Everyone knows who Jesus is, right? I mean, we live in America! In the Bible Belt!
That’s what I thought until I met him, the boy from the inner city neighborhood that housed our church. Our kindergartners were happily singing VBS songs, and I was so proud of what great teaching we had done. That’s when he asked it, the question that changed the way I would look at teaching kids forever. “Who‘s this ‘Jesus’ we’re singing about?” he asked.
It hit me hard. I had grown comfortable teaching children “like mine” who were in church every week. I had completely missed the mark when it came to reaching kids who look and live differently than me. Those kids who are concerned, not about what they’re having for lunch, but if they’re having lunch. Those kids who have never heard of Jesus. That’s what it’s all about.
If we’re not careful, we can become so concerned over programming and scheduling to meet the needs of our own congregation that we overlook those on the outside literally dying to fit in somewhere – so why not here? Someone, somewhere, will make that child feel welcomed. It could be a gang, a prostitution ring, a drug dealer — or it could be small group from your kids ministry that reaches out where he is and helps him get to where God wants him to be.
The holidays are coming soon. They can be the “most wonderful time of the year” or the loneliest time of a child’s life. As you start scheduling events, challenge your team to think outside the box – outside the walls – to welcome in those kids who may be wondering: “Who’s this Jesus you’re singing about?”
As always…I’d love to hear what you’re doing to reach out. Please share a comment!
Blessings!
