10/03/2026
This week, we had the opportunity to talk with a children's class about missions. We were able to share a little about what God has put on our hearts personally regarding serving in missions, but mostly, we were able to help the kids understand what missionaries are, the importance of missions, and how every single Christian, no matter your circumstances, who or where you are, etc. has an important role to play in missions.
Scripture tells us in multiple places (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-47, even Acts 1:8) that we are to "go" and "tell" - sharing the gospel of Jesus with "every creature", "every nation", "to the end of the earth." Some of us GO.
Some of us PRAY. Colossians 4:3, Ephesians 6:19, II Thessalonians 3:2 are just some examples of prayers being lifted up and/or requested on behalf of those who are "going." Prayer is not only an important part of missions, it is key! The Lord gives power through the prayers of His people and He made some of us to be fierce prayers warriors, bearing the burdens of others through fervent prayers to God.
Some of us GIVE. This could be through time, resources, finances - there are so many ways to give to support missions and the missionaries who are working to serve the Lord on the mission field(s) He has called them to. This cannot be done without support from those who the Lord has made able and called to give.
Why does it matter? Why do missionaries need to go?
This was a favorite question one little boy asked as we were sharing about missions with the class.
Prior to the question, we had a little activity where Jeremy and I each held up a sign. One was colorfully decorated with bright, fun designs and symbols - very visually stimulating. The other was plain, a simple white paper with the word "Welcome" written in gray letters. Nothing fancy to it. The children were given one simple instruction: line up in front of whichever sign you choose, but once you choose, you cannot switch. The majority of children, about 3/4, lined up behind the colorful sign. The rest lined up behind the plain "welcome" sign.
Once all the children joined their chosen lines, I pulled out a basket and announced that all the children in my line (the one with the plain sign) got to choose a treat from the basket. They were, of course, excited! The kids in the other line began asking, "Ooh what do we get?!?!"
It was then, I explained enthusiastically that everyone in the line with the colorful sign gets to look at the super fun, bright, decorated sign in front of them - yay!
All of their faces fell and the room filled with groans of disappointment and cries of "that's not fair!"
As everyone went back to their seats, most deflated at choosing the wrong line, we continued sharing for a few minutes when the little boy asked that question, "But why do missionaries have to go?"
I told the kids to think about the activity we'd just done and asked them, "If I had told you to join either line you wanted, but that if you joined my line, you would get a prize at the end, which line would you have chosen? Of course, every little voice shouted the plain line - because they wanted the prize - and I was able to explain that just like they would have chosen differently if someone had told them, it is important for missionaries to GO and TELL because there are people all over the world who don't know Jesus. They don't know that eternal life in Heaven with Him is an option, and they don't know how to get there. So, if missionaries don't GO, then those people may not learn the Truth until it is too late, and just like many of the kids came away without a prize at the end of the activity, those people who don't know Jesus will die and go to hell and it will be too late to change their minds.
It was so cool to see their little faces light up with understanding in that moment! The little boy who asked the question even exclaimed, "That makes a lot of sense!" 😊
As the class went on, we got to talk about ways that each of them could be missionaries right where they are - at home, at school, with their friends, running errands with their families, etc. and we taught them a way to pray that we learned from a Pastor/Evangelist, Tarvoris Uzoigwe, as he taught a class on evangelism at a church we visited a year or so ago:
Pray for B.O.B every day!
B - Burden (pray for God to give you a burden for the Lost who need to know Jesus. We simplified this for the kids.)
O - Opportunity (Pray for God to give you opportunities to share Christ with others AND that you will recognize those opportunities.)
B - Boldness (Pray that God will help you to be bold and that you van bravely speak out, sharing your faith in Christ without fear or hesitation, or that He will help you overcome any fear/intimidation that might hinder you from sharing.)
And most importantly, be in the Word! In order to share God's Word, we must know God's Word. We cannot share the Truth of who God is and what He has done for us if we don't take the time to know Him better through His Word.
This is just one way we can all step up and out in faith as missionaries wherever we are! And whether you are called to GO, PRAY, GIVE or some combination of each of those, seek God and be faithful in obedience, and He will bring the harvest. ♡
~ Shamberly
