Welcoming The Children

PHOTO CAPTION: I love to welcome this little “bunny”. Who are you welcoming?

Jesus Welcomed Children. He welcomed little children. His disciples thought that Jesus had more important things to do. Not Jesus! Jesus wanted the children to come to Him. He loved them and made time for them. He didn’t allow the tasks of His day or the crowd to keep Him from spending time with children.



Welcoming Our Own Children. I know for me, sometimes that’s hard. It’s easy to let the demands of the day get in the way of taking time for people, even children. When my own children were younger I often found myself saying, “Not now, mommy’s busy!” or “Just a minute and I will help you.” When my kids started mimicking the same words back to me, I realized that I needed to make the time to focus my total attention on them. I do realize there are times our children need to learn to wait too. Where’s the balance? I’m not sure, I just know that day by day, I can ask God to help me be the mom and grandma He wants me to be. Sometimes I may need to say, “Just a minute, please, mommy’s busy right now.”, but hopefully I can cue in on those times when my kids need my attention and give them my full attention.



Welcoming Other Children. Welcoming children goes way beyond caring for our own children. Welcoming children means being kind, courteous and aware of the needs of other children too. It means taking time to value children because Jesus did. Welcoming children may mean welcoming the kids in your neighborhood. Is there a child who needs to know that Jesus loves him in your neighborhood? Is there a busy single mom who would welcome a break? What about at your church? I don’t know too many Nursery Directors or Children’s Pastors who wouldn’t love to have another volunteer in their children’s ministry. Do you know that more people make the decision to follow Jesus as a child than at any other time of their life? In my family, my kids and grandkids all were beginning to understand the reasons why Jesus died and what it meant to follow Jesus at around the age of five years. Yes, serving in your church nursery is life-changing. It does make a difference! And it just may change your life too.



Welcoming Children Around The Word. What about welcoming children around the world? Did you know that there are more children at risk around the world now than ever? There are kids orphaned because of Aids or disasters. There are kids dying of hunger or lacking medical attention due to poverty and there are even kids who are horrendously enslaved or trafficked around the world. Many, many kids do not know that Jesus loves them. Have you ever thought of sponsoring a child or giving aid to an organization that is fighting human trafficking? It doesn’t really cost much and it will make a huge difference in the life of a child and his family.

I could list tons of other ways of getting involved in the lives of children. There are kids in the United States that go to bed hungry and our foster care system is always in need of more homes. What about our schools? No doubt you can’t help in all these ways, but can you welcome one child? Welcoming children is messy and tiring, but it’s also invigorating, fun and exciting! Welcoming children means being willing to get dirty. It means getting down on their level and it’s filled with “high fives”, laughter and hugs. Ask God to show you what you can do and then do it! Welcome children! Why? Because Jesus did.

PARENT PRAYER
God, 

I do want to love and welcome children, my own, the kids at church and kids around the world. Show me (us) ways I (we) can get involved in welcoming children. Thank you that you love kids. You are amazing God. I’m so glad you love kids, even big kids like me. Amen



HELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN TO WELCOME OTHERS (For Parents)


* Model for your preschooler how to introduce themselves to someone. “Hi, my name is Bella, what’s your name?….It’s nice to meet you.” Keep it simple.



* Encourage your child to share. One of the best ways kids bond is by playing together or sharing together. When your child has a friend over, suggest ways to share. “Glenda, why don’t you share your Legos with Seth. Maybe you could build a fort together.” A snack is a good way to share too.



* Help your child greet his friend at the door and show his friend where to put his coat, where the toys are, etc.



WELCOMING CHILDREN (For Teachers)

* Greet the child and his parents at the door. Get down on the child’s level to say, “Good morning.” Introduce yourself. Give the child a hug or “high five”.

* If you know the child, call him/her by name. “Hi Sami! It’s so good to have you in class this morning. I have some play dough out. Would you like to make something with it?” 



* When greeting the child, sometimes it helps to be silly. “Eli, I’m so glad you’re here. What did you have for breakfast this morning? Did you eat grasshoppers or did you eat waffles? … Oh, you had cereal. I’m glad you didn’t eat grasshoppers!”



* Show the child where he or she can put their belongings and help the him or her find something to do in the room.



* Set activities out before the child arrives so that when he or she enters the classroom there are fun things to do.

* Make your classroom a bright, cheery welcoming place. 



* Introduce the child to some of the other kids in the room. “Eli, this is Sami. Would you two like to work on this puzzle together?”



* If you have a shy child, try to find out from the parents what he or she likes to do. Engage them in something by sitting down and playing with him or her.

* Invite the parent to stay a few minutes until the child feels comfortable and insure the parents that you can page them if needed.



* When parents come to pick up, be sure that you let the child know you are glad he or she came. Welcome him or her to come back next week. Be sure the child knows that you love him or her and that Jesus loves him or her too.

Kid’s Section

STORY: Jesus Welcomes Children – Luke 18:15-17
Some moms brought their kids to Jesus,
Kids who liked to run, jump and play. (Stand up, run in place and jump.)
Some were tall and some were short, (Reach up high, then down low.)
But all wanted to see Jesus that day. (Say, “Yeah!”)

They tried to get to Jesus, 
But His helpers said, “No way!“ (Hold up hand to say, “Stop!”)
Jesus is too busy for children today,
He has more important things to do,
So take your little ones away.” (Look sad.)

But Jesus stopped and said, “Wait! (Hold up hand to say, “Wait!”)
Don’t send the children away, (Shake head.)
I want them to come to me, (Beckon with hands to say, “Come.”)
I am not too busy for them today.”

Jesus hugged the children, (Give hug.)

And sat them on His knee. (Give self a hug and sit down.)

He loved those little children, (Put hands on heart.)

Just like He loves you and me. (Point to yourself and outwards.)


Jesus welcomed the children, (Beckon with hands to say, “Come.”)

He wanted everyone to know, (Touch fingers of hands to temples.)
That God welcomes little children,, (Beckon with hands to say, “Come.”)
Because He loves them so. (Place hands on heart.)

Jesus welcomed the kids to come to Him and Jesus loves and welcomes you too. He loves you a whole lot. He wants to be your very best friend. He wants you to love and talk to Him everyday.



PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, 

Thank you for loving me and being my friend. I love you and I’m glad that you have time for me. Help me to love others just like you love me. Amen

KNOW: Jesus loves and welcomes children.
TALK ABOUT: Jesus is my friend.
ASK: Who loves you? Jesus loves me.


AND DO: I can love others because Jesus loves me.



MEMORIZE: John 3:16 – (Hands open like holding a book.)
God – (Point up.)

So loved – (Give self a hug.)

The world – (Make w’s with fingers & roll hands around each other.)

That He gave – (Extend hands out like giving.)

His only Son – (Pretend to rock a baby.)

FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK:

• Talk to Jesus in prayer.
  • Play with your child – let him or her decide what you will play. When finished playing say, “I love you and Jesus loves you.” Invite another child over to play – Help your child find ways of showing love for his friend.
    • Read a Bible story to your child.
      • Share a cookie with a friend.