Moody and the Children
D.L. Moody emphasizes the importance of using one's talents to serve God and shares his experiences of finding success in children's ministry.
D.L. Moody shares his early experiences in ministry, emphasizing how he initially struggled to connect with older audiences but found purpose and encouragement in teaching children. He recounts gathering a group of children for Sunday school, which ignited his passion for evangelism and soul-winning. Moody encourages others to find their own opportunities for service, whether through teaching, singing, or sharing the Gospel in their communities. He highlights the joy and fulfillment that comes from leading others to Christ, suggesting that this work transforms one's perspective on life. Ultimately, he stresses the importance of using one's talents for God's glory and the impact of reaching out to the lost.
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The first two or three years that I attempted to talk in the meetings, I saw that the older people did not like it. I had sense enough to know that I was a bore to them. "Well, I went out upon the street and I got eighteen little children to follow me the first Sunday, and I led them into the Sunday-school. I found that I had something to do. I was encouraged, and I kept at that work. And if I am worth anything to the Christian church to-day, it is as much due to that work as anything else. I could not explain these Scriptural passages to them, for I did not then comprehend them, but I could tell them stories; I could tell them that Christ loved them, and that He died for them.
I did the best I could.
I used the little talent I had, and God kept giving me more talents, and so, let me say, find some work. See if you can get a Sabbath-school to teach. If you cannot get that, go down into the dark lanes and byways of the city and talk to them and sing some gospel hymns; or, if you cannot sing, take some one with you that can sing some of these songs of praise. Sing or read the twenty-third psalm, or pray, and you can get a blessing in that way. When you have won one soul to Christ, you will want to win two, and when you get into the luxury of winning souls it will be a new world to you, and you will not think of going back to the world at all.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Children's Ministry
- Using one's talents for God's work
- Finding ways to serve God
- Teaching Sabbath-school
- Sharing the gospel with the lost
- Singing and praying with others
Key Quotes
“I could not explain these Scriptural passages to them, for I did not then comprehend them, but I could tell them stories; I could tell them that Christ loved them, and that He died for them.” — D.L. Moody
“When you have won one soul to Christ, you will want to win two, and when you get into the luxury of winning souls it will be a new world to you, and you will not think of going back to the world at all.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- Find a way to serve God, even if it's just singing or praying with others.
- Use the talents you have to share the love of Christ with others.
- When you start winning souls for Christ, you'll want to continue and it will be a new and exciting world for you.