By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

It’s often said that it takes a village to raise a child. If you’re part of a church community, and there are small children in the congregation, then you’re part of the village raising those kids. Kind of intimidating, right?

We all have a responsibility towards children, regardless of our relationship to them or if we’re biologically related to them. Their little ears and eyes hear and see everything we say and do. They’re sponges, soaking up each word and action. Sometimes we aren’t even aware that it’s happening.

Yet the children are there, always watching. It’s imperative that we model good Christian living and disciple the children with whom we interact. You never know the effect you may have.

Spiritual Role Models

Even if you don’t have children, you are still a spiritual parent to the kids around you. Children are watching you. They absorb everything you say and do. What are you modeling for them? Do they see you praying, serving, and loving your neighbor? Or do they see you focusing on yourself, making poor decisions, or avoiding responsibility? Think back to when you were a kid and how the adults in your life behaved. What did you learn from them? What behaviors did you unintentionally pick up and now regret? It falls to us to be cycle breakers, not just for our own children but for all children.

We are to be fathers and mothers to every child and teach them not just about right and wrong but also about God and what it means to follow Christ. In Proverbs 1:8, Solomon says, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” (KJV). The father and mother of this passage refer to our Heavenly Father who is both father and mother, as well as our earthly parents. But it can also refer to spiritual fathers and mothers.

If children are charged to obey both earthly and spiritual parents, then we also carry a responsibility as spiritual parents. We are role models to all children. We’re not expected to be perfect – no one but Jesus is. But we should stop and think about the decisions we’re making and the words we’re speaking. How would we feel if a child saw or heard us in those moments? Are we modeling love and Christian discipleship? Or are we laying the groundwork for the next generation to make the same mistakes we’ve made?

Jesus Loves the Little Children

The children in your congregation are part of your church family. In my church, we hold baby dedications and the congregation affirms not just support for the parents as they raise the child but to also love and nurture the child itself. We acknowledge that the child is a member of our Christian family and that we bear a responsibility to teach the child about Jesus and His love.

Jesus loves children. In His time, children held little to no status in society. They were often dismissed by adults. Yet Jesus embraced them. He refused to ignore them: “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence” (Matthew 19:13-15 KJV). Jesus is for everyone, including children. If I’m following Jesus, then I need to view children as Jesus views children.

One of the reasons I enjoy teaching Sunday School and Children’s Church is because I know how important it is for children to establish relationships with trusted adults who are not their parents. Their parents are still the first and foremost caregiver and teacher in the child’s life, but not all children receive Christian discipleship at home. Not all children trust their parents or feel comfortable going to their parents to discuss certain issues. This where we, the other adults in their lives, can come in. We can share Christ’s love and model Christian living particularly for those children who may not get that at home.

Unto the Next Generation

If Jesus thinks children are important, then they’re important! Children are the next generation of Christians. We must teach them about Jesus and what being a Christian looks like. We must love them, protect them, educate them, and empower them. It doesn’t matter if you are an older teenager or an adult – there are children around you that need you to disciple them.

Don’t be scared by the responsibility. Remember, someone discipled you once. We’re merely paying it forward.