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2020-02-26 to 28 Pictures: Charleston, South Carolina

One of the few upsides of having to cancel our Spring Break trip last March at the onset of the pandemic is that we are "stuck" with a rather large voucher from one of those discount airlines. Last autumn, Tricia and I spent a weekend in Savannah, Georgia and had a...

A John 3:16 Craft for Kids

John 3:16 is one of the most well known and reassuring verses in the Bible. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 (NIV) The following is a little craft I threw...

2020-03-01 Pictures: Lyndsey’s College Signing Day

This afternoon Lyndsey made it official, signing her letter of intent to play college basketball for the Hiram College Terriers starting next year. While she made the decision and committed to Hiram before Christmas, she has been looking forward to this day since her...

2020-02-13 Pictures: Lyndsey’s 18th Birthday

I am little behind on posting photos. These are some of my favorites from a couple of weekends ago when we got a chance to celebrate Lyndsey's 18th birthday. It's hard to believe that my little girl is officially an adult. It was nice to have the family all back...

What is DOCTRINE?

Introduction I love working with kids, and I love teaching them hard concepts in ways they can understand. To that end, for years I have been working on a dictionary of theological terms for kids and teens. In sharing those definitions, there seemed no better place to...

If You Want It Done Right

In all likelihood, you know how the phrase ends: If you want it done right, DO IT YOURSELF! This is a bit of a mantra for me, and frankly, something that I struggle with daily both in leadership and in my Christian walk.  In theory, this is easy to accept. ...

What Does God Hate?

This is the little and humble post that started it all. I happened to be reading through my Bible, and this passage impacted me so much that I posted a little blurb about it on Facebook. That was July 28, 2008, and I've been writing and sharing ever since. (Maybe...

King David’s Two Encouragements to Parents and Teachers (Synopsis of Come Ye’ Children – Chapter 15)

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Lest we should ever start to feel like our work with kids is pointless, in this short chapter, Spurgeon offers two words of encouragement to both parents and teachers for dealing with kids.  The two examples are found in the lives of David and Jesus.

Encouragement #1 – Working with Children is a Noble Endeavor

David was renowned King of Israel and author of numerous psalms.  Appointed by God in his early years, David replaced Saul and led the nation of Israel for 40 years.  Jesus was, and is, the Son of God who came to earth in human form to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins so that we could be reconcile to God forever.  One thing they shared in common was a desire to teach children.

David said:

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. [Psalms 34:11 ESV]

And Jesus proclaimed:

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 19:14 ESV]

They both had a special place in their heart for working with children.  As those involved in Children’s Ministry, we share that love of kids with David and with our Lord.  But, we are not alone in that desire.  Spurgeon provides a long list of noble people who have engaged in Children’s Ministry throughout history:

“In the United States we have heard of Presidents, of Judges, Members of Congress, and persons in the highest positions, not condescending, for I scorn to use such a term, but honouring themselves by teaching little children in Sabbath-schools. He who teaches a class in a Sabbath-school has earned a good degree. I had rather receive the title of S.S.T. than M.A., B.A., or any other honour that ever was conferred by men. Let me beg you, then, to take heart, because your duties are so honourable.”

Spurgeon points out that teaching kids is not a condescension but an honor, and we should view our work in that way.

Encouragement #2 – Be Encouraged By the Prospect of Success

Spurgeon points to the words of David, “I will teach you the fear of the Lord” and contrast it with what he might have said instead – “I might teach you the fear of the Lord.”  David seemed assured of the success of his efforts working with kids. Spurgeon suggests that those of us who work in Children’s Ministry should be encouraged by this prospect of success as well.

Spurgeon reminds us that when we get to heaven, we will finally have the opportunity to see the success of our efforts:

“Up yonder, where the starry hosts perpetually sing God’s high praises, up where the white-robed throng cast their crowns before His feet, we shall behold the success of Sabbath-schools. There, too, where infant millions assemble Sabbath after Sabbath, to sing,—

“Gentle Jesus meek and mild,”

we see with joy the success of Sabbath-schools.”

We not ever see the outcome of our work with children here on earth, but we will have the joy in heaven of seeing how our hard work has impacted the kids we have ministered to.

Finally, Spurgeon reminds us that we should be encouraged to further action by the success from our efforts that God does let us see here on earth:

“Go on with your holy service; much has been done already, but more shall yet be done. Let all your past victories inflame you with fresh ardour, let the remembrance of your triumphs in previous campaigns, and all trophies won for your Saviour on the battle-field of the past be your encouragement to press on with the duty of the present and the future.”

While it is easy to get discouraged in our efforts with God’s kids, Spurgeon reminds us of the eternal impact of our ministry.  When things in the present are not going as you hoped, looked to the past and look forward to the future.  God has given us great honor and great responsibility in working with kids.

Links to Complete Text

If you’re interested in reading the complete text of “Come Ye Children,” it can be found on at: http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cyc.htm

The complete text of Chapter Fifteen can be found at: http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cyc15.htm

<<LAST TIME: Chapter 14 – “Come, Ye Children”—The Psalmist’s Invitation

Chapter 16 – Childhood and Holy Scripture: NEXT TIME>>

Return to the Come Ye’ Children (A Synopsis) index page.

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1 Comment

  1. Pastor Jared

    I love this book, it is a must read for anyone in Children's ministry. I just wish there was a New Living Translation or NIV of it. The thoughts are timeless, the language, not so much.