What does God say about how we relate to one another?

1. God’s desire and purpose for His creation is to praise Him together-young and old, rich and poor, men and women—Psalm 148:11-13. God desires for believers to be in spiritual unity with one another and with Him—John 17:6-24.
2. Having children among us in worship should move us to see God's Holiness—Isaiah 29:22-24
3. God moves in unique and powerful ways when all ages are included in worship and praise—II Chronicles 20:13; Nehemiah 12:43; Zechariah 10:7; Joel 2:16; Mark 9:37; Acts 2:17, 38-39.
4. Children and youth can have an important ministry, ordained by God!
   1. Psalm 8:2!! God has ordained the praises of children to SILENCE the FOE and the AVENGER!
   2. The boy Samuel was 'lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was...' and heard the voice of God (when the adults weren't listening!). Even as a boy, he was greatly respected. The high priest, Eli encouraged Samuel to listen to God—I Samuel 3ff.
   3. II Chronicles 34 and 35 tells us of Josiah, one of the few good kings of Judah, who became king at the age of 8. When he was 16, 'while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.' By the time he was 20, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idol worship and God used him to bring about a national revival and spiritual reforms!!
   4. God used the young servant girl of the Syrian general Naaman to lead him to the prophet Elisha so that he could be healed in II Kings.
   5. God gave young Daniel and his friends human and spiritual wisdom and understanding--Daniel 1:4ff.
   6. Something special happens when children are present in worship. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to children (it's not an 'adult' thing). He even became angry with the adults who interfered with the children coming to Him—Matt 19:13; Mark 10:13ff; Luke 18:15ff.
   7. 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions...' Acts 2:17 Your sons and daughters…
   8. Young people can 'set an example' for believers with their speech, life, love, faith and purity—I Tim 4:12!
5. One of our greatest ministries of adults (not just parents, but all believing adults!) is to bring up the next generation in the fear and knowledge of God.
   1. Adults have a crucial ministry in the lives of young people and children and it takes place when we are together—Exodus 12:26ff; Deuteronomy 4:9ff; 32:46; Joshua 4:6.
   2. Joash was king at age seven and 'did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.' —II Chronicles 24:2.
   3. We are connected in worship by Jesus' command for adults to become like little children and for children to become mature in the Lord—Matthew 18:3; Titus 2:6,7; Proverbs 27:11, 28:7, 29:3; 1 Peter 5:5.
   4. God is on the move when the hearts of the fathers are turned to the children—Luke 1:17.
   5. Abraham was chosen by God, 'so that he will direct his children...'—Genesis 18:19.
   6. God set up family-involved worship from the beginning—Genesis 18:19; Exodus 10:1-26.
   7. Teach your children about the things of God and to their children after them—Deuteronomy 4:9ff.
   8. Regularly impress God's Truth on your children in natural ways. 'Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.' —Deuteronomy 6:7-25.
   9. Teaching your children to obey the Lord includes God's blessings! 'Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!'—Deuteronomy 5:29.
6. God has established a covenant of redemption with those who repent in which He has promised His Spirit and His Word to us, our children and our descendents—Isaiah 59:21.
7. Adults (Fathers!) are commanded to teach their children about God—Isaiah 38:19, Joel 1:3.
8. Moses chose young Israelite men to offer the sacrifices and offerings before the priesthood was established—Exodus 24.
9. Moses spent time with Joshua and other young men to influence and train—Exodus 17:9-14, Exodus 24:13ff, Numbers 11:26ff, 13:16, 14:6.
10. Consider Barnabas’ ministry to his cousin John Mark—Acts 15:39, Colossians 4:10.
11. Look at Paul with Timothy (Acts 16:1, 17:1; I Corinthians 4:1), Erastus (Acts 19:22), Titus (Galatians 2:1), Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea (Acts 20:4) and many others.
12. The godly influence of Timothy's mother Eunice and grandmother Lois—II Timothy 1:4. What wonderful examples of the importance of investing in our spiritual heritage.