Within The Boundaries
Imagine you are playing a game of backyard football. You don’t have a good square lot, it’s not regulation size, and there are many permanent objects to avoid if you want to remain uninjured. If you were like me and my 4 brothers, the random things of the yard (fence posts, trees, cars, etc…) became markers for the field. We created a playable field with what we had. Had we not done this, it would have been chaos! There would have been far more injuries and arguments over bounds. It would have been an unpleasurable experience.
This past Tuesday, the 13th of August 2024, I went to lunch with the morning bible study group. They are regulars at the local Bob Evans and I always appreciate being invited to join these meals. Its more than a meal with a friend, it’s a conversation and a look into the lives of the people I co-labor in Christ with. We got to chat about the local schools and our experiences within the modern school system. We have many members of our congregation who are currently teachers, were once teachers, or have taken up substitute teaching to fill the needs within our schools. They took turns sharing about the struggles they see young people going through and the lack of support for them by generations older. It seems like there is a shift from adult leading to child leading. And I believe this is harmful.
For a brief period of time, Jean and I were the interim Children’s ministry team. We filled a gap while we transitioned from one minister to another. During that time period we restructured the program to be similar to youth group. This was a plan and layout we knew well; it seemed universal enough to attempt. It worked great! The kids loved the new structure that had been applied to the program. The program has since been enhanced from that structure to where it is now with multiple classrooms, teachers, and experiences. That structure from teacher to student gave our littles plenty of room to explore their faith, have fun, and be obedient to boundaries and rules.
Consider Matthew 18:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a small child and had him stand among them. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.[1]
Matthew 18:1-5 CSB
Jesus says that we must humble ourselves like a child. A child is curious, adventurous, and obedient by nature. They seek to learn, to try, and for guidance in what to do. This is where we come in as parents and spiritual leaders in a young person’s life. We are to emulate God the Father to them. We show them the love that God has bestowed upon us. We guide them in the right and wrong ways to live. We give them room to grow but not room to rule. And within these constraints, we will see our children connect even deeper with their savior! When we come alongside them with the same curiosity, adventure, and determination for truth, we will build a trust bond. We obey our master, Yahweh, because we trust him. Our young ones will also obey us, if they trust us, emulating that relationship with God. I have seen this in my own two boys. Jean and I try to emulate God to them. The result has been that they trust and love us, giving us obedient respect as masters. They respect Jean and I as master as we respect God the Father as master.
Remember these words of Jesus:
9 Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.[2]
Matthew 7:9-12 CSB
As you interact with young people, remember, they seek your guidance, love, and support. Give them room to try, to grow, and the encouragement to achieve all that God has for them in this life.
[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18&version=CSB
[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7&version=CSB