When You’re Hungry
We love our SC Kids ministry at Shelby Crossings, and appreciate all those who serve in it each week. I'm always excited to hear about what the children are learning on Sunday mornings, during their KidsLife Bible studies and their KidMotion worship time, and how they are getting to know Jesus in a deeper way. And that's not to mention their Wednesday night KidJam, which is loaded with fun games, cool music and learning Scripture. It makes me wish I was a kid!
Personally, one of my favorite things that we do in our church is have the children join their families for the worship time before they head over to Building A for a message that is tailored more specifically for them. That way, they can experience corporate worship with their entire church family, and see the example their parents are setting in worshiping the Lord. Then they can go next door and learn God’s word in ways fit for a kid.
Some churches prefer to keep the children in with their families the whole service, and there certainly can be advantages to that. But as a pastor I understand how challenging it can be to try to teach at their level, while at the same time communicating effectively to adults. At the first church I pastored, way back in the day, we used to have a monthly "pastor's pals" time, where I would call the children up to the front, and I would sit on the stage with them on the floor around me, and teach directly to them. Usually it involved a story or object lesson that the kids could easily understand, and I often heard from their parents that they understood that better than the sermon!
All that said, a retired pastor friend of mine shared this on Facebook a few weeks back. This was his children's sermon
during one of those times with the kids:
"Let me tell you what happened to me this morning. I got up early and went for a walk. When I came home, I was hungry, so I woke up my wife and said, "Honey, I'm hungry."
She said, "Well, take a bath." So I did. And I told her, "I'm still hungry."
She said, "Put on some clothes." I did and was still hungry.
She said, "Put on a sweater." I was still hungry.
She said, "Well, watch some television." And I was still hungry.
She said, "Why don't you eat some cereal?" -- (The kids called out, "Now, that's a good idea!")
I said to my wife, "Do you think that will help?" She said, "It might. it can't hurt."
I did and sure enough, It worked! I wasn't hungry any more. (And the kids laughed.)
Now, that is not a true story. It's a parable. A made-up story to make a point. People have a spiritual hunger, a hunger for God. What they ought to do is come to the Lord and worship Him: pray, praise, read the Bible, serve Him. But instead they do all the wrong things: they read, watch TV, etc., and they're still hungry.
You'd think they'd figure this out, wouldn't you?"
That's such a simple message that even kids can understand it. Too bad many of their parents never can seem to learn. You'd think they'd figure this out, wouldn't you?
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6) I pray that you figure that out this week, and that you experience the fullness of a life lived for Christ.
I am so thankful to be your pastor, and I look forward to seeing YOU on Sunday.
--Pastor Ken
