Read
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Reflect
God’s creation constantly amazes me. Every animal has such wonderful and unique traits that not only bless and protect the animal but also offer us insights into our own lives. One that has captured my attention is the muskox. These large and hairy creatures are built for the extreme conditions of the Arctic tundra, and they roam the frozen terrain in herds of about 20.
What’s most amazing about these animals is their protective nature. Instead of each muskox simply protecting itself, the entire herd attempts to gather in a defensive circle when threatened. The calves immediately move to the center while the adults face outward with their sharp horns pointed toward the attackers, often Arctic wolves. Even when the muskoxen try to flee, they will stop and reform that circle around their young.
There is something powerful in that picture. The strong gather around the vulnerable.
That is not far removed from the picture of Christian community in Hebrews. We are told to encourage one another, stir one another toward love and good works, and refuse the temptation to live out our faith in isolation. Sometimes one of us will be strong enough to stand at the outside of the circle. At other times, we may be the one who needs others to gather around us.
Children are among those who most need that kind of deliberate care.
Churches often say that children are important, and usually they mean it. But it is still easy for children’s spiritual formation to become secondary when time, money, volunteers and attention are stretched thin. We can be very intentional about protecting children physically while assuming their spiritual development will somehow take care of itself.
It won’t.
Children are constantly being formed by the voices around them — family, friends, teachers, entertainment, social media and the larger culture. If the Church is passive, that does not mean our children remain unformed. It simply means someone else will do much of the forming.
That is why children’s ministry is about much more than keeping kids occupied while adults worship. It is about helping them know the love, grace, mercy and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is about giving them a foundation strong enough to carry into adolescence and adulthood.
Youth ministry matters tremendously, but spiritually hungry teenagers do not appear out of nowhere. They are more likely to grow from children who have already learned that faith is real, Scripture matters, prayer matters, worship matters and the Church is a place where they belong.
Whitney Houston sang, “I believe the children are our future,” and however familiar that line has become, it is still true. Whether we teach them well or not, children will grow up. They will become the adults who shape families, churches and communities. The only question is what kind of foundation we will help build beneath them.
As Christians, we should deliberately circle around the young and vulnerable among us, protecting not only their bodies but also helping form their minds and spirits. That means giving them our time, attention, prayer, teaching, patience, mentoring and, yes, our resources.
We worry often about the direction of our communities, our country and our world. But the change we hope to see does not begin someday.
It begins today. And it begins with the heart of a child.
Enjoyed this? Subscribe and get future reflections, bourbon notes, and assorted nonsense delivered straight to your inbox.
Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt and Charles Fulton.
