Nursery Ministry

Nursery ministry is NOT babysitting! / 育兒事工不單是保姆工作！

Nursery ministry should be more than just wiping away tears, changing diapers, filling baby bottles, and rocking chairs. Here are three main reasons:

1. Nursery ministry shows little children the love of Christ
   Little children can sense our attitudes through our body language, expressions, and subtle tones in our speech. Although they can't yet express themselves verbally, they absolutely feel whether they are being treated as a blessing or a burden by you. They can see through your eyes whether you genuinely care about them, know if they are valued from the tone of your speech, and sense your state from your actions. Let the love of Jesus radiate from your eyes. When you speak and interact with others, demonstrate gentleness and patience, becoming a testimony of "loving one another" in front of the children.

2. Nursery ministry helps little children to know God
   You might think these kids are so small, they don’t understand anything, or even doubt if they can comprehend God. But scientific research reveals a reality quite different from this line of thinking. The research shows that even babies as young as twelve months can perform triadic reasoning. Through a series of tests by experts, it has been determined that even infants can hypothesize about complex events and rationally revise them in their minds. You can use visual methods, pictures, sounds, and movements to teach children simple truths. Make good use of the nursery resources, and if you think the nursery has inadequacies or any needs, please let us know.

3. Nursery ministry helps your prayer life and little children’s faith

Do you think you're very capable? A child who cannot stop crying despite your attempts at comfort shows you your own inadequacy and limitations. In the nursery, you can pray for the child in your heart or interact with the child through prayer. Pray for the child you touch, hold, and play with on the floor. Let the child see you talking to God just as you'd talk to a good friend, planting the seed of faith in their heart.

I hope these three simple reasons give you a fresh understanding of your service. May God remember the time and energy you put into the childcare ministry, using you to influence children, families, and even your own life!

==================== English / 中文 ====================

育兒事工應該不止於擦眼淚、換尿布、裝嬰兒瓶和搖晃搖椅。以下是三個主要原因：

1. 育兒事工是向小小孩展現基督的愛

小小孩可以透過我們的身體語言、表情和說話中細微的語氣轉變感受到我們的態度。雖然他們尚未能夠用言語表達，但他們絕對感受得到，他被你當作祝福，或只是個累贅。他們可以透過你的眼睛知道你是否真的關心他們，從你說話的語氣知道自己是否被重視，從你的動作感受到你的狀態。請你讓耶穌的愛從你的眼中散發出來，請你說話和人互動時展現出溫柔、耐心，讓你成為“彼此相愛”的見證，呈現在孩子面前。

2. 育兒事工可以幫助小小孩認識上帝

你或許會認為這些孩子這麼小，什麼都不懂，甚至懷疑他能理解上帝。但科學研究揭示了與這種思考方式完全不同的事實。一項研究顯示，十二個月大的嬰兒就能進行三段推理。經過專家的一系列測試，已經確定即使是嬰兒也能夠對複雜的事件進行假設並合理地在腦中修正它們。 你可以使用形象的方式、圖片、聲音和動作，讓孩子學習簡單的真理。善用育嬰室的資源，若你認為育嬰室有和不足或任何需要，請讓我們知道。

3. 育兒事工可以幫助我們的禱告和孩子的信仰

你認為自己滿有能力嗎？一個不受你安慰而無法停止哭泣的孩子，讓你看到自己的無能和有限。在育嬰室，你可以在心中為孩子禱告，或用禱告和孩子互動。為你在地上撫摸、抱著和玩耍的孩子禱告。 讓孩子看到你跟上帝講話就像跟一位好友說話一樣，這會在他心中種下信仰的種子。

我盼望這三點簡單的原因，讓你對自己的事奉有新的認識，願上帝記念你在育兒事工所擺上的時間和精力，使用你影響孩子、家庭和你自己的生命！