“THE IMPORTANCE OF WINNING CHILDREN TO CHRIST”

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).

                 According to statistics, more than 85% of all conversions to Jesus Christ take place before a child is ten years of age.  The older they become the harder their hearts become and less sensitive toward spiritual things.  Children under the age of ten still have  tender and impressionable hearts.  They aren’t nearly as concerned about the mechanics of things as much as they are the end result.  Questions and doubts begin to arise as the years pass.

         The Lord Jesus Christ certainly knew the make-up of a child as well as their unfeigned faith.  When mothers and fathers were bringing their children to Jesus when (at a certain time) He had begun to teach and preach, they were rebuked (corrected sternly) by the disciples; it seems they intercepted them before they could reach the Savior.  Jesus took this situation and explained the importance of winning the children before it became too late.  He actually rebuked those disciples for hindering the little children from coming to Him.  In other passages Jesus spoke of the “faith” of a little child with the explanation that this is the kind of faith that is needed in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Was Jesus sending us a message as well?  I think so.

         Many churches have tremendous children’s ministries.  I can’t say how effective they are (I don’t know what is taught or emphasized), but I know they are needful.  Children have the God-given ability to learn so much at such an early age.  Things they learn early on will shape their lives and instill character as they develop as a child and mature into an adult.  Churches have a great opportunity to impact a child’s life for eternity.  We need to find better methods of teaching and reaching our children.  Literally, their souls are in our hands.  Parents need to be more positive in their desire to see their children taught the Word of God and have their children come to Christ before the world hardens them to the Word.  “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

        Bring the children to church and let them know they are loved and that they have a very, very positive future when they know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.