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The Resurrection Power is best reserved for grown-ups. I mean, we are the ones with the wisdom, experience, and maturity to fully grasp heaven’s realities and Jesus’ sacrifice…right? Oh.So.Wrong!Have you ever heard of the 4/14 Window? Children between the ages of 4-14 are the most open and receptive to the gospel. In fact, 70% of all salvations happen between that window and those that do are much more likely to remain in their faith than those who come to faith outside of that window. It’s a concept that was actually introduced by Jesus in Matthew 19:14 when He says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The words of Jesus are important here, but equally as important are the actions of the people in this story. As we know, the disciples clearly felt that Jesus’ time was better spent with the grown-ups. Children in that time were much less culturally endeared than they are today. It was likely out of respect for Jesus and adherence to the culture that the disciples were trying to ‘protect’ Jesus from the nuisance of these kids. In Mark, it actually states that Jesus was “indignant” when he saw the disciple’s behavior. What does Jesus do? He scoops up all the sweet children and blesses them, and in doing so, challenges a deeply ingrained (and wrong) belief that children are not worthy of His time and affection. What Jesus does here is powerful! But how did we get to this point in the story? How did the children get there? The grown-ups! Parents, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, and Caregivers! It says at the beginning of the story that “people were bringing the little children”... The reason we even see this story in the bible is because of faith-filled parents bringing their children to the feet of Jesus. They obviously had witnessed the healings, teachings, and impact that Jesus was having around them and wanted all of it. For them AND their kids. Parents, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, Caregivers, it’s up to us to bring our children to the feet of Jesus. It’s up to us to instill in their tender hearts the identity that Christ has formed in them. Is it up to us to save our children? No. That’s not our job. However, we have a profound opportunity and we have a profound impact in shaping our kid’s attitudes and openness to Jesus while they are in this 4-14 window. I know that this is the deep longing in all of our hearts, to see our children know and love Jesus and live their lives in His freedom and abundance. This is why #3 on our prayer priorities this year is that the: BATON OF FAITH WOULD EFFECTIVELY BE PASSED DOWN TO OUR CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN. This year let’s be praying for growing confidence in our discipleship at home.This year let’s be praying that our kids and grandkids would take that baton of faith and make it their own.This year let’s be praying for a baptism of the Holy Spirit amongst our kids and youth! There is no junior Holy Spirit. He is one and the same for each and every one of us. 
Go love on your kiddos today! Pastor Laura