II Kings 25:9 “He burned the house of the LORD, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every great house he burned with fire.”

This is a sad part of Israel’s history. Babylon has defeated the nation and now they come to Jerusalem and burn the Temple. Can you imagine seeing that incredible structure in flames and knocked down? I am sure the people who watched this cried and wailed.   Their place of worship had been destroyed.

THE PLACE

What a perfect passage to teach our kids, though, about the true church. The church is not walls and roofs. The church is we, the believers, who are bound together through God’s blessings and redemption. I have preached in elaborate structures, rooftop dining halls, schools and alleyways. I have preached in brick, wooden and metal buildings. Where a body of believers meets does not make up the church. The people do.

The church I serve has been in a building program for over 10 years. Our sanctuary has not been completed in all that time. It will probably be the last part of the building that we finish. What! Not finish the sanctuary until last! That room does not make up our church. Sure it would be nice to have it so we could all worship together. But right now the church is meeting in three services (seven if you count Children’s Church, Latino service, Pilipino service and Arabic service). Our church is not the building – it’s the people.

TEACHING MOMENT

So, how can you teach your children this truth? By being involved in your church! Let them see that your family makes up part of the church locally and globally. Being a church means loving each other (as I talked about yesterday). Being a church means supporting each other. Being a church means giving to help advance the kingdom. Being a church is all about obeying the Lord along with others who are on the same journey. Be the church!