I asked this question during a kid's session of the Summons to Sacrifice conference a few weeks ago right after we lead the children in a time of listening for what God wanted us to do. An eight year old answered it. "God said, we are to keep praying!"
As simple as it may seem, this occurred after an extended time of prayer had already taken place. We were beyond the time for our lesson, bathroom break and even snack. Instead of the children choosing those things, they wanted to pray; they were hungry for something deeper. An intense move of God's Spirit moved over the room as children cried, travailed, and interceded for others. Several that night received the Holy Ghost and others felt God shared with them direction in ministry for their life. This intense move of God continued for the next two days.
If we as adults, believe that our children receive the Holy Ghost, we must also believe that the Holy Ghost is just as powerful in their lives as it is in us. We must trust that the children really can hear God speaking to them. We must train them to hear His voice and to answer, just as Eli trained Samuel. We must see them not just as the church of tomorrow, but an active part of the church of today.
When we trust a child to experience spiritual things we enable them to actively use the Holy Ghost power God has given them. If we are not enabling them, then we are hindering them, and may very well be hindering the move of God.
Trust them. Train them. Enable them. And watch what God will do.
Editor's Note: Colleen Clabaugh works at the UPCI Headquarters office in Hazelwood, Missouri. This wife and mother is involved with the World Network of Prayer and took part in children's ministry in the recent "Summons to Sacrifice" which incorporates several days of intense focus on prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment