The ManicaPost
Wellington Mudzuka—
WE all like to ensure children are healthy and strong. We also spend a lot of money on ensuring children are educated with well-developed intellects. To raise children who are spiritual giants must also become our priority.Who are the giants?
Goliath or David?
Children who are spiritual giants are children who
· Accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord
· Accept the Bible as truth and as a guide
· Make their faith in God and their relationship with Him, their highest priority
· Live as intentional and growing servants of God.
Matthew 18: 2-6
· Want to enter God’s Kingdom? Become like little children
· Want to be great in God’s eyes? Become like little children
· Want to welcome Jesus? Then welcome little children
· Want to avoid God’s anger? Then don’t let little children go astray
· Want to follow Jesus example? Then love, pray for, accept, be with and bless little children
Spiritual growth a priority
“If people do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Saviour before they reach their teenage years, the chance of their doing so at all is slim.” – George Barna
Ages at which people become Christians
George Barna:
“If children can be persuaded when they are young, then it is incredibly difficult to change their allegiance as they age”.
Why must spirituality be a priority?
1. Because children matter to God.
2. Because most people decide their relationship to Jesus when young.
3. Because children are an investment in the future – theirs and ours.
4. Because of the power of child evangelism.
5. Because children are the battlefront of today’s world.
What do kids need?
· God’s vision for their life
· A biblical world view
· Parents as primary spiritual disciples
· Supportive churches
1. God’s vision for their life.
• Help them understand why God put them on this earth.
• Help them be in tune with God.
• Help them burn with passion for something for God.
2. A Biblical worldview
• Does God exist?
• What is the character and nature of God?
• How and why was the world created?
• What is the nature and purpose of humanity?
• What happens after we die on earth?
• What spiritual authorities exist?
• What is truth?
3. Parents as primary spiritual disciples
Kids need parents who will help them be disciples and advance in their relationships with God. No one has more potential to influence a child’s relationship with God than parents. No one has more potential to monitor a child’s relationship with God than parents.
4. Supportive churches
Parents need churches that will help them know how to be spiritual leaders.
“When a church – intentionally or not – assumes a family’s responsibilities. . .it fosters an unhealthy dependence upon the church to relieve the family of its Biblical responsibility.” – George Barna
Churches can help
· Worship
· Evangelism
· Discipleship
· Stewardship
· Service
· Community
“If children are nurtured, released, trained, empowered and given a vision for their lives, then when they reach adolescence, their roots will be deep.” – Daphne Kirk
· Churches must invest in ministry to children. Not just go through the motions.
· Measure success by the changes made in a child’s life and how well the parents are equipped and involved at home.
· Teaching methods must be formational and transformational.
· Children must be active participants in their learning.
· Children need committed leaders and mentors.
· Pastors must support and empower children and families.
