Diapositiva 1

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DISCIPLING CHILDREN
Lesson 4 for January 25, 2014
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CHILDREN OF ANTIQUITY
And you shall not walk in the statutes of the
nation which I am casting out before you for
they commit all these things, and therefore I
abhor them (Leviticus 2023)
The pagan nations in Canaan had no respect for
childrens life. The Canaanites and other people
of antiquity sacrificed children for the gods.
For example, king Moab sacrificed his first born
son on the city wall (2K. 326-27) God ordered
Israel not to do like those nations. He gave them
precise instructions about children.
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And these words which I command you today shall
be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently
to your children, and shall talk of them when you
sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when
you lie down, and when you rise up (Deuteronomy
66-7)
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
God taught Israel that their children were
blessings The fruit of the womb is a reward
(Psalm 1273) Children were instructed in the
Word of God since they were very young.
From the earliest times the faithful in Israel
had given much care to the education of the
youth. The Lord had directed that even from
babyhood the children should be taught of His
goodness and His greatness, especially as
revealed in His law, and shown in the history of
Israel. Song and prayer and lessons from the
Scriptures were to be adapted to the opening
mind. Fathers and mothers were to instruct their
children that the law of God is an expression of
His character, and that as they received the
principles of the law into the heart, the image
of God was traced on mind and soul
E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 7, pg. 69)
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JESUS CHILDHOOD
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon
Him (Luke 240)
Jesus didnt come as an adult man. He was born as
a child. He had to learn to walk, to talk, to
write, to worship God As a child, Jesus was also
an example to other children. He was instructed
in the ways of God by His parents He was filled
with wisdom and grace. When the Israelite
children were 12 years old, they were accepted as
a member of the community. When Jesus was 12
years old, He showed an understanding and a
concern for spiritual things that was surprising
for the wisest men in Israel.
And all who heard Him were astonished at His
understanding and answers (Luke 247)
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HEALING CHILDREN
All those stories share something distressed
parents that brought their children to Jesus so
He would heal them. Jesus restored the hopes and
dreams the parents had for their children. He
gave them a chance to grow and honor God, using
their gifts for His glory. The children were
healed because of the faith of their parents.
All fathers are called to bring their children to
Jesus in fervent prayer, seeking physical and
spiritual health. He listens to then and answers
every prayer properly.
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CHILDREN AS AN EXAMPLE
and said, Assuredly, I say to you, unless you
are converted and become as little children, you
will by no means enter the kingdom of
heaven. (Matthew 183)
In what respect must we be as children (Mt.
1125 184)?

• Authenticity.
• Humbleness.
• Dependence.
• Innocence.
• Simplicity.
• Confidence.
• Being capable of accepting the voice of the Holy
  Spirit.

Modern disciple-makers need to learn another
lesson children need never leave their childlike
dependency behind. Properly educated, children
may carry their trusting innocence into
adulthood. Certainly, as children mature and get
older, they will question things, they will have
struggles and doubts and unanswered questions, as
we all do. But a childlike faith is never
unfashionable.
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He Jesus knew that these children would listen
to His counsel and accept Him as their Redeemer,
while those who were worldly-wise and hardhearted
would be less likely to follow Him and find a
place in the kingdom of God. These little ones,
by coming to Christ and receiving His advice and
benediction, had His image and His gracious words
stamped upon their plastic minds, never to be
effaced. We should learn a lesson from this act
of Christ, that the hearts of the young are most
susceptible to the teachings of Christianity,
easy to influence toward piety and virtue, and
strong to retain the impressions received
E.G.W. (The Adventist Home, cp. 47, pg. 275)
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PROTECTING THE CHILDREN
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 depth of the sea (Matthew
186)
Take heed that you do not despise one of these
little ones, for I say to you that in heaven
their angels always see the face of My Father who
is in heaven (Mateo 1810)
As parents or adults, we should do everything
possible to teach the children Gods love and
understanding. The best way to show that love to
them is with our life, our kindness, our
compassion and our care for them. Either you are
parent or not, you are responsible for how you
treat children at your church and the example you
give them.
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LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME
Then they brought little children to Him, that
He might touch them but the disciples rebuked
those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He
was greatly displeased and said to them, Let the
little children come to Me, and do not forbid
them for of such is the kingdom of God (Mark
1013-14)
When Jesus told the disciples not to forbid the
children to come to Him, He was speaking to His
followers in all agesto officers of the church,
ministers, helpers, and all Christians. Jesus is
drawing the children, and He bids us, Suffer
them to come as if He would say, They will
come, if you do not hinder them
E.G.W. (The Ministry of Healing, cp. 2, pg. 42)