Consider the story of the four types of soil spoken of in Matthew 13.This parable is speaking about planting the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of mankind. Jesus said, “A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell by the road. The birds came and ate all that seed. Some seed fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t enough dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep. But when the sun rose, the plants dried up because they did not have deep roots. Some other seed fell among thorny weeds.The weeds grew and choked the good plants. Some other seed fell on good ground where it grew and became grain.”
The Hearts of Mankind
When you think about these soil types, whose hearts, in general, are most represented by thorny, rocky, and parched ground—the hearts of adults or the hearts of children? The obvious answer is adults.
When you consider the good ground—rich, healthy soil in the perfect condition to receive seed—in general, whose heart does it most represent: the heart of adults or the hearts of children? Understanding there will always be people of all ages whose hearts are hungry and ready to receive Truth and Life, in general, the good ground represents the hearts of children. For the most part, their hearts are not thorny, rocky, or parched.
30, 60, 100 Fold Increase
Look at what Jesus said about the good ground: “But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it.That person grows and produces fruit, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.”
He’s saying that the seed of God’s word planted in the heart of a child will produce abundantly! We cannot ignore this truth! When taught in age appropriate ways, children can handle to deep things of God’s word and it will produce 30, 60, 100 fold in their lives. Get them off the cycle of continual pabulum of cute Bible Stories alone, and teach them the meat so they can produce much for the kingdom of God.
The Best Investment
Statistics show that when the Gospel is presented to adults, on average, 6% will accept Christ. When teens are presented with the gospel, only 4% receive salvation. But when children are presented with the Gospel, 32% receive Jesus as Savior. If you had $1000 to invest in a business venture, and Business #1 said, “Invest here! You will get a 6% return on your investment!” If Business #2 said, “Invest here! You will get a 4% return on your investment!” And Business #3 said “Invest here! You will get a 32% return on your investment!”
Which business would be the most logical place to invest? The obvious is Business #3.
They why does the Church spend most of their time, money, energy, and resources (well over 85%) investing in adults, and only 15% of the average church budget investing in children and teens combined? Additional studies show that children who get saved are 80% committed to Christianity as adults compared to those who get saved later in life.
Learn more in Kids as a Mission Field: http://buff.ly/1RlVWRY
(Statistics taken from Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, George Barna)
