Who is the greatest?

Posted by on Apr 18, 2011 | 1 comment

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1

Craig and I have spent the last couple of weeks talking about why we at the Bridge value having our kids involved in our Sunday morning worship. We often wrongly have the attitude of having to “put up” with our kids during worship because they distract us or don’t participate the way that we feel they should.

In Bible times the cultural view of children was much different than we know. Children were seen as “property” and could actually be given away or sold by the father. So Jesus’ proclamation about the value of children would have been controversial and shocking.

Over the last century, the Gospel has helped change much of the perception of children and their importance in our society. Even in child-unfriendly places like Africa and China, a powerful Gospel statement is made about children through organizations like World Vision and Compassion.  

Along with this cultural change comes the temptation to over-rotate and begin to make children an idol. I see this in families that organize everything they do around a child’s happiness. It’s important to remember that even though children possess some unique God-like qualities, they are sinners like you and I and certainly not God.

Our view of children must balance delicately between their qualities that we adults need and the temptation to “exchange the truth of God for a lie, and worship and serve created things rather than the Creator.”

Jimi Williams
Worship Pastor, The Bridge

p.s. A parent this week requested the titles of some of the songs we sing on Sunday morning so that she could purchase them for their kids at house group. Here ya go!

Revelation Song – Kari Jobe
All Because of Jesus – Fee
All To Us – Chris Tomlin
Beautiful Exchange – Hillsong
Christ Is Risen – Matt Maher
Desert Song – Hillsong
Forever Reign – Hillsong
Glory to God Forever – Fee
Happy Day – Tim Hughes
Hosanna – Hillsong
How He Loves – David Crowder Band
How Marvelous – Passion
Jesus Saves – Tim Hughes
Mighty To Save – Hillsong
Oh For A Thousand Tongues to Sing – David Crowder Band
Our God – Chris Tomlin
Savior of the World – Ben Cantelon
Stronger – Hillsong
We Are Here For You – Passion
You Alone Can Rescue – Passion
You’ll Come – Hillsong
Your Love Never Fails – Jesus Culture

1 Comment

  1. Andrea | April 19, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Thank you so much for the titles to the worship songs. We talk a lot about how we as a church want to provide tools for training up our families and not simply programs and activities. These are practical tools for us, to help us teach our children about worship at home, in house group, and in a building with their church family.

    It’s a conversational piece for sure when we begin to try to analyze whether we put our own children at godlike status. We’re commanded to teach our children scripture and train them in how to walk with the Father. They are the next generation of believers, but, not only that, they are little eternal souls who need a savior. It is a high calling to be intentional in how we disciple our little ones, even as we model to them what worship looks like. I’m really looking forward to my little ones learning these songs and then watching them sing these songs next to me in worship. That will be totally sweet. Thanks Jimi!