Lesson Thirty Five
SEVEN SPECIAL HELPERS
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Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:40
Further Study: Acts 6:1-7; Acts of the Apostles, pp. 87-96; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 31, 32
I had a conversation recently with a colleague. She told me about growing up in a small church of about 40 members who attended regularly. She and her three siblings were the only children in the church. Baptized at age 8, the church immediately put her to work. She attended business meetings where she received the agenda and the minutes that were passed out. She was used on the platform to read Scripture although a stool was required to get the work done. Her feet didn’t even touch the floor when seated in the chair on the platform. This was when she remembered first feeling the church was important and her presence as a member mattered.
It reminded me of my time attending a small church; this one a little bigger at 100 members. I was a Sabbath School superintendent leading the adult Sabbath School as a mid-teen. I remember an evangelistic series that required all the members including the children not only to attend, but to participate. I, too, remembered that same feeling. I mattered to the people in that church and the church needed me, even though I was only about 10.
When one reads the story of the apostles selecting deacons to handle the work, one might read into it the beginning of a church “class” system. Here the elders do the heavy spiritual lifting, while the the deacons (and deaconesses) handle the work the elders don’t have time for. But that isn’t what is happening at all. It’s about taking responsibility for what we call church. The church was growing, and more workers were needed. By sharing these duties with the deacons, they were including them and, in turn, helping the deacons feel needed.
I attend a very large church now. While there are special Sabbaths for children or teens, and the occasional child or teen participates in Sabbath worship up front, it isn’t like when I was growing up. And I get it—there’s a huge list of talented and able adults that when you stack everyone up, the children get pushed to the bottom. And truth be told, there are some in the congregation that would rather have the polish of the retired minister than the stammering of a child. I cast no blame on my church or any other large church. But at the same time, we may be losing opportunities to help a child or teen realize that they matter—the idea that if they weren’t there, the work wouldn’t get done. It’s possible they might stay more connected to their church as an adult if they experience that feeling as a child.
Children matter to churches.
Children matter to churches. We create special programs for them each week. We have Vacation Bible Schools in the summer. But perhaps we need to consider how we might make children feel more a part of their church. If you belong to a small church, this may be happening already. If not, help make it so. If you belong to a large church, speak to the children’s ministries director or pastor. How can your church make children feel as important to the church as the adults?
We should do church together with few age requirements. When we do, we are renewed.
Digging Deeper
A couple interesting points to note in this short passage we are studying this week.
- In verse 1, it states “when the number of disciples was multiplying . . ..” This is the first use in Acts of the word “disciple.” The Gospels reference the disciples, and we know they are the close followers of Jesus. Now those disciples are called “apostles,” while regular followers are called “disciples.”
- There are complaints being registered against the Hebrews by the Hellenists. This is in direct reference to the growth of the Christian Church. Both groups were Jewish, but the Hellenists were Greek. Most likely when the Jews were dispersed among other nations, this group spoke Greek and had absorbed the Greek culture. The Hebrews spoke Aramaic. Because of this there were most likely several synagogues in Jerusalem holding services in different languages.
- We typically call the seven chosen men as “deacons,” but that word is not used in the text. But this is the origin of such a role in the church.
Making it Real
Children should be encouraged to serve their church. If your church is amenable, perhaps your child could read a scripture reading or participate in leading prayer. If so, practice with your child until they feel confident in their reading or praying. Explain to them the importance of leading a congregation in worship. There are other ways to help as well. Think of ways your child can become involved at your church either through greeting, helping with the offering, or even teaching depending on their age.
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.
