But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
(2 Corinthians 2:14)
For too long, nurseries have been part of church life because someone must care for babies and toddlers while their parents participate in worship services and Sunday School classes. Babies and toddlers are a distraction in these settings; therefore, nurseries exist as a babysitting service.
But the church nursery can be an exciting and vital ministry. More than a babysitting service, the nursery can be a launching pad for nurturing the faith of the next generation.
The nursery can be an integral beginning of children’s ministry where young children are prayed for, and toddlers hear foundational Bible stories and learn key truth statements as they develop language skills. The nursery can be a place where Kingdom business takes place.
How can this happen? First, nursery workers need to see themselves as more than childcare workers; they are prayer warriors and ministers to children. If every child is prayed for every time he or she is in the nursery, what might God be pleased to do in response to those prayers?
If nursery workers see their chief function not as changing diapers but as sowing truth in the lives of these little ones, what might the Word of God, which does not return void (Isaiah 55:11), accomplish?
At first inspection, it may seem that working in the nursery has less ministry potential than teaching older children, but a good case could be made that it affords greater potential. The infant nursery particularly lends itself to the crucial ministry of prayer.
Although all childcare staff can pray, because of the age of the children in the infant nursery, there are wonderful, free moments when a worker can pray for a child. When rocking a fussy or sleepy baby, changing a diaper, or winding up a swing, nursery workers can pray for the babies in the nursery.
What ministry could have a farther-reaching impact than bringing these little ones before the throne of the King of the universe?
Ministry to very young children is very much a ministry of spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:14). Although they cannot understand deep truth, their spirits can respond to the Spirit of God, and they can begin to understand simple truths that will someday lead them to deep truth.
A nursery and toddler ministry should be a ministry permeated with the fragrance of Jesus. Words about Jesus, prayers to Jesus, songs about Jesus, and stories about Jesus should fill the nursery and toddler rooms of our churches.
Workers with prayers on their lips and in their hearts, songs of worship filling their spirits, and conversation and teaching about Jesus pouring forth from their souls spread this fragrance of Jesus to the little children in their care.
Truth statements such as “God is big,” “God is good,” and “God loves us” sow seeds of truth into developing minds. Because God promises in Isaiah 55:11 that His Word will not return empty, children saturated with this fragrance of Jesus may someday respond to Jesus in salvation.
Although babies cannot understand every spoken word, they can sense the tones or emotions of adults caring for them. In other words, the godly spirits of nursery workers can touch the souls of babies in their care.
It is strategic to nurture the spirits of nursery workers so they can nurture the spirits of the babies in the nursery. The atmosphere in the nursery should be one of calmness and joy.
Decorations and posters on the walls should point to God. Although there is nothing wrong with a poster of a popular cartoon character, it is more strategic to have a poster of Jesus and the children. A poster of a kitten is cute, but a poster of a kitten with the words “God made kittens” is better because it points to God.
Although babies can’t read signs, nursery workers who are drawn to focus on God will, in their spirits, reflect the spirit of God to the babies in their care.
The sounds of the nursery—both musical and spoken—should reflect God. The atmosphere is different in a nursery where recordings of childish jingles are played vs. a nursery where worship songs and hymns are played. Hymns and worship music can come through recordings or the singing of nursery workers. The music can be upbeat and happy or soothing and gentle.
When workers are pointed to God, babies are pointed to God. Although a baby cannot understand the words “Jesus loves you” or “God made these little toes,” truth spoken (or sung) will not return void. The powers of darkness are dispelled by truth, and the spirit is wooed by truth.
Little by little, step by step we can build a foundation of understanding for little children. Will they catch it all? No, but they will catch some of it. Little by little, they will begin to understand who God is and how great God is.
Will they remember it all? No, but we will repeat over and over hidden things, things “from of old… that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.”
We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, “and the wonders that he has done” (Psalm 78:2-4).
This article is adapted from the nursery curriculum, A Sure Foundation, written by Sally Michael and published by Truth78.org.
