A Special Connection
Biblical Basis: “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10 NIV).
Introduction: Few people doubt the special place that infants and toddlers have in the lives of the adults around them. Although there may be times when infants and toddlers might require some extra care and patience from those who are called to minister to them, seldom do infants and toddlers take away from those encounters more than they give. Infants and toddlers create special connections with so many of us, often in unexpected and lasting ways. Even more special is the connection infants and toddlers have with the throne of heaven. In Matthew, Chapter 18, verse 10, Jesus makes a very clear declaration about one of the special connections infants and toddlers have. Jesus tells us there are angels in heaven, who are at all times facing the throne of God the Father and interceding for these infants and toddlers.
When the church lifts up infants through its ministry and gives them a special place within the church family, it is modeling what our Father in Heaven is doing. Making a special connection with infants and toddlers is a priority in heaven, and it must be a priority in the local church as well.
I. A Special Connection with their Father in Heaven
Ministry to the littlest ones has always been a high priority with God the Father.
a. Ministry to infants and toddlers is not optional. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
b. Ministry to infants and toddlers should never be pushed aside or restrained. Mark 10:14
c. Ministry to infants and toddlers should be a part of the church’s overall ministry effort. Mark 9:36-37
II. A Special Connection with their mothers, fathers, and family
a. Infants and Toddlers help many parents reconnect with the church. – A May 2010 report from the Barna Group indicated that 37% of new parents either reconnected or became more involved in the local church after the birth of a child.
b. Parents still have a tremendous amount of influence through the connections they have with their infants and toddlers. "Although parents cannot guarantee that their kids will behave in specific ways, but their parenting style and practices can hugely influence the likelihood of certain behaviors and perspectives."
III. A Special Connection with generations yet to come
a. God’s love extends to all generations. I Chronicles 16:15-17
b. Ministry to infants and toddlers today is a ministry that will continue to impact generations yet to come. Psalm 22:30-31
See Does Having Children Make Parents More Active Churchgoers?, article found at http://www.barna.org/family-kids-articles/391-does-having-children-make-parents-more-active-churchgoers.
George Barna, Barna Calls Shooting a ‘Dramatic’ Wake-Up Call to Parents, article found at http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070423/barna-calls-shooting-a-dramatic-wake-up-call-to-parents/index.html.