Valuing Children and Cultivating Childlike Faith | Chris Walls | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Valuing Children and Cultivating Childlike Faith

Covenant Church • Dec 29, 2024 • 67 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Chris Walls explores God's heart for children and the vital role they play in the life of the church. Looking at Jesus' instruction to 'let the little children come to me,' the message highlights how God deeply values kids, calls parents to be primary faith teachers, and commands compassion for the vulnerable. Believers are encouraged to look to children as models of authentic trust, recovering a humble and childlike faith that rests entirely in the heavenly Father's care.

Themes

Valuing ChildrenChildlike FaithParenting as Faith TeachersCompassion for the VulnerableAuthentic Trust

Pastor's Points

1.

The value that God places on children

2.

The value we as a church should place on children

Key Points

1.
God places immense value on children, as demonstrated throughout Scripture and by Jesus welcoming them when others tried to turn them away.
2.
Parents are designated by God in Deuteronomy 6 as the primary faith teachers in the home, with the church walking alongside to encourage and support them.
3.
Jesus consistently exhibits deep love and compassion for the weak and vulnerable, calling believers to actively care for orphans, widows, and children.
4.
Statistics indicate that 83% of believers commit their lives to Christ between the ages of 4 and 14, highlighting the vital significance of youth and children's ministry.
5.
Childlike faith is defined by simple trust, humility, and complete reliance on God, much like a young child trusting a parent to catch them when tossed in the air.
6.
The presence and unrestrained authenticity of children in worship remind adults to break out of stale, routine religion.
7.
True faith is not about always saying or doing the right thing, but about trusting that our heavenly Father will hold and care for us in every situation.

Sermon Moments

“Jesus overruling His disciples to invite children near, laying His hands on them and declaring that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

“The illustration of a parent swinging a young child in the air, where the child giggles with implicit trust and calls out, "Do it again, Dad!"”

“The reality that 83% of Christians come to faith between the ages of 4 and 14, reinforcing the immense responsibility to invest in children.”

“Encouraging the congregation to find joy when children squirm or squeal in worship, because their unrestrained presence models authentic life and God's heart.”

“Defining childlike faith as knowing that no matter how terrifying life feels, our heavenly Father will catch us and care for us.”

This Week

Take ownership as the primary faith teacher in your home by sharing God's teachings with your children during everyday routines.

Examine your family routines and daily choices to ensure nothing hinders children from encountering God and being blessed by Him.

Choose to respond with joy when children are active or noisy during church, seeing their presence as a reflection of life and God's heart.

Ask yourself the pastor's challenge question for 2025: "What can I do this year to help my faith become more childlike?"

Show Christlike compassion toward those who are weak and vulnerable, reflecting the pure religion described in James 1:27.

Release the need for rigid perfectionism, choosing instead simple, humble trust in God's loving care.

Rely completely on your heavenly Father during confusing or difficult moments, trusting that He will hold you and never cast you out.

Remember This

God places supreme value on children and calls us to nurture their faith while cultivating a simple, humble, and trusting childlike faith of our own.

A Challenge for You

As you enter the new year, ask yourself: "What can I do in 2025 to help my faith be more childlike—marked by simple trust that my heavenly Father will take care of me no matter what?"

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.