The Bible Tells Me So; How The Church Should View Kids of Troubled Homes

When we think of the Bible, “we normally think its a book about adults for adults […].” However, children are referenced over 8,000 times. “Biblical narratives include dozens of children. [..]children with Godly parents, and ungodly parents, wealthy children, poor children, rebellious children ,obedient children, children with physical ailments, children with unlikely names and those with desirable names and miracle babies.”

We can flip to the Old Testament and read in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 or Psalm 10:17-18.

We can flip to the New Testament and read Mark 10:13-16  or Ephesians 6:1-4.

Furthermore, the presence of children in the early church is well-documented throughout Paul’s writings. Though young, they were vital members of the home church movement. Stories of entire households-including children-of Lydia, Stephen and the Philippian jailor can be found throughout the books of Acts and 1 Corinthians.

It seems as though the prophets, apostles, and Gospel writers knew what they were talking about.  They were aware of the sad fact of bluebonnet children, and they were even more aware of God’s call on their hearts to care for them.

Jesus took this call to the next level when he redefined the term ‘family’. Instead of an Old Testament emphasis on ‘clans’ and the nuclear family, Jesus emphasized that we are all part of the Family of God. “God alone is the head of this divine family” and we are to love every member of this family with a selfless love.” 

Just as it’s pointed out in James 1:27(CEB):

The book of James has always fascinated me. Unlike other letters in the Bible, this one is not addressed to a certain person, city, or congregation.  Also, there is no reference to a date or time in history when this book was written.  Finally, since there were four men in the New Testament with the recorded name of ‘James,’and the verdict is still out on which James authored this book.

With great authority, the author  is holding all Christians, regardless of city and century, accountable to “living out of true devotion, to care for the orphaned and the widows.”  The word “Orphan”, in Hebrew means ‘fatherless’ and in Greek it means ‘comfortless’ or ‘loveless’. The word appears in the Bible more than forty times.

Whenever I think of one being in need of comfort and love, Mario comes to mind. He is a dynamic fifth grader who moves swiftly and enjoys juggling lots of tasks at once. I don’t know the details, but neither of the parents are in the picture and the aunt and uncle are the guardians. For the longest time, his family operated within a “drop-off-ministry” model. They would pull up to the church at 9a.m., Mario would jump out of the car, and then at 12:15 the car would reappear to pick him up. I will never forget the one time he was cheerfully bouncing down the stairs after Sunday school saying, “Man, this church is like a hotel!” [Insert full-tooth grin]. I will also be forever touched by the moment in worship when he subtly teared up during prayer time. The Holy Spirit was already at work in his life long before he entered our doors.

With his natural wiring, he became an excellent Techie for children’s church. Despite the fact that this church runs for grades K-4, some 5th graders just can’t quit us. They serve as assistants.  Mario loves the rush of responsibility. Arriving thirty minutes before the other kids, he sets up the projector and screen. He pulls up the YouTube clip I send to myself and has it all prepared to play when qued. As soon as 11:00 hits, he puts on the hat of greeter and welcomes the kids into the sacred space. At the close of worship, he puts the tech equipment back in its place. Yes-the cords are always neatly coiled.

As he has faithfully served out of his gifts, Mario has grown as a significant member of the Body of Christ. A year has passed since we first met, and now both guardians and three siblings also join him every Sunday. This eleven-year-old has built up the Kingdom! His story is one of many examples that children are not the church of tomorrow, they are the church of today. Over age eighteen or not, the hope-filled message of Christ sounds the same.  All are qualified to increase the Gospel’s volume through study, prayer, and service. Bluebonnet Child or not, we are called to come alongside them in committed service and learning.

Questions to Ponder 

1. Who in your life built you up as the “church of today” as a child?
2. Was the amount of times children are mentioned in the Bible surprising to you? What can you infer from the presence of children in the early church movement? 
3. How can Jesus’ view of ‘family’ be compared to how your church views ‘family’?