A Little Child Among Us

Mark 9:33-37

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Lord,

I am more certain now than ever 

that young and old need each other.

Certainly the young need the old to

teach, 

direct, 

guide, 

share wisdom, 

love, 

mentor, 

apprentice...

As I work with more and more congregations, 

I see the need the old have for the young. 

Just the presence of the young 

gives hope, energy, and purpose to the old.

the sharing of perspectives,

the asking of questions,

even the rolling of eyes

can push the old to be clearer, better, 

more faithful, more patient, more like Jesus

not so much telling answers

but asking questions together.

Lord,

in my 16 years of ministry, 

I am often moved by your Spirit 

through the voice of the Youth Sunday preacher, 

the question asked during children's Sunday school,

and the Bible study with middle schoolers 

at the Middle School Montreat Conference.

Lord Jesus,

you sets a little child 

as an example 

in the midst of your disciples

not for us to “worship” the child,

or even put the needs of the child first and foremost,

but rather to ask:

What are somethings we learn 

from the children in our midst?

Lord,

I am excited 

to lead a cross generational Sunday School class. 

Together we will 

tell stories of faith,

ask questions,

laugh,

play,

create,

and listen

to the voice of the Spirit

speaking through old and young.

Lord,

come speak to us

through young and old

and open us to hear.

Amen.