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If Jesus were the guest preacher at your church, what would you do with your kids?

Let that question sink in for a moment.

This question was posed by Rob Rienow to a group of ministers and parents yesterday and I literally watched the reactions go from “Bring them of course!” to “Oh wait…what?” and then “Oh…”

If Jesus were coming to our church, in the flesh, and speaking to us, we would bring our kids.

We wouldn’t just bring our kids—we’d get them as close to the stage as possible.

We’d wait in the longest lines to have a chance to let them meet Him. We, because we love our children, would not put them aside so we got our chance with Jesus. No, each and every one of us said, “I would make sure that my child met Jesus.”

I’m not sure much more needs to be said.

But just in case you’re not sure that parents would do that, here’s a testimony from some parents who actually got to live this out.

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.  I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. (Luke 18:15-17)

Phil Vischer shared this simple truth: “Do not underestimate how much kids can learn. Do not overestimate how much adults want to learn.” Jesus was able to reach both, with exceptional specificity and unending welcome. He didn’t put age limits on his ministry. He was indignant with those who did.

If Jesus were the guest preacher at your church…He’d want the children there.

And every Sunday, as believers meet all over the world, we can know that He is there, for He says, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there” (Mt. 18:20). There must be times where the children are too.

So…what would you do if Jesus came to your church?

 

This blog was republished with permission. To read more from Christina, click HERE.


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  • Christina Embree is a minister of generational discipleship for the Great Lakes Conference of the Brethren in Christ and a church planter and new gen coordinator at Plowshares Brethren in Christ in Lexington, KY. She earned a Master of Arts in Ministry, Children, Youth and Family focus from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) and is currently a doctoral candidate of Ministry in Spiritual Formation at IWU. Christina has a heart to see homes as the primary place for faith formation and spiritual growth for kids, parents, grandparents and every other member of the family. Her husband, Luke, is the pastor/church planter at Plowshares Brethren in Christ and they have three children Hannah, Naomi, and Caleb. She writes at www.refocusministry.org and is a contributing writer at D6 Family, ChurchLeaders.com, and Seedbed. You can follow her on FB: ReFocus Ministry and Twitter: @EmbreeChristina