The Ages Look to You – As VBS Leaders We Must Do Our Part Well
I recently wrote that if given the opportunity today, I believe Charles Spurgeon might make kids ministry his life’s calling. He certainly had a deep admiration for those who had the responsibility for kids ministry and believed the title of Sabbath (Sunday) School Teacher as the greatest title and honor a person could have.
If he were able to deliver a challenge to those gathering this month for VBS Preview, or to the thousands upon thousands of volunteers who will work in VBS 2015, his message would most assuredly include the following words of encouragement and instruction:
- “O teachers, see what you may do! In your schools sit our future Evangelists. In that infant class sits; an apostle to some distant land. There may come under your training hand, my sister, a future father in Israel. There shall come under your teaching, my brother, those who are to bear the banners of the Lord in the thick of the fray.”
- “I had rather receive the title of SST (Sabbath School Teacher), than MA., BA., or any other honor that ever was conferred by men. Let me beg you, then, to take heart, because your duties are so honorable. Let the royal example of David, let the Godlike example of Jesus Christ inspire you with fresh diligence and increasing ardor, with confident and enduring perseverance, still to go on in your blessed work saying as David did, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”
- “The teachings of our childhood leave clean-cut and sharp impressions upon the mind, which remain after seventy years have passed. Let us see that such impressions are made for the highest ends.”
- “There is no way of learning like teaching, and you do not know a thing till you can teach it to another. You do not thoroughly know any truth till you can put it before a child so that he can see it.”
- “The ages look to you each time your class assembles. Oh, that God may help you to do your part well!”
- “It is not your instruction that can save the souls of your children; it is the blessing of God the Holy Spirit accompanying your labors. May God bless and crown your efforts with abundant success!”
These quotes are from the pages of Come Ye Children: A Book for Parents and Teachers on the Christian Training of Children by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 19th Century pastor of New Park Street Chapel (Metropolitan Tabernacle), London.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: How will you challenge your VBS workers this year to do their part well?
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