Many children are roaming the streets due to a lack of adequate care, due to economic hardship in the land. What should be the role of Christians in addressing their needs? How to impact orphans and shut-ins.
Introduction
An orphan is a child who has lost both parents. Through this experience, they become vulnerable to the ills and hardships in society, especially if they have no one to take care of them.
Even if they are taken care of in one way or the other, it cannot be compared to the care they received from their parents. This is why you see many of these children roaming the streets.
Over time, those who are exposed to the harsh realities of life will begin to indulge in all forms of vices. This is a wake-up call for the Church to rise and reach out to these people with the gospel (ministering to both their physical and spiritual needs).
James 1:27 says, “Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”
Conditions of Orphans
Orphans are children who have no biological father or mother. Some children became orphans at a tender age, while some at an older age. Whichever way, they are children who are growing up without proper parental care, lacking the affection, love, and care needed to grow as other children.
Most times, they lack the necessities of life like food, clothing, and shelter; hence, they roam about looking for what to eat or where to lay their heads. Some of these children are unfortunate. Many times, they lack adequate ca, and they are focused on living on the street.
Sharing Time: Mention some orphanage homes in your community.
Ministering to Orphans
- The Church must make a deliberate effort to assist them by any means possible to meet their needs. If the Church fails in they may threaten the safety of our children. This is because if we allow these children to continue roaming the streets, they can become wayward and negatively influence others. The following are some of the responsibilities of the Church towards caring for orphans: the Church can look for where such children are every quarter or visit the orphanages around to provide them with foodstuffs and clothing materials. The Church can reach out to them by having one-on-one chats with them, asking about their parents, and knowing the reason why they are on the streets.
- Teach them about the love of Christ by telling them about Jesus.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with the orphans until they can trust them and open up to them.
- Allow them to share their life experiences and follow up to disciple them.
- Find time to study the Word of God together with them, and if need be, lead them to a professional who will be able to guide them rightly.
- Lead and counsel their parents on how to show them love, affection, and affection.
Sharing Time: What are other ways the Church can make orphans happy?
Special Programmes That Can Minister to Orphans
- The Church can plan special programs to support orphans as well as help them grow spiritually. Examples of such programs are A-one Day Retreat. The Church could organise a retreat for them in the orphanage homes. In planning this program, adequate preparation is necessary. The church needs to seek permission from the home to be sure no other group or program is slated for that day. The programs during the retreat should include worship, Bible study, games, physical exercises, sharing time, as well as lunch. Furthermore, the church can provide them with clothing, shoes, Bibles, picture books, and so on.
- Avisito orphanage homes during festive periods such as Easter, Christmas Day, and so on. On such days, programs such as drama, musical concerts with other groups, and competitions could be organised to make them happy. It will give them a sense of belonging.
- The Church can also get good Christian families to adopt some of them. This, however, must be done in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department of your state. This is necessary for proper documentation.
- The Church should organise regular visits through the Social Ministries officers of the church to oversee the welfare of the orphans.
Sharing Time: Why is it necessary to consult the Social Welfare office of the state before adopting a child from the orphanage?
Prayer: Pray for provision for all churches so that they can be a blessing to orphans.
Post-Group Activity: Lead your Church to sponsor or get a sponsor for an educational the capabilities of the child.
The Ministry of Shut-ins
The disposition of many people toward the shut-ins is that they are criminals, and not all those who are shut-ins are criminals. There are different categories of shut-ins; some are criminals, while some are due to circumstances they find themselves in. Whichever category they may be, there is a need for the church to minister to them.
Who are the Shut-Ins?
The people referred to as the shut-ins are those confined to a home or hospital, by illness or to avoid social contact; excessively withdrawn or introverted from society. It is a condition in which a person is highly withdrawn and unable to express their feelings. Examples of shut-ins include people with certain types of illnesses, such as coronavirus patients, sick people who are bedridden, aged, prisoners, delinquents, and so on.
Most of the time, these people are forgotten and, as such, they lack adequate love, care, and support from their family members, society, and government. Also, the church that is expected to give succour to these people often overlooks this responsibility.
The Church Ministering to the Shut-Ins
The Church, which has been saddled with the ministry of reconciliation, must arise to alleviate the problems faced by this set of people. Life as a hut-in is not palatable at all, especially in this nation.
Likethosein correctional centres contend with overcrowding, lack of adequate food, and other amenities, as well as some other deprivations. Jesus loves the shut-ins, and so should believers. There are several places in the Bible where Jesus Christ expressed love to people, including the shut-ins.
Matthew 25:31 mentions that whoever did it to the least of these (shut-ins inclusive)has done it for Him. Moreover, in Luke 5:32, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
“Matthew 9:13 and Mark 2:27 also express similar opinions. This means that the primary motive of Christ’s coming to the world is to save sinners and to express love to people who are in dire need. Therefore, the church can minister to them in the following ways:
- Visitation
- Sharing of God’s word
- Discipleship
- Advocating for their pardon and release
- Restoration into society
- Provision of relief materials
Sharing Time: How can the Church be further involved in the life of the shut-ins?
Assisting the Shut-Ins to Be their Best
Ministering to the shut-ins is a ministry that demands the serious attention of the Church. Apart from being Bible-rooted, the uniqueness and conditions of shut-ins warrant attention. It calls for a collective responsibility of the body of Christ(Hebrews 13:3).
Though some churches and non-governmental organisations have been involved, it leaves much to be desired. The societal attitudes towards ChrChristians sensitise to provide further relief to them since they are also included in God’s plan of salvation. Therefore, we need to revitalise our ministries and encourage the different groups in the church to rise to this responsibility.
Sharing Time: Which ministry in the church is saddled with the responsibility for the shut-ins, and how can one be a member of that ministry?
Conclusion
Orphans need care, love, and affection like other children. The church needs to show concern. Otherwise, they may become threats to society shortly. The Church must express love to orphans during the Easter celebration and beyond. The ministry to the shut-ins is mandatory for all Christians.
We are expected to express our love and concerns to them because Christ loves them and also came to save them. Our level of involvement should far outweigh what the government and other non-governmental organisations are doing.
Social action takes place in a social context. A responsible social action involves caring for the vulnerable. Let us, therefore, rise in our various churches to these challenges. It is adequate and appropriate for the Church to express love to people who are shut in during the Easter celebration and beyond. Read related posts on our church ministry page of the site.
Prayer: Lord, help the Church to rise to her responsibility of expressing love by ministering to the shut-ins.
Post-Group Activity: Plan a visit to a church for the shut-ins in your locality.
