Have you ever thought about windows? They open, close, bring in light, fresh air, and lighten the moods of the room. For all of their functions, windows are great. However, windows of opportunities are even better. Have you ever heard of the 4-14 window of opportunity? It’s commonly overlooked, un-appreciated and small; the ages between 4-14. In the United States of America, 63% of decisions to follow Christ happen in this age bracket. The 4-14 window of opportunity is open and churches should be paying attention because it’s going to affect the long-term health of the church.
First, let’s talk about what makes the 4-14 age group such a key age. At this age, kids soak up everything they’re taught. Did you know that if you got caught smuggling Bibles into a hostile-Christian nation, you’ll be less in trouble than if you smuggled Kids Church curriculum? It’s because these nations know how important this age group is. The 4-14 years are a vulnerable age where a kid’s capacity for learning is high. Kids will learn from anything and anyone around them; adults, parents, grandparents, siblings, peers etc. This is why the church should come alongside parents by helping them teach their kids about God and the Bible. Psalm 119:11, ESV, says: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”. This is a time to hide God’s word in their young hearts.
Second, have you noticed that most kids, in healthy family situations, have almost no cares of the world? There are no ‘worldly’ cares like paying bills, finding a job, taking care of the dishes, etc. going through the mind of a kid. However, kids do have valid fears and concerns. Some kids might be concerned of the frequent arguments their parents have, being sucked down the bathroom drain, or being left alone and unloved. What can you do for a kid who is going to grow up in a world where relationships are unvalued and love is “whatever you think it should be”? You can give them truth to hang on to and a faith to guide them in those uncertain times. In Matthew 7:24-25, ESV, Jesus says: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. This is a time to give kids a solid foundation to stand on.
This leads to the third and final point of why the church should pay attention to this age group: Kids want to grow up and make decisions about their future. In the “Christian bubble”, Christian parents try to keep their kids from being as unharmed from the world as possible. While this is most likely done with good intentions, this bubble doesn’t give the kids the Biblical tools to go out into the world to share God’s love with those who need it. It creates an illusion. Only a personal relationship with God through His word will give these kids the tools they need. This Biblical guidance is talked about in Psalm 119:105, ESV: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. When life gets dark, a light is vital to your wellbeing. The church should use this time in a kid’s life to teach them how to open up their Bibles, truth about God, and how He loves us.
I understand not everyone feels this way about the 4-14 age group. The pessimist reading my position might be thinking “These kids can just go out and forget everything. Why bother spending the time and money on that age group?”. A clear reasoning for this would be not only in the statistics of 63% percent of declarations to follow Christ happen in this age group, but in Mark 10:13-16, ESV: “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”.
Kids matter to Jesus. He didn’t run away from them or send them away. He let them come to Him and made their faith an example for us to follow.
Do kids matter to you? If so, are you taking the 4-14 window of opportunity to heart? There is power in a generation dedicating their lives to God. Eternal Power. Let’s seize the 4-14 window of opportunity while we still have a chance.
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