Child, You've Got Skills!

I’m currently studying the book of Exodus, and I admit, in the past when reading Exodus, there are several chapters that are just so easy to want to gloss over, skim, or skip.  However, this time around, I feel like there are so many solid truths that I am “digging up,” and I just wanted to share.

Exodus 31:1-11 (ESV)

The Lord said to Moses,  “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,  to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,  in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.  And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:  the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent,  the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense,  and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand,  and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests,  and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”

God gives His children skills

The NIV says in Exodus 31:3 “and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills…”  God gives skills, ability, wisdom, and knowledge to His children.  God specially equipped Bezalel and Oholiab with the knowledge and unique skills required in crafting God’s Tabernacle.   

The work is for Him and His glory

God doesn’t equip us with skills so we can make lots of money to buy a Corvette or a big fancy house.  We are to use our gifts to serve one another and to glorify God.

1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The work He calls us to is personalized.  God equips specific people for specific work. 

God identifies by name the ones He wants to do the work of creating the Tabernacle and all that is in it -- Bezalel and Oholiab.  Likewise, we should NOT try to do someone else’s job.  We should not compare our skill set to those of others and wish we had that person’s abilities or spiritual gifts.   God has equipped each of us for something unique and specific that will bring glory and honor to Him.  If unsure about your abilities, ask other godly people in your church who know you to help you identify your skills that could be used for His kingdom.  

Romans 12:3-8  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The work may be for a season.

There was an end to the work that Bezalel and Oholiab were called to do.  At some point, the Tabernacle was completed, and they went back to doing other things or maybe they started doing new things.

Sometimes our calling is just for a season. 

I was involved in music ministry since I was in the 5^th grade.  However, I stepped down from helping to lead worship for about a decade in order to partner with my husband in helping TEACH my children how and why we worship.  At the end of that season, my oldest son began helping to lead in worship and my youngest son joined the drama team at church.  It was then that I felt God had released me into a new season of worship ministry.

He doesn’t call you to do everything.

God only named two people who were to head up the building of the Tabernacle.  They were given a specific job to do.  God did not tell them, however, that they were to do everything.

In my early 20s, every time there was a plea for help, I thought I HAD to do whatever job was needed.  I found myself teaching 3-4 year old Sunday School, being an AWANA leader, singing in 2 ensembles and the choir, and staying in the nursery.   I also had a full-time job and tutored on the side.  All this “work” for the Lord took a huge physical toll on me.  I was mentally and physically exhausted.  I thought I was pleasing the Lord, but God does not want us to do everything.  He has specific jobs for each of us.  Jethro admonished Moses to share the work load with others because “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.”   Exodus 18:17   The Gospels, likewise, give us examples of Jesus taking the time to rest and pray.

Take the time to pray and ask God exactly what He wants you to do.  Learn to say no, if needed.  Chances are, you could be doing a job that God has purposed for someone else.

You are not the only one.

If you left your “job” at the church tomorrow, you would be missed, but God has someone else in mind to fill the spot.  Let’s not feed our egos into thinking we are IT.  The one.  All that.  God’s only solution.   God equips us, and He wants to use us, but He doesn’t need us. 

For seven years, I lead the morning and afternoon worship rally during VBS at our church in Houston.  It was a very upfront role where I used skills such as singing and public speaking.  When we moved to Missouri, our new church already had people to lead their opening and closing during VBS.  Therefore, for two years, I’ve used my skills of bargain shopping, organizing, and hospitality to do the very behind-the-scenes job of running the Encourager Room for the VBS workers, and I love it.  Guess what?   God had people lined up and ready to take over the VBS worship rally in Houston, and they never missed a beat! 

What a joy that God gives us knowledge, ability, and skill in order that we may glorify Him!

As you go through your day, remember, as  Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

How to Help Your Kids Love the Church

A friend of mine shared a disheartening story with me – a young boy walked into his small group and asked, “What are we going to do today?”  When his leader told him, he replied, “That’s boring,” and proceeded to pout and look … well, bored, during the entire lesson and activity.   Not long ago, a mother told me that her teen child no longer wanted to come to church because it was not interesting, and he didn’t like it. 

Most of us have heard alarming statistics about how our young people are leaving the church and about how our children feel entitled.  So how do we, as parents, help our children learn to love the church?

Why are we here?

