Discipling Children
First, we should clarify that the word discipling is
not a proper English word. Although, it
is understood that it means making disciples.
Hence, we are talking this week about making children disciples of Jesus
Christ. Let us first review the biblical
definition of disciple. It means to: 1.
abide in Christ and bear fruit; and to pick up your cross, forsake all else and
follow Him. It would behoove us to learn
more about following Him.
When Jesus said, "Follow Me" (a phrase
that occurs 17 times in the Gospels), it was for the purpose of making them
disciples. A similar phrase, "Come unto Me" (6 occurrences), has the
same purpose, for one comes to Jesus to follow Him. One may come initially in
response to the mysterious drawing of His Spirit, may be merely curious, and
want simply to observe or inquire with no intent to follow. But as the contact
occurs, the drawing and coming will lead to following if there is no
resistance. Jesus is that charming! We were designed for that, and He has
preserved in each the ability to sense His drawing, and agree with it. The
Bible calls that faith.
It is in the coming and the following that the
discipling occurs. One of the best known
uses of "Come..." promises a gift--"I will give you...."
And my coming and His giving leads to another dual invitation--"Take ...
and learn...." That must be the essence of discipling--the ongoing coming,
giving, taking, and learning. The resultant promise is redundant--"I will
give you rest" and "you shall find rest." (Matthew 11:28-30).
Now, as we gathered from the
verse, to come unto Him we must be invited or drawn to Him. Jesus said in John 12:32-33
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:33 This he said, signifying what
death he should die.
What death did he die? “… the death of the cross” (Philippians
2:8). Paul says in I Corinthians 1: 17
-18
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not
to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross
of Christ should be made of none effect.
1Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of
the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is
the power of God.
And, Paul says that the power of God –
unto salvation – is the Gospel. The word
Gospel means good news, it has the same meaning of the root word for
evangelism. Thus evangelism is spreading
the good news. Discipline is what
happens when we respond to the drawing.
How does this apply to children? It must be significant that half of the
"Come unto Me" phrases in the Gospels are in reference to allowing
the "little children" to do so! Jesus' heart was open to their
openness. His simplicity found fellowship in their simplicity. His invitation
we considered of "Come ... and learn" described the curriculum--"I
am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). In teaching children to be
disciples of Jesus, could we also be in school to learn the childlike traits of
Jesus Himself from them? Ellen White
seems to agree with this in the following quote,
"I would have humility of
mind, and be willing to be instructed as a child. The Lord has been pleased to
give me great light, yet I know that He leads other minds, and opens to them
the mysteries of His Word, and I want to receive every ray of light that God
shall send me, though it should come through the humblest of His
servants." (Ellen White, 1888
Materials, p. 163).
It is of these that Jesus said, “Have
you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected
praise” (Matthew 21:16). This is why in Mark
10:13-16 Jesus asked to let the children come to Him. Let us read the passage,
Mark 10:13-16
13 Then they brought little
children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who
brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, He was
greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and
do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Assuredly, I say to you,
whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means
enter it.”
16 And He took them up in His
arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Ellen White gives some insight on
this incident,
In the children who were brought
in contact with Him, Jesus saw the men and women who should be heirs of His
grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for
His sake…He knew that these children would listen to Him and accept Him as
their Redeemer far more readily than would grown-up people, many of whom were
the worldly-wise and hardhearted. In His teaching He came down to their level.
He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain to answer their questions, and
simplify His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted
in their minds the seeds of truth, which in after years would spring up, and
bear fruit unto eternal life.
We too need to be as little
children. Let us read Matthew 18: 1 – 4,
Mat 18:1 At the same time came the
disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child
unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom
of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same
is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Are we willing
to humble ourselves as little children?