Corrie ten Boom writes, “ Joseph filled the barns in the time of plenty to be prepared for the time of famine. Gather the riches of God’s promises which can strengthen you in the time when there will be no freedom. Nobody can take away from you those texts from the Bible which you have learned by heart. Lord Jesus, we do not fear the future because we know you who have the future in your hand. What a joy to know that you are the same yesterday, today and forever. “
Today I am thinking about the future. Teaching those who come behind us about the faith that someone before us taught to us. It is not an easy task. Parenting. Grandparenting. Caring about young people in this world where the daily pressures come down on us like heavy bricks. Each of us who have young people in our lives have an obligation to show them the way. It stops with us. If we fail at passing on our faith, the next generation begins to be ignorant about what we believe to be true.
Values in our country are at an all-time low, and immorality seems to be at all-time high. Young people are confused by the messages sent to them. As I work with middle-school aged kids each week, their questions are real. They are searching for something firm to believe in and cling to. They desperately need to know that God loves them, and where to turn when their questions don’t have answers. If we don’t have an answer, then we have to be willing to lead them to someone who does. It is our responsibility.
The best time to begin teaching God’s love and truth is when the child is young. Read Bible stories to them, let them hear you pray for them and whatever concerns your family may have, and encourage them to live in a spirit of thankfulness. Help them to learn to depend each day on the God who created them and cares for them beyond what anyone here on earth could. However, if the children in your life are older, it is never too late to teach and share about your faith.
As you take your children and grandchildren to church, explain what the various rituals and seasons represent, and why they are observed and celebrated. ( Like baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Easter, and Christmas) Try to be sensitive to every question they ask, no matter how silly or spiritual you may think it is. They don’t need answers that are deep and philosophical, but they need words understandable to their age. Simple is always better for any of us when we have a question.
There are many things available now to help parents and grandparents to teach knowledge of the Bible and the Christian faith. Movies and cartoons can easily present Bible truths on their level. With the preteens that I work with, I have found videos and written material on the internet that supports what we are learning, to have some hands-on activities. However, even with all the supportive material, the bottom line is that they need to be exposed to God’s written word. To memorize scripture that will stay with them for a lifetime. And to learn to put their faith into action by helping those around them whenever they are needed. That will only be learned by observing those of us who are older. I believe we will be held accountable for what we pass on. It is important.
“ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 11:15
“ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
We know from experience in life that the things we learn best, are the things we hear most. Parents are their children’s first teachers. I know, right? Pretty heavy responsibility that is given to us. If we don’t shoulder the burden of teaching what they need to know for life, someone else will. It may not be what you wish them to know or follow after. It is our choice to step up or step away.
Little people. Precious and a clean slate. Older children. Still needing to know that we care. Every child deserves to know truth from someone who truly wants them to succeed in life. Is it you?
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