We are called, as parents, to teach our children as part of everyday life. It is through daily interactions, moment by moment, that children watch, ask questions, and form their thinking. They will develop their world view, base on the view of the world they see. As we all know, there are different ways to view things. We filter what we see by what we believe, or know to be true. Because of this it is extremely important that our world view is based on the truth of God’s word.
More than anything, your actions show what you really believe. You cannot rely on the method, “Do as I say and not as I do!” to teach your children in the way they should go. God tells us to teach our children when we get up in the morning until we go to bed at night. He tells us to talk about His commandments when we sit in our house and when we walk along the way. In other words, we are to tell our children about God in all that we do. God must be real in your life for you to do this! Time must be spent in God’s word. You must be prepared.
Two truths that you can always show your children is that God is Great and Good. God’s creation shows his greatness. Man has tried to ignore the greatness of God by denying God the credit and glory of His creation. Genesis, Chapter 1, tells the creation account. In six days, God did His creation work. How great is our God!
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. — Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
This creation work of God is so important to Him, that one of His names is Creator. It is a great comfort to us, and our little ones, to know that the One who created all things is the One whom we can trust with every detail of our lives. There is nothing too big or small that God cannot take care of!
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. — Isaiah 40:28 (KJV)
In fact, because God created everything, He is able to give wisdom and understanding for all the issues of life. A little one can know that, “Daddy and Mommy know God, and, God makes them wise and strong to protect me.”
Because we have a great God, we do not need to fear. Your children can place their trust in you because of the God you love and serve. They can know that when Daddy or Mommy have a problem they take it to God. As they see this work again and again, they learn that God is a Great God who takes care of, not only Daddy and Mommy, but also of them!
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; — Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV)
Your children must also know that God is a Good God. Once again, they will only learn this if you live your life believing this truth. There are so many things that you can give glory to God. Think of simple things, like the new day, the home you live in, and the food and clothing you have. God is good in that he loves and cares for us!
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. — Matthew 6:30-32 (KJV)
God is good and he will provide for you and your family. Model thankfulness in your life and you will raise children who are thankful, too.
God’s goodness does not end with physical provision, but extends to a most glorious level. That level is salvation. Even though we do not deserve it, God provides a way for us to be with Him forever! This is the blessed hope of all who trust in Christ. This is the blessed hope that your children must see in your life.
Every child will one day reach a point in their life where they will be searching for love, acceptance, and their own identity. Either they will find it with God and their family, or they will find it in the pleasures of the world. The foundation for these future decisions is laid down when they are young. As much as your children try to please you, they know deep down inside that they will never be perfect. They know their sin all too well.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
They will also, one day, come face to face with the fact that God is a Holy God who must judge sin. This is a scary thought for children, and especially teenagers.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23 (KJV)
It is up to you, as a father or mother, to show how good God really is. God is so good that he has given us a way to be right with Him. It is so easy to focus on the first part of Romans 6:23 and miss the second part! A child dealing with guilt can especially obsess on God’s judgment. Are you bringing down judgment on the child, too? Or, are you pointing to the way of forgiveness and cleansing? It is so easy to make your child feel like they need to work their way out of their sin. While we know there are consequences for actions, we also know that a great burden is lifted through confession, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
Show through your actions how good God is. Show forth the love of God that is in your heart. Seek God to increase your love! God has given you a gift that your children can receive, too. It is a gift that shows God’s goodness above all that could ever be done. Remember that “the gift of God is eternal life.” It is given, though we do not deserve it. Yes, God is a Great and Good God.
God bless, Mike
