The power of the word of God will work for
kids. We often quote Paul from II Timothy 3 about the power of God’s word. Rightfully
so. We forgot, however, the context of Paul’s statement is in reference to Timothy
having learned the word as a child. Let’s see the whole text from II Timothy 3:15-17:
And that from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Encourage children to trust the word of God. Build
faith in your
kids. Tell them about a God who will come through for them. When you tell a Bible story,
emphasize the faithfulness of God.
Don’t major in minors. David picking up five rocks is not the point of the story of his
victory over Goliath. Walking in the power of God’s covenant is the message from
David and Goliath. David believed he had a covenant with God while the adults weren’t
so sure.
The lion’s den is not the message of the
story about Daniel. It wouldn’t have mattered if the king had chosen to
throw Daniel into a rattlesnake pit. The point is that Daniel stood up every
day and declared his trust in the Lord by praying with his window open. God
blessed him by prospering all that he did. Daniel is a story about the
supernatural protection of God for people who serve Him in a pagan environment.
Kids need to know that God is just as alive and trustworthy as He
ever was.
Never forget that "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the
Word of God" (Romans 10:17). If you don’t teach your kids the Word, they
won’t have faith unless they get it from somewhere else.
When I was the Children’s Pastor in a local church my objective
every week was to send those kids home talking about what they learned in children’s
church to the extent that every parent was saying to themselves, "Dear Lord, I wish I
was in children’s church. My kids are learning more than I am!" This will happen
when God’s Word overflows in your own life to the point where you teach it with an
anointing that touches the lives of children.
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