Swingin' On A Star?

"But Jesus said, "Let the children alone and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kindom of heaven belongs to such as these." (NASV)

I was in church last Sunday and found myself offended by the children's message.  It was presented by one of our older saints who is always complaining about how the children behave in church.  The following was the text of her lesson:

Would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a mule?

A mule is an animal with long funny ears
Kicks up at anything he hears
His back is brawny but his brain is weak
He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
And by the way, if you hate to go to school
You may grow up to be a mule

Oh would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Would you rather be a pig?
A pig is an animal with dirt on his face
His shoes are a terrible disgrace
He has no manners when he eats his food
He's fat and lazy and extremely rude
But if you don't care a feather or a fig
You may grow up to be a pig

Oh would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Would you rather be a fish?

A fish won't do anything, but swim in a brook
He can't write his name or read a book
To fool the people is his only thought
And though he's slippery, he still gets caught
But then if that sort of life is what you wish
You may grow up to be a fish
A new kind of jumped-up slippery fish

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
Every day you meet quite a few
So you see it's all up to you
You can be better than you are
You could be swingin' on a star

Her point was that they could choose to be a mule, a pig, a fish, or a monkey OR you could choose to swing on a star.  WHAT?!

Jesus loved the children and had patience with their childlike behavior ( like pushing their way up front so they could talk to Jesus).  Jesus' disciples were like this lady.  They wanted the children to "behave" and stay away from the Master.

Children will behave like children.  They are not trying to desecrate the church.  They are just being children.  Do they need to be taught how to "act" in church?  Sure they do.  But if their parent is a new Christian or a Christian that has never been discipled, then don't expect the parents to know how to guide them.

In Ephesians Paul writes, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other as God in Christ has forgiven you." 

Last Sunday's children's sermon was ANYTHING but kind and tender-hearted.  We are to value our children as Christ valued them and not call them mules, pigs, fish or monkeys!  If you see a child running through the church, in love and kindness, correct their behavior and show them a better way.  As a teacher, it has been my experience that children respond to correction given in love.

My recommendations for this elderly saint:  Next time use the Bible instead of something written by the world.  You will stand a better chance of making your point.  Try using Phillipians 3: 13b-14, "forgetting what lies behind, and reaching toward what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  You could still have discussed making new choices.  And oh...I almost forgot...apologize to the children.