MISS ELIZABETH LEELAVATHI MANASSEH

Rachel and Ramesh enjoy playing with their peers in the colony, once a week. These Primary and Junior children often play with balls. Several times their balls rolled into a Pastor couple’s compound. "We like Pastorji & Auntyji very much because they never get angry with us" says Rachel, the pleasing Primary. "They are so loving. They return the balls to us without scolding us. They do not hide our balls. Sometimes they play with us” says Ramesh, the jumping junior. "They treat us as their own children. We want to be like them when we grow big “expressed Rachel & Ramesh. This is just an example of how children learn what adults live.

The Bible computes the value of life in the highest of all known terms. John 10:10 declares that Christ came into the world that we might have life. Furthermore Mark 8:36 reminds us that if a person gains the entire world, it could not be equivalent to his/her life. Thus life is the greatest thing in the world. God has created human beings in such a way that a person advances through three stages in life namely the Child life (birth to 12 years) , the Adolescent life (13 to 19 years) and the Adult life (20 and above). Each stage has unique characteristics and needs. However, the lengthened childhood stage contributes much to the development of a person as the basic values, habits and principles are formed during one’s child life. Adults and Youth playa significant role in helping children to develop as the child is wax to receive and granite to retain.

Very often as the philosopher Socrates said we scrape every stone to get wealth together but we take so little care of children to whom we must someday relinquish it all? However, we are challenged by the following facts to see how our Lord Jesus Christ emphasized the value of child life in His life and ministry:

1. Christ represented the ideal of childhood:

Christ could have dwelt among us as an adult but He was born as a child of the Virgin Mary. He chose to pass through the human child life and adolescent life. Luke 2:52 says, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men". Therefore the child life is important.

2. Christ recognized the worth of children:

Christ looked at every child with dignity. He used children to illustrate spiritual truths. For example, in Matthew 18:2-6 we see how Jesus called a little child unto Him and taught the disciples the importance of the childlike spirit (humility) which is absolutely necessary for a disciple of Christ.

Furthermore, Jesus said "whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me". We often fail to recognize the worth of every child. Listen to what Rachel says, "In our colony Uncle and Aunty John show angry face to us when our ball rolls in to their garden. When we say sorry they shout at us. They hide the ball for two weeks just to punish us. They think we are little devils. That's why we don't go near their house". Well Beloved, if we do not recognize our children's worth, instead of drawing them to Christ we may draw them away from Christ!

3. Christ rebuked the disciples when they hindered them from coming to Christ:

The disciples rebuked those who brought little children to the Lord to be prayed over. Perhaps the Lord was busy with the adults at that time and the disciples thought that there was no time for children. What was Jesus' response? Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these".

Sometimes we think that children are too young to be led to the Lord Jesus Christ. Or it is too early to teach children. God's purposes for children have eternal implications. Guiding little children to love and follow Jesus Christ is a great work. It is the work of parents, Sunday school teachers, all the members of the family and the entire community. For example, Priscilla's Sunday school teacher encouraged all the children in the class to tell their friends about the Lord Jesus Christ. Priscilla asked her parents if she could do that. Her parents guided her to invite her friend’s home on her birthday and show the CD on the life of Jesus Christ.

4. Christ re-emphasized the importance of teaching children:

We see this in the parable of the Lost Sheep in Matthew 18:10-14. A study of the context of the parable indicates that it was a wandering lamb for which the Good Shepherd left the ninety and nine and searched the mountains. Verse 14 says "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost".

Teaching children by example to develop good habits such as Prayer, Bible reading/study, obedience, trust, humility, respect for others, etc. strengthens the foundation of the home, church and society as well as uplifts the communities. As some psychologists say, truly the child is wax to receive and granite to retain.

Conclusion:
In view of the above discussion it is a great challenge for youth and adults to set a role model to children in our generation, in total dependence upon the Lord. Dorothy Law Nolte's suggestions regarding how children learn what they live are practical and helpful. 'She' is added along with "he": 

If a child lives with criticism, he/she learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he/she learns to fight. If a child lives with fear, he/she learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he/she learns to feel sorry for himself/herself.

If a child lives with jealousy, he/she learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame, he/she learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he/she learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he/she learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he/she learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he/ she learn to love.

If a child lives with approval, he/she learns to like himself/herself.

If a child lives with recognition, he/ she learn that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing, he/she learns about generosity.

If a child lives with security, he/she learns to have faith in himself/herself and in those above him/her.

If a child lives with friendliness, he/ she learn that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity, your child will live with peace of mind.