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“Jesus, however, invited them: ‘Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it’” (Luke 18:16-17, CSB).
As men, women, and children approached Jesus, the disciples told the children to wait, letting the adults through. “There are more important issues, more mature followers who need His attention,” they probably thought. But, Jesus stops them and says, “You have it all wrong. Be more like these.”
How often are we like the disciples, subconsciously focused on babysitting the kids so that their parents and other older members of the church can meet with Jesus? How often do we spend our group time teaching them to do what’s right, but never really introducing them to Jesus Himself? What can we do now to begin receiving the kingdom of God like a child, from the youngest to the oldest?
Understanding that the Bible is one big story of redemption through Jesus Christ changed the way that Lindsey viewed both her own faith and her role as a kids ministry leader. When her personal faith became less about knowing the answers and more about knowing Christ, she was able to begin pointing the kids toward Him, too, and toward the beginning of a lifelong childlike faith. Kids ministry was no longer about babysitting the kids, but about heart transformation for both child and leader.
Christ-centered kids ministry doesn’t just radically shift the way your kids view Jesus, but as you and your leaders point toward Him each week, you’ll begin to know the Savior more for yourself, just like Lindsey did. The Bible isn’t just stories to you anymore. It’s a tangible, life-altering reality centered on a living Redeemer. You’re no longer a teacher, only there for the kids. You’re regaining a childlike faith for yourself.
This can happen in your life, the life of your child, and the life of your ministry, too. The Gospel Project’s mission is to be a beacon that points people to Jesus, equipping you and your groups of all ages to live transformed because of the gospel. As the study moves chronologically through Scripture, adults and children alike will begin to see how the Bible, from beginning to end, is one big story anchored in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
We can do much more than just learn about Jesus; we can know Him. Once your kids get it, once you get it, it changes everything.
You can download a free, one-month preview of The Gospel Project for Kids (and the rest of your church) at gospelproject.com/preview.