Faith is essential to a relationship with God. That’s true for us and for our children. Without faith it’s impossible to please God or to experience salvation and receive forgiveness. And without faith we are left to face life with our own frail and insufficient selves.
How can any. . . bear up through the fears and the desolations of life without rock underfoot? Not to be sure of whom we have believed, or of what we have believed, must be like standing on quicksand . . .
Amy Carmichael, Learning of God
Growing Faith in Young Hearts
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) Jesus was right there in front of those little ones. So, how do we get Him in front of our little ones? How can we be intentional in presenting Christ, in introducing God, to our kids?
That’s a goal worthy of a plan. Many parents neglect this essential part of their children’s spiritual life because they feel inadequate and unprepared for it. But I’m here to tell you God made a plan with flexible options so you can fit it into even the busiest family schedule. You can lead your child to faith!
*This story’s beginning is in July’s edition of More Grace. You can subscribe to get it by email on the Homepage.
Her name is Gladys and she broke my heart with her question. She’s got a sweet smile in this photo, but her cheeks were tear stained when she stood and asked if I thought there was still time for her to reach her boys with God’s truth. Could they still find faith? She was afraid it was too late. Hopefully she could still lead them to salvation and a friendship with God.
In her remote village, as in much of the world, church is for women. Real men have other interests. Her boys wanted to be like their father who didn’t believe in God. A strong man. Not one who would kneel in prayer or sing songs about love and grace. Those boys were 9 and 5 and on the verge of being lost to God and their mother. We prayed for her for wisdom and an open door into the heart’s of her boys. I believe she was there those two days to hear from God just in time to reach her sons for God.
A Soft Heart is Fleeting
What did Jesus mean that children were like those in the kingdom of heaven? Children have tender open hearts. They accept and believe what the adults in their lives tell them. Especially what parents tell them. And especially if the parents live like they believe what they’re ‘preaching’.
We have a limited time, a window of opportunity to instill the truth that can lead them to faith and a real relationship with God. It’s never too early to start rehearsing God’s goodness, declaring His love and sharing about the blessings of knowing Him with a child. Their hearts will grow calloused to spiritual things as the years pass. They will be drawn away from God by the strong pull of this world, by the lies of Satan and by their own sinful inclinations. But if the truth is sown early into that soft soil it will grow deep roots and ultimately bear the fruit of salvation and righteousness.
How to Prompt Belief & Trust
Why are there so many prodigals among the children raised going to church? I think it’s because they never made a real genuine connection with God. They learned Bible Stories and songs. Memorized the books of the Bible and attended Sunday School, but never came to see God as He is. No one properly introduced God to them.
That’s the first step. To introduce God. They’ll eventually grow in belief and trust Him once they know Him. And it’s simple to do. Just use His own words. “In the beginning God created everything.” Everything the child sees God made. And God then gave it to mankind to enjoy richly. Richly means a lot. We’re suppose to enjoy what God made and gave us a lot. Does the child love watermelon? God made that for him. And God gave him little tastebuds so he could enjoy it. Does the little girl love her puppy? God made puppies soft and cuddly so we could delight in cuddling them.
Do you see how this early step lays the foundation for a child wanting to know God? He’s not some harsh demanding God watching for them to disobey and poised to punish them. What child would want to know that God? He’s generous and loving and longs for them to know Him and trust Him. To believe His words and have faith in His promises.
God Demonstrates His Love
God’s love is always a verb, an action word. He demonstrates it by His creation, His sending of His Son as Savior, and a million others ways that we mostly take for granted. We are immune to His blessings having received them constantly.
But we can start paying close attention so we can highlight them to our children. The first two years of your child’s life should be filled with you highlighting God’s generosity. His power, His love, His blessings and His desire to be your child’s friend and Savior. Your job is to be like a big Yellow Highlighter continually saying, ‘Look at what God made for us.’ ‘This is how God has shown us His love by this delicious strawberry He made for us to enjoy.’ Or maybe corn is your child’s thing like the boy in this Youtube video.🌽
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VbZE6YhjKk
Your whole goal is to sow the soil of your child’s heart with the seeds of truth about Who God is and What He has done for us.
Remember Jeremiah 31:3?
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
It’s lovingkindness that draws us and it will draw your child. Your job is to point out the many ways God’s lovingkindness is evident in your child’s life. You’re the Big Yellow Highlighter🙂
It’s Love ~ not Law that draws a child’s heart to God.
Kelly J Grace
More Posts on Growing Faith in Children
Faith, Belief & Trust Are Responses to God
When we bring God into the limelight our children will experience the same thing we do when He is in the forefront of our minds and hearts. They’ll experience working of the Holy Spirit in their young hearts. I’ve known very young children, under 4 who professed faith in Jesus and prayed so sweetly to God it made me cry. Don’t underestimate your children or the Holy Spirit. You are not alone in your wish to see them trust God. Their belief will bring them peace and joy. Their trust will ease their anxiety and bring them comfort. Spiritual things aren’t strictly limited to age and maturity. God is not hindered by childhood as the story of Samuel reminds us. He can and does have friendships with the very young. Let’s give our little ones the opportunity of knowing the only true and living God.🕊️🙌
Do you know parents with young kids? Please send them a link to this post. Thanks!
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