Ignite-Part 6, Passionate About Kids

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

If you had to describe all of humanity to a child, what categories would you use?

Scripture:

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:9–17 NLT

How do you divide or judge people in your own life?

How does Jesus encourage us to judge people?

How are you growing in childlike dependence on Jesus?

What do you consider your role to be in influencing the “next generation”?

Lord, thank you for not judging me harshly the way I deserve…or even the way I’ve judged others before. Teach me to both grow in wisdom and also develop in childlike dependence on you.

When you were a kid, what did you imagine it meant to be “grown up”? What did you hope to get and do?

Scripture: After Jesus was resurrected and appeared to hundreds of people, he met with his disciples one last time before ascending back to Heaven:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 NLT

Once the Holy Spirit had created and empowered the church, the Apostles boldly went out and spread the Good News about Jesus, doing miracles to get the attention of the people so they would repent and be reconciled to God.

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. Acts 3:1–11 NLT

Jesus promised his power and presence to his disciples! Are you counting on that in your daily conversations?

What did Peter give the lame man that was even more incredible than his renewed ability to walk?

What amazing and surprising thing has God done in your life? Do you think he wants to do even more incredible things?

Lord, thank you for promising your presence and power to this who follow you. You have done amazing things in and through me…and I trust you want to do so many more! Teach me to be full of faith and to step out and expect you to do amazing things!

How similar or different are you from your parents?

Scripture:

O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.

For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. Psalm 78:1-8 NLT

NOTE: In between these two passages in Psalm 78, there is a tremendous amount of amazing acts of God and very difficult consequences that God’s people had to endure as a result of their repeated disobedience.

Then the Lord rose up as though waking from sleep, like a warrior aroused from a drunken stupor. He routed his enemies and sent them to eternal shame. But he rejected Joseph’s descendants; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. He chose instead the tribe of Judah, and Mount Zion, which he loved.

There he built his sanctuary as high as the heavens, as solid and enduring as the earth. He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants—God’s own people, Israel. He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands. Psalm 78:65-72 NLT

How has God shown patience to you personally?

What important lessons have you learned from those who have gone before you?

What lessons are you teaching and impressing upon the next generation?

Lord, thank you for giving me the record, through your Scriptures, of how you extended mercy, patience, and grace…and eventually punishment for horrible disobedience…and then grace once again. You are a good God, more patient than we deserve. Help me be humbly obedient all my days, and please help the next generation to long after holiness before you.

Looking back on your life, who believed in you?

Scripture:

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” John 1:35–51 NLT

Did you notice who brought Peter and Nathanael to Jesus? While we have four Gospels that describe many things Jesus said and did, we have very little information on Andrew and Philip…yet by bringing their family and friends to see Jesus, they helped change the world. Who are YOU uniquely connected with who needs you to bring them to Jesus?

Think about the simple process that happened: they heard something important and shared it by saying, “Come and see!” Who can you share Jesus with like that?

Lord, thank you that you not only give us life but you share it generously with all who will “come and see”! Put people on my heart and give me the opportunity to help them “come and see”!

If you could design the perfect community, what would it be like?

Scripture:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42–47 NLT

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:11–16 NLT

Everyone needs someone who believes in them…and everyone needs a place to belong! Jesus’ body is comprised of believers from all ages who share Jesus in common.

Are you connecting regularly with a Life Group?

Are you living out your Christianity both in private faith and in public community?

Are you using your gifts to serve others?

Are you creating space and opportunity for the next generation to use their gifts alongside you?

Lord, thank you for loving me, offering me a place in your family, giving me gifts to serve others, and giving me responsibility to encourage and inspire the next generation to use their gifts! Thanks for giving me people who believed in me and a place to belong!

Ignite-Part 6, Passionate About Kids

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