Are You Pushing Kids Away?

Jesus got angry with the Pharisees many times, but I only see one time when he got angry with his disciples – when they pushed the children away from him. This tells me that thinking that children are not spiritual is ungodly.

“One day, some parents brought their children to Jesus so that he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. Jesus was angry with his disciples when he saw what was happening. He said to them, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.‘”

We see this thinking in our churches today. I have been to revival services in large arenas where announcements were made like this: “We don’t want any children sitting in the first ten rows because we don’t want to disturb the anointing of God.”

Take a moment to consider this statement from a child’s perspective. What does an eight-year-old think when they hear that they can’t sit in the first ten rows because it will disturb the anointing of God? My guess is they think they can’t get close to God until they grow up.

Jesus gets angry about this kind of communication because leaders are doing the same thing the Pharisees did. The Pharisees claimed they knew how to approach God, but they pushed people away with their strict religious rules. Church leaders do the same thing today with kids—they keep them away from the Holy Spirit’s movement.

Here’s an example of a parent pushing their kids away:

God instructed the prophet Samuel to go to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse and anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king of Israel. It’s striking that young David wasn’t even invited to the gathering. His own father did not see the gift of God in him. Jesse saw a little shepherd boy, but God saw a King.

What about you? Are there gifts in your children or the kids you teach that you don’t see? This is why we need the Holy Spirit’s help to see the gifts of God in our kids.

What people are saying about Children and the Holy Spirit:

“Mark’s new book, Children and the Holy Spirit, is more than just another resource – it’s a much-needed invitation to return to the supernatural roots of ministry to children.  Mark doesn’t just teach theory; he’s lived this message for decades. He writes with the wisdom of experience, the heart of a shepherd, and the fire of someone who believes – really believes – that kids can hear God’s voice, walk in His power, and be used by Him now, not later.

If you’re a parent, a pastor, or anyone who believes in the next generation, this book is a must read.”

⁃ Jim Wideman, Kids & Family Ministry Pioneer

Order any curriculum and get Mark’s new book, Children and the Holy Spirit, FREE!