TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE LORD

TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE LORD

The Bible says, train children in the way they should go. (Proverbs 22:6). In the Bible, Jesus Christ, the Son of God said: “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14); “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus said “beware of false [teachers]” (Matthew 7:15). As a believer in the Bible, you should teach the children God has given you about the God of the Bible, who loved us enough to give his Son to die for us (John 3:16)

AFFIRMATION OF THE BIBLE AS THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible affirms: ^“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And Scripture points to Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only way to God the Father in heaven. Jesus authenticated the biblical Scripture by fulfilling all scriptural prophecies written “in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms,” concerning God’s promised Messianic Savior, including his crucifixion and resurrection. (Luke 24:36-48).

YOUR CHILDREN MAY FACE UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS

Your Children are likely to be exposed to other than strictly Bible teaching concerning God in the educational system, in the secular world, and even in some parts of the religious community. The following are teachings relating to God that are not based on the Bible; compared to teaching based on biblical Scripture:

A. The Big Bang and Evolution theories, which essentially deny the Bible’s teachings about God being the creator of all things.

The bible Scripture says, “in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathe into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). “And the rib which the Lord had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” Gen. 2:22).

Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrated that he has power over the natural and spiritual worlds. He calmed a stormy sea and walked on water (Mark 4:35-41; Mark 6:47-51 ). He healed all manner of incurable diseases; and healed all who were under the power of the devil. Matthew 4:23; Mark 5:1-13; Acts 10:38). Not only did He raise people like Lazarus from the dead; but He rose from the dead after being dead for three days. He did many miracles which no person could without the power of God (John 9:32-33; John 15:24).

B. There are some religious teachings that say, there are many ways or paths to God.

But in the Bible Jesus said, he is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6); and no one can come to God’s Son except the Father draws them ( John 6:44).

C. Then there are religions that teach that man is essential equal with the Lord God.

The Bible says: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs…[God the Father] said, “Let all God’s angels worship him. (Hebrews 1:1-6).

The God of the Bible says: “I am the Lord, that is my name, I will not share my glory with anyone else.” And “I am the Lord; there is no other God” (Isiah 42:8; Isaiah 45:5).

D. And there are those who promote the idea that people are not sinful as the Bible asserts.

The Bible says: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And “The wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

EXAMPLES OF HOW YOU MIGHT TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE LORD

The Bible informs us that Timothy, a pastor of one of the Lord’s Early Churches, was taught about the Lord God by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. I believe they may have done similar things my grandmother Julia did in teaching me about the Lord.

When I was just a boy, my Christ-like grandmother, whom I called “Mama,” taught me about the Lord Jesus Christ. I learned to love and appreciate the Bible by her having me read stories to her from a colorful picture-book with Bible stories. I vividly remember stories about godly boys which had influenced on me: including Jesus, the Son God; David, a boy “after God’s own heart;” Samuel, a boy whom God spoke to. I clearly recall when she told me about her “good little boy, Johnny” who saw the angels coming when he was dying. I wanted to be a good boy like Johnny so I could go to heaven.

By my grandmother sending to Sunday School, I learned more about the Lord. “Yes, Jesus loves me,” was engraved in my mind by a song I was taught in Sunday School at a very early age.

By Mama taking me to church, I heard the gospel preached. I heard a sermon about Jesus telling a man named Nicodemus you must be born again of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was about ten years old. After accepting the Lord as my Savior, the Pastor ask me if I understood what I was doing. I said, yes. Later, I was baptized. The Lord knew that I understood being saved by him. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Mama also taught about the Lord by the life she lived. She often sang and praised the Lord when she was working in the house or in her gardens, helping to provide for her grandchildren. Many times, I was awaken in the middle of the night by her praying for members of the family. I saw her being kind and sharing what God had given her with our neighbors.

Jesus said, the Holy Spirit will lead in teaching you and your children about the Lord God (John 16:13-14). The Bible tells us that God the Father will honor you and your children as his children, for following Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1). And God is preparing a place in heaven for all his children who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord (John14:2-3).