Zechariah 8:12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.” (NIV)
Last Sunday, we celebrated our annual Gifts of Children service. It was one of the best worship services I have ever attended in my life. The young people, from kindergartners to teenagers, enthusiastically sang, prayed, and preached all about God’s love and compassion. It was a very moving and beautiful experience. I don’t think there was a dry eye among all of our adults in the pews. We were blessed with a wonderful combination of faith expressions from the young people who participated, and we all felt very proud of what they presented.
Such a creative service does not happen without a great deal of focus, energy, and devotion, especially from our program leaders and faith mentors. Throughout the years, our Sunday School classes, Youth Groups, Planet Worship, and Creative Expression programs have planted seeds of faith and nurtured the spirits of our children. They have developed their faith through the continued support and care of their parents and the entire congregation. What we saw last Sunday was the culmination of the ministry of faithful servants who have specialized in developing and growing the spirituality of our young people, which starts in nursery and continues into High school. It is a wonderful blessing and we are grateful for such a gift in our wee church.
Today’s Bible verse encapsulates what we have recently experienced. God promises His people that He will plant, grow, and develop their faith, so that the remnant will have a beautiful inheritance for generations to come. That promise is still relevant and available for all those who choose to embrace it. At our church, it is something that we can further advance, especially if we remain faithful and committed to the work that God has graciously given us through our young people.
Point to ponder
How was my Christian faith nurtured as a child? What can I do to encourage and support our church children?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You never turned away children from Your presence and You blessed them continually throughout Your ministry. Help us to follow Your example, so that we can effectively pass on our faith in You to our children and the upcoming generations. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can view the church website at this link: Erin. If you would like to respond to today’s message, please send John an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “Free Spirit.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Spirit.
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