Dear Brethren,

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 16 November 2013 (Sat)

Our Church will hold our 2nd VBS this year on 16 November 2013 (Sat) 9.30am to 5pm. Once again, we encourage everyone to pray and bring a child to the VBS to hear the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone born into this world is a sinner and needs to be saved. We are sinner by nature and by choice. Hence, it is so important that a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age as the heart will grow more harden against the Gospel in each passing year. A young child who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ early in life has plenty of opportunities to learn God’s Word and serve the Lord. Do not think it is in vain for a child to believe and trust the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. It is the best thing that can happen to a child.

Listen to what the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 19:14:
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him bless them, but the disciples rebuked them. Maybe they thought Jesus was too busy or too tired to be bothered with children. When Jesus saw this, He was displeased with the disciples. Jesus took the children in His arms, and put His hands on them and blessed them. You can see how precious the children are to the Lord Jesus and how much He loves and cares for them.

Hindrances to Children coming to Jesus

(1) By our attitude – we see children as a bother. They are messy, noisy and need lots of energy to look after.

(2) By our example – children can learn hypocrisy and negativity when we are not spiritual and not concern for their souls.

(3) By our neglect – we neglect the greatest need of a child for salvation because we think children cannot understand the Gospel.

Reasons to be a Blessing and Encouragement to lead Children to Jesus

(1) The Lord Jesus values children just as much as adults (Matthew 19:14).

(2) Children are more likely to come to Jesus. It is a fact that leading an adult to Christ is much more difficult than leading a child to Him. Children have the right characteristics of humility and dependency in receiving the salvation grace from the Lord Jesus Christ. This is exactly what Jesus meant in Matthew 18:3: “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

(3) Children have their whole lives to live for Jesus. Let me share this story learned from the great evangelist D.L. Moody :

Returning to his friend’s home after conducting meeting in a town in England, D. L. Moody was asked by his host, “How many were converted tonight in the meeting?” “Two and a half,” replied Moody. “What do you mean?” asked his friend. “Were there two adults and a child?” “No,” said the evangelist, “it was two children and one adult. The children have given their lives to Christ in their youth, while the adult has come with half of his life”.

(4) Most children can understand enough of the Gospel to be saved. I led my children to know the Lord Jesus when they were 3 years old. They could understand the Gospel and in simple faith to pray and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Timothy came to believe in the Lord Jesus when he was a child as recorded in 2 Timothy 3: 14-15: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Let all of us reach out to children for this VBS and for every parent, do not neglect the salvation of your children.

Elder John Leong