The Scriptural Mandate for Children’s Ministry

**shared by request and with permission from the author

By Pastor Karl Bastian

Children’s Ministry is not just an optional or value-added program within the church — it is a biblical mandate. From the words of Jesus to the countless examples of young people impacting God’s Kingdom, Scripture is clear: investing in children is investing in eternity.

When the disciples tried to keep the children from Jesus, believing He was too busy with more important theological discussions, Jesus rebuked them: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) Not only does the Kingdom of Heaven belong to children, but Jesus also stated that unless adults come to Him with childlike faith, they will never enter it (Mark 10:15). Children are not merely the future of the church; they are a vital part of it now.

Jesus took children’s faith seriously. He warned that causing a young one to stumble is so severe that it would be better to have a millstone tied around one’s neck and be cast into the sea! (Luke 17:2) The gravity of this warning should shake us — what we do with children’s faith matters deeply to God.

Children Have Always Been Central to God’s Work

Throughout Scripture, we see children playing crucial roles in God’s work. Samuel was called as a young boy to be a prophet (1 Samuel 3). A servant girl, seemingly insignificant, was used by God to lead Naaman to healing (2 Kings 5). A boy’s small lunch was placed in Jesus’ hands, and with it, He fed over 5,000 people (John 6:9-11). Josiah became king at just eight years old and led a revival that turned a nation back to God (2 Kings 22). Timothy, a young man raised in faith by his mother and grandmother, became a key leader in the early church (2 Timothy 1:5). Time and again, God has used children to display His power and advance His Kingdom.

But perhaps the most profound example of all is found in how God chose to enter human history. He did not descend from the heavens with a vast army, overwhelming the world with majestic splendor. No, Jesus Himself chose to come as a child. The God of the universe took on human flesh as a baby, growing and experiencing life as a child so He could fully identify with us. The humility of Christ’s incarnation speaks volumes about the significance of childhood in God’s divine plan. He did not skip over childhood but embraced it, valuing it as part of the full human experience.

The Most Receptive Mission Field

Modern studies confirm what Scripture illustrates: the most receptive mission field for the Gospel is children. The vast majority of believers come to faith before adulthood. This underscores the urgency of Children’s Ministry. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) The need is great, and the call is clear: we must step up.

Statistics show that nearly 85% of Christians accept Christ before the age of 18, with the majority making their decision between the ages of 4 and 14. This ‘4/14 Window’ represents the most crucial time for evangelism. Yet, in many churches, children’s ministry remains underfunded, under- resourced, and undervalued compared to adult ministries. We must ask ourselves: if Jesus prioritized children, why do we often treat children’s ministry as secondary?

For those already serving in Children’s Ministry, perhaps feeling unnoticed or unappreciated, let Galatians 6:9 encourage you: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  You are doing eternal work, planting seeds that will bear fruit for generations. Every lesson taught, every prayer spoken, every Bible story shared is shaping young hearts for eternity. You may not see the immediate results, but your labor is not in vain. Heaven will reveal the countless lives impacted through your faithfulness.

Why Reaching Children Matters

D.L. Moody once illustrated the importance of reaching children with a simple yet profound analogy. He showed two candles, one tall and new and one short and lit them both and asked, “Which represents the adult, and which a child?” People assume the tall one represents the adult and the short one a child, but he would answer, “The tall one represents the child who has his whole life ahead of him! The short one is the adult whose life is almost all spent. Better to invest your time in children where the impact will be the greatest!” In the same way, it is far better to reach children with the Gospel while their hearts are tender, rather than waiting until they are hardened by life’s trials.

In Matthew 18:10, Jesus gives another compelling reason to prioritize ministry to children: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”  The spiritual significance of children is profound—God assigns angels who constantly behold His face to watch over them. If God assigns such high regard to children, should we not do the same?

A Call to Join the Work

I have been at this since I was ten years old when God called me into Children’s Ministry. And I will be at it until He calls me home. (Shari’s note: I have been active in Children’s Ministry since Junior High.) Will you join us? Will you answer the call to invest in the next generation? For as Acts 20:24 declares, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” And as Romans 12:11 reminds us, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the    Lord.”

Children’s Ministry is not babysitting. It is frontline Kingdom work. The harvest is ripe, but as Scripture tells us, the workers are few! (Matthew 9:37 and Luke 10:2) Perhaps you have never considered serving in children’s ministry. Maybe you feel unqualified, too busy, or unsure if you would be effective. Let me challenge you with this: God does not call the equipped; He equips the called.

If He is stirring your heart, He will provide the grace and ability to serve. Whether teaching a Bible lesson, leading worship, helping with check-in, or simply being present to love and encourage kids, your role matters.

If you are already serving, let this be a reminder that what you do matters. Your work may not always be seen or celebrated, but it is seen by God. He knows every effort, every late-night preparation, every moment spent investing in a child’s life. And He promises a reward for those who faithfully serve. (Galatians 6:9)

Let’s make children’s ministry the priority that Jesus made it. Let’s commit to reaching the next generation with the Gospel while their hearts are open and their faith is forming. Let’s be faithful workers in the most fruitful harvest field of all. Because, as Jesus Himself said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” (Mark 9:37)

Will you join us?

Because Jesus Loves Children!

---Shari Coelho

Children’s Ministry Director, SRBC