Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching tem everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
















 
 

Acorns Vision

(FEBRUARY 1999)

 

"I saw an acorn that was planted in the ground.  Someone came along with a watering can and was watering it.  The acorn eventually grew into a sapling and then eventually into a massive, strong oak tree.  During the acorns growth the tree was being watered continuously."

 

In interpreting the picture it was felt that God was saying:

  1. That the acorn was representative of the children in crèche
  2. God was the person watering the acorn/tree
  3. Those involved in working with the children and young people are the watering cans that God waters through.
  4. The acorn has to be nurtured - it is a very important stage as it begins the life of the tree.
  5. Individual children's workers should not be discouraged if they do not see the tree!  Oak trees outlive their planters (although obviously not God!).  To the workers:  "You are sowing the seeds (for God) and helping to nurture the young tree.  Sometimes you will see the tree emerge, other times you will not.  The work being done through you in the lives of the young people will have fruit - but it takes time for a tree to grow!  Someone else will see and have the pleasure of the fully grown tree in the future."
  6. In order to produce a strong healthy tree all stages of growth are important.  Without a successful acorn stage their will be no tree, in the same way that if a sapling is not supported properly then the nurturing of the acorn will have been a waste of time because the tree will die.  The different areas and ages of the youth are inter-dependant; we need to build on what has gone before.  Progression and continuity are the key themes between stages of growth, otherwise children will just be taught what they already know, only in a more difficult way.  This will lead to an accumulation of information/knowledge, but it will not actually lead to a deepening of the roots of faith and encourage growth.  Progression will come from a common aim/vision.  For the tree to develop at each stage, all the stages need to naturally 'blend' into one another.  We need to see the youth work as a whole package and not separate entities.
  7. Support between all the youth workers is vital.  Everyone matters!  No-one's area is more important, easier or harder!  This means that prayer and communication between everyone is essential.

 

Isaiah 61:3 & 11 - "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour...  For as the soil makes the young plant come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before the nations."