It is not an understatement to say that the children of this generation are enticed with fun, fun, and more fun. With an onslaught of video games, movies, and music it would seem the church has some competition. There is nothing wrong with fun. The kingdom of God is immersed in fun and saturated with joy. In light of this challenge by the world…. With so many entertainment frontiers, we must have better alternatives to offer. This is no problem for our Father God, because He is the creator of every good and perfect gift. Did you catch that word, perfect? The competition has imperfect gifts to offer, while the children of the Kingdom have the right to offer gifts of perfection.
While I believe a big part of the advancing Kingdom of God is to occupy the mountains of media and technology (which includes music, movies, and even video games) there is more. How about real encounters with the reality of God through His power? “Beam me up Scotty” can become, “Beam me up Holy Spirit”. Our children need power encounters and maybe to our surprise, they desire power encounters. Often, while our children play their games and seem to be off in a fantasy world, their inner spirit is crying for encounters with their Creator.
As I look back at my childhood, somewhat void of music, movies and video games, I recall a deep hunger for God. My childhood fantasies involved outdoor games and simple adventures in the 60’s. However, hidden to those who knew me, I was spending a lot of time trying to connect with God. One memory involves the time that my older brother junked an old car in a sink hole back behind our house. I spent a lot of time in that old car. It had a radio. As long as the battery on the car lasted, I listened faithfully to the radio. I chose to listen to gospel songs and preachers. I learned the days and times these programs would come on. I wrote them letters. They sent me small pamphlets and things that I treasured. Although we didn’t have TV at home and weren’t allowed to listen to the radio in the home, this was a special time for me.
Sometimes when I visited our neighbors, they would be watching Oral Roberts on Sunday mornings. I wrote him. Another program came on called, “Revival Fires” and I loved the flame that come up on the screen. I wrote them. They sent me a brochure and a picture of the young minister. I remember carrying the picture of the minister in my little billfold for several years. In all of this there was a longing for adventure and encounter. The revival flames became embedded in me as deep as the Bonanza map that I also watched burn on weekdays at 5:00 on their TV. Oral Roberts surely had his faults, but the belief that God desires to heal was embedded in me.
And then there were Sunday mornings. I attended Sunday school and that was good. During worship, I sat without my parents, on the 4th row on the right, closest to the aisle. The speakers and older people commented on my attentiveness. It was more than attentiveness for me, it was hunger. I wanted as much of God as I could possible get and that desire has stayed in my spirit over the years. Remember we are talking about a child here. A child that did not live in a Christian home or have parents to pray with him or encourage him in his faith. The fact is that children have a need to plug into God as much as an electric coffee pot needs to plug into an outlet. Sometimes Sunday mornings is the only outlet some children have.
In these times of outpouring, as we see the hand of God moving amongst us in ways we only dreamed of seeing in the 60’s, are our children experiencing it too? Do they know that they can? Do we understand that they can? For this to happen, the vision or revelation must be imparted to the parents, teachers, youth pastors, children's workers and congregation.
Jesus ministered to the children (see Matthew 19: 13, 14). I am not sure how much he used games or stories, although I almost suspect He did. I do know that He ministered to them with the laying on of hands. This was a guaranteed encounter. It definitely resulted in power and love being imparted to each one of them. He also knew their callings, purpose and potential. Although scripture didn’t have room it seems, to record all that He said and did with the children, I feel sure He spoke prophetically into their futures. When the children were brought to Jesus, they were set up for power encounters and lives filled with His glory and blessing.
John the Baptist worshipped in his mother’s womb. He was filled with the Spirit before he was born. How does that fit into our cozy theology? Have we overlooked the radical side of God, that loves to do things outside the box? Our God cannot be tamed! He works outside the realms of human reasoning. What kind of pride have we allowed to rise up within us to think that we can fully explain God or His ways? Our own relationship with God requires a childlike trust so we can accept His ways.
Let’s get down to the core of what we are trying to say here. Our children can move in the anointing of God. They can prophesy with great accuracy. They can pray for the sick with tremendous results. They can be used powerfully in the Kingdom. They can have amazing experiences with God. I have heard testimonies lately of how missionaries are using small children in prayer lines for the sick. I have heard of revelation given to children that is totally accurate. I have heard of them being touched by God in phenomenal ways. They easily see angels. They have simple expectancy that adults have long ago discarded. They do not try to explain away the involvement of God amongst us in these times but stand with open arms to receive all that He gives.
Some may think children are not ready, and are unqualified to speak, or pray for the sick. Qualification does not depend upon age, but depends more upon intimacy with God and love for Jesus. God also shows His strength through weakness. That is a basic principle in scripture and in the Kingdom. There are no real “professionals” in the Kingdom of God. Grace is the key that unlocks all encounters.
I am in great support of “Children’s Church” as implemented in most churches today. I think this is fertile ground for training and bringing the children into intimacy and encounter. However, I feel the door should be left open for a child to step out of “Children’s Church” when the time is right. When the child feels a desire to be in the main worship service because of deeper hunger, this should be allowed. As this happens, may we be wise enough to involve them (if they desire) in the prayers for the sick, the laying on of hands, and prophetic encouragements over the people. Watch how people are touched by their humility and involvement.
I know this sounds somewhat radical and abnormal. Let's not be normal anymore. Let’s enter in by faith to all that God has for us. This will challenge our predictable and canned programs. Hungry people want more than what’s in a can. We want home cooked meals. We do know where home is…. don’t we? Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again (see John 3). Jesus added an additional comment in His discourse with Nicodemus. He said, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Jesus is saying that we are to be as free and as unpredictable as the wind. This looks and sounds like a new kind of normal to me.
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