Power-Packed Kids

by Billy Burns

Here is a conclusion that I’ve derived in my 40+ years of ministry – our churches are not producing power-packed boys and girls. Why? The children in our churches are not being given an opportunity to know and have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Really? Really!

I know that you are agreeing with me. If allowed, your response to my statement can be reduced to you only being what I call a head nodder. You know what I’m talking about. But, just head nodding is not enough! I’m asking you to go beyond this and look closely at YOUR local children’s ministry. I’m not talking about just briefly sticking your head inside a classroom and then moving on to the next classroom. In order to have power-packed kids, I am asking you to know what is going on and then ask yourself:

Are there any lessons in any of this year’s services about the Holy Spirit? In all probability, there isn’t a single service telling about the Third Person of the Godhead much less services focusing upon being filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. 

Are the children given the opportunity to begin a relationship with the Holy Spirit? I guess a more direct, piercing question would be, do you place a priority in your ministry for children to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Do you frequently give altar time for this infilling?

Are Spirit-baptized children encouraged to pray aloud in their heavenly prayer language during your worship times and also in their daily walk with Christ? This is so important. In doing so, the “weird” is removed as praying in other tongues becomes the norm.

Are the children taught about the benefits of this Spirit baptism? This teaching opens the door for children to know, experience, and expect God’s power to flow through them.

Are the children given an opportunity in your service to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and flow in His gifts? Your service is the safest place for children to begin to hear and recognize His voice and then say and do what He prompts.

Next, after taking inventory of what is/isn’t going on in your children’s ministry, I believe that your course of action to see power-packed kids should be:

1. Pray. What you’ve discovered isn’t to be taken lightly. A Holy Spirit-equipping ministry is a MUST. The attacks of Satan described in Ephesians 6:11-12 are just as real against children as they are against adults. A Holy Spirit-filled, power-packed child is DANGEROUS to Satan’s kingdom.
2. Speak to those in leadership. With love and respect, pose your observation and strong concerns to your pastor. I believe that your pastor genuinely loves and wants the children to be saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and Bible-loving warriors for Christ. 
3. Get involved in your children’s ministry. Care enough that it will cause you to be a part of the answer. 

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