|
|
A. |
Children are a gift, an heritage from the Lord. Each one is unique! |
|
B. |
An old rendering of Psalms 127:3, as given in the Book of Common Prayer, is a message to parents: “Lo, children and the fruit of the womb are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.” |
|
C. |
Deut. 6:6-12 |
|
|
|
A. |
A Houston Baptist pastor made up a questionnaire and passed it out to 100 pre-school children in his church. |
|
|
|
1. |
What is a family? “Someone with a Mom, Dad, brother and sister.” |
|
|
2. |
Why do we live in families? “Because when you’re little, you can’t do nothing for yourself.” |
|
|
3. |
What would it be like if people didn’t live in families? “Very Sad,” “Terrible,” “Lonely—awful” |
|
|
4. |
Who is the most important person in your family? Boys named Dads. Girls named Moms. |
|
|
5. |
What would you change, if you could? “less fighting,” “less yelling” |
|
III. |
The Worth of a Child |
|
|
A. |
5T 456 – The Cross of Calvary Speaks |
|
B. |
CG 21, 22 – Parents need to understand their responsibility |
|
IV. |
How Early Should We Be Concerned for a Child’s Spirituality? |
|
|
A. |
CG 21 – Even before the birth of the child |
|
B. |
CG 26 – From the cradle to maturity
Dr. R. A. Torrey, “No other form of Christian effort brings such immediate, lasting results as work for the conversion of children. |
|
|
|
1. |
Children are more easily led to Christ than adults |
|
|
2. |
They are more likely to stay converted |
|
|
3. |
They often make better Christians |
|
|
4. |
They give to Christ more years of service” |
|
|
|
A. |
Mark 10:14 |
|
B. |
CG 23 – Teach the little ones to know Christ before Satan sows his seeds in their hearts |
|
C. |
Ed 19 – Molding the character of children is a high and noble work |
|
VI. |
Five Benefits of Childhood Conversions |
|
|
A. |
A long life of service for Christ |
|
|
|
1. |
Matthew Henry gave his heart to Christ at age 11. He became a Bible scholar. |
|
|
2. |
Isaac Watts gave his heart to Jesus at age 9. He wrote many of our favorite hymns |
|
|
3. |
Count Zintendorf signed his name to these words at age 4:
“Dear Saviour, do thou be mine, and I will be thine.” He became a significant religious leader in Germany. |
|
|
B. |
A life unmarred by gross sin. |
|
|
|
1. |
Sin has a high price-tag |
|
|
2. |
103 year old lady I baptized said, “I wish I could have found Jesus 100 years ago-so Jesus could have had all my lifetime.” |
|
|
C. |
A sense of direction – Christless children have no rudder for their vessel. |
|
D. |
Christ is an anchor to children when the storms of life rage. |
|
E. |
Willing cooperation at home |
|
VII. |
What About Your Home? |
|
|
A. |
No place like home-to teach values, hold on to the reins, and set a clear example |
|
B. |
Make religion attractive |
|
|
|
1. |
AH – 323 |
|
|
2. |
AH – 324 – Do not neglect the religious training of yourselves and your children. |
|
|
C. |
Keep control of the TV and the computer |
|
D. |
Your children . . . in the closing scenes of earth . . . Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 166, 167; 6T 203 |
|