Have a Positive Impact on the Children 

Last week I received a phone call from my former college roommate letting me know that he was a grandfather now. His first grandchild had been born the previous day. After congratulating him on this joyous event, I decided to share my perspective as a longtime grandparent of more than 18 years, as well as someone preparing to welcome his eighth grandchild into the world within the next couple of weeks. I confirmed what a joy the smiles, laughter, and other interactions with those little ones can be. However, I also shared my belief that having a positive, Christlike influence on those grandchildren is one of our biggest purposes during this season of our lives.

In Matthew 18, Jesus talked about the impact we can have on “little ones”. While He may have intended for these truths to apply also to God’s children through faith, or believers, within the context it seems to be referring mainly to young people. They are words to remember in connection with all children, whether they are our own children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, the children at church, or the kids in our neighborhood. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (v.5) “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones” (v.10). “It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (v.14). We should especially pay attention to Jesus’ word of warning – “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea” (v.6). Jesus considered it a serious matter to negatively impact such a child!

Let’s make sure we are being faithful role models and godly examples to the children within our circle of influence. We should be seeking to point them to Jesus. We can sow the seeds of truth and God’s Word into their lives. We can show them the same kind of great love that God has shown to us. We can pray for them.

As students and teachers head back to school, it should remind us what an impact that experience can have on young people. What they are taught, what they see in their teachers, and how they interact with classmates can have a profound effect on their lives. Therefore we need to be praying for all those involved as they begin another school year. Pray that students will be discerning when it comes to the content of what they may be taught in the classroom. Pray that they will be able to recognize what is true and what is false, what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil. Pray for their protection, both physically and spiritually, from the dangers lurking in our society today, including in our schools. Pray that they will choose their friends wisely.

Likewise, let’s pray for the teachers. Pray that they will have wisdom in knowing how to carry out their duties and to appropriately handle discipline in the classroom. Pray that they will truly care for their students and seek what is best for them. Especially pray for Christian teachers who seek to be a godly influence on their students. Pray that they will be faithful to their Christian values as some of them work within an environment that may not be favorable toward their faith or may even be working against it.

Children are important to Jesus. They should be important to us too. Let’s be a positive influence in their lives. And let’s pray for them, including that their school experience will be a good one.