First of all, we need to decide why WE are going to church.  Do we go to church out of duty?  Do we go to church to keep our kids out of trouble – to give them something to do – an outlet?  Do we hope that good behavior will rub off on our kids if we go to church?  Do we go to start our week off on a positive note?  Do we go to church to see our friends – or to get adult time away from the kids?  Do we go to church because that’s just the right thing to do? 

Why do we go to church?  I believe we should go to church for two reasons. 

1.  We go to church to worship. 

What is worship?  In the book, Parenting in the Pew, Robbie Castleman says, 

     “Worship is the exercise of our souls in blessing God.  In the Psalms we read or sing, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul!’  However, our chief concern is usually ‘Bless my soul, O Lord!’

     Encountering the Lord.  Meeting Jesus.  Hearing his voice.  Knowing God.  These expectations of worship are met in hearts that are intent on his blessing.”

Simply put, we don’t go to church service for us.  It’s not about me.  It’s not about you.  It’s about God.   

However, there’s more to Church than Sunday morning worship service.

2.  We go to church to participate in the life of THE church.

What is THE church?

According to my resident PhD, Dr. Mullin (a.k.a. my husband, Miles), “The church has two meanings in the Scripture.  The first meaning references a gathered group of baptized believers covenanted together in order to worship the Lord, administer the ordinances, disciple its members, and bear testimony to Christ.  This is the predominant meaning found in the New Testament.  The second meaning refers to the universal Church which is made up of all believers throughout all ages and all times.  The New Testament depicts membership in the universal church as secured by faith in Jesus Christ and membership in a local church as normal for all believers”

Part of going to church is BEING THE church – a gathered group of believers who come together for encouragement, discipleship, and service.  Given that we go to church to worship and to participate in being the body of believers called the church, what are some ways to teach our children to love the church?

1.  Know why you are there.

Are you coming for the kids programs, the awesome music, or the entertaining pastor, or are you coming to worship the Lord?  Are you there because you want to make business connections or so you can grow in your relationship with the God of the universe?  As the parent, you need to check your own heart and make sure you are in church for the right reasons.

2.  Ask the right questions

A few years ago, I realized that I was asking my kids a toxic question.   When I picked them up from a church activity, I would ask, “Did you have fun?”  THIS is NOT why we go to church. (See above).  Asking such a dumb question was just reinforcing exactly what I didn’t want them to believe – that church is about having fun.  I realized I needed to ask the right questions.  Here are just some of the questions that I try to ask now.

What was your Bible study about tonight?

Did you learn anything new this morning?

Were there any visitors in your class?

Did you meet anyone new?

What was your favorite part of worship today?

What was your favorite song?

Did anything about the sermon stand out to you?

Are there any prayer requests we should pray about as a family?

3.  Watch your words

Think about how you talk about your church to others.  If you describe your church as being a great place because they’re so many fun things to do, children will get a wrong idea about church and its function.  If you get in the car and complain about the pastor going too long or the music being sort of “blah today” in front of your kids, you will send them a very clear message.  Be careful about how you talk about your church to your family and to your friends. 

4.  Serve

First of all, set an example by serving and then encourage your children to serve.  All children can serve in some way.  Be on the lookout for ways your child can serve. 

My youngest told me once that he didn’t particularly like a certain ministry we were doing.  So I said, “Oh dear.  I hate for you to not to LIKE something.  Let’s just quit.”  “OK, pray and ask God what other ministry you should be involved in then.” 

The Bible says that all believers in a body have a role to play.  I personally believe this also applies to children who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.   Romans 12:4-6 says “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.”

Young children can make shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, visit shut-ins, or choose items for a food pantry.  Older children can help set up tables and chairs, clean pews, and participate in outreach ministries.  Teenagers can do practically anything an adult can do – mission trips, music ministry, nursery work, etc. 

When my oldest was four years old, we “adopted” a shut-in named Miss Ruby.  Miss Ruby had never married and was 93 years old.  She loved it when we would visit, and his cute little boy face brightened her day.  That is serving.

5.  Pray

Pray for your church, your pastor, your outreaches, your missionaries, and your church family members.  Pray with your children about your church often so they learn by example that the church is dear to us and should be lifted up to our Father.

There is no guarantee that your children will grow up and “stay in church,” but we as parents can help our children have a proper view of church and its function by first understanding it ourselves and then by asking the right questions, watching what we say about the church, serving in our church, and praying for our church.