While it’s easy for most people to get on board with ministry to elementary-aged children and older, many people think the nursery is simply a place to babysit infants while their parents are worshiping. But did you know that babies—yes, even infants!—can praise God and connect with Him?
The Bible says in Psalm 8:2, “You have made sure that children and infants praise you. Their praise is a wall that stops the talk of your enemies.” Babies not only can praise God, but their praise stops the enemy! John the Baptist encountered the presence of Jesus and leapt from within his mother’s womb! Leading kids on a journey with Jesus doesn’t have to wait until they are old enough to read. We can minister intentionally and purposefully to the youngest in our churches.
Ministry to Babies
From before my kids were even born, God put a special Bible verse on my heart for each one, and I prayed that verse aloud over them each night before bed. Both of them have memorized the verse and say it with me now each night. They ask for it, if I forget.
My son calls it his “special prayer.” I started praying the words of Scripture over them and declaring God’s truths to them even before they were born, and have continued almost every day of their lives. They are not only hearing those words and truths, but they’re internalizing them, remembering them, and being shaped by them. One of the most important ways we can ministry to babies is by declaring God’s truths and Word over them. Even if they don’t understand it now, the words you speak to babies can take root inside their hearts and grow.
Leading kids on a journey with Jesus doesn’t have to wait until they are old enough to read. We can minister intentionally and purposefully to the youngest in our churches.
Speaking Blessings and Scripture
Not only can we read Scripture over them, but we can speak blessings over them. There is tremendous power in declaring blessings.
Mark 10:13–14 says, “13 People were bringing little children to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on them to bless them. But the disciples told them to stop. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was angry. He said to his disciples, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them.” Jesus took the time to show value to children, to bless them and welcome them, and commanded others to do the same.
Roy Godwin, author of “And I Will Bless Them” says, “Fundamentally, blessing is a spoken word … When we speak out blessings, saying the words aloud, we are imitating God.
The Holy Spirit then confirms those words. At that moment, Creation’s redemption is underway …” God spoke blessing over the world. Jesus blessed those He encountered. The Bible instructs us as His followers to bless others. We can start by speaking blessings over the littlest ones we’re entrusted to care for in our churches.
Divine Appointments
Dr. Wess Stafford, author of “Too Small to Ignore” says, “Every child you encounter is a divine appointment. With each one you have the power and opportunity to build the child up or tear the child down. A life can be launched with as little as a single phrase, an uplifting word, or an act of kindness. The spirit of a child is a lot like wet cement. When a child is young, it takes very little effort to make an impression that can last a lifetime.”
Can babies learn about God? Yes! Babies are learning from the day they’re born! Babies learn and explore the world through their environment and through their senses. They learn through play and through songs.
Babies not only can praise God, but their praise stops the enemy!
Sensory Learning and Repetition
Taking all of this into account, when teaching babies about God, use play and sensory activities, such as hugging a stuffed animal while you talk about how much God loves us, looking in a mirror while you talk about How God made us. Sing songs about God, while clapping and smiling. You might notice the baby smiling and trying to clap along too! Babies are very aware of expression and emotions. Show pictures or use dolls as you talk about the Bible. Let the babies feel a variety of textures.
Babies also learn through repetition. Keep your stories and main points simple and consistent. Hearing the same Bible story each Sunday for a month might seem redundant for us, but babies, it’s the way their minds learn and understand!
Laying Foundations
While you’re teaching and caring for babies in your nursery, remember that you’re laying the foundation for how they feel about God and the church. If they feel safe, loved, and welcomed by you, they’ll grow up with a foundation of feeling safe, loved, and welcome by God and by the church. This will allow them to continue to grow and learn as they grow up in the church.
One last thing: always remember that when you’re serving in the nursery, you are ministering to babies, and you’re also ministering to parents. Creating a trusting relationship with parents and encouraging them in their faith journey, as well as empowering them to continue to disciple and lead their own children at home, is a vital ministry to parents. And by ensuring that their babies are safe and loved, you give them an opportunity to worship in peace and connect with God.
Keep It Simple
A ministry to babies doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple and age-appropriate, and offer opportunities for babies to play, learn, worship, and experience God’s presence. Don’t overlook or underestimate the importance of ministry babies, for each one was fearfully and wonderfully made by their Creator who loves them and has a plan for their life.
Wonder Ink’s 3-year, 52-week children’s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God’s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.
