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Showers for the Tender Harvest--"Let my teaching fall like showers on tender plants." - Deuteronomy 32:2
PRAISE! If the Children Won't Do It, the Rocks Will!
by Jill Nelson (Jill's bio)
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“From the lips of children and infants I have ordained praise.” Matthew 21:16 (NIV)
“If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40 (NIV)
These are words straight from Jesus' mouth. Evidently, God does not want us to act like a bunch of dumb rocks when it comes time to worship—especially not the kids. They need to be jumping out of their skins with joy, praising God with their whole beings—spirit, soul, AND body!
Such tumultuous praise is highly pleasing to God. Anyone who thinks heavenly worship is going to be quiet, solemn, and dignified hasn't read the Bible. We see numerous pictures of heavenly worship in the book of Revelation. Lots of shoutin' goin' on there! Our job as children's ministers is to foster in kids that kind of TOTAL PRAISE response toward God.
I'm a tough cookie when it comes time for praise and worship. When we sing praise choruses (and, yes, a number of the great old hymns set to modern beats are included), I expect my kids to participate. No standing around with their hands hanging at their sides, looking like warmed over oatmeal. No poking their neighbors and whispering. No staring off into space with a bored expression. If I see some of my kids losing their focus on Jesus, I stop the music and tell them, “Kiddos, God is worth a few minutes of your time today. We will sing this song over and over until I see you DECIDE to enter in.”
Entering into His gates through praise and His courts through worship is a DECISION. As adults, we have to DECIDE to lay down our personal issues and spend time adoring Him. Kids have to do the same thing. According to Proverbs 22:6, we are to train up a child in the way he should go. When I insist that the kids enter in, I am not ignoring their feelings . . . or lack thereof. Nor am I asking them to put on a mere outward show to satisfy me. I am developing in them a habit and a mindset that when it is time to praise, it is time to PRAISE!!! The feelings can come later, and often do, much to their own surprise.
Since implementing this stance on corporate praise and worship, I have noticed a distinct rise in spiritual interest and understanding in my kids. When we have taken the time to rejoice around the Throne, their hearts are open to receive the implanted Word that is able to make them grow and mature into spiritual adults. (HINT: It works the same way for us grown-ups. The next time we feel like slacking in our praise, we need to remember that.)
Recently, after such a worship session, the Holy Spirit energized me with a message that was completely different than what I had intended to preach that night. The kids were primed and ready, especially one little boy who in the past had often tuned out the whole service. As I spoke the oracle that God had given, his gaze remained riveted on me—eyes round as quarters. His mouth hung agape, and he scarcely moved the entire 15 – 20 minute message. (For a four-year-old that has to be a miracle of God!)
His parents later telephoned to share that their son had come home and asked if he could pray to receive Jesus as his Savior that very night. Then the little four-year-old got on the phone to both sets of grandparents and proudly told them what he had done. I am delighted to report that he is a changed fellow when he comes to children's church these days. He no longer sits with tears in his eyes because he has to be separated from Mommy for an hour or two. He's “into it” with the rest of them and his joy is contagious.
Seeing this kind of progress among our kids makes our joy as children's ministers full as well. This is the great reward and purpose of our calling. Dare to expect your kids to enter in to praise and worship.
STAY TUNED for the next column – a live report on Worship Weekend where a thousand kids gathered from many states in the U.S. to spend two days worshipping God corporately. The world will never be the same!
Copyright 2002, Jill Nelson. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Jill Nelson: Children have been the focus of Jill Nelson's ministry for twenty years. She and her husband have four--two boys, two girls--all teenagers. (Prayers, please.) Jill supervises the children's ministry at her local church and delights in writing her own material. Her heart is to glorify God by guiding children into a powerful personal relationship with Him. E-mail Jill |
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