are clearly called to teach children.  Deuteronomy 6:4-7 reads, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD one!  ⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ⁶ And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."  Jesus allowed the little children to come unto Him, and He did nothing to dissuade them.  It was the disciples who were prone to think of ministry to children as insignificant.  Your age or single marital status is no disqualification to service, in fact unmarried and widowed people often have greater freedom to serve!

Some of the great ministers to children did not have a natural child, but many adopted and spiritual children through the love of Christ.  Gladys Aylward was an English missionary to China, where she bought and accepted many orphaned and abandoned children.  Though these children were not biologically hers, she was directed by God to provide for their bodies and save their souls.  Shouldn't that same love and desire for the souls of children be found in us as well?  But you don't understand, you might be thinking.  I have nothing in common with the children of today!  The first qualification for teaching Sunday School is being born again, and the second is having been a child.  If you have been a child, you have vast experience and wisdom to give children as they face the challenges of following Jesus in a fallen world.

Let us put aside all excuses and selfish reasons for not serving the children and youth of our fellowships, especially if your children are numbered among them!  You will make time in your life for whatever is a priority.  If we can schedule sporting events, family functions, and leisure activities, why can't we set aside time to nurture and train children in the admonition of the LORD?  May God make us fruitful in and outside of the four walls of a church building, that the name of Jesus be lifted up among all ages!