Matthew 19:13-15
For young people today, their worlds are dominated by technology and social media. It has been said that connection on social media is one of the main things that young people crave, and yet at times it is also the thing that does them the most damage.
Young people long for connection – which can indeed be found through social media, but actually what they long for is real-life connection. If the Covid pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the fact that we all long for connection with each other. We recognise and value the power of relationship even more.
‘God is hidden no more,
He has spoken his mind,
Wrapped the gift of his love in the stuff of mankind.
Now his nature is known,
God is love undefiled,
And his love is revealed in the face of a child.’
John Gowans
Many of us will know that the verse is referring to Jesus as a child – Jesus who came and lived among us and ‘moved into the neighbourhood’ (John 1:14 MSG). But it can also refer to all young people: that God’s love is revealed in them – in who they are, in what they do. We can learn about God when we are with young people. And we can learn more about God’s work in us when we are with them too – for example on those occasions when they might test our patience and we have to keep praying for that extra dose of grace!
In the Gospel accounts, Jesus has a lot to say about children. Firstly, what we have to remember is that in society at that time children were very low in the pecking order – along with the women. They were in many ways classed as possessions.
But Jesus comes along and says:
‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’
(Matthew 19:14).
He then placed his hand on them and blessed them. By his actions he is bringing them to the front and centre of society.
In Matthew 18:2–5 he challenges the disciples by saying:
‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’
These are such powerful words for us to think about today:
‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’
The question for each of us to think about is how do we welcome young people? How do we support and carry them and place them at the centre of our corps, remembering that as we do so we are welcoming Christ in our midst?
PRAYER
Ask members to write a list of young people that they know or have some connection with. It may be through The Salvation Army, it may be through family or neighbours.
Play a reflective piece of music, and as the music plays invite each member to read out the list of these young people’s first names and bring them before God. Say a prayer for all the young people and for our connection with them to be a meaningful one.
ONLINE GROUPS
Play a reflective music video but do not share screen; or play a CD near your microphone – but not too close!
