"Growing Great Kids"

As I look back on the life of Jesus, I see how He viewed children and what He thought of them. In Matthew 19:14 He says "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (NIV) If Jesus sees children in this way, then we must also see them with the same eyes. The "let the little children come to me" statement pertains to us parents too, in that we need to show our children the path that takes them to Jesus. If we "train a child in the way he should go, ... when he is old he will not turn from it." (Prov. 22:6 NIV). My mother always made sure that my siblings and I didn't leave the house without either a prayer or reading the morning devotional. She also made sure that I studied my Sabbath School lesson and memorized my verses. My dad always ensured that church played an important role in my life and always told me everything I did in church was for God, not for others.  

Our children need us to guide them on their spiritual journey. Children, for the most part, will not choose to go to church, or read the Bible or a devotional; they need parents to teach them to do it. This means we have to be willing to set an example for them, by investing substantial time and effort in their spiritual growth. I would not want to be accused of hindering my child's walk with the Lord and I don't think any parent would. However, by not guiding our children or by not being an example to them, we hinder their walk with Jesus. The Church also plays some part in the child's understanding that the Kingdom of heaven is where they belong. If we provide ministries to show them who Jesus is and help them see that it's not enough to only believe, but that they need to follow as well, then we play a part in discipling them for Jesus! Together, the family, church and school can work towards Growing Great Kids for Jesus!  

I grew up in the church with Christian Adventist parents. I was always involved in the church, but once I got to my teen years, I began to have one foot in church and one in the world, but always active in church. As I entered my late teens and early twenties I moved out of my home and began to have more of me in the world than in the church. Then one day when I was not in my full senses, I looked around and realized that these were not the values that my parents had instilled in me. I saw my friends moving in slow motion and realized if I continued in the path I was going, my life would soon be ruined. I recalled my mother's words and the devotionals she would make me read to my siblings and asked one of my friends to drive me home, where I decided to give up the world and give my life back to Jesus.  

You see, family, church and school played a big part in my Christian walk. I have now devoted my life to the ministry and to serving my church, my school and our families in Growing Great Kids for God's kingdom.

Gerry Lopez