Small Matters: How Churches and Parents Can Raise Up World-Changing Children

by Greg Nettle, Santiago Heriberto Mellado, John Ortberg (Foreword)

Children have always been close to Jesus' heart. As his followers, it's our responsibility to protect, nurture, and pass our faith to children. In Small Why Children Are Such a Big Deal , authors Greg Nettle and Jimmy Mellado offer a model of discipleship that encourages parents to raise up the next generation to be deeply committed to and in love with Jesus. Ministry pioneer D. L. Moody once said that if he could relive his life, he would devote his entire ministry to reaching children for God. What Moody understood was that, by investing in them, the potential for effective change in a child's life is huge. When we awaken to the fact that children between the ages of four and fourteen are the most likely to make a decision to follow Jesus, and that the discipleship that children receive forms their future, it may give you an idea of the importance of ministering the young. Greg and Jimmy challenge the typical church models of youth discipleship and offer ways to shift into a more effective and more biblical method that begins by empowering parents in their homes and works Now more than ever churches have to invest in the cause of children through advocacy, sponsorship, and children's ministries—all of which need to be committed to holistic child development. Small Matters will transform the way we view children, invest in them, reach out to them, teach them and, ultimately, empower them to be disciples of Jesus. "This is a book about small matters, which are really large matters... God has used the small things of this world to do his work, and he continues to do this today. In Jesus' kingdom, the first are last and the least are the greatest, the servants are the heroes and the small are the biggest winners of all." John Ortberg, author and pastor.

Genres: Christian, Parenting

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2016

Reviews

[Tung · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like some disclaimers upfront will be helpful. First, the book is co-authored by the presidents of Compassion International (a Christian ministry that serves children all over the world) and Stadia (a church-planting organization), so you have to know what you’re getting into when reading this book. Second, this book was given to me by a Stadia rep, and I was asked to read it; so this wasn’t something I would normally read by choice. Obviously both factors impact my review of the book. The book is essentially part sermon on the importance of children to God (hence the title); part sermon on the impact of poverty and prosperity on children; part collection of inspirational stories of God using people to impact or children (or to be impacted by children); and part advertisement for both Compassion and Stadia. The authors want readers to: (a) value the lives of children globally; (b) to serve children locally/globally in whatever ways God leads them to do so; and (c) to consider church planting as a vehicle to do (a) and (b). This book is clearly aimed at Christians because it grounds everything in biblical worldview and teachings. I found it a bit schmaltzy, and about twice the length it should have been. I admit I likely would have enjoyed the book more if I had chosen to read it rather than being asked to read it, and if it didn’t feel as propaganda-y for Compassion and Stadia as it did to me (not the fault of the authors, btw, but my own read of it – both organizations do AMAZING things and I respect them both). I’m sure others will enjoy it; just not my cup of tea.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion, the golden nugget in this book is the authors' model for caring for children in our communities that prepares them to be world-changers:
be for. them,
be with them,
be one of them . . .
when these three things are done well, the DNA of Jesus within us will pass into them.

I do think though that the DNA of Jesus better jolly well be active in our lives and our love had better be real because children can spot a phony.

"We are for children in the kind and encouraging words we speak. We are for children in the tender and appropriate touches we share. We are for children with the smiles we give. We are for children in the attention we offer."

"How can we be with children? We engage them in meaningful conversation. We ask prompting questions and listen to their replies. We show that we are listening and that we care. . . . We can also be with children by including them in our projects . . . when we pass on skills . . . when we help them learn things they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn . . . one of our favorite ways to be with children is to read with them . . . One of the best ways to be with children is to invite them into our world."

"If we want to be one of the children in our lives, then we have to recover the perspective of a child. We may need a refresher course in having fun."

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, example filled read explaining why children are so very important and how small matters to God and should matter to us.

[Nathan Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories and practical ideas for why children matter and how they can be cared for

If you liked Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most the book and author that heavily influenced both of of these authors, you'll love this inspiring book. Greg and Jimmy provide both great stories and practical ideas for why children matter and how they can be cared for. Together the authors outline how all children are at risk and call the reader to action both locally and globally. This is an important book for parents, ministry leaders and everyone who has connections with children, for all of us!

[Yvonne Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Every child is at risk" - I love the direction the authors took in this book. Children living in extreme poverty are at risk, and children living in prosperity are at risk. Obviously, some of the risks are much different, but many of the risks are the same. This book explores the risks and the hopes for all children, the authors stories of how they have gotten to where they are today, and how we can raise up our own children to equip them to be world changers.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

All children are at risk. The authors (whom I'm privileged enough to know personally) do an effective and inspiring job of articulating why children matter and placing the deserving value on strategically investing in children ... all children. As a dad, I took away many insights on how to disciple my own children. As a Christ follower, I took away many insights on valuing all children as Jesus did.

[Sharon Siepel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the point of this book: That Parents are the ones responsible for raising their children. As parents there is no shame in asking for help when it comes to raising the other human beings in our household, but when it comes to church we have gotten use to dropping our kids off and letting others do the raising.

Small Matters gives practical ideas and encouragement for parents to model/teach their children in the way they should go

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty easy read that had many good, practical things you can do to care kids - your own, sponsored, church, neighborhood, any of 'em. Quite a few moments in reading were personal challenges to me to be better as a father and leader.

[Simona]

I felt challenged while reading the book and I ended up with a firm to do list for me!

[Derek Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children are not the future, they are the church.