Recently I have begun exploring new curriculum to see it
there is something out there that does a better job of helping teach our
children the truth of scripture more appropriately, effectively applying it to
life. Why? Because what your children are learning in the formative years will
be the memories they carry into adulthood; the foundation upon which they will
build their beliefs and values. But, teaching the Truth found in the Bible is
not something to save for those who teach your children on Sunday. There is so
much that you can teach them as you are reading the Bible and learning new
insights yourself.
One challenging part of scripture they must learn as they grow is
that following Jesus is not a ticket to jolly good times here. In Matthew 10
Jesus warned His followers that there would be struggles, trials, persecution,
separation from friends and family, flogging, imprisonment and even death.
Teaching that alone wouldn’t convince anyone to follow Jesus, but what a beautiful
way to deal with the betrayals that lead to broken hearts or the injustice they
begin to realize as they grow. That isn't the end of the story because He goes on to say, “Don’t be afraid of
those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…” (v 28) Jesus knows our pain
and promises that all those wrongs are seen by God (v 26). That is what truly
matters because He is the Judge. Here is
another challenge for parents who want to charge in and right all the injustice
or demolish all the fears our kids experience. We must work to find balance in
giving comfort when they have been wronged or face fears and teaching them that
Jesus is our Comfort and it is to Him we must learn to run in times of stress.
Most adults haven’t even learned that lesson well!
Another thing we learn in this passage is; Children must be aware of the enemy of their
soul. I have witnessed many children discussing the failures of teens and
adults and saying, with resolve, “I am never going to do that!” Then I watch
them grow into young adults who are making the same choices and walking the same
path they vowed never to tread. When Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid of those who
kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” he followed it with, “Rather, be afraid
of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (vs 28). Another balancing act in parenting is not
over-spiritualizing normal childish behavior, all the while making them aware that
there is an enemy of their soul who will stop at nothing to get them off the
right path. Kids do a lot of things wrong because they don’t always know the
right direction to go. They legitimately forget because their minds are very
busy learning and developing. You need to deal with blatant defiance because it
leads to an ongoing pattern of disrespect for authority; however, not every
infraction is punishable. Many of their errors, even if they have happened more
than once, need to be teachable moments. You have the opportunity to teach them
why it is wrong and instruct them in the way they should have behaved and the
consequences of both actions. Then you have to determine how many times you
teach before you have to react with negative consequences.
Parenting is the most challenging and the most important job
you will ever do. Don’t try this alone. There is One who walks beside you.
Listen and Obey. Stay focused on His Word so that you can direct the children
as He directs you.
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