Who's In Charge?

Have you ever considered where you would begin and what direction you would take if you were charged with the discipleship of a brand new Christian?  That is the question that I have been using as the basis for the new quarter of Children’s Church curriculum that I have been writing for our kids at church.  I must admit that it has been a challenging and yet invigorating process.  Not only does it take the deciphering of what one considers to be the important doctrines of our faith, but it has also forced me to make sure that I fully understand each subject so that I can teach it in an organized and totally uncluttered and simplistic manner.  That old adage of K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Silly!) continually directs my every step for I want these kids to be able to grasp these powerful truths at their levels of comprehension.  Working in a Children’s Church format with kids from 1^st through 6^th grade (and since we are a small church it sometimes including students younger and older than this spectrum of ages!), it can be an interesting process!

Over the last three weeks we have be teaching about salvation, baptism, being new creations and then yesterday we began to delve into the authority that our loving heavenly Father has given us in Christ Jesus. Sunday’s lesson title was “Under My Feet!” and we used Ephesians 1:19-22 and 2:4-6 as our scripture foundation of this truth. 

The high points of the class came first of all when we had one of our teen helpers pose as Jesus seated at the right hand of God and then proceeded to have all the students sit on his lap (at the same time…) as a picture of our position in Christ. (See: Ephesians 2:6)  And secondly after giving an explanation of the “things” that have been placed under our feet.  With all the students standing in the back of the class, I began to call out the “names” of some of these various “things” (See: Ephesians 1:21-22) while I tossed handfuls of mini shredded wheats at them for them to get under their feet and stomp to smithereens!  (Don’t attempt this without parental supervision and a good vacuum!)  We had a blast and I sensed that the students left the class with the beginnings of a rudimental understanding of their authority as Christians. 

This morning as I continued studying in Ephesians chapters one and two, I read verse 1:22 in the God’s Word translation where it says that “God has put everything under control of Christ.”  Having completed that sentence, I sat back in my chair and pondered the question that I have heard asked countless times over the years by those questioning God’s desires and/or abilities by stating “Well, if Christ is in control, then why is everything so messed up?”  The answer came to my mind immediately as I considered yesterday’s class.  It’s actually rather simple!  Yes, Jesus has been given control over all things, but since He is physically in heaven seated at the right hand of God, He must now work through His body that is present on this earth… namely you and me!

It would seem then, that the reason why things are a mess on this earth is because the church has not taken its rightful authority to put all the “things” that the devil tosses out under our feet!  We’ll talk a little bit more about this subject this week, but I wanted to jump start your thoughts on this bright sunny Monday (at least it is here in northern California!) and put the bug in your ear concerning the authority that God has given us to use for His kingdom purposes in our lives.  Grab your Bibles and begin meditating on Ephesians 1-3 and allow the glow of His revelation of your power and authority over “every name that is named” (Ephesians 1:21 NKJV) light up your path today.  Have a great week.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”