We have all heard the old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This saying holds significant wisdom regarding child development. Research indicates that a child’s wellbeing flourishes when they interact with five or more non-relatives. As another saying suggests, “the more, the merrier.” A crucial question arises: “How can we foster the best interactions with the most well-intentioned adults?”
However, we also live in a world where dangers exist, which can make us hesitant to let our children interact freely with adults. The solution lies in creating a community where entire age groups can engage with one another simultaneously. This is a space where individuals of all ages come together to share knowledge and passions, passing them on to younger generations.
One of the great benefits of a Christ-centered community is the opportunity for frequent gatherings, which serve not just our personal interests but also enable essential interactions. Whenever I bring my boys to this community—whether it’s for a regular Bible class, a work party, or a Men’s Dinner—I am confident that they will be encouraged and their lives will be transformed. This transformation happens not just through my presence, but through the ongoing, intentional relationships formed time and again.
Moses highlights this community effort in his farewell address in the book of Deuteronomy. He emphasizes that it involves everyone—men, women, children, and even the foreigners living among them.
Deuteronomy 31:9-13— “So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant, and to the elders of Israel. Then Moses gave them this command: ‘At the end of every seventh year, the Year of Release, during the Festival of Shelters, you must read this Book of Instruction to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the LORD your God at the place he chooses. Call them all together—men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns—so they may hear this Book of Instruction and learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions. Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and learn to fear the LORD your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.'”
The emphasis here is on ensuring that everyone hears the Book of Instruction and learns to respect God. This should also be our goal: coming together in unity so that multiple demographics can hear God’s word, and it can be passed down from generation to generation. Children will have plenty of opportunities to interact with adults in this world, but my desire is that my children interact with adults who respect God and His word. That is what will provide a lasting impact and help them throughout their lives.
You might think that your children are grown or that you don’t have kids at all, but this underscores the importance of community. Your presence can encourage someone else’s child or a future generation, simply by being there while the Book of Instruction is read. When groups gather and value one another and the goodness of God, the effects can be profound and lasting.
This weekend is LTC. Even if you don’t have a child participating in any of the events, there will be someone there who needs your presence. They will see that you care about their involvement in this community and recognize your passion for what they are passionate about. Everyone benefits from this support. We are not alone in this mission; it truly takes all of us—it takes a village.