Hear the Children Cry

Theme: "Hear the Children's Cry!"

Opening Remarks: Moderator

Our children are crying out.

Each day we hear harrowing stories detailing the abuse and neglect of our precious children. 

These stories are not limited to territories in the far corners of the Earth. No, we also find these stories right here in our neck of the woods.

In this beautiful country, ugly stories are told of the wrongs committed against our little ones. 

Our children are vulnerable; we hope that all of us can put our hearts and minds together to identify ways to relieve the plight of these children, even as we pray for God's intervention.

Indeed, it is time that all of us "Hear the Children's Cry!"

Please stand with me for prayer.

Prayer: Moderator

Welcome: 

Opening Song:#218 When He Cometh

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:10 ICB (International Children's Bible)

 "Be careful. Don't think these little children are worth nothing. I tell you that they have angels in heaven who are always with my Father in heaven."

Prayer:

Main Feature:

Moderator: There's a thought by a popular children's author named Dr Seuss, which says, "A person is a person, no matter how small". 

This statement points to the significance of children as part of our communities. They have feelings. They take up space, have value, and deserve to be protected.

For a few minutes, let's talk about some of the issues our children are dealing with, causing them to be classified as at-risk. Let's see if we can have one from each person:

(Possible Responses)

- physical abuse

- sexual abuse

- emotional abuse

- extreme poverty

- trafficking

- violence against them

- parental neglect

- abandonment

*Moderator:*

Thank you for your responses. Now we're going to listen to a mission story that talks about one child who found himself in a situation that put him at risk:

Mission Story: 

Musical Interlude: Made A Way (Travis Greene)

Main Feature continued:

Moderator: The musical interlude and the mission story that preceded it clearly show us that God can indeed make a way in difficult situations. After the lesson study, we will answer the all-important question of how he makes way for at-risk children. 

Lesson Study:

Moderator:

Question to ponder: Does God desire that his children love and cherish their own children?? 

The answer is an unequivocal yes!

God desires that his precious jewels be cared for. And when they are in at-risk situations, we can rest assured that he is making a way. 

Today our theme is "Hear the Children's Cry!"

Before the lesson study, the question was asked:

How does God make a way?

When his children cry, how does he *really* make a way?

Let's turn to Scripture:

Could someone find *1 Corinthians 12:27* and read for us, please?

Another person, stand and read for us *Romans 12:9-13*.

Could someone else read *John 13:35*?

And lastly, could another person read *Micah 6:8*?

Together these 4 scriptures point to 1 important message, and that message is:

As members of the body of Christ, we are called to serve on his behalf. We are called to meet the needs of others, particularly in societies vulnerable. We are called to be ready at all times to minister. And above all, we are called to do justly and love as Christ himself loved.

There is a quote by Teresa of Avila which says:

"Christ has no body now but yours.

No hands, no feet on Earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now on Earth but yours."

And knowing all this, I think we can now list some ways we can cater to the needs of children who are neglected, abused and otherwise placed at-risk.

So, question, what can we do for these at-risk children?

(Possible Answers)

- Praying for them

- Being vigilant

- Not breaking their trust.

- Being kind

-Adopting them as your child

-Creating a safe space for them

-Providing for their needs

(Elias, 2009) ------------->

- Helping them to form caring, sustainable relationships

- Helping them to form reachable goals

- Helping them to create realistic pathways and partnerships to achieve their goals

- Creating engaging school and community settings for them

**Introducing then to Jesus

God, in his word, speaks about the importance and worth of children. Therefore, children are important to him, and by him being our God, children ought to be important to us. 

The word calls on us to care for children and never ever see them as insignificant. Instead, they are valuable. Absolutely valuable.

We know that children are often abused and neglected across the world. 

This is not what God wants. So instead, he has committed children into our arms of protection. 

Matthew 18 tells us not to hurt them. Luke 18 tells us how Christ received them.

And Psalm 127:3 states that Children are a heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

I hope that all of us will learn how to take care of God's Heritage truly.

May the remainder of your Sabbath be blessed.