1) Children are precious in Jesus’ sight. He loves them! He wants children to be brought to Him.

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mk. 10:14)

2) Children need help in learning how to navigate in today’s world … and they have so much of life ahead of them.

Faced with war, terrorism, divorce, crime and other anxieties, many children are feeling

. . . vulnerable – What if this happens to me?
. . . frightened – Where can I go to be safe?
. . . hopeless – Who is going to protect me?
. . . helpless – There’s nothing I can do to keep it from happening.

They need the touch of Jesus. They need His help to cope and deal just as we adults do. Jesus said, "Let the little children come."

3) Children are a part of today’s church, not merely the church of tomorrow.

They are just as much a part of the body as adults if they know Jesus as their Savior. “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

As you look at the Greatest Commandments and the Great Commission and read passages about the church (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4), no one is excluded. You will not find degrees to which this is to be happening based on age or any other criteria.

4) Children need a Savior and are at a prime age to trust in Him.

According to a Barna report, “nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (43%), and that two out of three born again Christians (64%) made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday.”

Based on these findings, childhood is a critical time to reach people for Jesus. “Let the little children come!”

Ministry to children is important. Whether you teach or help in any other capacity, you have a strategic role that goes beyond simply showing up and following a script. You have a vital purpose.