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Study Section 11:  The Pastor’s Concern for Children




             11.1 Connect


                         It would be impossible to emphasize too much the importance of children in the life and destiny of
                        the church. They are the only material out of which god makes his preachers, missionaries, church
                        members, and kingdom workers. They are the race itself, the church itself, and the redeemed of
                        God itself. He is a wise pastor who takes time for their care and upbringing.

            The Bible says that children are a blessing from the Lord.  It says that a family is blessed when their quiver is full
            of children.  That same blessing is passed on to the church.  The church body needs to recognize the tremendous
            value of children and provide for them the programs that will insure their spiritual growth.  Let’s consider that
            today….


             11.2 Objectives

                      1.  The student should be able to state the importance of children in the church ministry and suggest
                      a means for helping them grow spiritually.


                      2. The student should be able to explain the churches role in caring for widows and orphaned
            children.


             11.3 The Pastor’s Concern for Children

                       The Pastor Who Notices Children

                       He is a smart as well as wise pastor who
                       notices the children in the family. Speak
                       to the children by name. Take time to
                       make them feel welcome to come to
            speak to you. There is no compliment that is ever
            afforded the pastor that is more precious that that a
            child feels drawn to him.

            He is a wise pastor that when his schedule allows, to
            be present at children activities and functions. Such a
            pastor should be identified with the children’s work
            in the church.

            The Dedication of a Baby

            Nothing is more meaningful or more beautiful than
            the dedication of a baby at the stated worship services of the church. The father and mother come forward with
            the child and are presented before the church. At this time the pastor will read appropriate Scripture such as
            Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 1 Samuel 1:28, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 2:22, and Ephesians 6;24. After the reading of
            Scripture, the pastor should ask questions of the parents and of the congregation. A simple format would be:

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